How Eriona Bajrakurtaj Broke Through Mental Barriers to Build an Accounting Empire! 🧠

How Jordan Vickery Grew a Global SaaS With Zero Ad Spend and a Vegas Rooftop Party! 🎉 🏆

In this episode of The Eardley Bird Business Podcast, Oli sits down with Jordan Vickery — Co-founder of Vinyl, Director at Journey, and one of the best-known voices in the accounting-tech space. From launching an AI meeting assistant purpose-built for accountants to scaling to 1,000+ users in under a year, Jordan shares how Vinyl is reshaping the way firms work. He talks about the power of community-driven growth, the magic of in-person events, and why AI isn’t killing the human touch — it’s enabling it. With deep insight into SaaS, marketing, and scaling in niche verticals, this one’s essential listening for anyone building (or marketing) a tech product. 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Jordan built Vinyl from idea to 1,000+ users in less than 12 months Why community-first growth still works in 2025 The power of non-traditional go-to-market strategies (like rooftop parties 😎) Jordan’s marketing strategy for building in public How to use webinars, integration partners, and offline events to grow trust His advice for founders launching a SaaS in a crowded market 🎯 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ AI won't replace humans — it helps them connect better. 2️⃣ Knowing your ideal customer is the key to smart growth. 3️⃣ Trust is built in the DMs, at the bar, and in your personal brand. 4️⃣ Start with customer research — always. 📖 Timestamps 0:00 Podcast Introduction 0:15 Who is Jordan Vickery? 1:07 What is Vinyl and how it works for accountants 2:23 Real-world examples of how Vinyl saves hours of admin 3:44 How the idea for Vinyl was born 4:51 Launching Vinyl and hitting 1,000+ users 6:40 The role of community in Vinyl’s early growth 7:40 How Jordan and Trent used personal brand to fuel traction 10:03 The Vegas Penthouse Party growth strategy 11:57 Why offline events still drive serious impact 13:12 How to measure success when it’s not about direct ROI 14:33 Why webinars are STILL one of the best growth tools 15:42 What Jordan’s prioritising in marketing now 16:44 The future of Vinyl and where it’s headed 18:45 Jordan’s advice for early-stage SaaS founders 20:15 Why understanding category demand matters 22:34 How the sales process differs across SaaS categories 24:33 Digital vs. non-digital marketing — Jordan’s take 26:45 What growth looks like for Vinyl in 2026 28:24 Connect with Jordan Vickery 📌 Resources & Links Connect with Jordan Vickery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanvickery28/ Learn more about Vinyl: https://www.usevinyl.com/ Journey Agency: https://www.letsjourney.io/ Show Credits 🌟: Host & Speaker: Oliver Eardley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-eardley/ Director: David Gavin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgavinmarketing/ Producer: Owen-James Young | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojyoung99/ 🐣 Join the flock LinkedIn 💼: https://tinyurl.com/5n6d8b3b TikTok 🕺🏻: https://tinyurl.com/594av6xu Instagram 📸: https://www.instagram.com/eardleybird/ 🎧 Listening on the move?Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysdtvhff [https://tinyurl.com/ysdtvhff]Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/kfbyxndc [https://tinyurl.com/kfbyxndc]Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufchu [https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufchu]

How Eriona Bajrakurtaj Broke Through Mental Barriers to Build an Accounting Empire! 🧠

🎧 Listening on the move? Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysdtvhff Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/kfbyxndc Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufchu In this episode of The Eardley Bird Podcast, Oli Eardley sits down with Eriona Bajrakurtaj, CEO of Major Accounts, Founder of Volt Digital Transformation, and recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting. From transforming her father’s small family firm into a fully digital powerhouse, to launching a tech consultancy helping accountants modernise their systems, Eriona’s story is one of bold decisions, digital leadership, and resilience. She shares how she: • Walked away from 2,000 clients to regain control of her firm’s direction • Navigated the emotional weight of leading through change • Balanced motherhood and entrepreneurship without losing herself • Built Volt Digital to future-proof accounting practices across the UK 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why cutting clients can sometimes be the smartest growth move - How going digital before COVID transformed her business - The leadership principles that kept her culture strong through change - How Volt Digital is helping firms embrace automation the right way - What it really means to be a modern accountant in 2025 🎯 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Don’t fear change — fear standing still. 2️⃣ Digital transformation starts with mindset, not software. 3️⃣ Growth isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing better. 4️⃣ The right tech gives you freedom, not burnout. 5️⃣ Courage in leadership inspires transformation in others. 📖 Timestamps 0:00 Podcast Introduction 1:45 Who Is Eriona Bajrakurtaj? 4:12 Taking Over a Family Accounting Firm 5:18 From 3,000 Clients to 800 — Why She Cut Ties to Grow 8:30 Going Digital Before COVID Hit 12:10 The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything 18:42 Leading Through Fear and Change 23:20 How Volt Digital Was Born 30:45 The Future of Accounting Firms in the AI Era 38:15 What She’d Tell Her Younger Self 41:00 Eriona’s Advice for Accountants Who Want Their Life Back 📌 Resources & Links Eriona Bajrakurtaj LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriona-bajrakurtaj-19922006/ Major Accounts: https://majorsaccounts.com/ Volt Digital: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volt-digital-transformation/ Show Credits 🌟: Host & Speaker: Oliver Eardley | / oliver-eardley Director: David Gavin | / davidgavinmarketing Producer: Owen-James Young | / ojyoung99 🐣 Join the flock LinkedIn 💼: https://tinyurl.com/5n6d8b3b TikTok 🕺🏻: https://tinyurl.com/594av6xu Instagram 📸: / eardleybird

Why Jo Wood Walked Away from a Multi-6 Figure Business! 👩‍💼👋🏻

🎧 Listening on the move? Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ysdtvhff [https://tinyurl.com/ysdtvhff] Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/kfbyxndc [https://tinyurl.com/kfbyxndc] Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufchu [https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufchu] In this episode of The Eardley Bird Podcast, Oli sits down with Jo Wood — Director of the Bookkeeping Collective, co-owner of the Six Figure Bookkeepers Club, exited multi-six-figure bookkeeper, international speaker, best-selling author, podcast co-host, mentor, wife, mum, and co-founder of HeyMonica AI software. From building a six-figure bookkeeping empire at her kitchen table to leading a 31,000-strong community with co-owner Zoe Whitman, Jo’s journey is one of grit, ambition, and reinvention. She’s now revolutionising the industry with HeyMonica, an AI-powered platform giving bookkeepers real-world confidence. Jo shares her raw, inspiring story of overcoming burnout, balancing motherhood, and proving bookkeepers can dream big. 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Jo turned failures into a six-figure bookkeeping empire Why ambition and flexibility can coexist in business How Jo and Zoe built a 31,000-member community from scratch The secret behind their 350+ episode podcast success How HeyMonica’s AI is changing bookkeeping training forever Jo’s heartfelt advice for building a business around your life 🎯 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Failure is just a step toward finding your formula. 2️⃣ Bookkeepers can be unapologetically ambitious and still flexible. 3️⃣ Community and vulnerability drive massive impact. 4️⃣ AI can build confidence, not just automate tasks. 📖 Timestamps 0:00 Podcast Introduction 2:12 Who is Jo Wood? 4:48 Building the Six Figure Bookkeepers Club 5:28 Why Jo sold her own multi-6 figure bookkeeping practice 6:44 Meeting her 'partner in crime', Zoe Whitman! 9:12 Behind the scenes of a 350+ episode-deep Podcast 12:52 Why bookkeepers play small and how Jo helps 15:14 Turning bookkeeping into a personal brand 18:09 The power of consistency: why their podcast became a growth engine 22:45 Writing Bookkeeper Rises and putting her community centre stage 25:31 Skiing with entrepreneurs! 31:33 How Jo rebuilt her identity as a business leader 35:15 Hey Monika 👋🏻 AI-powered work experience for bookkeepers 41:12 The difference between a tech startup vs. a service business 45:15 Why personal brand matters more than ever 47:12 Jo’s Advice for Anyone Thinking of Launching a Tech Company 49:45 Building businesses with family in mind 54:00 The future of the Bookkeepers Collective 55:56 How to Connect with Jo Wood! 📌 Resources & Links: Jo Woods Linkedin: https://tinyurl.com/2pahaurx [ https://tinyurl.com/2pahaurx] Zoe Whitmans Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoewhitman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoewhitman/] Listen to The Bookkeepers Podcast 🎙️: https://tinyurl.com/mwu5sxpz [https://tinyurl.com/mwu5sxpz] Sign up to the 6 Figure Bookkeeper's Collective: https://tinyurl.com/48vtfcxu [https://tinyurl.com/48vtfcxu] 🐣 Join the flock LinkedIn 💼: https://tinyurl.com/5n6d8b3b [https://tinyurl.com/5n6d8b3b] TikTok 🕺🏻: https://tinyurl.com/594av6xu [https://tinyurl.com/594av6xu] Instagram 📸: https://www.instagram.com/eardleybird/ [https://www.instagram.com/eardleybird/]

How Professionals Can Create Passive Income on TikTok & Instagram! 📲

🎧 Listening on the move? Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/bca9... In this episode of The Eardley Bird Podcast, Oli sits down with James Wright FCCA — Senior Lecturer, content creator, and social media influencer. By day, James is shaping the future of accountancy, guiding students through exam prep and professional development. By night, he’s built a personal brand with thousands of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, sharing insights on the accounting profession with a fresh, authentic voice. 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How James balances lecturing with being a content creator Why authenticity is the ultimate growth strategy online How accountants can build their own personal brand The power of TikTok and Instagram for professional influence Exam prep tips from a Senior Lecturer Why social media is changing the way professionals build careers 🎯 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ You don’t need to choose between career paths — you can design your own. 2️⃣ Authentic content builds trust faster than polished corporate posts. 3️⃣ Professionals who embrace social media open doors to unexpected opportunities. 4️⃣ Education + influence = impact. 📖 Timestamps 0:00 Intro: James Wright FCCA 03:37 Why James doesn’t see his job as work—mind-blowing perspective! 05:50 James shares heartfelt messages from fans worldwide 08:25 How James makes money from his side hustle—surprising revenue streams! 11:34 Starting with just £100 and free software—shocking beginnings! 15:28 Oli digs into how James got traction with his videos! 20:08 The biggest challenge of creating content—James’ candid take! 23:30 James’ regret-free advice for starting sooner! 30:29 James’ simple habit that boosts his success! 32:42 “Disciplines weigh ounces, regrets weigh tons”—game-changing advice! 34:00 How to keep in Contact with James Wright 📌 Resources & Links 👉 Connect with James on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-wright-acca 👉 Follow James on TikTok: @james_wright_acca 👉 Follow James on Instagram: @james_wright_acca 🐣 Join the flock LinkedIn 💼: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-eardley-bird-business-podcast/ TikTok 🕺🏻: /eardleybirdpod Instagram 📸: /eardleybird 💬 Got thoughts on the episode? Email us at eardleybird@addpeople.co.uk 📢 Like what you heard? Subscribe, share it, and don’t forget to hit the 🔔

Stop Undercharging: Price Your Worth Like a Pro in 2025 🌟

Stop undercharging and price your worth like a pro in 2025! 💪🏻 🎙️ Episode Introduction: In Episode 28 of The Eardley Bird Business Podcast, Oli sits down with Vanessa Ugatti, international keynote speaker, transformational coach, and best-selling author of True Worth: How to Charge What You're Worth and Get It. Vanessa helps law firms and service-based professionals charge their true worth ethically - without fear, discounts, or burnout. From her accidental discovery of this niche to creating the True Worth methodology, Vanessa shares how to overcome self-doubt, stop undercharging, and avoid over-servicing. She dives into the psychology behind why even brilliant professionals struggle to value themselves, offering practical tips to boost confidence and revenue. Hear real client stories—like a 70-year-old lawyer who raised fees after a decade and an ISO consultant who went from 6.5-day weeks to a balanced life. Whether you’re a lawyer, consultant, or entrepreneur, this episode is your guide to pricing with confidence and living your best life. 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why talented professionals undervalue their services How to stop discounting and over-servicing out of fear The True Worth methodology to balance business and well-being Practical steps to have confident fee conversations How self-worth drives better pricing and client respect Why “taking charge” prevents burnout and complaints Real client transformations: From burnout to balance Vanessa’s top advice to charge what you’re worth now 🎯 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Focus on your value, not your price 2️⃣ Stop people-pleasing to protect your business 3️⃣ Confidence in fees starts with self-worth 4️⃣ Set boundaries to avoid burnout and over-servicing 5️⃣ Your brilliance is subconscious—make it conscious 6️⃣ Early fee discussions prevent client complaints 7️⃣ Ethical pricing boosts revenue and well-being 8️⃣ Don’t suffer in silence—seek help to charge more 📖 Timestamps: 0:00 Meet Vanessa Ugatti: True Worth Expert 0:26 Vanessa’s Mission to Help Pros Charge More 0:53 How Vanessa Found Her Pricing Passion 5:16 Why Even Brilliant Pros Undervalue Themselves 9:59 The Hidden Costs of Discounting 14:05 Vanessa’s Coaching: From Fear to Confidence 18:13 Why Clients Don’t Regress After Coaching 20:13 True Worth Methodology: Balance Business & Life 24:41 Client Story: 70-Year-Old Lawyer’s Transformation 28:37 Overcoming “Clients Won’t Pay More” 31:26 From Burnout to Balance: ISO Consultant’s Story 34:35 Key Message: Don’t Suffer in Silence 36:23 Connect with Vanessa Ugatti! 📌 Resources & Links 👉 Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaugatti/ 👉 Learn more about Vanessa’s work: https://thetrueworthexpert.com/ 👉 Book a strategy session with Oli Eardley: https://www.addpeople.co.uk/consultants-oliver-eardley/ 🎧 Listening on the move? Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LlSwyTgQGawxfU50vnUES?si=ceaec797c79f41de Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-eardley-bird-business-podcast/id1827916980 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/bca917ab-fd2e-4bec-95f2-45ef24f2506b/the-eardley-bird-business-podcast 🐣 Join the flock across our socials: LinkedIn 💼: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-eardley-bird-business-podcast/?viewAsMember=true TikTok 🕺🏻: /eardleybirdpod Instagram 📸: /eardleybird 💬 Got thoughts on the episode? Email us at eardleybird@addpeople.co.uk 📢 Like what you heard? Subscribe, share it, and don’t forget to hit the 🔔 #VanessaUgatti #ChargeYourWorth #TrueWorth #PricingStrategy #SelfWorth #BusinessMindset #TheEardleyBird #ProfessionalServices #EthicalPricing #BusinessCoaching