Unbalanced

di Candy Bellau, Sam Hallburn, Anchor

Stagione 1

Know when to say no: Lessons in firm ownership with Marlon Wolfman

When you’re building your firm, everything feels urgent, especially the pressure to say yes. Yes to every client. Yes to every opportunity. Yes to every favor. But in this episode of Unbalanced, CPA and firm owner Marlon Wolfman joins hosts Candy and Sam to unpack what happens when you stop chasing the wrong things and start building a firm your way. From a cautionary tale about a messy partnership breakup to learning the hard way that not every client is a fit, Marlon gets honest about boundaries, burnout, pricing, modernizing systems, and saying no to work you shouldn't be doing in the first place. Powered by Anchor.

Choosing enough: Letting go of the grind with Amanda Aguillard

What if building a “successful” firm isn’t about scaling to the moon, but about reclaiming your life? In this raw and powerful episode of Unbalanced, Amanda Aguillard joins Candy Bellau and Sam for an unfiltered conversation about firm ownership, motherhood, burnout, and redefining what success really looks like. Expect tears, laughter, and the kind of real talk no one tells you when you start your firm, like missing school events, chasing validation in client wins, or comparing yourself to industry influencers. Powered by Anchor.

Inside the cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs reality of firm ownership with Tony Proctor

Sam and Candy sit down with the vibrant and unfiltered Tony Proctor, founder of a full-service accounting firm, to unpack the emotional weight of leading a team, chasing “balance,” and surviving the chaos of scaling. From pulse checks to people problems, Tony shares the real behind-the-scenes mess of firm life, plus a few leadership gems and why some owners secretly fantasize about becoming Walmart greeters. Whether you're a firm leader, a business owner, or just someone who needs to laugh through the struggle, this episode will make you feel seen and a little less crazy. Powered by Anchor.

Why your firm’s biggest problem might be you with Robert Nordlander

What if the hardest part of running your firm… is you? In this raw and revealing episode of Unbalanced, forensic accountant and former IRS special agent Robert Nordlander, CPA, unpacks the uncomfortable truth every firm owner has to face: your biggest challenge might be the person in the mirror. Robert shares how two decades chasing financial criminals taught him to build a firm with no debt, no scope creep, and no clients who don’t pay. He opens up about billing with confidence, walking away from the wrong fit, and why your personal habits will always show up in your business, for better or worse. Powered by Anchor.

When the cape comes off: Vulnerability, community, and real talk with Nancy McClelland

What happens when the superheroes of accounting take off the cape? In this deeply human and wildly relatable episode, The Dancing Accountant Nancy McClelland joins Candy and Sam to unpack the unglamorous side of firm ownership, loneliness, burnout, bad hires, tech confusion, and the relentless myth that growth equals success. Nancy opens up about the many missteps she made while trying to “do it all” without community, and how finding the right people changed everything. Powered by Anchor.

Let go so you can grow with Michelle Mitchell

What happens when life throws you curveballs while you're trying to grow a business? In this episode of Unbalanced, Michelle Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Consulting, shares her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey through burnout, bad hires, the realities of autoimmune disease, and the surprising freedom that comes with letting go of control. She gets real about the moment she realized she didn’t love accounting, and what she did about it. She opens up about the emotional and operational turning point that transformed her firm, and why delegating with courage isn’t just a leadership strategy, it’s a lifeline. Powered by Anchor.

The no-jerk rule, business breakups, and finding her voice with Jean Zick

What happens when a thriving partnership quietly falls apart? In this raw and revealing episode, Jean Zick, co-founder of Juna Financial, shares the emotional unraveling of her business partnership, the isolation that followed, and the hard-earned lessons along the way. From a disastrous tea café client to a near-silent business divorce, Jean gets candid about the stuff no one talks about. Hosts Candy and Sam bring their signature humor and honesty, opening up about their own truths on partnerships, power struggles, and growing pains. You’ll walk away with perspective, laughter, and probably a new appreciation for personality tests. Powered by Anchor.

From paycheck to purpose with Aitza Negron

In this refreshingly raw and candid episode of Unbalanced, Aitza Negron, founder of Strategies & TEA, joins Candy and Sam for a no-holds-barred conversation about entrepreneurship, money trauma, and letting go of the need to look perfect while building something real. Aitza opens up about everything, from dealing with imposter syndrome and layoffs to setting boundaries, finding mentorship, and transforming financial literacy into empowerment. Powered by Anchor.

Walking away from tax prep, toxic clients, and traditional success with Sean Duncan

In this raw and hilarious episode of Unbalanced, Sean joins Candy and Sam to talk about blowing up a thriving firm, surviving a $900k betrayal, and the real cost of people-pleasing. From culture-building to letting go of bad clients (and bad employees), this is a masterclass in taking back control. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, this conversation is your sign: you can change everything. Tune in for hard truths, unapologetic stories, and Sean’s signature rule of business: “Always get up.” Powered by Anchor.

On surviving loss, leading with heart, and building a firm that lasts with Jeanne Hardy

When the market crashed in 2008, Jeanne Hardy had one-year-old twins, a brand new full-time hire, and a business that felt like it was crumbling. In this raw and powerful episode of Unbalanced, Jeanne sits down with Candy and Sam to talk about what it’s really like to run a firm. Losing clients overnight. Holding it together for your team. Working through grief, doubt, and the constant pressure to stay strong. From her early days in the art world to becoming a champion for creatives in finance, Jeanne shares the lessons that kept her going—and the honest truths behind why she’s still here. Powered by Anchor.

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