So I got to sit down with Kate from Bookkeeping Side Hustle for her podcast, and honestly, it was a pretty cool conversation.

We talked about what it actually takes to build this business, no sugar-coating, just the real stuff. Thought I'd share some of it with you.

How This All Started

Kate asked about my background, and look, it starts with me graduating with my accounting degree and then getting slapped with a $63,000 bill between student loans and personal debt. Not exactly the celebratory moment I was hoping for.

That's when I decided I needed to get serious about my money. I went all-in on Dave Ramsey's plan and paid off the whole thing in 13 months. Even got to do a debt-free scream on his show, which was wild.

But here's what really hit me during that process: most people have no idea how to handle their finances. It's not taught in school. And if I could figure this out, maybe I could help other people do the same thing.

That's basically how RizBiz Services was born.

What We're Actually Trying to Do Here

I didn't want to just be another tax guy who shows up once a year, does your return, and disappears. I wanted to build something different—something transformational, not transactional.

With my accounting background, I'm strong in both taxes and bookkeeping. I started with tax services to get some money coming in, then built up the monthly bookkeeping side for that recurring revenue. Took the Bookkeeper Launch course too, which helped a lot.

We just hit three years old. It's been a ride.

The Hard Parts (Because They're Real)

Kate asked about the hardest part of entrepreneurship, and man, it's a roller coaster. Some days you're on top of the world, other days you're questioning everything.

The key for me has been having the right people around me. I've got a mentor who basically talks me off the ledge when things get rough. She keeps reminding me why I started this whole thing in the first place.

Starting with taxes meant most of my income came in the first quarter of the year. The rest of the year? I had to figure out how to keep money coming in consistently. That push and pull is real, and you just have to keep working through it.

But Here's Why I Keep Going

The best part? Hands down, it's seeing clients have those "aha" moments.

When someone realizes they just saved $10,000 because we found a better way to categorize their expenses, or when they finally understand what their numbers are actually telling them about their business—that's what I'm here for.

I love when clients stop just surviving paycheck to paycheck and start actually planning for next year, thinking about their five-year goals. That transformation is everything.

The "Team" Behind RizBiz

Kate caught me saying "we" a lot and called me out on it. Fair question.

Truth is, it's mostly just me. I'm the CEO—Chief Everything Officer. There's marketing Shaan, operations Shaan, sales Shaan. You've got to wear all the hats when you're building something.

That said, I've learned I can't do everything. I'm terrible at marketing and graphic design—it takes me three hours to make a flyer. But give me a set of books? I'll have it done in 30 minutes. So I hired a graphic designer and a virtual assistant to handle the stuff I'm weak at. Since I started doing that last year, the business actually grew a lot faster.

The Part That Surprised Kate

Here's what really threw her: I still work a full-time job.

I'm a senior accountant at a custom home building company, and I actually love it there. They're helping me grow, I'm learning constantly, and it's just a good fit.

My first tax season with RizBiz, I went from 7 clients to over 120. I barely slept, but I was fueled by the passion. (Don't recommend that pace for everyone, by the way.)

We started around $35,000 in revenue, then hit $50,000, and we're about to break $100,000 this year—all while I'm working 9-to-5.

Kate asked if I'm planning to quit my job. Honestly? I'm not sure. I like what I do during the day. The challenge for me is: how do I keep growing toward controller at my day job AND build this business at the same time?

Eventually I'll probably need to bring on team members who get our mission. But for now, I'm driven by purpose and passion, not just the money. Though making an extra $100K on the side definitely doesn't hurt.

My Advice If You're Thinking About This

Kate asked me to close with advice for other people in this space.

Here's the thing: this goes as far as you take it. If you can be 1% better today than you were yesterday, you're going to grow. It's that simple.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Find people who want to collaborate instead of compete. Get around people who have similar goals and values—that's honestly the secret.

And remember: revenue feeds your ego, but profit feeds your family. Focus on building something profitable with a real mission behind it.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Understanding Your Finances?

Whether you're drowning in receipts, dreading tax season, or just tired of flying blind financially, we can help.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and we'll walk through your current situation, no pressure, no obligation.

You'll leave with clarity on what's possible, whether you work with us or not.