2024 Year in Review (+Meetup)
First off - thanks to all 162 of you who filled out last week’s survey! I truly feel so grateful that you were willing take a few minutes and share your feedback with me. I’ll share the results with you in the new year. Thank you!
My 2024 In Review
In January…
I disengaged a longtime (2+ years) client. This was a tough one because the client was also a friend and they were a good client. They were a non-profit that I took on when I was first growing my firm and eager for revenue.
As I continued to solidify my niche around consultants and consulting agencies in 2022 and 2023, it became clear that this client didn’t fit into the workflow I worked to refine in 2023. Keeping this one client that was very outside my niche was inefficient, and I began feeling frustrated at the one-off workflow.
I knew I was no longer the best solution for them.
It was rough to communicate the disengagement, but my friend and the rest of the board were gracious and the transition was smooth. We’re still friends, and I have a more cohesive workflow.
I assumed…
After that disengagement, I considered myself at full-capacity and sent anyone who came knocking to my waitlist. I planned to stay where I was from a client count perspective and use the year to reflect on what I’d built to-date and determine my next steps, if any.
In April…
One of my middle-tier ($1,500/mo) clients abruptly ended our engagement. We had philosophical differences on money.
It took me by surprise, but it was also one of those clients that you’re kind of relieved you don’t have to work with anymore. (I know you know what I mean.)
Without panic, I went to my waitlist and was able to line up another middle-tier client ($1,500/mo) for onboarding in September. I choose not to onboard in the summer, so I can focus on my kiddos and all the fun things.
In August…
Another client, this time one of my two top-tier clients ($4,900/mo), gave 30-day notice of disengagement.
This one, I took harder.
After months of raising cashflow red flags and urging layoffs due to a clearly drying sales pipeline for the client, he turned around and cut me. It took me a couple of weeks to dig out of self-pity and stop the Monday-morning-quarterbacking of shoulda, woulda, couldas, but I fully recovered.
In October…
Through a conveniently timed referral, I signed a new top-tier client ($5,800/mo) for immediate onboarding. So far, the CEO is a dream-client and I’m so grateful I had capacity to take them on (had I not lost the August client, I would have likely said No…go figure).
As I close out the year, I’m back at capacity, but boy, it was a rollercoaster I wasn’t anticipating.
As always in business, things never go how you expect them and I learned more about myself, my processes, and my sales pipeline than I thought I would in 2024.
Remember:
“The most important part of every plan is planning on your plan not going according to plan.” -Morgan Housel
Here’s to whatever 2025 brings!
Erica
PS - This will be my last email of 2024 as I start to unplug for the rest of the year. I hope you find time to unplug, yourself. See you in 2025!!!
Last thing…I have an extra copy of Slow Productivity by Cal Newport sitting on my desk. It was a Top 3 read for me in 2024. Anyone want it? Happy to drop it in the mail for the first person who asks for it.
Extras:
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The 15 Hour Accountant Podcast
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Season 1 is live!
What’s Happening in Aligned
15-Hr Accountant Meet-Up
Wednesday, January 15th
10am PST / 11am MST / 12pm CST / 1pm EST
Topic:
How to Make an Tax Research Assistant in ChatGPT + open Q&A
Money back guarantee, if you get in there and don’t see the value. No questions asked.
More details in the link above.