Ever wonder what it really takes to run a stress-free, fully compliant small business without drowning in paperwork? This episode is your inside look at how to make that a reality.
In this episode of Sterling Insights, guest host Charles Trakas sits down with Candy Messer, founder of Affordable Bookkeeping and Payroll Services. Together, they explore what it takes to build and scale a service-based business with a focus on financial compliance, team empowerment, and client peace of mind. Candy draws from over two decades of experience in payroll and bookkeeping to discuss the challenges small business owners face when juggling operations, regulations, and growth—offering actionable advice for entrepreneurs ready to delegate and reclaim their time.
This episode is a must-listen for business owners, service providers, and solo-preneurs looking to streamline their operations and create a business that runs without them.
Key Takeaways:
● 💼 From Side Hustle to Scalable Firm: How Candy went from part-time bookkeeper in 2002 to leading a remote team serving 100+ clients across the U.S.
● 🏢 Compliance is Key: Why ignoring small business requirements like licenses, 1099s, and payroll filings can lead to big trouble—and how her team helps avoid that.
● 🧠 Client Education is Crucial: Why clients are often unaware of the numbers behind their business—and how Candy uncovers the truth behind the profits.
● 💡 The Power of Saying No: A powerful story about choosing staff well-being over high-paying but toxic clients.
● 🕒 Creating Clockwork Freedom: How Candy uses the Clockwork system to design a business that runs without her—so she can spend more time with family.
Quotes from Candy Messer:
● “Every time I talk to you, I feel so much better because I know everything is being handled.”
● “You could be growing your business, but if you're not charging right or tracking labor costs, you're silently losing money.”
● “I had to protect my staff—even if it meant walking away from one of our top revenue clients.”
🔗 Conclusion:
Candy’s story is a blueprint for building a values-driven business: one that grows with integrity, serves with expertise, and empowers both clients and team. If you're ready to free yourself from the daily grind while staying in full control of your business's finances and compliance, this episode will inspire your next steps.
Connect with Candy:
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/CandyMesser
Download our Free Guide to Financial Lingo: https://bit.ly/3bMO9V4
LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/candymesser
Website: www.abandp.com
Free Clockwork Tool: https://bit.ly/ABPTimePod
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