387 From Accountant to Seven-Figure Exit: Building Systems, Scaling Smart, and Starting Over with Staci Millard cover art

387 From Accountant to Seven-Figure Exit: Building Systems, Scaling Smart, and Starting Over with Staci Millard

387 From Accountant to Seven-Figure Exit: Building Systems, Scaling Smart, and Starting Over with Staci Millard

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 Quick SummaryStaci Millard shares her journey from burned-out accountant to seven-figure business exit and back to entrepreneurship with Thrive Accounting. This conversation dives deep into the realities of scaling a service business, the identity shifts required to become a true entrepreneur, and why community and human connection are more critical than ever in our AI-saturated world.In This Episode• The pivotal hospital room moment that changed Staci's entire business philosophy • How to remove yourself from your business without losing quality or control • The real difference between being a service provider and being an entrepreneur • Why Staci sold her successful firm for seven figures and what happened during her year "off" • Building Thrive Accounting: Creating a values-aligned business the second time around • Balancing personal brand building with actual business growth • The referral strategy that brings in multiple clients from single sources • Why the future of marketing is community, not algorithms • The biggest money mistake entrepreneurs make (hint: it's about gross margin) • How to talk about money openly without it being weird or salesyKey TakeawaysRemove yourself early: Building systems that allow your business to operate without you isn't just about scaling—it's about creating a sellable asset and protecting your mental health.Service provider vs. entrepreneur: There's a massive identity gap between "I do great work" and "I build businesses that do great work." Recognizing this shift is crucial for growth.Do what you say you'll do: The foundation of referrals isn't asking for them—it's consistently delivering on promises and overdelivering when possible.Lead with value: Whether it's coffee chats, networking events, or social media, always ask "how can I provide value?" rather than "what can I get?"Community over content: In an AI-generated world, genuine human connection and community are becoming the most powerful differentiators in business.Memorable Quotes"I've never been as depressed as I was in that year off. I thought it was gonna be freedom and it was not at all because I no longer had a way of using my gifts and contributing." — Staci on discovering that contribution is core to her identity"Your personal brand really has to coincide with what you're doing and be more about sharing what you're building than simply being about building you. It's gotta be about a business." — Staci on integrated personal branding"We cannot do business if we're not talking to people. Period. End of story." — Kelsey on the non-negotiable need for human connectionResources Mentioned• Book: Making Money is Killing Your Business • Book: 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan• Book: The Almanac of Naval Ravikant • Vanessa Van Edwards - Body language and networking expert • Carly Ottaway / Web Awards - "Document, don't create" philosophy • Small Business School Podcast (Staci podcast) - Episode on gross margin and pillars of profitAbout the GuestStaci Millard is a CPA, entrepreneur, and the founder of Thrive Accounting, a firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs experience more joy and freedom in business through strategic financial guidance. After successfully scaling and selling her first accounting firm for seven figures, Staci returned to entrepreneurship to build a values-aligned business focused exclusively on serving fellow business owners. She hosts the Small Business School podcast and is passionate about community, financial transparency, and helping entrepreneurs understand the real numbers that drive business success.Connect with StaciInstagram: @stacimillardPodcast: Small Business School https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-small-business-school-podcast/id1695210366Business: Thrive Accounting https://thriveaccounting.co/Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.Episode show notes can be found on my website |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcastThe WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermindWork with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coachingRank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/ Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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