The Business BFF with the Women's Accountant

Emma Bowdler, The Women's Accountant

Welcome to the Business BFF, the podcast where fierce and fabulous business women come together for the kind of real talk and honest advice only your besties would give. I'm your host, Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, and I'm here to help you navigate the wild world of business, finance, and life, whether you're scaling up Starting fresh or just need a pep talk from someone who gets it, you're in the right place. So grab your favourite bevy and get comfy. It's time for a chat with your business BFFs.

  1. 10/09/2025

    The shit no one tells you about business ownership (EP21)

    In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, Founder of The Women’s Accountant, debunks the romanticised view of business ownership often portrayed by business gurus and motivational speakers. They share several harsh realities that new business owners face, such as tax bill shock, working with undesirable clients, making poor hires, investing in irrelevant systems, and working harder for less money initially. The speaker emphasises that these challenges are part of the learning process and provide valuable lessons that employees would miss. The goal is to prepare and inform potential and current business owners about the unglamorous aspects of running a business while fostering a community for shared experiences and support. 00:00 The Harsh Reality of Business Ownership 01:50 Tax Bill Shock: The Unseen Burden 03:38 Dealing with Difficult Clients 05:43 Hiring Mistakes: Lessons Learned 07:02 Investing in the Wrong Resources 08:20 The Hard Work and Low Pay Paradox 10:42 Learning from Mistakes: The Silver Lining

    13 min

  2. 09/26/2025

    Professional Services Culture is Broken – Stop wearing burnout as a badge (EP20)

    In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, challenges the traditional professional services culture that equates long hours and physical presence with professional value. Through personal anecdotes and alarming industry statistics on burnout, the host argues that this mentality is driving talented individuals away from professions like law, accounting, and allied health. Advocating for a balanced work-life approach, the host shares insights on setting boundaries, choosing energising clients, and redefining success. The episode calls for a shift in mindset to prioritise sustainable success without sacrificing personal well-being.    00:00 Introduction and Personal Story  01:12 The Toxic Culture of Professional Services  03:51 The Impact on Future Professionals  05:12 Choosing a Different Path  05:29 The Glorified Job Trap  07:35 Working Differently  09:27 What Needs to Change

    13 min

  3. 09/12/2025

    The Business Crisis Recovery Plan: What actually works when things get tough (EP19)

    In this episode of 'The Business BFF,' host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the harsh reality businesses face in the current challenging landscape. She shares actionable insights and strategies for businesses in crisis, emphasising the importance of brutal honesty, stopping financial bleeding, engaging with creditors early, eliminating problematic clients, and investing in professional help. Emma also emphasises the importance of maintaining marketing efforts, building financial reserves, and knowing when to close a business strategically. Tune in for practical advice on navigating through tough times and ensuring business continuity.    00:00 Introduction: The Brutal Business Landscape  01:01 Key Differences Between Survivors and Failures  01:42 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast  02:17 Step 1: Brutal Honesty  04:09 Step 2: Stop the Bleeding  05:40 Step 3: Addressing Tax Obligations  06:29 Step 4: Letting Go of Problem Clients  06:58 Step 5: Seeking Professional Help  08:09 Step 6: Focusing on Revenue Recovery  09:08 Step 7: Building Financial Buffers  10:20 When Business Isn't Viable

    14 min

  4. 08/29/2025

    Why Running a Business Made Me a Better Mum (EP18)

    In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the often-overlooked benefits of running a business as a mother. She challenges the societal notion that working mums might be negatively impacting their children. Instead, she argues that children are gaining invaluable lessons through witnessing their mothers handle real responsibilities, solve problems, and exhibit strong work ethics. These kids are learning critical life skills, including accountability, problem-solving, confidence, financial literacy, and setting boundaries. The episode emphasises that entrepreneurship teaches children resilience and that mothers can successfully balance a thriving business with being present and loving. The host invites listeners to share their own experiences on Instagram. 00:00 Introduction: The Guilt of Working Mums 01:40 Teaching Accountability Through Business 03:27 Instilling a Strong Work Ethic 05:35 Problem-Solving Skills in Action 07:42 Building Confidence and Leadership 09:14 Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking 11:10 Prioritising Family Over Work 12:48 Conclusion: Raising the Next Generation

    15 min
  5. EP17 Behind Every Great Business is a Woman Like Emily

    08/15/2025

    EP17 Behind Every Great Business is a Woman Like Emily

    In this special episode of the Business BFF Podcast, host Emma Bowdler pulls back the curtains to introduce Emily, the practice manager and operations ninja at The Women's Accountant. Emily shares her journey into accounting and business operations, her role within the firm, and the systemsshe has implemented to keep things running smoothly. The discussion also dives into the dynamics of their working relationship, the human side of business, and what makes their practice unique. Tune in to learn about Emily’s role inmaintaining structure, the importance of having processes in place, and their plans for the future. Join us for an open and honest conversation on achieving success in the world of women-led businesses.  00:00 Introduction to the Business BFF Podcast 01:51 Meet Emily: The Operations Ninja 02:42 Emily's Journey into Accounting 04:54 Joining the Women's Accountant 08:27 A Day in the Life at the Women's Accountant 10:15 The Importance of Systems and Processes 16:21 Balancing Work and Personal Life 20:37 Celebrating Milestones and Looking Ahead 28:43 Advice for Aspiring Leaders 30:41 Conclusion and Farewell

    32 min
  6. EP16 5 Ways Women in Business Self-Sabotage and How to Overcome Them

    08/01/2025

    EP16 5 Ways Women in Business Self-Sabotage and How to Overcome Them

    In this episode of the Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, tackles the harsh reality that often the biggest obstacle in a woman's business success is herself. Emma discusses five common self-sabotaging behaviours—winging it without a plan, letting fear take control, chasing someone else's version of success, trying to do everything alone, and avoiding financial numbers. Providing real-life examples and actionable steps, Emma empowers listeners to recognise and address thesehabits to build fulfilling and profitable businesses. Grab a coffee, get cozy, and join the conversation about building a business that truly works for you.   00:00 Introduction: The Real Reason Your Business Feels Stuck 01:00 Welcome to Business BFF: Meet Your Host Emma Bowdler 01:35 Self-Sabotage #1: Winging It Without a Plan 04:37 Self-Sabotage #2: Letting Fear Run the Show 07:24 Self-Sabotage #3: Chasing Someone Else's Version of Success 09:53 Self-Sabotage #4: Doing It All By Yourself 12:48 Self-Sabotage #5: Avoiding Your Numbers 15:36 Conclusion: Taking the Next Right Step

    18 min
  7. EP15 Avoiding the Trap of Growing Broke: Sustainable Business Growth Strategies

    07/18/2025

    EP15 Avoiding the Trap of Growing Broke: Sustainable Business Growth Strategies

    In this episode of the Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses a common but sneaky issue faced by many growth-minded business owners: growing broke. Despite increasing sales, client lists, and team sizes, many business owners find themselves struggling with profits. Emma identifies four primary reasons for this phenomenon: outdated pricing, absorbing rising costs without adjusting prices, forgotten subscriptions, and reinvestment without clear ROI. She offerspractical tips for sustainable growth, including rebuilding pricing structures, conducting regular money audits, understanding cash conversion cycles, and updating service packages. The episode emphasises the importance of maintaining strong profit margins and operational clarity to achieve stable and meaningful business growth. 00:00 Introduction to Growing Broke 01:35 Defining Growing Broke 03:08 Common Reasons for Growing Broke 09:59 Conscious Scaling: The Solution 13:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    15 min
  8. EP14 Reset and Reboot – How to Realign Your Business and Goals Mid-Year

    07/05/2025

    EP14 Reset and Reboot – How to Realign Your Business and Goals Mid-Year

    In this episode of Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler, founder of ⁠The Women's Accountant⁠, shares a practical step-by-step framework to reset your business at the start of the new financial year in July. Emma discusses the importance of a year-end review to identify what worked and what didn't, the significance of revisiting and realigning your goals, the necessity of simplifying and streamlining processes, the need for resetting habits and structuring time effectively, and the critical role of accountability in ensuring progress. These strategies are designed to help business owners stay focused on their goals, enhance client relationships, and create a business that supports their desired lifestyle. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you refresh your business and set it up for success in the months ahead.    00:00 Introduction: Resetting Your Business for Success  00:41 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast  01:17 Realigning and Resetting for the New Financial Year  01:45 Year in Review: Analysing Past Performance  04:34 Revisiting and Realigning Your Goals  09:17 Simplifying and Streamlining Your Business  12:51 Resetting Habits and Structuring Time for Growth  15:23 The Importance of Accountability  17:40 Conclusion: Taking Charge of Your Business

    20 min
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Welcome to the Business BFF, the podcast where fierce and fabulous business women come together for the kind of real talk and honest advice only your besties would give. I'm your host, Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, and I'm here to help you navigate the wild world of business, finance, and life, whether you're scaling up Starting fresh or just need a pep talk from someone who gets it, you're in the right place. So grab your favourite bevy and get comfy. It's time for a chat with your business BFFs.

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