Meet Tony!

In this episode, Zane interviews Tony Wilson, a distinguished CPA, CMA, and champion for software development agencies. Tony shares his journey from becoming an accountant to starting his own business, Equip, which focuses on empowering entrepreneurs through financial acumen and strategic guidance. They discuss the importance of education in business growth, the challenges faced by small businesses, and the value of building a network of professionals to support clients. He also talks about his role as a father and the flexibility that being a business owner provides for his family.

In this conversation, they discuss the importance of work-life balance and the value of prioritizing personal time and family. They also delve into the topic of podcasting and the purpose behind Tony's podcast, as well as his short-term goals for his business and personal life. Tony shares valuable advice for individuals at different stages of their careers, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and giving people space to learn and grow.

Takeaways

- Education is crucial for entrepreneurs to succeed in business, and it goes beyond just accounting knowledge.

- Understanding sales and marketing is often a major deficit for small businesses.

- Building a network of professionals in complementary fields is essential for providing comprehensive support to clients.

- Being a business owner offers flexibility and the ability to prioritize family and personal commitments.

- Empowering entrepreneurs through financial acumen and strategic guidance can help them turn their dreams into reality. Work-life balance is crucial for personal happiness and satisfaction in a job.

- Entrepreneurs should prioritize personal time and family, as life is short and unpredictable.

- Podcasting can be a powerful tool for connecting with ideal clients and sharing their stories.

- As a leader, it is important to ask questions and give people space to learn and grow.

- Approaching entrepreneurship with gratitude and a focus on providing for one's family can lead to a more fulfilling journey.

- Valuable advice for individuals at different stages of their careers includes asking questions, providing answers, and giving people the opportunity to learn from their failures.

Sound Bites

"I remember holding my daughter and thinking to myself, little girl, you can do anything you set your mind to."

"Just because you see pain points or just because you see common issues doesn't necessarily mean that you need to be the one to solve it." "It's about life, not just about work."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:43 Tony's Journey to Becoming an Accountant

06:06 Transitioning to Full-Time Employment and Gaining Experience

16:08 Starting His Own Business: Equip

27:02 Merging with Another Firm and Expanding Services

31:15 Balancing Business and Family Life

33:58 Work-Life Balance and Prioritizing Personal Time

38:30 The Purpose and Goals of Podcasting

42:29 Short-Term Goals for Business and Personal Life

46:52 Valuable Advice for Different Stages of a Career

53:58 The Role of Wealth and Gratitude in Entrepreneurship

Connect with Tony:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-wilson-cpa/

LinkedIn company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wilsontalbott-llp/

Educational company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/accquip/