Protea Conversations is the podcast for accountants and service-firm leaders.

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Meet Seth!

Join us as Seth Fineberg, a seasoned journalist and analyst with nearly 30 years at the forefront of accounting technology and culture, shares his unique perspective on the evolving profession. Discover strategies for navigating digital transformation, fostering innovation, and building resilient firms for the future.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Seth's non-traditional path into the accounting world and his superpower of perspective

- The impact of community and culture in New York, including notable celebrity encounters

- Seth's musical journey with the band Blackout Shoppers and the importance of outside passions

- How his journalism career shaped his understanding of trends like AI and cloud technology

- Practical advice for accountants feeling overwhelmed by change and innovation

- The importance of authentic content and meaningful relationships in building trust

- Personal favorites: NYC's best restaurants and unforgettable shows

Timestamps:

02:19 - Seth's perspective as a superpower in the industry

03:18 - Parenting experiences in NYC and suburban lessons

04:39 - Diversity, culture, and the NYC lifestyle's influence on family

07:36 - Seth’s involvement in the local music scene and band Blackout Shoppers

08:53 - Parenting passions—sports, activities, and balancing work-life

10:19 - Celebrity sightings and memorable NYC encounters

17:14 - The importance of passions outside work for a fulfilling life

20:46 - Seth's love for baseball and thoughts on the game’s modernization

23:16 - Evaluating changes in the sport's pace and competitive nature

25:10 - Seth’s journalism career: From college to interviewing Jeff Bezos

32:32 - Recognizing gaps in the accounting profession and mindset shifts

33:01 - The role of trust and content in client relationships

34:24 - Seth’s work with Accountants Forward and content marketing strategies

46:36 - A day in Seth’s life: routines, work blocks, and personal time

54:55 - Navigating the profession's biggest inflection points and future trends

57:42 - Final advice: prioritize self-care, embrace technology, and start small

58:09 - Rapid Fire Questions: Dream vacations, NYC shows, favorite restaurants, and more

Connect with Seth:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fineberg-86aa8663/

Website - https://accountantsforward.com This is episode 60

Meet Diana!

Discover how Diana Gleason transitioned from a professional dancer to building a thriving six-figure accounting firm, and her insights into scaling a service-based business, leadership, and personal growth.

Main Topics:

- Diana’s unconventional path from dance to accounting

- Building and scaling DG Accounting Agency

- Leadership, systems, and operational strategies for growth

- Balancing entrepreneurship with family life

In this episode:

- Diana shares her inspiring story of pivoting careers and establishing her firm

- Key lessons learned from scaling her business and building a team

- How her background in dance instilled resilience and discipline

- Practical strategies for creating systems and empowering employees

- Her vision of the future: becoming CEO and eventual business sale

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Diana Gleason and her unique journey from dancer to accountant

01:05 - Celebrating five years in business and recognizing milestones

02:12 - Evolving roles within her firm and operational growth

04:56 - How a leadership program with Gary Vaynerchuk influenced her mindset

09:45 - Leadership style adjustments for team empowerment

16:44 - Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship while managing physical health

24:47 - Connecting with her passion for supporting dance studios and small businesses

27:29 - Her mission to humanize accounting and provide judgment-free financial support

32:09 - The value of honesty combined with compassion in client conversations

34:45 - Recognizing warning signs of potential business trouble

37:39 - Insights into her leadership program with Gary Vaynerchuk at VaynerX

45:17 - Day in the life: balancing family, business meetings, and sales efforts

48:24 - Future goals: becoming CEO and eventually selling her firm

51:02 - Personal interests, hobbies, and the importance of continuous growth

54:50 - Rapid-fire segment: dream vacation, favorite tech, and more

Connect with Diana:

Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dianagleason/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianagleason/

Meet Cash!

Discover how Cash East transitioned from a childhood love of fly fishing to building innovative software tools that revolutionize real estate investing and bookkeeping.

Gain insights into the importance of data, the value of trusting a team, and embracing risk to grow professionally and personally.

In this episode:

- Cash shares his unique family history and the story behind his distinctive name, Cash.

- How his childhood passions led him into entrepreneurship and environmental science.

- The evolution from environmental consulting to environmental accounting and software development.

- The critical role of data, discipline, and teamwork in his success.

- The influence of habits, travel, and outdoor hobbies on his professional journey.

- Vision and short-term goals for his innovative software and investment projects.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Cash East and his intriguing family history

01:26 - Childhood experiences and family influences on careers

02:04 - The story behind the name "Cash" and its impact

02:25 - Early career in finance, accounting, and environmental consulting

03:16 - Transition from biology to environmental business models

05:02 - Starting entrepreneurial ventures in fly fishing gear

11:11 - Balancing family and professional pursuits

13:03 - The attraction of entrepreneurship and control over destiny

14:25 - Using data and models in supply chain and environmental work

17:43 - Challenges in making data understandable and actionable for business owners

20:01 - Entry into real estate investments and learning to analyze deals

26:35 - The mindset needed for taking calculated risks and big swings

28:19 - The importance of data and trusting the right people in decision-making

32:11 - Surrounding yourself with reliable partners and team members

37:41 - Transitioning to managed properties and improving operational efficiency

41:04 - Creating a unified platform for bookkeeping and financial oversight

43:15 - The role of AI in automating tasks and freeing up entrepreneurs' time

45:54 - The value of time back from automation and AI tools

49:05 - Short-term goals: expanding the bookkeeping tool and community engagement

50:29 - Embracing AI growth and upcoming opportunities in tech

51:07 - Rapid fire questions: favorite books, exercise, travel preferences, tech tools, and final meal

Connect with Cash:

Personal X - https://x.com/CashionEast

Kestrel - https://kestrelrms.com/