Unbalanced

Build a firm that funds your life, not burns it with Nick Boscia

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Unbalanced welcomes The Balanced CPA. Nick Boscia joins Candy and Sam for a raw conversation about transforming a legacy family firm into a modern, sustainable practice—and why balance isn’t a finish line but a daily recalibration. Nick traces the shift from manual workflows and marathon hours to clear standards, upfront billing, and a tech stack that gives his team back their time. He talks through client pushback, raising prices without apology, and the moment “no payment, no work” became a promise to protect the firm, not a threat to the relationship.

The community she never planned to build, with Alicia Katz Pollock

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

At a recent conference, Alicia Katz Pollock asked a room of one hundred accounting professionals to raise their hands if they had explored QuickBooks' newest features. Three hands went up. One was hers. In this conversation, Alicia, founder of Royalwise and a longtime QuickBooks trainer, unpacks why that gap matters: the software now does far more than it did eighteen months ago, and the recent price increases landed before most practitioners even knew what was new.

She also reflects on the parts of her work she did not plan for, like the member community that became the most valued part of her training library, and the collaboration philosophy she and her husband Jamie describe as baking a bigger pie rather than fighting over slices. Along the way she talks candidly about work life harmony over balance, and the winding path from substitute teacher to QuickBooks trainer.

Anchor helps accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch.

Put down the bat: making peace with the mistakes, with Natalie Browne

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Natalie Browne once went to make a $25,000 federal estimated tax payment and sent it to the state agency instead. She caught it, canceled it, and told the client. That kind of honesty runs through this conversation with the founder of Adding Technology, an accounting firm focused on construction and real estate. Natalie talks about the long road from solo bookkeeper to leader of a small team, and why letting people make their own mistakes is harder than quietly fixing everything herself. She gets into the pull of shiny new software, the vetting process her team now runs, and the perfectionism that had her losing sleep over a five-cent discrepancy. Her advice, repeated like a mantra, is simple: put down the bat. If you have ever been kinder to your clients than to yourself, this one will feel familiar.

Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch.

Why lowering your price always costs you more with Michael Coronado

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:18:31 GMT

Michael Coronado of Pronto Advisors still remembers walking into a restaurant decades ago and asking how they closed out the register each night. The answer: someone opened it, took out the cash, and put it in the safe. No one ever counted it. That story sets the tone for a conversation about what happens when businesses skip the basics, whether it's cash controls, tax planning, or pricing.

Michael runs Pronto Advisors, a family accounting and tax practice focused on real estate investors and property owners, a business his father started 35 years ago. He talks about taking over from his mother, the difference between filing taxes and actually planning for them, and why he says he has regretted lowering his price 100 percent of the time. It's a candid look at what it takes to run a firm built on decades of trust.

Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. ⁠Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch.

If your client's name doesn't spark joy, fire them with Nicole Davis

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:15:30 GMT

Nicole Davis built her accounting firm without ever working in public accounting, and she will be the first to tell you how much she had to figure out the hard way. In this episode, Nicole shares what a scathing one-star review taught her about client experience, why she developed a "client match" tool to filter for fit before a relationship ever starts, and how a self-induced cash crunch after acquiring a payroll company turned into one of her firm's most important growth moves.

Nicole talks openly about the emotional weight of firing employees, how an employment attorney helped her think about core values as legitimate grounds for dismissal, and why she now audits her client list the same way she would a closet: if a name does not spark joy, it goes. She also shares her unexpected path into stand-up comedy and what performing taught her about showing up on stage.

Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. ⁠Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch.

Flat rates, firm boundaries, and running a firm with your spouse with Ray and Nicole Nieves

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Nicole Nieves didn't set out to run a firm on her own terms — she got there because her health demanded it. After years of pushing through long hours in New York, she found herself repeatedly hospitalized and forced onto medical leave. What came out of that hard stop was a set of policies most accounting firms still resist: documents due 30 days before the deadline, a standing Wednesday off, and a rule that if a client doesn't respond within 48 hours, they lose their place in the queue.

In this episode, Ray and Nicole Nieves of NRN Financial Services talk through what it actually looks like to run a full-service accounting firm with a spouse, move your client base across state lines twice, and shift from hourly billing to flat rates. They get into nonprofit client challenges, managing client access to the books, and why Ray, a longtime tax professional, had to relearn almost everything when Nicole took over as managing partner.

Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch.

Getting out of the weeds: fractional operators for accounting firms with Ashley Connell

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:39:17 GMT

Ashley Connell spent a year having 60 one-on-one conversations with accounting firm owners before deciding to go all in on the profession. What she heard most often surprised her: loneliness. Not just the need for peers, but the need for someone inside the business they could actually talk to.

Ashley is the founder of Prowess Project, which matches accounting firm owners with fractional operators, experienced operations professionals who embed in a firm and help the owner step back from running the day-to-day so they can focus on growing the business.

In this conversation, Ashley breaks down how the matching process works, why emotional intelligence is the trait she screens for above all else, what she got wrong early on, and why she built monthly roundtables specifically for firm owners who feel like they are carrying everything alone.

When the rug gets pulled: rebuilding with intention with Rick Meekins

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:34:54 GMT

Rick Meekins had built something real. Multiple companies running simultaneously, an engineer on staff, hands in product development, construction, and more. Then COVID hit, and almost overnight, everything stopped. What followed were months of debt, difficult conversations, and a slow reckoning with what comes next.

In this episode, Rick, founder of Polaris Story and host of the Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast, talks through what 30-plus years of entrepreneurship has actually looked like, including a restaurant that pushed him past his limits, a consulting business undone by forces outside his control, and a deliberate decision early this year to start over with coaches, accountability, and a clearer sense of purpose.

The conversation covers underpricing out of fear, why knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things, and what it means to keep pursuing the win when the strategy has to change.

From bookkeeper to AI builder: what the profession needs to know with Jan Haugo

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Jan Haugo spent 40 hours a week for over 18 months learning, building, and breaking AI tools outside the accounting industry because she felt what was available inside it wasn't enough. What she came back with wasn't a collection of tips for writing better emails. It was a system: general ledger error detection, 1099 audit checking, brand voice training, and over 80 operations built to match how accounting firms actually work.

In this conversation, Jan walks through how she thinks about AI tool selection, why anonymizing client data matters more than avoiding AI altogether, and what it means to get 100 hours of production out of a 40-hour week. She also talks honestly about imposter syndrome, the validation that finally gave her confidence to teach, and why the accounting profession tends to sit quietly while the world changes around it.

Problems are really opportunities if you think about it with Richard Soo Hoo

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

A nonprofit's CPA said they didn't qualify. Their payroll company said the same. So did a second advisor. Richard Soo Hoo, owner of Richard Soo Hoo CPA and Associates, looked at the paperwork anyway, told everyone they were wrong, and three weeks later the organization had $425,000 in Employee Retention Tax Credits in hand.

That story sits at the center of this conversation, but it's hardly the only one. Richard reflects on what it actually means to get a tax refund (hint: it's an interest-free loan to the government), what happens when in-laws compare your work to the guy down the street who got them a $75 refund, and why decades of working inside Fortune 100 companies left him genuinely unprepared for the most interesting part of the job: dealing with people.

Candid, understated, and quietly sharp, Richard brings a perspective that only comes from working at every level of the profession. Listen to the full episode, and follow the show so you never miss a conversation.

Collaboration without competition: building better accounting firms with Richard Roppa-Roberts

Tue, 26 May 2026 13:27:23 GMT

Richard Roppa-Roberts did not plan to start a business. He bought a house on October 11, 2014, and was laid off the very next day. What followed was an accidental entrepreneurial career that now includes two businesses, over 7,600 hours of live peer conversation, and a near-coma hospitalization that tested every contingency plan he had built.In this episode, Richard shares what he has learned running Quasar Cowboy and Roundtable Labs, including a simple calendar strategy for reclaiming time every month, how moving client communications entirely out of email changed the quality of his work, and why he believes collaboration without competition is the most underused growth lever in accounting.

Stop listening to what clients say they want with Ron Stauffer

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Ron Stauffer walked in the door after his second layoff, gave himself one afternoon to feel bad about it, and had a check in his hand by the next day. That mindset, combining deep curiosity with relentless relationship-building, is at the core of how he has run Leader Digital for eighteen years without spending a single dollar on advertising.

In this conversation, Ron shares why most businesses asking for more website traffic actually have a broken sales funnel, and how asking the question behind the question changes everything. He talks about the gap between what clients say they want and what they actually need, why networking is fundamentally storytelling, and what it looks like to build a referral-based business from scratch, twice.

Why your cash flow problem probably isn't what you think it is with David Safeer

Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, David joins Sam and Candy to talk about what really drives small business financial trouble, why the root cause is almost never what the owner suspects, and what it takes for accountants and bookkeepers to make the shift into genuine advisory work. They also get into the realities of building a first-year conference, why most accounting-adjacent advice stays frustratingly surface-level, and what it means to charge for work while you're still learning to do it.

David is also hosting PIVOT, an intentionally small cash flow conference limited to 20 attendees, taking place May 24 through 29, 2026 at the Secrets Riviera Cancun in Mexico. Spots are still available. Mention The Unbalanced Podcast for a discount. Learn more at pivot2026.com.

What bad bookkeeping actually costs your clients with Melissa Guinn

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Melissa Guinn once found $180,000 of loan proceeds misclassified as income. Her client had paid taxes on money that was never earnings. A corrected return later, the client received $40,000 back. That kind of discovery is not luck. It is what happens when a bookkeeper asks enough questions, runs a real onboarding process, and knows what to look for.

Melissa is the owner of Lookout Bookkeeping in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a virtual firm serving service-based businesses and real estate investors. In this conversation, she talks through the real cost of underpriced services, how she made the shift from hourly to monthly recurring revenue, why she attends tax webinars even though her firm does not do taxes, and what it actually takes to build systems that protect both clients and your own time.

If you have ever undercharged, skipped an onboarding fee, or answered a client call during blocked work hours, this one is worth your time. Listen and follow the show so you never miss an episode.

What you don’t see coming as a firm owner with Erin Pohan

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Erin Pohan, founder of Upkeeping and creator of WAVE Seattle, joins Sam and Candy for a conversation about the parts of firm ownership no one really prepares you for. From building real community in the accounting profession to navigating a $100,000 IRS notice and a years-long fight to protect her business, Erin shares what it looks like to keep going when the unexpected hits.

Along the way, they talk about conferences, connection, and why finding your people matters more than anything when work and life get complicated. This episode is honest, funny at times, and grounded in the reality of what it takes to build something and keep it standing.

From doing the work to leading the work with Rachel Dauchy

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What changes when you go from doing the work to leading a team doing it for you?

In this episode, Rachel Dauchy shares what growth actually looks like behind the scenes, from navigating client expectations that don’t evolve with your business, to hiring, letting go, and learning how to trust your team. She talks about building a firm rooted in systems, automation, and specialization, while still holding onto the parts of the work she genuinely loves.

This conversation also challenges the way we think about accounting itself. Not as rigid or purely technical, but as something far more creative, interpretive, and human.

Why most accountants are asking the wrong questions with Debra Kilsheimer

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Most accountants were taught to focus on the work. The transactions, the categorization, the details. But that’s not what clients actually need.

In this episode of Unbalanced, Debra Kilsheimer challenges the way the profession has always operated. She shares why accounting should be about asking better questions, not just producing reports, and how AI is forcing a shift away from data entry toward real decision-making.

From her unfiltered take on software and the future of the industry to her perspective on confidence, pricing, and doing things your own way, this conversation is equal parts practical and personal. It’s about thinking bigger, speaking up, and defining success on your own terms.

The moment your biggest client becomes your biggest risk with Tiffany Gonzalez

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What looks like growth on paper can quietly introduce risk beneath the surface. Tiffany Gonzalez shares how one client scaling rapidly forced her to confront client concentration, shifting power dynamics, and the pressure it puts on teams. She walks through how she navigated that moment without reacting from fear, including restructuring internally and returning to sales with intention. This conversation explores pricing discipline, boundaries, and what it really takes to build a resilient firm. It is an honest look at the tradeoffs firm owners face as they grow.

What almost broke her business taught her the most with Karen Reese

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:16:04 GMT

In this episode of Unbalanced, Candy Bellau and Sam Hallburn sit down with Karen Reese of Starlight Bookkeeping for an honest conversation about the hard lessons that come with building a business. Karen opens up about trust gone wrong, cash flow mistakes, pricing clarity, and learning to put the right safeguards in place as her firm grew. It’s a grounded, practical episode about what firm owners often learn the hard way and what it really takes to build a business that works for you, not just because of you.

The mistake every new founder makes in their first year with Blair Drake

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Most founders don’t struggle because they aren’t capable, they struggle because they say yes to the wrong things early on. In this episode of Unbalanced, Blair Drake shares what her first year in business actually looked like, from a slow start to taking on work that pulled her away from what she really wanted to build. She opens up about the moment things shifted, not from doing more, but from getting clearer on her value and what she needed to say no to. This conversation explores the tension between being needed and being effective, and why patience, boundaries, and self-trust matter more than most founders expect. If you’re in your first year or thinking about starting something, this will feel uncomfortably familiar in the best way.

She tried psychedelic therapy to heal burnout. What happened next shocked her with Dr. Kristy Short

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Dr. Kristy Short returns to the Unbalanced Podcast for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about mental health and what it really takes to heal. She shares the story behind her book Civil Warrior, the breaking point that forced her to rethink everything, and why high performers are often the best at hiding their struggles. Kristy also opens up about a psychedelic therapy experience that helped her confront fear, control, and the pressure she had carried for decades. This conversation explores burnout, anxiety, leadership, and the courage it takes to show up fully as yourself.

When success starts to feel like failure in firm ownership with Lynnette Oss Connell

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Burnout is one of the most common experiences in firm ownership, yet it is rarely discussed openly. In this episode of Unbalanced, Lynnette Oss Connell shares her journey from building a CAS practice to becoming a burnout coach for women in accounting. She talks candidly about the pressure of trying to hold everything together while raising a family, managing illness at home, and running a firm. This conversation explores the mindset shifts that helped her redefine success and why so many firm owners struggle silently. If you’ve ever wondered whether the stress you’re carrying is normal, this episode will feel deeply familiar.

When work becomes a refuge from grief with Liz Farr

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Liz Farr joins Unbalanced to talk about grief, forgiveness, and the quiet ways work can become a shield. After losing her brother during tax season, her parents in a sudden accident, and later her stepson to violence, Liz reflects on how deeply she had internalized the profession’s expectation to push through and keep producing. This conversation explores how accounting culture shapes the way leaders respond to hardship and what more humane, flexible leadership could look like inside today’s firms.

Owning the room and your expertise with Emily Woods

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Emily Woods of Woods Financial Services shares what it was like to step into a firm that started as a “mom and pop” tax shop and grow it into a practice offering tax, outsourced accounting, and wealth management. She talks candidly about joining the firm by accident, navigating legacy clients, and carrying the weight of imposter syndrome, especially without the CPA or CFP letters after her name. From being asked if she needed to “check with Brian” to the defining moment that helped her trust her own answers, Emily reflects on how confidence is built slowly, through validation, community, and experience.

From accidental accountants to intentional partners with Kim Kelleher and Heather Deibele

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

What does it really look like to take two separate firms and build one shared company, culture, and team, without losing your mind in the process? In this episode of Unbalanced, Kim Kelleher and Heather Deibele (co-founders of Luma accounting) walk through the real story, from “we should grab coffee” to “we’re calling attorneys.” They share how they tested the waters by cross-supporting client work, what it was like to bring two teams into one rhythm, and why it took time for the magic to show up in leadership meetings. You will hear the behind-the-scenes details firm owners actually care about: partnership agreements, switching vendors when you realize the fit is wrong, merging systems, and how to keep making progress when you do not have a tiebreaker.

The loneliness no one warns firm owners about with Tedd Drattell

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Firm ownership is often lonelier than anyone admits, especially when you’re the one everyone depends on. In this episode of the Unbalanced Podcast, Tedd Drattell shares what it was really like to build a firm from the ground up, navigate years of quiet isolation, and lead through an unexpected health crisis. Together, we talk about the emotional toll of ownership, the importance of community and honest conversations, and why building a business that can function without you isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Delegation, growth, and the work that pulls you back in with Marie Torossian

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Starting a firm in the middle of uncertainty forces hard decisions, fast learning, and uncomfortable tradeoffs. In this episode, Marie Torossian shares what it was really like to build her firm beginning in 2020, including the challenges of delegation, charging for value, and getting pulled back into the work even after building a team.

Sam, Candy, and Marie talk openly about giving away too much for free, learning buyer psychology the hard way, and how firm owners can reframe team turnover as growth rather than failure. The conversation explores the human side of leadership, the tension between scaling and staying connected to clients, and what it means to build a firm that can hold change without losing its core.

Why “good people” still steal, and how to reduce the odds with Kelly Paxton

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the Unbalanced podcast, host Candy Bellau and co-host Sam Hallburn welcome Kelly Paxton, a fraud expert, to discuss the emotional toll of being a business owner, the importance of fraud awareness, and the human side of financial crime. Kelly shares her journey from finance to fraud examination, highlighting the prevalence of fraud in small businesses and the need for robust processes and documentation. The conversation delves into real-life fraud cases, the cultural impacts on organizations, and the significance of prevention and awareness in protecting businesses from financial crime.

Fluffy but hammer: comfort and strength in your financials with Sabrina Burke

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Phishing attacks, password protection, and cyber insurance are not “IT topics” anymore, they’re firm owner responsibilities. In this episode, Sabrina Burke of Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping explains why security education has to be proactive, not reactive, and how quickly new phishing tactics show up in the real world. She shares how quarterly training helps her spot current trends, why document protection matters just as much as passwords, and what’s at stake when you’re handling sensitive financial data for clients. The conversation also gets into the very real shame and embarrassment that can follow a security mistake, and why talking about it openly is part of preventing it.

What happened when growth came too fast with Katie Helle

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

When growth hits before you feel ready, it can be both a win and a warning.

In this episode of Unbalanced, Katie Helle of Scaled Accounting Solutions shares what it looked like to go out on her own and then get blindsided by how quickly tax work poured in once she told friends, family, and her network. Katie walks through the real tension of fast growth, building processes while serving clients, and realizing that what lives in your head has to live somewhere your team can use.

She also digs into the shifts that helped her stay steady: planning tax season in advance, hiring early to protect her time, getting serious about SOPs, and learning to say no to work that did not fit the year-round relationships she actually wants. If you have ever felt like success arrived faster than your systems, this one will feel familiar.

The underpricing hangover is real with Melissa Armstrong

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Revenue came in. Then reality showed up.

Sam Hallburn and Candy Bellau sit down with Melissa Armstrong of SteadyHand Accounting to talk about the “messy middle” of firm ownership, that year-one moment where you’re growing fast, underpricing, saying yes to everyone, and suddenly realizing your business can’t depend on only you.

Melissa shares what it’s like to start over after losing a corporate job, build a real foundation (marketing, a VA, ops support, and eventually an accountant), and navigate the emotional weight of money, imposter syndrome, and personal finances getting messy while you’re still the one advising others.

Money loves you, and it’s waiting for you to love it back with Robina Bennion

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

What if your money habits started with a promise you made to yourself at 15?
In this episode of Unbalanced, Sam Hallburn and Candy Bellau sit down with Robina Bennion. She’s a former public accountant turned CFO-level consultant and behavioral money coach who helps high-achieving professionals unpack the emotional side of money, especially the part we never talk about. Robina opens up about the identity shift of leaving public accounting, the loneliness of entrepreneurship, and the pressure firm owners put on themselves to have all the answers.

The surprising identity shift no one expects when they become a business owner with Jeremiah Velasquez

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy talk with nurse practitioner and practice owner Jeremiah Velasquez about the unexpected identity shift that happens when you leave the safety of a W-2 job and build something of your own. Jeremiah opens up about the fear, guilt, lost friendships, and constant self-doubt that come with entrepreneurship, along with the surprising confidence and clarity he’s gained along the way. It’s an honest look at how starting a business doesn’t just change your life, it changes you.

The hidden cost of caring too much as a firm owner with Monica Roca-Quesada

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy sit down with Monica Roca-Quesada to talk about the emotional toll of running a firm. From sleepless nights and client chaos to burnout, blame, and feeling like you care more about your clients’ businesses than they do, Monica opens up about the hidden pressures no one talks about.

They dive into boundaries, advisory struggles, team dynamics, and learning to protect your energy while still loving the work. It’s honest, relatable, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the messiness of firm ownership.

Succession, boundaries & failing on purpose with Barrett Young

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Sam and Candy talk with Barrett Young, partner at GWCPAs, about what it really takes to lead an 80-year-old firm into its next generation. Barrett shares how their mandatory partner buyout at 60 keeps succession healthy and partnerships from blowing up, how he and his partner play the visionary–integrator roles, and what he learned after the sudden loss of an employee during tax season. They dig into setting boundaries with clients, dealing with team resistance to change, using failure as an opportunity for experimentation, and why firm owners need to stop treating every idea as if it has to be perfect on day one.

Addiction, fraud, and a second chance at life with Joseph De Gregorio

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

This might be one of the most raw and emotionally honest conversations we’ve had on Unbalanced. Sam and Candy sit down with Joseph De Gregorio, a former Wall Street trader whose life spiraled into alcoholism, federal crimes, and a complete liver failure that nearly killed him during the height of COVID in NYC.
Joseph opens up about how addiction distorts thinking long before fraud appears, the psychological cascade that led to his downfall, and the brutal honesty it took to rebuild his life. Today, he uses his experience to help others facing federal sentencing understand their own patterns and pursue real rehabilitation. This is a powerful, emotional episode about accountability, recovery, and what it means to come back from your darkest moments.

I don’t have to do it all: Stroke, burnout, and bridging the gap with Randy Crabtree

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire career around stops working for you… and your body finally forces you to listen? In this episode, Sam and Candy sit down with Randy Crabtree, CPA and co-founder of Tri-Merit, to talk about the stroke that changed everything, stepping down as managing partner, and rebuilding a life around what he actually loves.
Randy opens up about decades of “I have to do it all” thinking, why it took him years after his stroke to let go of that identity, and how he slowly redesigned his role around speaking, educating, and championing mental health in the profession. He shares the personal story behind his conference, Bridging the Gap, and his mission to connect big and small firms while making real conversations about burnout, change, and humanity non-negotiable.

When justice isn’t worth it with Joe Woodard

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Joe Woodard sits down with Candy and Sam to talk about the lesson that changed his leadership: justice is overrated. He breaks down an $80k legal ordeal, why airtight agreements are protection, not punishment, and how attention debt bleeds into family and work. We get candid about hiring friends, losing yourself in the mission, and building a purpose that lasts beyond the job.
Joe Woodard is the CEO of Woodard®, a company that empowers accountants and business advisors through education, coaching, resources, and consulting services, with a particular focus on Client Advisory Services (CAS). Woodard equips professionals to modernize their practices, optimize accounting software, and expand their reach.

From sales trainer to social founder: SOPs, boundaries, and the long game with Alyssa Olerud

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Sam and Candy sit down with Alyssa Olerud, founder of Fearlyss Media, to talk about what it really takes to build a business from scratch. Alyssa shares how she went from sales trainer to social media strategist, teaching herself everything from forming an LLC to removing malware when there was no IT team to call. She opens up about the learning curve, mindset work, and why SOPs became her secret to staying sane. Together they dig into what’s actually worth tracking in social media, how to handle tough clients, and why playing the long game is the only way to win.

Capacity is power: Redesigning your firm with Chris Picciurro

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

CPA and tax strategist Christopher Picciurro joins Sam Hallburn and Candy Bellau for a raw talk about building a firm you actually want to run. Chris shares the aha moment that pushed him from volume and chaos to a membership model, why boundaries equal freedom, and how capacity is power when choosing the right clients. We dig into value pricing vs subscription, protecting your team, communicating like a pro, and failing forward without shame. There are Seinfeld references, Doogie Howser jokes, and a candid look at what 22 years of ownership really teaches you. If you’ve ever missed a family milestone for a deadline, felt trapped by the clients you outgrew, or wondered how to pivot without burning it all down, this one hits home.

Stopping the “financial crater”: Outgrowing your advisors and optimizing wealth with Eunecia Peret

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

On this Unbalanced episode, strategy consultant Eunecia Peret peels back the curtain on why so many successful entrepreneurs still bleed cash without realizing it. She explains her three pillars: tax reduction tied to business decisions, true wealth optimization (not more products), an intentional exit strategy, and why most owners eventually outgrow their CPA/FA status quo. We dig into referral misfires, pushing back on commissions-first thinking, building an elite expert bench, and the mindset shift it takes to stop spinning and scale with confidence. If you’ve ever felt that something’s “off” in your finances but couldn’t name it, this one will hit home.

Caregiving, culture, and the pivot to advisory with Tracy Brantingham

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when you build a firm on purpose, not by accident? In this raw, candid episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy sit down with Tracy Brantingham, founder of Building Profits, who’s balancing life as a nighttime caregiver and a daytime CEO. Tracy shares why she’s stepping out of client deliverables, how a former client-turned-coach is becoming her minority partner, and the hard lessons behind moving from “bookkeeping” to financial ops and advisory.

We get into pricing (and boundaries), why “press your own buttons” isn’t a strategy, and the reality of running a small-but-mighty team of eight in the office.

Find your people: teams, pricing, and the cannabis niche with Monique Swansen

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Sam and Candy sit down with Monique Swansen, founder of Automated Accounting Services and Accounting for Green, to talk about what it really takes to build and sustain a firm. Monique breaks down the realities of serving cannabis operators (hello, seed-to-sale and inventory), why hiring before you think you need to can save your sanity, and how short-term disability and cross-training became essential after real team crises. They get candid about pricing like you already have a team, documenting everything, and rethinking advisory so you’re not chained to nonstop calls. They also tackle the AI hype, capacity ebbs, ideal clients, and the power of community in an industry that can feel isolating.

The man in the arena mindset with Marit Burmood

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Tax pro and educator Marit Burmood, CPA, aka the Extroverted Accountant, joins Sam and Candy to talk about why credentials don’t magically fix broken pricing or shaky self-worth. She walks through the moment she shifted from hourly work to advisory (and lost her biggest client), how speaking at Taxposium and training with TOPS rewired her confidence, and why vulnerability builds real community in a guarded profession. We get into value pricing, feedback without spiraling, and the mindset work it takes to stop giving away what lives in your head for free. If you’ve ever felt “alphabet soup” after your name still isn’t enough, this one’s for you.

Beyond the highlight reel: community, boundaries, burnout with Candy Bellau and Sam Hallburn

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In our season two opener, hosts Candy Bellau and Sam Hallburn sit down with producer Haley Kershner to look back on twenty-plus episodes of raw conversations and the ripple effects they’ve had across the accounting community. We revisit the moments that hit hardest, from parenting and missed milestones to lawsuits, employee heartbreak, and the quiet costs of running a firm, as well as the laughs that kept us going. Themes that kept resurfacing included the power of community and conferences, setting boundaries to prevent burnout, the reality of partnership, and why “presenting well” can mask a world of pain. Together, we map what’s ahead for season two, including deeper conversations on mental health, home life behind the highlight reels, and more part twos with guests who have more to say.

Sequins, lawsuits, and letting go with Jennifer Devine

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Unbalanced, Sam and Candy sit down with Jennifer Devine of Devine Consulting for a raw and unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to run a firm. From the early days of check-signing clients to leading a 10-person virtual team, Jennifer shares the unexpected twists of her journey, including being pulled into lawsuits, the weight of client loyalty, and the hard choices around firing both clients and employees.

The cost of growth: Burnout, family, and finding balance with Dan Luthi

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What does it really take to build a thriving accounting firm while raising a family, teaching the next generation, and still showing up at conferences with energy to spare? In this episode of Unbalanced, Candy and Sam sit down with Dan Luthi, Partner at Ignite Spot Accounting, to uncover the truth behind the highlight reel.
Dan shares how he rose from bookkeeper to partner over 15 years, the toll of working 18-hour days while finishing his master’s, and the hard lessons he’s learned about leadership, partnerships, and listening to the quiet voices on his team. He opens up about the guilt of missing family moments, the high of finding his people at conferences, and the constant struggle of chasing balance in an industry that glorifies the grind.

Remember your why: Building a $5M vision with Jennifer Anderson

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT

When Jennifer Anderson launched her firm in April 2020, at the height of COVID, she turned uncertainty into opportunity. From cashier at CompUSA to founder of Tru Financial Solutions, Jennifer’s story is one of grit, tech-savvy innovation, and an unwavering commitment to her “why.” In this raw and unfiltered conversation, she opens up about launching a business at the height of uncertainty, leading through change, embracing AI, and planning a $5 million exit strategy.

Mental health, leadership, and ditching the 80-hour badge of honor with Kristy Short

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT

“Eighty to one-hundred hour weeks are not a badge of honor,” says Dr. Kristy Short, and she’s on a mission to get the accounting world talking about it. In this raw and candid conversation, Kristy shares the personal spiral that led to her first-ever medical leave in 25 years, the dream that sparked her book Civil Warrior, and why she refuses to split her personal and professional selves.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for working less than 50 hours a week, or caught yourself calling yourself a “loser” at 2 a.m., this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and that there’s a better way forward.

To order a copy of Kristy's book, click here.

Humbled, amplified, and unapologetically real with Kenny Harper

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when a former rock musician turned marketing pro dives headfirst into entrepreneurship… and hits rock bottom? In this episode of Unbalanced, Candy and Sam sit down with Kenny Harper of Growth Amplifiers to unpack the real story behind the resume. From creative dreams and financial freefalls to business breakups and identity crises, Kenny gets radically honest about what it really takes to rebuild, reframe, and rise. They talk imposter syndrome, the difference between coaching and consulting, the limits of hustle, and why asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a power move.

Whether you’re a firm owner, small business leader, or someone simply trying to figure it all out, Kenny’s story is a must-listen reminder that success isn’t always loud… but it is earned.

Know when to say no: Lessons in firm ownership with Marlon Wolfman

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

When you’re building your firm, everything feels urgent, especially the pressure to say yes. Yes to every client. Yes to every opportunity. Yes to every favor. But in this episode of Unbalanced, CPA and firm owner Marlon Wolfman joins hosts Candy and Sam to unpack what happens when you stop chasing the wrong things and start building a firm your way.

From a cautionary tale about a messy partnership breakup to learning the hard way that not every client is a fit, Marlon gets honest about boundaries, burnout, pricing, modernizing systems, and saying no to work you shouldn't be doing in the first place.

Choosing enough: Letting go of the grind with Amanda Aguillard

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What if building a “successful” firm isn’t about scaling to the moon, but about reclaiming your life? In this raw and powerful episode of Unbalanced, Amanda Aguillard joins Candy Bellau and Sam for an unfiltered conversation about firm ownership, motherhood, burnout, and redefining what success really looks like. Expect tears, laughter, and the kind of real talk no one tells you when you start your firm, like missing school events, chasing validation in client wins, or comparing yourself to industry influencers.

Inside the cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs reality of firm ownership with Tony Proctor

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Sam and Candy sit down with the vibrant and unfiltered Tony Proctor, founder of a full-service accounting firm, to unpack the emotional weight of leading a team, chasing “balance,” and surviving the chaos of scaling. From pulse checks to people problems, Tony shares the real behind-the-scenes mess of firm life, plus a few leadership gems and why some owners secretly fantasize about becoming Walmart greeters. Whether you're a firm leader, a business owner, or just someone who needs to laugh through the struggle, this episode will make you feel seen and a little less crazy.

Why your firm’s biggest problem might be you with Robert Nordlander

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What if the hardest part of running your firm… is you? In this raw and revealing episode of Unbalanced, forensic accountant and former IRS special agent Robert Nordlander, CPA, unpacks the uncomfortable truth every firm owner has to face: your biggest challenge might be the person in the mirror.

Robert shares how two decades chasing financial criminals taught him to build a firm with no debt, no scope creep, and no clients who don’t pay. He opens up about billing with confidence, walking away from the wrong fit, and why your personal habits will always show up in your business, for better or worse.

When the cape comes off: Vulnerability, community, and real talk with Nancy McClelland

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when the superheroes of accounting take off the cape? In this deeply human and wildly relatable episode, The Dancing Accountant Nancy McClelland joins Candy and Sam to unpack the unglamorous side of firm ownership, loneliness, burnout, bad hires, tech confusion, and the relentless myth that growth equals success. Nancy opens up about the many missteps she made while trying to “do it all” without community, and how finding the right people changed everything.

Let go so you can grow with Michelle Mitchell

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:02:00 GMT

What happens when life throws you curveballs while you're trying to grow a business? In this episode of Unbalanced, Michelle Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Consulting, shares her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey through burnout, bad hires, the realities of autoimmune disease, and the surprising freedom that comes with letting go of control. She gets real about the moment she realized she didn’t love accounting, and what she did about it. She opens up about the emotional and operational turning point that transformed her firm, and why delegating with courage isn’t just a leadership strategy, it’s a lifeline.

The no-jerk rule, business breakups, and finding her voice with Jean Zick

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when a thriving partnership quietly falls apart? In this raw and revealing episode, Jean Zick, co-founder of Juna Financial, shares the emotional unraveling of her business partnership, the isolation that followed, and the hard-earned lessons along the way. From a disastrous tea café client to a near-silent business divorce, Jean gets candid about the stuff no one talks about. Hosts Candy and Sam bring their signature humor and honesty, opening up about their own truths on partnerships, power struggles, and growing pains. You’ll walk away with perspective, laughter, and probably a new appreciation for personality tests.

From paycheck to purpose with Aitza Negron

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:54:00 GMT

In this refreshingly raw and candid episode of Unbalanced, Aitza Negron, founder of Strategies & TEA, joins Candy and Sam for a no-holds-barred conversation about entrepreneurship, money trauma, and letting go of the need to look perfect while building something real. Aitza opens up about everything, from dealing with imposter syndrome and layoffs to setting boundaries, finding mentorship, and transforming financial literacy into empowerment.

Walking away from tax prep, toxic clients, and traditional success with Sean Duncan

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this raw and hilarious episode of Unbalanced, Sean joins Candy and Sam to talk about blowing up a thriving firm, surviving a $900k betrayal, and the real cost of people-pleasing. From culture-building to letting go of bad clients (and bad employees), this is a masterclass in taking back control. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, this conversation is your sign: you can change everything. Tune in for hard truths, unapologetic stories, and Sean’s signature rule of business: “Always get up.”

On surviving loss, leading with heart, and building a firm that lasts with Jeanne Hardy

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

When the market crashed in 2008, Jeanne Hardy had one-year-old twins, a brand new full-time hire, and a business that felt like it was crumbling. In this raw and powerful episode of Unbalanced, Jeanne sits down with Candy and Sam to talk about what it’s really like to run a firm. Losing clients overnight. Holding it together for your team. Working through grief, doubt, and the constant pressure to stay strong. From her early days in the art world to becoming a champion for creatives in finance, Jeanne shares the lessons that kept her going—and the honest truths behind why she’s still here.

Horror stories, hard lessons, and hiring mistakes with Brad Yochum

Tue, 20 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Brad Yochum joins Candy and Sam for a no-filter conversation on what it's really like to run a firm. From losing sleep over clients to hiring the wrong people (and paying for it), Brad opens up about the emotional whiplash of entrepreneurship. He shares the con that cost him everything, the painful lesson of ignoring red flags, and how he rebuilt a life and team he’s proud of.

*Produced by Anchor

The accidental accountant on ethics, gut checks, and the power of saying no with Heather Day Satterley

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when a client crosses a line you didn’t see coming? In this powerful episode of Unbalanced, Heather Day Satterley shares the real story of firing a client over an ethical boundary and the emotional fallout that followed. The conversation dives into value misalignment, listening to your gut, saying no (even when it's hard), and how lonely moments in firm ownership can become turning points. It's raw, honest, and filled with the kind of advice every firm owner needs to hear.

For further listening: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Lz9ScWEi1uzZOyyTuZl5k?si=bd911148220c480d

*Produced by Anchor

What no one tells you about running a firm with Candy Bellau & Sam Hallburn

Tue, 06 May 2025 14:27:09 GMT

The Unbalanced podcast is about what happens when you’re building a business and feel like everyone else has it figured out but you. Candy and Sam go first, leading with vulnerability so others know they’re not alone. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in this industry or felt crushed under the weight of “success,” this is the space for you.

*Produced by ⁠Anchor

How to build a life you actually want, one raw conversation at a time with Mariette Martinez

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this unfiltered episode of Unbalanced, we sit down with powerhouse educator and unapologetic truth-teller Mariette Martinez. From growing up as her mother’s bookkeeper at 11 to launching a virtual firm before it was trendy, Mariette walks us through her very real journey, complete with seven-year pivots, late-night blowouts, and hard conversations with her kids (and herself). She opens up about leaving behind a successful tax practice, the pressure of doing it all, and why reframing your relationship with money (and mindset) is more powerful than any spreadsheet.

This one’s a love letter to women building businesses, raising families, and finally giving themselves permission not to do it all.

Produced by Anchor.