Meet Mike!

Discover insights from Mike Mathews on the importance of clear communication, fostering meaningful relationships, and leveraging values-driven businesses in this engaging conversation. Learn from his diverse career journey through industry, consulting, and leadership in the wine and oyster sectors, as well as practical advice on balancing work and self-care.

Main topics covered:

- The role of experiential learning and passion in business environments

- The impact of understanding human behavior and psychology in effective communication

- Strategies for professional growth, business development, and relationship building

- The significance of sustainable, value-driven business practices

- Practical tips on time management, networking, and self-care for young professionals

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Welcome and introduction with Mike Mathews

(02:27) - The importance of team longevity and experiential culture at Hog Island

(03:07) - Mike’s journey into accounting and the influence of psychology

(04:39) - Addressing communication gaps in professional settings

(07:03) - The role of education and baseline understanding in cross-functional teams

(09:39) - Communicating effectively with business owners and understanding their pressures

(11:56) - Mike’s early career at Campbell Soup and lessons from industry rotations

(14:53) - Insights from Diageo’s product success and failures

(17:46) - Long-term thinking in product development and market risks

(21:26) - Transition from industry to consulting during COVID

(23:32) - The dynamics of a consulting career: challenges and rewards

(27:00) - The power of scheduling and planning to build relationships and routines

(29:30) - The significance of nurturing professional relationships and networking

(30:55) - Reflection on the fleeting nature of childhood and work-life balance

(35:30) - Working at value-driven businesses and sustainability practices

(37:55) - The importance of community and local engagement in food and beverage

(38:45) - Key lessons from consulting: self-care, building your future, and relationship management

(49:55) - The impact of small operational improvements on cash flow

(52:49) - Advice for young accountants: planning, relationships, and self-awareness

(56:14) - The importance of building relationships before they are needed

(58:15) - Closing thoughts and gratitude

This episode emphasizes the foundational skills of communication, relationship-building, and value-driven business practices, all underscored with practical examples and heartfelt stories. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, the insights shared can help you build a more sustainable, impactful practice.

Connect with Mike: Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mathews-34275a5/

Meet Nancy!

In this episode, Nancy McClelland, also known as the Dancing Accountant, shares her inspiring journey from music education to becoming a passionate advocate for community, authenticity, and collaboration in the accounting world. Nancy discusses how embracing her unique personality has attracted her ideal clients and fostered a vibrant company culture. We explore her insights on building trust, leveraging personal strengths, and creating environments where professionals thrive both personally and professionally.

Main Topics:

- Nancy’s unconventional path from music education to accounting, and how mentorship shaped her career

- The importance of authenticity and embracing quirks to attract the right clients

- How to build a strong, human-centered company culture in remote and hybrid teams

- The significance of asking for what you want and building your opportunities proactively

- The impact of community involvement and personal branding in business growth

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Nancy McClelland and her unique background

00:45 - Nancy’s move from music education to accounting and mentorship

01:38 - How Nancy's environment in Mexico supports her health and work-life balance

03:07 - Navigating remote work and the pandemic’s impact on her business

04:19 - Building company culture and maintaining team connection remotely

12:14 - Nancy’s journey to becoming an accountant and her early influences

13:02 - The role of mentorship in Nancy’s career path

16:19 - How Nancy’s community efforts support bookkeepers and CPAs

17:04 - The challenges and joys of starting her own firm

20:36 - Balancing work, life, and health through intentional choices

22:09 - Building a business that aligns with personal passions and strengths

27:12 - The importance of community support and local engagement

32:16 - The value of hiring strategically and focusing on your strengths

37:42 - How personal passions can foster better client relationships

41:11 - The importance of collaboration between bookkeepers and tax professionals

44:01 - Nancy’s "She Counts" podcast: creating a safe space for women in accounting

49:14 - Advice for new entrants: be true to yourself and take proactive steps

Connect with Nancy:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa/

She Counts Podcast - https://shecounts.show/

Ask an Accountant - https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/ask-a-cpa-landing/

Meet Katie!

In the latest episode of Protea Conversations, Zane welcomes Katie Thomas, a dynamic professional who made a remarkable transition from accounting to marketing.

We delve into Katie's journey, her motivations, and the lessons learned along the way, providing valuable insights for anyone considering a similar leap. Katie's story is one of courage and determination. Transitioning from a secure career in accounting to the unpredictable world of marketing is no small feat.

The Journey from Accounting to Marketing Katie’s path to marketing was not as straightforward as one might think. Initially, she built websites and dabbled in marketing during her teenage years, growing up in a family business environment. This early exposure ignited her passion for marketing, which she pursued alongside her education in accounting.

Katie's journey from accounting to a successful marketing career serves as an inspiring narrative for anyone contemplating a leap into the unknown. Her story reveals that embracing change, overcoming doubts, and building a strong network are crucial elements of success.

Key takeaways:

- Embrace your passions and be willing to take risks.

- Build relationships and network actively.

- Accept rejection as part of the process and learn from it.

Connect with Katie: Personal

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiethomascpa/

Leaders Online - https://leaders-online.com/

Meet Anshul!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, discover how direct ownership offshoring can give your business control, reduce compliance risks, and unlock access to global talent.

Anshul Agrawal shares his journey from immigrant to offshoring expert and offers insights into how firms of all sizes can leverage international talent pools effectively.

In this episode:

- The difference between agency sourcing and direct ownership offshoring

- How to build and manage a global team without high physical infrastructure costs

- Key legal, compliance, and cultural considerations for offshore hiring

- Why Argentina and South Africa are emerging as popular offshoring destinations

- Anshul’s personal journey from studying in the US to founding an international consulting business

- Common myths and misconceptions about offshoring and how to address them

- Practical advice for accountants and entrepreneurs looking to go global

- The role of education and mindset shifts in overcoming old-school stigmas

- Actionable tips on how to start small with testing offshore arrangements

For those considering offshoring, Anshul emphasizes the importance of education, starting small, and addressing misconceptions. His approach makes global talent accessible for firms of all sizes, helping you solve your biggest business challenges by leveraging international resources.

Connect with Anshul:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshul12/

June15 Consulting - https://www.june15consulting.com/

Meet Randy!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Randy Crabtree shares his inspiring journey of overcoming personal challenges, building vibrant communities, and embracing vulnerability to lead with authenticity in the accounting industry.

Discover practical advice on fostering mental wellness, creating impactful cultures, and finding fulfillment in both professional and personal life.

Key Topics:

- How a stroke changed Randy’s perspective on work and life

- The importance of vulnerability and authentic leadership

- Building a community-focused culture centered on mental health and wellness

- Strategies to empower teams through trust and openness

- The significance of niche expertise and aligning passion with profession

- Balancing family, personal growth, and professional impact

- Practical ways to implement positive change within organizations

- The role of diversity of thought in fostering innovation and growth

- Randy’s upcoming conference: Bridging the Gap and its focus on wellness and collaboration

- Tips for newcomers entering the accounting profession: identifying what makes you happy and pursuing it

Connect with Randy:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-crabtree-cpa-1945a67/

Personal Website - https://www.randycrabtree.com/

Follow Protea:

Website - https://proteafinancial.com/blog/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/proteafinancial

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/10833176

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/protea_financial/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/FinancialProtea

Follow Zane:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zane-stevens/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/zane_stevens_

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zane_stevens_/

Meet Justin!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane Stevens interviews Justin Stephens, the second-generation owner of Stephens Tax Services. Justin shares his journey from initially avoiding the family business to taking over after his father's passing. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of running a tax service, the importance of maintaining personal values, and his commitment to client-first service. The conversation also touches on Justin's personal health journey and the future of his business.

Takeaways

- Justin initially avoided the family business, pursuing a career in sales.

- His father's illness prompted Justin to take over the tax service.

- Justin emphasizes a client-first approach, valuing personal connections.

- He successfully expanded the business, doubling the client base.

- Justin's personal health journey involved losing 70 pounds.

- He stresses the importance of aligning business with personal values.

- Justin plans to continue growing the business while maintaining its core values.

- Technology plays a key role in adapting to client needs.

- Justin values making tax services accessible and affordable.

- He believes in the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Sound bites

"I'm giving you the football, you take it, you run with it."

"The life you want is on the other side of the work you're avoiding."

"I can't imagine doing anything else."

"It's about seeing that it's not shying away from it."

"It's the people first. Need to remember that."

"You can't take care of anybody else if you don't take care of yourself."

"There's no shortcuts. And when I stopped looking for shortcuts, my life gets better."

Connect with Justin:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-stephens-5bb114b/

Meet Mike!

In this conversation, Mike Roe shares his journey from a 28-year career in policing to becoming the CEO of tensense.ai, a platform that helps organizations make sense of their data. He discusses the importance of leadership, change management, and the role of coaching in empowering teams.

Mike emphasizes the need for transparency, communication, and a coaching mindset in leadership, as well as the significance of understanding the truth of the many rather than the opinion of the few.

He also highlights the evolution of sense-making in organizations and the development of a software solution to aid leaders in decision-making.

Takeaways

- Leadership is defined by experiences and insights gained.

- Change management is crucial in any organization.

- Values should be truly embedded in an organization.

- Communication is key during times of change.

- Leaders must be curious and vulnerable.

- Coaching conversations can empower teams.

- Transparency builds trust within organizations.

- Data-driven insights can predict future outcomes.

- A compelling vision unifies teams towards a common goal.

- Self-care is essential for effective leadership.

Sound bites

"You can't do it all yourself."

"People don't like change."

"You have to look after yourself."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Insights

01:32 Early Career in Policing

04:05 Leadership Challenges in Bristol

08:59 Navigating Change Management

12:15 The Importance of Communication

18:27 Transitioning to Coaching Leaders

23:58 Developing a Software Solution for Organizations

29:30 Disrupting the Consulting Market

31:42 The Science of Sense Making

34:06 The Importance of Checking In

36:17 Building Insights Through Questions

37:55 Navigating Complexity in Leadership

41:00 Blind Spots in Leadership

41:51 The Power of Coaching Conversations

44:33 Kindness in Leadership

51:24 The Importance of Renewal

54:57 Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Mike

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-j-roe/

Discover Tensense.ai - https://tensense.ai/

Meet Ryan!

In this conversation, Ryan Brinkman discusses the importance of being bold in client relationships, particularly when advising on financial decisions. He emphasizes the need for transparency and honesty, even when it may not be what clients want to hear. The discussion also touches on the financial risks associated with certain decisions, highlighting the CPA's role in guiding clients through these complexities.

Takeaways

- It's important to be bold with clients.

- Transparency is key in client relationships.

- Advising clients can sometimes mean delivering hard truths.

- Financial risks must be clearly communicated to clients.

- Not all financial decisions are straightforward or beneficial.

- CPAs have a responsibility to guide clients wisely.

- Clients may not always understand the implications of their choices.

- Being honest can strengthen client trust.

- It's crucial to navigate financial complexities carefully.

- The role of a CPA includes risk management and client education.

Sound bites

"This is dumb. And they look at me like..."

"You could lose a lot of money."

"We can't just write off a motor home."

Connect with Ryan Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brinkman-cpa/