Episode 65: Finding Your Niche, Building Community, and Embracing Personal Growth in Bookkeeping with Abby Budd

May 8

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Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants podcast with Alyssa Lang, founder of Workflow Queen and Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting and Abby Budd, President of Budd Accounting Solutions and bookkeeper who specializes in serving the interior design industry. Episode topic: Finding Your Niche, Building Community, and Embracing Personal Growth in Bookkeeping with Abby Budd

Alyssa Lang sits down with Abby Budd, an extraordinary bookkeeper for interior designers. They unpack Abby's journey from corporate auditor to a specialized bookkeeper, discussing the role of community, the strategic shift to specialized services, and the power of embracing a focused niche to skyrocket business success. Perfect for anyone looking to turn their passion into a thriving niche business!

In this episode you’ll hear:

How Abby successfully pivoted from corporate auditing to niche bookkeeping for interior designers.
Strategies Abby used to build and leverage community support to enhance her business and personal growth.
Abby’s approach to applying Human Design principles to prioritize tasks and improve business operations.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

💻 Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants

☎️ Book a 15 minute consult call to discuss what program is the right fit for you and your firm

⚙️ Alyssa’s tech stack at Magnetic Bookkeeping

Listen to the Full Episode here 👇🏼

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Have you ever wondered how shifts in your career path can lead to unexpected, but fulfilling places? In our latest podcast episode, we dive into the powerful journey of Abby Budd, who transitioned from a corporate auditor to a specialized bookkeeper and consultant for interior designers. This is a story of finding oneself, embracing community, and leveraging unique skills in a niche market!

Entrepreneurial Journey and Business Evolution

Abby's Early Interests and Challenges:

Abby initially considered launching a doggy daycare business, drawn by her love for animals. However, she quickly realized the many challenges this industry posed, from complicated inventory management, to high operational costs. This realization led to a shift in her career path towards leveraging her design and software skills, steering her towards a niche where she could make a significant impact—interior design bookkeeping!

"I started my business six or seven years ago, came from the corporate world... and by a series of what I thought was unfortunate events at the time, turned into the silver lining that was the best thing that happened to me," Abby shares. Her journey into the world of interior design bookkeeping wasn’t planned, but an amazing pivot that combined her knack for numbers with her love for design. Talk about a win, win!

Niche Transition and Client Management:

Transitioning her focus wasn't straightforward. Abby began setting minimum fees and tailored her services to better meet the demands of various industries. One of her standout strategies was offering specialized services to women in the predominantly male-dominated field of interior design, empowering her clients through financial insights and support.

The Power of Confidence and Expertise:

Feeling confident in her niche has really helped Abby's confidence and how she interacts with clients. She speaks of how understanding the specific needs and challenges of interior designers has allowed her to offer more targeted, effective advice, ultimately leading to stronger, trust-based client relationships.

Abby notes the importance of deep understanding in building confidence, "Once I really nailed down who I want to serve, everything changed. I was able to offer tailored advice that truly impacts my clients' businesses.”

The Breakthrough Community

Program Insights and Content:

The Breakthrough program has been a big part of Abby's journey, offering so much content that addresses both the tactical and strategic aspects of running a bookkeeping business. The continuous updates and insights from the community keep members at the forefront of industry developments!

Building a Supportive Network:

In an industry where competition could easily overcome collaboration, the Breakthrough community stands out for its emphasis on mutual support! #teamworkmakesthedreamwork Abby reflects on the power of collaboration over competition, highlighting how this approach has opened doors to learning and opportunities that might otherwise have remained closed.

Experiencing Business Besties:

The concept of "business besties" within the community has been super important for Abby. These relationships go waaaay past typical networking, offering both professional and personal support, which had been so needed for her during challenging times.

Abby credits much of her growth to the supportive community she found in the Breakthrough program. Participating in coaching call replays and engaging deeply in community discussions have not only inspired her but also provided practical, actionable business strategies.

Abby couldn’t emphasize enough the role of community in her journey: "The community support... it's incredible. I can't even start to describe that. It’s like one of my, honestly, and I know I said this before... my favorite community.”

Exploring Human Design in Business

Introduction to Human Design:

Human Design is a tool that combines elements of astrology and other systems to offer deeper insights into one’s personality and working style. Abby was introduced to this concept through the community, and it has since completely transformed the way she understands herself and her team.

In an exploration to better understand personal working styles, Abby discussed, "Human Design is essentially looking at the exact time, place, and moment you were born... it’s like astrology but it's something else.”

Personal Insights through Human Design:

Using her Projector type, Abby has learned to optimize her energy and focus on tasks that truly align with her strengths. This understanding has allowed her to delegate more effectively and focus on projects that energize, rather than drain her.

Abby mentioned, "I learned that as a Projector, I thrive on managing and guiding rather than constant doing... It has allowed me to structure my business around my natural abilities, optimizing my energy."

Reflections on Personal and Professional Growth

Business Influences on Personal Life:

Abby’s business journey has really influenced her personal life as well, leading to her making choices that prioritize happiness and fulfillment over just financial gain. She’s learned the importance of aligning her work with her values and the peace that comes from this alignment.

"Doing what makes me happy and redirecting focus as I evolved was crucial. It has allowed me to enjoy my work and ensure I am always aligned with my core values," Abby says.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation:

The journey of personal and professional development is ongoing for Abby. She really emphasized the importance of being open to learning and adapting, which has been essential to her success. She encourages others to remain receptive to new ideas and methods that can move their businesses forward.

Understanding her strengths and those of her team has been transformative, "By adapting business tasks to our strengths, we've fostered a productive and harmonious work environment... It's all about playing to your strengths."

Abby's story is a powerful reminder of how personal passion, when aligned with the right community and tools, can lead to serious business success and personal fulfillment. Her journey demonstrates the importance of finding one’s niche, building supportive networks, and continuously adapting to the ever-changing business world.

If Abby’s story inspires you, listen to the full podcast episode to dive deeper into her insights and experiences. Also consider joininh a community like Breakthrough to surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs who can help propel your own business to new heights!

Connect with Abby Budd:

Email: support@buddaccountingsolutions.com

Website: www.buddaccountingsolutions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-budd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buddaccounting

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddaccounting/

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