Empowering Entrepreneurs with Support that Most CPAs Don’t Offer

At Business Owners Advocate (BOA), we help entrepreneurs remove fear from their finances and feel inspired with their money.

By providing structured strategies, we ensure our clients meet their financial goals with confidence. We empower entrepreneurs with tools and guidance to manage their money, set meaningful goals, and shift their mindset. Through personalized support—like active listening, empathy, and resilience-building—we help clients achieve the confidence and clarity they need to thrive financially, both in business and life. Most CPAs focus on numbers, but we focus on empowering business owners to truly understand and manage their finances for long-term success.

1. Active Listening: The Bedrock of Coaching

Active listening goes beyond hearing words—it’s about understanding the emotions and thoughts behind them. In my practice, this skill helps me discern not just what clients say they want, but what they truly need to achieve their financial and personal goals. It takes courage to ask for help, and many clients feel vulnerable when they finally do. That’s why I make it a point to celebrate their bravery and every small step they take. Acknowledging their desires, whether it's a simple date night or a two-week vacation, fosters a safe space where they can be open, explore solutions, and truly grow.

2. Empathy: Building Trust Through Understanding

Empathy lies at the heart of my coaching, especially when dealing with entrepreneurs under financial pressure. By genuinely understanding and sharing in their feelings, I guide them toward clarity and confidence. It’s important to recognize how vulnerable clients feel, especially when facing financial uncertainty. This approach not only builds trust but empowers clients to take ownership of their growth. Success requires both courage and resilience, and as a coach, I reinforce that belief at every step.

3. Goal-Setting: A Roadmap to Success

Goal-setting is crucial to my work, helping clients transform vague desires into clear, actionable objectives. Tools like the '100 Things to Do, Be, and Have' list allow clients to articulate their deepest aspirations, which we break down into measurable steps. For example, an attorney I worked with made partner in just seven months but didn’t feel successful. I asked, 'What are five things you will do today?' and his response, 'a ton of networking,' was too broad. We refined that into two speed networking events and five one-on-one meetings, which made his achievements measurable. I also guide clients to set goals in all areas of their life—business, personal, health, legacy, finance, relationships, and professional—ensuring a balanced approach.

4. Behavioral Insights: Shifting Mindsets and Habits

Understanding human behavior is key to addressing the challenges my clients face. By applying behavioral insights, I tailor my coaching to each client’s learning style and resistance levels, facilitating lasting change. Whether it’s overcoming fear of financials or shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, I emphasize conscious spending over unconscious spending. I remind clients that making decisions is 10% about money and 90% about mindset. It’s not just about whether they have money; it’s about whether they want to spend it on the right things. I help them hold onto the feeling of achieving their goals and guide their decisions in alignment with that.

5. Communication Mastery: Simplifying Complexities

Effective communication is essential when guiding clients through the often overwhelming world of finance. My goal is to simplify complex concepts, empowering clients to make informed decisions. Financial literacy, like any skill, is built on understanding and communication. I focus on fostering clarity in every conversation, ensuring clients feel heard and understood.

6. Resilience-Building: Bouncing Back from Setbacks

Resilience is a core part of entrepreneurship, and I teach clients how to develop a 'bounce-back' mindset, using setbacks as stepping stones to greater success. Integrating the Canfield Success Principles, we work to break limiting beliefs and let go of what no longer serves us. We celebrate every achievement—whether it's graduating high school or hitting a business milestone. Acknowledging the positive aspects of the past allows clients to set meaningful goals and act as if success is already within reach. With accountability, guidance, and support, they build the resilience to meet challenges head-on and grow stronger from each experience.

Incorporating these coaching skills

By incorporating these six essential skills—active listening, empathy, goal-setting, behavioral insights, communication mastery, and resilience-building—entrepreneurs can unlock new levels of financial clarity and success. At Business Owners Advocate, we’ve seen firsthand how these tools transform not just businesses, but lives. We encourage you to reflect on how you can implement these skills in your own approach, whether you’re coaching others or managing your business. Don’t settle for just understanding the numbers—empower yourself to take control of your financial future. Reach out to Business Owners Advocate today to learn how we can help you implement these strategies and thrive both personally and professionally.