Pay Play Profit

S2 EP203: Navigating The Stellar Brands™ Acquisition and What's Next For TBL®

In this special roundtable episode of Pay Play Profit, host Jessica Mae Stafford, former Visionary of TBL and now Head of Sales & Partnerships at Stellar Brands, is joined by key leaders from both organizations to share the story behind TBL's acquisition by Stellar Brands and what it means for the future. * Marilyn Adkerson, CPA, Founder of TBL, reflects on her transition into retirement and the journey that led to this pivotal moment. * Bobby Hoyt, Founder and Visionary of Stellar Brands, shares why acquiring TBL aligned perfectly with Stellar's mission and long-term vision. * Ariel Bash, Integrator™ of Stellar Brands, speaks to how she is balancing the preservation of TBL's culture while ensuring alignment with Stellar's growth vision. * Ashley Travis, Head of Finance/HR and TBL Operations at Stellar Brands, offers insight into the smooth integration process and the stability it has brought to both teams. * Jessica Mae Stafford leads the conversation and adds her own perspective on legacy, leadership transitions, and the heart behind choosing Stellar as TBL's new home. Together, this leadership team reflects on the past, shares behind-the-scenes details from the transition, and casts a shared vision for the future of TBL within Stellar Brands. 🔑 Key Takeaways * Marilyn reflects on her retirement and passing the torch. * Bobby discusses the organic nature of the acquisition and its alignment with Stellar's mission. * Ariel highlights the importance of cultural integration without losing identity. * Ashley emphasizes operational alignment and new energy for the future. * Jessica shares the leadership transition from TBL's Visionary to her current role at Stellar. * The team shares a united vision of growth, client care, and meaningful community building. 📍 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to the Stellar Brands Acquisition 02:43 – Marilyn's Transition and Reflections 05:41 – Bobby's Perspective on the Acquisition 08:53 – Integration Process and Team Dynamics 11:43 – Ariel's Approach to Culture and Integration 17:46 – Client Experience and Future Improvements 20:41 – Vision for Success in 12 Months 26:44 – Closing Thoughts and Reflections 💬 Soundbites (By Speaker) 🎙️ Jessica Mae Stafford "Even though it was an acquisition, it felt like combining forces." 🎙️ Marilyn Adkerson, CPA "It was just the right time." "Where there is no vision, the people perish." 🎙️ Bobby Hoyt "I didn't feel like it was a business I needed to fix. I knew it was already a great business." "It just made so much sense." 🎙️ Ariel Bash "How do we protect what TBL has built while staying true to Stellar's vision?" "When people care this much, it means you're doing something right." 🎙️ Ashley Travis "We're not sacrificing or changing our soul—it's like we're building on it." "Everything went smoother than I imagined—and the team didn't feel the weight of it." 📞 Ready to Take the Next Step? If you're a business owner looking for clarity, confidence, and a true partner in your back office success—we'd love to connect. Book a Discovery Call with Jessica Mae Stafford and explore how TBL powered by Stellar Brands can support your next big move. 👉 Schedule Your Call Here [https://calendly.com/stellar-jms/tbl-discovery] Let's build something brilliant—together.

S2 EP202: CPA, EA, Bookkeeper, Tax Preparer... Who Does What — and Who Do You Really Need In 2025?

Summary In this episode of the Pay Play Profit podcast, Jess Stafford discusses the essential roles within a financial team for small businesses, including CPAs, EAs, bookkeepers, and accountants. She emphasizes the importance of understanding each role and how they contribute to a business's financial health. The conversation also introduces the Profit First system, a cash management strategy that prioritizes profit to ensure sustainable growth. Jess shares insights on navigating business growth, the importance of hiring the right financial professionals, and the evolving landscape of financial management in the age of AI. Takeaways * Understanding the roles of financial professionals is crucial for business success. * Profit First flips the traditional profit equation to prioritize profit first. * Hiring the right financial team can lead to better decision-making and profitability. * AI can assist in financial tasks, but human oversight is essential. * Bookkeepers can provide more than just data entry; they can offer valuable insights. * Planning for financial growth should start early in the business lifecycle. * Not all CPAs are equipped to handle small business needs effectively. * Investing in financial systems early can lead to greater clarity and control. * The complexity of bookkeeping is increasing, requiring skilled professionals. * Every financial decision impacts overall business profitability. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Your Financial Team 11:25 The Profit First System 20:31 Debunking Myths in Financial Management 23:25 Navigating the Changing Financial Landscape

S2 EP201: Profit Clarity in 2025 - Small Business in a Complex Tax & Trade World

Summary In this episode of Pay Play Profit, Jessica Mae Stafford discusses the complexities small businesses face in today's tax and trade environment. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and the role of technology, particularly AI, in enhancing business operations. The conversation covers various topics including tax strategy, the impact of tariffs, sales tax shifts, and the resilience required to thrive in uncertain economic times. Jessica encourages entrepreneurs to leverage tools like Profit First for better cash management and to maintain a human touch in their business interactions. Takeaways 1. It's essential to stay flexible and adapt to changes every two weeks. 2. Small businesses are crucial to the economy and should not be overlooked. 3. Tax strategy involves planning and compliance, and it's vital to have a knowledgeable partner. 4. Tariffs are a significant concern for many small business owners today. 5. Understanding sales tax shifts is crucial for compliance and business operations. 6. Resilience in business is intentional and requires grit. 7. AI should be used as a helper tool, not a replacement for human interaction. 8. Profit First is an effective cash management strategy for small businesses. 9. Every decision made in business should be viewed through the lens of profitability. 10. Maintaining a strong client experience is key to successful marketing. Sound Bites "Tax is strategy, planning, and compliance." "Tariffs are hurting small business owners." "Resilience is intentional." "Your client experience is your marketing." "AI is a helper tool, not a replacement." "Don't remove the humans from your business." "Every decision is a profit decision." Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back to Pay Play Profit 03:01 Navigating Small Business in a Complex Tax World 05:54 Understanding Tax Strategy and Compliance 09:11 The Impact of Tariffs and Trade on Small Businesses 11:50 Sales Tax Shifts and Economic Nexus 14:57 Resilience and Opportunity in Uncertain Times 18:04 The Role of AI in Business 21:08 Tactical Playbook for 2025 and Beyond 23:58 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Call To Action Schedule a Discovery Call [https://link.servicezeal.com/widget/booking/KHYLbGFvG9qErCFUJTHp] with The Bottom Line® today - yes, Jess actually hosts the calls with our client prospects to ensure we have the best fit. Let's talk! Schedule your call now. [https://link.servicezeal.com/widget/booking/KHYLbGFvG9qErCFUJTHp]

139: REPLAY: Multistate Income Tax: Understanding It and How to Get Prepared for It

If you're planning to or already starting to do business across states, you've got to know what's going on from an income tax perspective. A multistate income tax is different from a sales tax. And a multistate income tax can have a lot of different names attached to it depending on the state. Joining us today once again is Chris Mahler, CPA who is also part of our TBL family strategic partner and compliance consultant. We dive into multistate income tax – what is it and how do we get prepared for it? A multistate income tax can be complex but it should not make you pay too much more in overall additional taxes. You're just going to be moving around what you pay to different states. There are a few caveats too that we'll discuss. The good news is there's always help out there as you navigate through all the potential pitfalls that are out there. In this episode, you will hear: * Understanding the franchise tax and the factor nexus * The three types of nexus * The thresholds for multistate income tax * The minimum requirements for different states * Things to consider when you're a service provider * The need for protective language in all your agreements Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1503328800]. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: The Bottom Line CPA [https://www.thebottomlinecpa.com/] Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com [https://emeraldcitypro.com/] Let them know we sent you.

138: REPLAY: Key Areas to Consider When Dealing with High Inflation for Goals-Based Planning

Inflation is here – and it's here to stay for a bit. Obviously, we have to deal with it, but how? In today's episode, we discuss some things you have to think through to shield yourself from inflation, or at least mitigate its impact. Hindsight is a good teacher. And so, if you can capture those lessons and put them in your plans for your future, you're going to be better prepared when the next cycle comes around because there will be another cycle. Hopefully, you will also learn to figure out what specific information will help strengthen your ability to predict as a leader so you can steer clear of those blind curves in your business. We are all in the middle of the same hurricane. But there is hope. Inflation is going to come down and things will get better. Just do the things you need to do to get through it! In this episode, you will hear: * Looking at your cash flow * What to do with your savings, retirements, and investments * Why compartmentalization is both a blessing and a curse * Managing asset and debt issues * The value of getting a plus-one * Things to consider when it comes to taxes – before tax time! * Reassessing your life and disability insurance coverages Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1503328800]. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com [https://emeraldcitypro.com/] Let them know we sent you.