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Hey, I’m Bill Von Fumetti with Booming Bookkeeping Business, and I’m here with another one of my successful students. This is Todd. How are you doing, Todd? So good.
How are you doing, Bill? Good. Thank you. Thank you.
So tell us a little bit about what your life looked like before you started your bookkeeping business. Yeah. So before I started my bookkeeping business, really, it was just me working at a little accounting firm and just clocking in nine to five every day.
And I was pretty typical. I think most people look like it’s a nine to five. What was it about that situation that wasn’t necessarily working for you? Or in other words, why the desire to be your own boss? Yeah.
So part of it was because I really like talking with people and I love talking to people about their numbers. I wanted a better way to do that or better avenue to do that. I also wanted a way to make a lot more money.
And so being your own boss, you get to do a little bit of both of those things. So it worked out super well. What were some of the like, everybody’s got some fear, some anxiety around starting their own business, going out, doing something new.
What were some of those feelings that you had as you got started? What kind of fears did you have about starting your own business? Yeah, I mean, it’s scary. It’s still scary, right? You go off, you have fears of like the unknown what’s going to happen. You don’t know maybe when your next paycheck is going to be.
You don’t really know what you’re doing at all. You just kind of go out there and you’re like, well, I hope this works and you just jump right in. And so that fear of the unknown is probably my biggest thing that I was scared about.
So now having gone through this process, what are your thoughts on some of those fears that you had? What was the reality for you? Yeah. So I think really the big thing that I’ve noticed myself and amongst other people I’ve talked with is that you just have to do it. People ask, hey, how did you get to where you are? I’m just did it.
I just worked really hard. And if you’re willing to work really hard, really, you can do anything. So it just became like I was willing to put the time and the effort to make it happen and became a lot easier after a little bit.
Oh, it’s not as scary as you think. It’s just another thing you’re going to do. So, you know, some people are just brand new to bookkeeping.
I’m, you know, me, I’m a big proponent that, you know, hey, anybody can learn this. You got to put in the work, but anybody can learn this. What would you say to somebody who’s considering starting and they’re like, hmm, I wonder if I can really learn how to do this.
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Yeah. I mean, anyone can learn how to do it. If I can learn it, anyone can learn.
I promise. But it does take a lot of work. Like you’re saying, it takes a lot of work, a lot of time.
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The great thing about what you do is I love your community. So anytime you have questions, it’s like, hey, what do I do in this random scenario that never comes up, but it happened to happen right now? Someone else has definitely gone through it. And then you’re like, oh, here’s what you do.
So you can definitely get all your questions answered. No problem. How about those people that are afraid of whether or not they’re going to be able to get clients? Because that’s one of the people’s biggest concerns.
Was that a concern for you? And then what did the reality look like? Yeah. I mean, that’s that’s the whole reason I even signed up for the program was because I wanted to figure out how to get clients because I knew how to do bookkeeping. I had no idea how to get clients.
And the reality is there are like tens of millions of businesses in America. And every single one of them needs good bookkeeping. So it’s the most recession proof thing you can do.
And everyone needs it and no one really likes to do it. So it’s like the perfect sweet spot of you can totally find clients if you just do what you do in the program. It’s really easy when it comes to getting clients.
What are you doing to get clients? Yeah. So I go to a lot of networking events and just talk with people, um, do some cold calls and cold emails, then a little bit of like a little bit of everything, right? I’ve done LinkedIn stuff. I’ve done Facebook stuff, part of a bunch of Facebook groups where I just contribute stuff and then people will recommend me.
So a little bit of everything and some strategic partnerships with CPAs and like PEO payroll companies have been super phenomenal. Let’s talk a little bit about where you are now. I mean, obviously you started at zero, but in terms of revenue, what does that look like for you? Yeah.
So we are right over 200,000 in annual recurring revenue. That’s probably closer to like 270 if you count cleanups. But this year we’re trying to get closer to 600.
Like we have a lot really good stuff going. It’s growing like crazy. It feels like we’re getting new clients every day.
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So it’s growing like crazy, which is awesome. You’ve got a wife and a dog, but I’m guessing the wife knows and can express the pride that she had. Like what does she think about what you’ve done? I mean, this is, these are big numbers.
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Yeah. I think oftentimes I just get bogged down in the day to day, like just kind of pushing through and she’s like, this is like super cool. And we have this thing where I buy her a plant every time I get a new client.
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I’m like, I can’t do that anymore. We’re going to have a forest. So she’s just so supportive and she’s very, very excited for what this is doing and what this is doing for our family.
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How has life changed for you from where you were before to where you are now? Yeah. So really, I think probably the biggest thing is we’ve always been like frugal people, but like we’re going to buy a house this year because of where it’s put us. We’re going to upgrade one of our cars because it’s going to die.
And so like just having that opportunity and then being able to do like more fun stuff together, it’s just something we never would get to do if we had, if I stuck where I was. What are some of like your, the, the, your favorite parts of being your own boss? I love the freedom that it gives me. And I love the people I get to meet.
I meet like the coolest people all the time that I’m like, that’s so cool. And then I get to be like, talk with them and bounce ideas off of them. And just being able to like, Hey, I’m going to go to a lunch with someone in the middle of the day, or I’m gonna go golf with someone in the middle of the day.
Don’t have to ask anyone. I just go. And it’s very freeing.
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I like how you pointed out the, the people that you meet. Like I, my clients are so diverse. You have a, a real hand in helping them grow.
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Are you special? Is there a reason why you are just doing so well? And I mean, what’s special about you, if anything? Cause I like to say, Hey, I think I’m special, but I’m not. I mean, I just kind of did X, Y, Z. What are your thoughts on that? Because people, some people are looking at your story being like, Oh, well, Todd must be some sort of a superhero. My mom definitely says I’m special, but I know I’m just a normal guy.
Very average. Like there’s nothing, nothing crazy about me. I didn’t, I don’t have a superpower, but I worked hard.
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That’s the biggest thing. If, if working hard is special, then yes. What would you say to somebody who’s thinking about starting a bookkeeping business? I would say for sure, do your research, but I think just do it.
Like the barrier to entry is almost zero. So you’re not losing anything. If you gain this valuable skill and I say, just go ahead and do it.
You know, more people than you think that need this and jump right in. What would you say if somebody said, okay, like I’m, I’m, I want to do this. I’m willing to put in the work.
I know I got to learn this stuff. I got to like, well, you got to be a good bookkeeper. I’m willing to do that.
I’m willing to follow this marketing steps. I’m willing to do all that stuff. Speak a little bit about their chances of success.
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I mean, I think honestly, if you’re, if you’re willing to put in the work, your chances of success are extremely high. Like if you’re willing to put in the work, I don’t know a single person that’s put in the work and has failed, right? Or failed long-term. Yes.
You’re going to fail. You’re going to lose your client or lose a couple of clients at a time because of whatever reason, but you’re not going to fail long-term. You just keep, keep at it and it will come.
Well, you know what? I mean, you knocked all of these questions straight out of the park, so I won’t take up any more of your time. I appreciate you coming and sharing your story a little bit because it’s helpful for other people who are, you know, maybe just getting started. Hey, what was his journey like? So I appreciate you taking some time today.
Yeah, for sure. Thanks for the invite. I appreciate it.
All right. Talk to you soon. Okay.
Bye-bye.
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Are you tired of the 9-to-5 grind and ready to build a life of freedom and financial success? Todd went from a standard accounting job to building a booming bookkeeping business with over $200,000 in annual recurring revenue. If an average guy who just worked hard can do it, so can you. Take the first step and visit our website to learn how you can start your own successful bookkeeping business.