Meet Serena Shoup | CPA & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Serena Shoup and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Serena, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Between my two businesses, the ripple effect on the financial future of those we serve is massive. On one side, we are helping small business owners get a grasp on their finances, put better habits in place and educating them on various financial growth strategies. This enables them to bring home more pay, grow their business and employ others, and impact their own communities and customers.
On the other side, since we mentor and coach other bookkeepers and accountants, we’re able to show others how to create their own business helping even more small businesses do the same. We’ve helped many clients and students become more profitable and serve their customers better and it’s so incredibly rewarding.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I founded two businesses: one a bookkeeping and consulting firm for mostly online and service based businesses, and the other a coaching and courses business for other bookkeepers and accountants. Since I know the online course and coaching business so well from being in it, I’m really able to help my clients with their money goals and navigating the industry.

I knew I always wanted to be an entrepreneur but I spent about 12 years climbing the corporate ladder building my experience in various industries but inside of the accounting function.

When I went on maternity leave to have my second daughter 7 years ago, I knew this was going to be my opportunity to find that passion or business. So that’s what I did. I begun helping small businesses with bookkeeping virtually. It was a bit challenging piecing my knowledge of industry together with my early days at a CPA firm and layering learning sales and marketing.

And after I got the hang of it, I started helping others just starting out with the same, because most accountants are introverted and don’t have a background in sales or marketing. This is when I started building my second company, mentoring others in the accounting space.

The most challenging part of all of this was learning to “put myself out there” online and not worrying about what others think about me. It’s been a massive personal growth journey in taking risks, accepting failure and moving forward regardless. Oh, and being consistent, and being ok with slow growth. Nothing happens as quickly as you want it to.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I’m in Prescott, we have an abundance of outdoor activities to experience and enjoy, some of which I’ve yet to even do myself.

I’d definitely take them paddle boarding with me on Goldwater Lake, and Watson Lake. We’d head down to a concert in the park one of the evenings, check out Whisky Row after dinner at the Palace Saloon (amazing steaks!)

A show at the Elks and a nights stay at the Hassayampa is a must to complete the downtown Prescott experience.

We’d have to head up to Sedona for a day hike and maybe a sunset helicopter tour. Then on up to the Grand Canyon.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had so many mentors and coaches along the way, but I’d say a large impact in the way I run my firm & mentor my team was due to working at a small CPA firm in Tucson early on in my career: Calvert & Ivester PLLC, and being mentored by Sara Ivester.

Along the way, all my bosses saw my potential and gave me opportunities to mess up and grow. I’m eternally grateful for that.

Website: www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com

Instagram: @ambitiousbookkeeper

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/Serenashoup

Facebook: SerenaShoupCPA

Other: Ofcoursebookkeeping.com Instagram.com/ofcoursebookkeping

Image Credits
Brianna Kinsley Photography