Upleveling

Should you niche your business, or is narrowing your focus too risky? In this episode of Upleveling, Joy shares Aligned CPA’s own journey toward specializing in solo and small law firms and what that decision has meant for marketing, sales, training, and growth. She breaks down the advantages of specialization, the risks of going too narrow, and a practical framework for deciding whether niching m...

Q4 isn’t just about wrapping up the year. It’s your opportunity to finish strong and build momentum for what’s next. In this episode, Joy shares how she uses the final 90 days of the year to review progress, strengthen systems, evaluate clients and pricing, develop her team, set goals, and build a budget and marketing strategy for the year ahead. Learn how to use Q4 intentionally so you can walk i...

As your business grows, your role as an owner has to grow with it. What starts as simply doing the work can quickly turn into learning how to sell, market, manage finances, lead a team, and think like a CEO. In this episode of Upleveling, we break down three roles every growing business owner needs to understand: salesperson, marketer, and CFO. We also explore how to build systems around these res...

What if the biggest thing holding your business back is you? In Part 2 of “If I Bought Your Business Today,” we break down how we would audit an owner’s time, automate inefficient processes, evaluate the competition, and build a more intentional marketing strategy. From protecting time for revenue-generating work to figuring out where your last 10 customers actually came from, this episode is abou...

What would I do if I bought your business today? Season 2 of Upleveling kicks off with a practical look at the first moves I’d make to uncover where a business is really making or losing money. In part one, we’re digging into gross profit margin, employee production, rework, and pricing, plus the financial details many business owners overlook. If you want a more profitable business, these are thr...

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the key themes from a women’s leadership panel Joy recently moderated. We dive into shifting limiting beliefs, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning how to ask for more in your career or business. We also talk about building a better relationship with money, understanding the trade-offs that come with growth, and why embracing tools like AI is no lo...

This episode of Upleveling dives into why post-busy-season burnout isn’t a discipline issue but an energy issue. Learn how to manage your energy, recognize business seasons, and build intentional recovery so you can perform at a higher level long term. 

On todays episode we talk about reframing your financials as a powerful decision-making tool. We break down the "Five Dials" of business health—including revenue trends, profit margins, and cash runway—and explain how a 30-minute monthly CEO Review can shift you from reactive to proactive leadership.

This episode breaks down some of the most impactful business books for entrepreneurs, organized by where you are in your journey, from leadership and scaling to sales, marketing, and team building. It’s not just about what to read, but when to read it, with a key reminder that growth eventually shifts from learning to execution. If you’re feeling stuck, this episode will help you focus on what act...

In this episode of Upleveling , we explore one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of business success: culture. We break down the five C’s of building a culture people want to stay in: core values, communication, cadence, caring personally, and challenging directly. If you want to attract great people, keep your best employees, and build real momentum in your business, this episode will...

In this episode, we’re talking about the friction that comes with growth and why discomfort is often a sign you’re moving in the right direction. From raising prices and setting boundaries with legacy clients to introducing KPIs for your team and evolving personally, upleveling will create resistance. The key is learning to hold your standards, reflect well, and stay aligned with the leader your n...

Business ownership can feel lonely, even when things are going well. In this episode, we talk about the power of community and why being part of a mastermind group can bring clarity, accountability, support, and fresh perspective. If you have been feeling stuck or like you are carrying too much on your own, this is your reminder that real growth happens when you surround yourself with the right pe...

In this episode of Upleveling, Joy sits down with wisdom-led mindset coach Vicki Baird for a powerful conversation on what it truly takes to uplevel, starting from within. They explore the growing pains of leadership, reframing failure, letting go of perfectionism, and building self-trust as your business grows. This episode is a must-listen for ambitious business owners who want to grow sustainab...

At the start of a new year, Joy shares how structure, not more effort, is often the key to real business growth. In this episode, she breaks down how Aligned CPA uses EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, to create clarity, focus, and accountability through vision, quarterly priorities, and scorecards. If you are feeling busy, overwhelmed, or stuck despite working hard, this episode will help...

In this episode, we’re calling out the bullsh*t we’re not taking into 2026. From winging our days and doing everything ourselves to tolerating bad clients, weak leadership, and unclear goals. This isn’t about New Year’s resolutions; it’s about raising standards, leading with intention, and making disciplined decisions that actually move the business forward. If you’re ready to stop playing small a...

Before you set bigger goals, you need to ask one important question: did last year actually work? In this episode, we explore why reflection is the missing link between recurring business problems and meaningful growth—and how answering three simple questions can bring clarity, alignment, and smarter decisions for the year ahead. 

At the end of every year, business owners rush to set new goals — bigger revenue, better margins, more time back. But most small businesses don’t have a goal problem… they have an issues problem. In this episode, we break down why traditional goal-setting often fails and why issues-based planning is a far more powerful approach for growing businesses. You’ll learn the real difference between goals...

Scaling from $1M to $2M requires a total shift in how you lead, manage your time, and run your business. In this episode, we break down the key changes every CEO must make—from tightening focus and building systems to upleveling leadership and mastering sales. If you’re ready to grow without losing your mind (or your profit), this episode gives you the roadmap. 

Taxes shouldn’t blindside you every April—and if they do, it’s time to fix the process. In this episode of Upleveling , we dive into the mindset shifts and simple strategies that will help you avoid tax surprises, protect your cash flow, and make confident financial decisions year-round. From building a tax-saving cadence to why $0 tax bills might actually be hurting your long-term goals, this epi...

How do you keep your best people? In this episode, we dive into why retention is your real growth engine—and how to build a workplace A-players don’t want to leave. We’ll cover the 5 keys to a great culture, how to create calm, and what top talent needs to stay. If you’re tired of starting over, this one’s for you.

Great teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional onboarding, clear expectations, and continuous development.  In this episode, we break down how to design a 30/60/90-day plan, instill your company culture, build strong systems, and use KRAs and KPIs to guide performance. Learn how to equip your team with the tools and clarity they need to thrive—because when your people grow,...

Hiring the right person for the right role isn’t luck—it’s a system. In this week’s episode of Upleveling , we continue our People Framework series by walking you through a proven hiring playbook. From building a written hiring plan to screening for values and using a final decision checklist, you’ll learn how to stop winging it and start running a repeatable process that ensures you hire once, ri...

This week we kick off our People Framework series with Part 1: Attracting – How to Get the Right People to Notice You. If you’ve ever said, “I just can’t find good people,” this episode is for you. We break down why great candidates do exist—and how you can position your business so they actually notice you.  From shifting your mindset about hiring, to building an employer brand that stands out, t...

 In this heartfelt episode, Joy honors the legacy of her late mentor, Teresa Morgan—a trailblazing attorney and unapologetic builder of women. Through personal stories, Joy shares how one woman’s encouragement, confidence, and connections helped shape her life and career. This episode dives into what real mentorship looks like, how to be a mentee worth investing in, and why it’s your responsibilit...

AI isn’t here to replace you, it’s here to make life and business easier. This episode explores simple ways to use AI in everyday life, highlights custom GPTs that save time at Aligned, and shows how to build a team culture of curiosity. Start small, stay curious, and let AI multiply your effectiveness.