Episode 77: The Alyssa & Serena Show Part 1

Aug 14

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Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants podcast with Alyssa Lang, founder of Workflow Queen and Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting and Serena Shoup, a full time educator and CPA, owner and founder of both Ambitious Bookkeeper and Of Course Bookkeeping. Episode topic: The Alyssa & Serena Show Part 1

Alyssa Lang interviews Serena Shoup, her biz bestie and owner of Ambitious Bookkeeper, about reflections on personal and professional experiences, offering valuable insights and strategies for navigating the world of bookkeeping and entrepreneurship.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What business strategies & approaches Alyssa & Serena have
What it’s like to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated after a break
How to empower your team members
How Alyssa & Serena’s friendship and business relationship evolved
What tasks you should be delegating and outsourcing on your team

Resources mentioned in this episode:

🧡 Join the free POWER to Breakthrough Bootcamp (8/19 - 8/23)

💻 Watch Serena’s Free Training

Listen to the Full Episode here 👇🏼

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Today, I’m excited to dive into a fun chat I had with my friend Serena Shoup, CPA, from Ambitious Bookkeeper. We got real about everything from how our friendship started to the ups and downs of running a business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unmotivated, or just curious about how to juggle it all, keep reading—you’re in the right place!

The Power of Finding Your People and Building Your Business

So, let’s rewind a bit. Serena and I first connected in 2020—right smack in the middle of the pandemic. What started as a simple DM on Instagram (thanks to a random hashtag!) quickly turned into a solid friendship and business relationship. We realized we had so much in common, from running our own firms to wanting to help other bookkeepers and accountants level up.

➡️ Serena’s Strategy: From day one, Serena was all about balancing business with her personal life. She’s a mom of three, so she knew she couldn’t do it all on her own. She started hiring help early on, even if it was just a few hours a week, so she could focus on what really mattered. This mindset helped her keep her profit margins healthy while avoiding burnout—something we all could use a little help with!

If you’re looking to jumpstart your own journey, Serena has an awesome Free Training that walks you through how to get started with your bookkeeping business. It’s packed with actionable tips and a great resource if you’re feeling stuck or unsure of your next steps.

➡️ My Strategy: For me, it’s always been about systems and efficiency (hello, Asana!). When I launched my second firm, Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting, I knew I needed solid systems in place from the get-go. But here’s the kicker—I also decided to bring on a partner. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out as planned, but it taught me so much about trusting my gut, collaborating, and staying true to my vision.

How Our Friendship Grew Into Something More

It’s funny to think that our friendship started with a simple Instagram message. But here we are, a few years later, having built a strong bond that’s been a huge support system for both of us. From collaborating on webinars to helping each other through tough times, our relationship has become a cornerstone of our success.

✨The Secret Sauce: What makes our friendship work? It’s a mix of honesty, vulnerability, and a lot of laughs. We’ve both been through the wringer—navigating personal challenges, business hurdles, and everything in between. But we’ve always had each other’s backs, offering advice, encouragement, and sometimes just a listening ear.

Dealing with Overwhelm and Finding Motivation After a Break

Let’s be real—taking a break sounds great, but getting back into the groove afterward? Not so much. I recently took three weeks off, hoping I’d come back all refreshed and motivated. Instead, I felt more disconnected than ever. I know I’m not alone in this, right?

But then Serena came to visit, and things started to click. Sometimes, all you need is someone who gets it—a friend who can help you see things from a new angle. We spent hours just talking about life, business, and everything in between. And guess what? By the end of her visit, I was feeling like myself again, ready to tackle whatever came next.

If you’ve been in a similar spot, feeling like you’re spinning your wheels, I’ve got something that might help. 🧡 Join the free POWER to Breakthrough Bootcamp (8/19 - 8/23) where we dive deep into strategies for scaling your business, aligning your goals, and reigniting your passion.

How Empowering Your Team Can Change Everything

One of the biggest game-changers in my business has been learning to let go and empower my team. When you build a team you trust, you’re not just offloading tasks—you’re giving them the power to make decisions and really own their roles. And let me tell you, it’s made all the difference.

At Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting, I struggled with this at first. I mean, it’s hard to let go of control, especially when it’s your business on the line! But once I started trusting my team to handle things, I found that they not only met my expectations—they exceeded them.

➡️ Serena’s Take: Serena’s all about creating a culture that reflects her values. By setting clear expectations and building a team that shares her vision, she’s been able to step back and let her business run smoothly, even when life gets hectic.

What You Should Be Delegating and Outsourcing to Your Team

Okay, let’s get down to business—literally. One of the smartest moves you can make as a business owner is to start delegating and outsourcing. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. Here’s what Serena and I agree you should be handing off to your team:

Admin Tasks: Stuff like managing emails, scheduling, and data entry can easily be handled by a virtual assistant. Free up your time for the big-picture stuff!
Bookkeeping & Financials: If you’re still doing your own books, it’s time to pass the baton. Hire a pro to handle the numbers so you can focus on growing your business.
Marketing & Social Media: Content creation, post scheduling, and engagement are important, but they don’t need to be done by you. A marketing assistant or agency can take this off your plate.
Client Communication: Keep the personal connection, but let your team handle the day-to-day emails and calls. Your clients will still feel supported, and you’ll have more time to focus on strategy.

💡 Pro Tip: When you delegate, make sure you’re also empowering your team to make decisions. Give them the confidence to take charge so you’re not constantly being asked for approval.

Running a business is a wild ride, but with the right strategies, a solid team, and a little help from your friends, you can totally crush it. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, remember to stay true to your vision, lean on your support system, and delegate like a boss. And most importantly, enjoy the journey—because it’s all part of the adventure.

We’re going to dive deeper into this topic in our upcoming free bootcamp from August 19th-23rd. If you’re ready to delegate and outsource to a team, join us! We’ll cover mindset, systems, team building, and more. You can sign up by clicking here.

About our guest:

Serena Shoup is a corporate CPA turned bookkeeping business CEO, mentor for other bookkeepers + accountants, mom of 3, and a closet musician! She built her business as a Sidehustle to motherhood when she left corporate to have her second daughter. She’s passionate about helping business owners become CEOs and take control of their money.

Serena is the owner and founder of Ambitious Bookkeeper and Of Course Bookkeeping and she’s on a mission to change the way the industry operates!

Connect with Serena:

Visit her website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com

Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper

Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup

Connect on Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

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