In this episode of The Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) dives deep into the four most important numbers that every business owner should track. These aren't your typical revenue and profit figures. Discover the metrics that truly matter for business growth, including retention rates, conversion rates, average sale value, and sales per customer. Learn how to leverage these key numbers to increase revenue, improve profitability, and build a more sustainable and successful business. 

 Key Takeaways: 

1. Retention Rates: The percentage of clients who continue to use your services over time. 
2. Conversion Rates: The number of inquiries converted into paying customers. 
3. Average Sale Value: The average amount spent by each customer per transaction. 
4. Sales Per Customer: The number of transactions each customer makes annually. 
5. Improving these metrics can significantly increase revenue without the need to acquire new clients constantly. 

Timings: 

 00:00 Introduction 

01:14 Retention Rates 

05:57 Conversion Rates 

09:59 Average Sale Value 

12:13 Sales Per Customer 

15:00 Conclusion 

In this episode of The Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) dives deep into the importance of systems and processes for your business. This episode explores how implementing robust systems can significantly impact your business's success. We discuss how systems can: 

• Increase consistency and improve results: Streamline tasks and enhance client experiences. 
• Simplify staff training and onboarding: Facilitate smooth transitions and reduce reliance on individual team members. 
• Save you valuable time: Automate repetitive tasks and free up your time for strategic growth. 
• Enhance business value: Make your business more attractive to potential buyers. 
• Reduce stress and improve work-life balance: Gain peace of mind knowing your business can run smoothly even when you're away. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Consistent systems lead to predictable outcomes and happier clients. 
2. Well-defined processes make it easier to train and onboard new staff. 
3. Automation saves time and allows you to focus on high-level tasks. 
4. Systems make your business more valuable and attractive to potential buyers. 
5. Strong systems reduce stress and improve your work-life balance. 

Timings: 

 00:00 Introduction 

01:26 Consistency leads to better results 

03:18 Easier to train or replace staff 

06:36 Good systems save time 

08:23 Makes the business more saleable 

09:37 Reduce stress and improve work-life balance 

11:41 Systems and processes need regular checkups 

14:11 Tools to help you get started 

16:58 Conclusion 

In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) explains why your profit and loss statement might not match your bank account. We explore common reasons for this discrepancy, including accrual accounting, the exclusion of GST and loan repayments, the impact of drawings and dividends, and the treatment of asset purchases. Emma breaks down these concepts in an easy-to-understand way, helping you gain a clearer picture of your business's financial health. 

 Key Takeaways: 

This podcast episode from The Business BFF, with Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) focuses on handling challenging clients. Host Emma Bowdler emphasises the importance of setting clear boundaries and recognising when to end client relationships that are no longer serving your business.

The episode provides practical advice on breaking up with clients professionally, including sample scripts and tips for attracting ideal clients. By implementing these strategies, business owners can create a more positive and profitable client experience.  

Key Takeaways: 

1.  Identify and Address Problem Clients: Recognise and document the behaviours of difficult clients (late payments, unreasonable demands, disrespect). 
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish non-negotiable standards and communicate them clearly to clients upfront through contracts and engagement letters. 
3. Recognise When to Part Ways: Identify signs that it's time to end a client relationship (e.g. dread, ignored boundaries, and unprofitability). 
4. Break Up Professionally: End client relationships directly and professionally without over-explaining. Focus on your business needs and offer referrals. 
5. Attract Ideal Clients: Define your ideal client, audit your messaging to align with their needs, and raise your standards to attract the best clients for your business.  

Timings: 

00:00 Introduction 

01:22 Set your standards and boundaries 

03:29 Recognising it’s time to break up 

06:06 How to break up professionally 

08:24 Meeting the right clients 

09:12 Audit your messaging 

10:52 Raise your standards 

13:30 Benefits of breaking up 

15:23 Conclusion 

In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler (founder of the Women's Accountant), explores setting powerful goals for 2025. Emma guides listeners through the process of defining their ideal business and lifestyle, identifying key gaps, and stepping into the CEO role. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Define Your Ideal Day & Life: Visualise your perfect workday, considering not just financial goals but also lifestyle and work-life balance. 
2. Identify & Address Gaps: Honestly assess areas for improvement, such as skill gaps, time management, confidence, and mindset. 
3. Embrace the CEO Role: Delegate, make data-driven decisions, invest in growth, and prioritise high-value work. 
4. Develop Powerful Habits: Implement daily routines that support your goals, such as daily bookkeeping or weekly planning. 
5. Embrace Discomfort: Step outside your comfort zone with bold actions like raising prices or pitching to dream clients. 
6. Success is Not a Solo Journey: Being in business can be lonely at times, so surround yourself with the right people. 
7. Own Your Own Values: How you see yourself sets the tone for how other people see you. 

Timings: 

 00:00 Introduction 

01:15 Define Your Ideal Day & Life 

03:45 Identify & Address Gaps 

05:36 Embrace the CEO Role 

09:02 Develop Powerful Habits 

11:42 Embrace Discomfort 

14:26 Success is Not a Solo Journey 

15:31 Own Your Own Values 

17:20 Conclusion 

In this episode of The Business BFF Podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of ⁠⁠The Women's Accountant⁠⁠, explores how to reignite your passion for your business or recognise when it's time to move on.

Key Takeaways

Rediscover Your "Why": Reflect on your initial motivations for starting your business. Reconnecting with your original purpose can reignite your enthusiasm.

Set New Goals: Establish ambitious, achievable goals that align with your professional and personal aspirations. This could involve launching new products, expanding into new markets, or simply reducing your workload.

Streamline Operations: Automate tasks and delegate responsibilities to free up time and reduce stress. Identify and outsource non-essential activities so you can focus on what you enjoy most.

Celebrate Your Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. This could involve creating a wins board or sharing your successes with a supportive network.

Professional Development: Invest in your professional development. It doesn’t have to be formal or expensive but focus on something to reignite your passion for your business.

Consider Exiting Strategically: Recognise that exiting your business is not a failure but a potential opportunity. If you feel burnt out or misaligned, explore strategic exit options, such as selling your business or transitioning your role.

Timings:

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Rediscover Your "Why"

02:06 Set New Goals

03:08 Streamline Operations

05:13 Celebrate Your Wins

07:29 Professional Development

08:19 Consider Exiting Strategically

13:25 Conclusion

In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the pitfalls of pricing based on self-worth and the benefits of value-based pricing. Emma shares her insights on why 'charge your worth' is a toxic concept that keeps women in business small, explaining how emotions can lead to inconsistent pricing. She introduces value-based pricing and provides actionable strategies to help women entrepreneurs price their services based on the results and transformations they deliver. Tune in for tips on overcoming imposter syndrome, avoiding comparison pitfalls, and shifting your pricing mindset to reflect true client outcomes. 

Show Notes

00:00 Welcome to The Business BFF Podcast 

00:35 The Problem with 'Charge Your Worth' 

01:27 The Dangers of Pricing Based on Self-Worth 

02:52 Real-Life Examples of Pricing Pitfalls 

07:43 Understanding the Root Causes 

09:44 Reframing Your Pricing Mindset 

10:41 Practical Strategies for Value-Based Pricing 

14:12 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected 

In episode two of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder ofThe Women's Accountant, discusses the importance of establishing business boundaries and non-negotiables to protect your time, energy, and mental health. Emma shares personal anecdotes and practical steps for defining and maintaining these boundaries, identifies warning signs of slipping boundaries, and emphasizes the significance of communication in setting and upholding these limits. The episode encourages business women to reclaim their balance and freedom, providing actionable advice to achieve the work-life harmony they originally set out for. 

Show Notes

00:00 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast 

00:40 The Reality of Running Your Own Business 

01:02 Understanding Business Boundaries and Non-Negotiables 

03:48 Identifying Your Non-Negotiables 

08:30 Warning Signs Your Boundaries Are Slipping 

10:38 Reestablishing and Communicating Boundaries 

13:54 Conclusion and Resources 

In the debut episode of 'The Business BFF' podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant explains the motivation behind launching the show. Emma discusses the pitfalls of typical business advice, the pressure women face in trying to manage everything, and the prevalence of incorrect business and tax advice in podcasts.

She emphasizes creating businesses that align with personal values and offers candid, no-nonsense discussions aimed at helping women entrepreneurs build successful, unique businesses on their own terms. 

Show Notes:

 00:00 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast 

01:17 Why Start a Podcast Now? 

01:35 The Flaws in Typical Business Advice 

02:54 The Pressure on Women in Business 

04:05 Misinformation in Business Podcasts 

04:58 Conclusion and Takeaways 

Hi there, I'm Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant. I am so excited to introduce you to The Business BFF, the podcast where fierce and fabulous women in business come together to dish out real talk, genius strategies, and the kind of honest advice only your besties would give.

Whether you're dreaming big, hustling hard, or somewhere in between, this podcast is your go-to for navigating the internet.

In each episode, we'll dive into topics that matter to business owners and hear from industry-leading experts on all things from how to unlock your cash flow to creating a business plan you'll actually use. You can expect plenty of laughter, light bulb moments, and maybe even a truth bomb or two along the way.

So if you're ready to level up your business and have a little fun, hit the subscribe button and be sure to tune in to the Business BFF because every business needs a bestie.

To talk to Emma and find out more about what we do, visit our website.