ACCELERATOR

Lera Kooper
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
ACCELERATOR

Welcome to Accelerator, the podcast dedicated to entrepreneurs ready to work ON the business and increase the value of their life's investment—their business. Hosted by Lera Kooper, an award-winning entrepreneur recognized as a NACVAs 30 under 30 and co-owner of the "Firm of the Year" Accountability Services in business advisory, tax, and accounting, this podcast is your go-to resource for strategic insights and practical advice to drive your business forward. Join us as we dive deep into the world of business growth and optimization. Each episode features interviews with business owners, strategic professionals to have in your network, and focused episodes on critical topics to help you stay on track and achieve your business objectives. Whether you're looking to scale, enhance your financial clarity, or prepare for a strategic exit, "Accelerator" provides the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed. Tune in and learn how to give it all you've got, to fail fast, and maximize the potential of your business.

  1. OCT 14

    Scaling Green: with 'Moss Boss' Lindsay Scher Burgess

    Summary In this episode, Lera Kooper interviews Lindsay Scherr Burgess, the owner of Green Wallscapes, also known as the Moss Boss. Lindsay shares her journey of starting the business, the challenges of scaling, and the importance of teamwork and process in delivering custom moss wall designs. The conversation also touches on market adaptations, client collaboration, and valuable advice for aspiring business owners. Lindsay emphasizes the significance of persistence and the excitement of future opportunities in her niche industry. Chapters 00:00Introduction to the Moss Boss 03:10The Journey of Green Wallscapes 05:58Scaling Challenges and Team Dynamics 09:11Design Process and Client Collaboration 12:02Adapting to Market Changes 14:51Advice for Business Owners 18:03Future Plans and Opportunities 20:54The Importance of Teamwork 23:59Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Contact https://greenwallscapes.com/ Looking to gain financial clarity and control with a proactive CPA partner? Visit https://www.accountabilityservices.com/

    34 min

  2. SEP 17

    Gone Phishing with Cyberhoot Founder Craig Taylor

    Craig Taylor, co-founder of Cyber Hoot, shares his journey in cybersecurity and the importance of cyber literacy. He emphasizes that cybersecurity is not just an IT problem but a business owner's responsibility. Craig discusses the need for training and testing to create a strong human firewall within organizations. He also highlights the significance of risk assessments and the importance of freezing credit to protect against identity theft. Craig provides valuable advice for individuals and businesses to enhance their cybersecurity practices. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Craig Taylor's Background 02:19The Maturation of the Cybersecurity Industry 04:08Identifying Quacks and Ensuring Security Literacy 06:26The Impact of Cybercrime on the Global Economy 09:52The Importance of Strategic Incident Management 11:45The Significance of Cybersecurity in the Financial Industry 16:06The Positive Reinforcement Approach to Phishing Tests 19:05The Importance of Strategic Cybersecurity Measures 21:22Getting Started with Cybersecurity: Free Resources and Risk Assessments 27:01The Need for Credit Freezes and Multi-Factor Authentication Resources: For more information on this week's guest, visit https://cyberhoot.com/category/training/  Looking to gain financial clarity and control with a proactive CPA partner? Visit https://www.accountabilityservices.com/

    36 min

  3. SEP 2

    5 Frustrations Business Owners Face & How to Overcome Them with Matt Hansen

    Host Lera Kooper interviews Matt Hansen, an EOS implementer, about the five most common frustrations that business owners face. The frustrations discussed include feeling like the business runs you instead of the other way around, not having enough cash flow, struggling with people management, lacking clarity and focus, and feeling like you're stuck and unable to grow. Matt provides practical strategies to address these frustrations and provides insights on how to overcome them.

    47 min

  4. AUG 19

    Beyond the Numbers: Succession Planning With Heart

    Host Lera Kooper interviews Laurie Nichols, a trusted guide and confidant to business owners seeking a successful ownership transition, discusses the importance of tapping into what matters most to business owners when planning for an exit. She emphasizes the need to consider factors beyond financial rewards, such as legacy and building a great business with great people. Nichols highlights the emotional aspect of the transition process and the importance of preparing both business owners and potential successors or buyers for the journey. She also discusses the surprises and challenges that can arise during the exit process, including the need for open and candid communication between business partners. Takeaways When planning for an ownership transition, it's important to consider factors beyond financial rewards, such as legacy and building a great business with great people. The exit process can be emotional and challenging, especially for business owners who have invested significant time and energy into their businesses. Open and candid communication between business partners is crucial during the exit process to ensure alignment of goals and to build trust. Business owners should invest in their own leadership abilities and carve out time for strategic thinking and planning. Delegation and engaging with key employees are essential for scalability and continuity in the business. Transparency and involving key stakeholders, including spouses, in the planning process can foster buy-in and create a shared vision for the future of the business.   Chapters 00:00Introduction and the Importance of Ownership Transition 02:32The Emotional Aspect of Exiting a Business 07:37The Challenges of Communication Between Business Partners 15:25Investing in Leadership and Strategic Thinking 19:32Delegation and Engaging Key Employees 27:06Transparency and Involving Key Stakeholders

    44 min
  5. Resilience: Lessons from Forbes 200 CPA Ernie Villany

    JUL 29

    Resilience: Lessons from Forbes 200 CPA Ernie Villany

    Lera Kooper interviews Ernie Villany, her business partner at Accountability Services and 2024 Forbes Top 200 CPA. They discuss the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur, the importance of understanding what motivates people, and the power of having a plan and a prescriptive mindset. Ernie shares personal stories of resilience and growth, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and overcoming the loss of key team members. They emphasize the need for business owners, regardless of size, to have a plan and be proactive in their approach to achieve success.

    29 min

  6. JUL 15

    Money Isn't The Answer.. Profits Are. with Steve Gelley CEO of Blueprint Ventures

    Host Lera Kooper sits down with Steve Gelley, CEO of Blueprint Ventures, to uncover the secrets behind his successful exits from two major ventures. Steve shares game-changing insights on why pivoting is essential for business growth, the power of workflow automation, and the surprising importance of transparency in building a winning team culture. He also dives into the often-misunderstood world of venture capital, revealing key strategies for navigating investor relationships and maximizing your business's potential. Tune in to learn how Steve transformed challenges into opportunities, the critical metrics every business owner should track, and the vital steps for setting up a business for a lucrative exit. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, Steve's advice will provide you with the tools and inspiration needed to view your business through the lens of an investor and achieve remarkable success. bpv.io

    27 min
  7. Niche Down and Scale Up with Alex Ratynski

    JUL 8

    Niche Down and Scale Up with Alex Ratynski

    Alex Ratynski from Searchable is interviewed on the power of niching down, the challenges of identifying a niche, and the benefits of serving a specific audience. They also explore strategies for finding a viable niche and the potential risks of niching down. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding your target demographic and leveraging that knowledge in your marketing and sales efforts. Takeaways Niching down in your business can provide more power and leverage in the marketplace, especially from a marketing perspective. Having a niche allows you to build a strong brand and become an industry leader in a specific area. Start by looking at your top clients or customers and identify the ones that are most profitable or that you do the best work for. Research the market and industry trends to ensure that your niche is financially stable and has potential for growth. Use audience research tools and have conversations with your customers to gain insights and tailor your marketing efforts to their needs and preferences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Questions 01:13 The Power of Niching Down 03:19 The Importance of Having a Niche 05:29 Challenges of Niching Down and Getting Started 08:38 Strategies for Identifying a Niche 14:05 Risks and Downsides of Niching Down 19:43 Ensuring Viability and Financial Stability of Your Niche 23:35 Leveraging Audience Insights in Marketing 26:50 Final Tips for Business Owners 29:18 Closing and Contact Information Resources and Tools Mentioned: SparkToro Vertical IQ Visit staysearchable.com for a free marketing audit.

    30 min
  8. From Operator to Visionary: Unlocking Growth Potential with Lera Kooper

    JUL 1

    From Operator to Visionary: Unlocking Growth Potential with Lera Kooper

    In this episode, host Lera Kooper discusses the value of working on your business and provides insights on how to effectively transition from working in the business to working on it. She emphasizes the importance of setting aside dedicated time to be a visionary and think big for your business. Lera also highlights the significance of having confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. She advises setting clear, measurable goals and metrics to track progress and avoid getting discouraged. Lera shares challenges that business owners often face, such as time management and fear of change, and provides strategies for overcoming them. She emphasizes the role of leadership in aligning the organization and creating efficient systems. Lera concludes by encouraging listeners to start setting aside time to define their vision and take small steps towards achieving it. Takeaways Set aside dedicated time to be a visionary and think big for your business. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. Set clear, measurable goals and metrics to track progress. Overcome challenges such as time management and fear of change. Align the organization and create efficient systems through leadership. Start setting aside time to define your vision and take small steps towards achieving it. Chapters Set aside dedicated time to be a visionary and think big for your business. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. Set clear, measurable goals and metrics to track progress. Overcome challenges such as time management and fear of change. Align the organization and create efficient systems through leadership. Start setting aside time to define your vision and take small steps towards achieving it. Measure What Matters Atomic Habits

    24 min
See All (15)

About

Welcome to Accelerator, the podcast dedicated to entrepreneurs ready to work ON the business and increase the value of their life's investment—their business. Hosted by Lera Kooper, an award-winning entrepreneur recognized as a NACVAs 30 under 30 and co-owner of the "Firm of the Year" Accountability Services in business advisory, tax, and accounting, this podcast is your go-to resource for strategic insights and practical advice to drive your business forward. Join us as we dive deep into the world of business growth and optimization. Each episode features interviews with business owners, strategic professionals to have in your network, and focused episodes on critical topics to help you stay on track and achieve your business objectives. Whether you're looking to scale, enhance your financial clarity, or prepare for a strategic exit, "Accelerator" provides the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed. Tune in and learn how to give it all you've got, to fail fast, and maximize the potential of your business.

Information

  • Creator
    Lera Kooper
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    ACCELERATOR

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada