Protea Conversations

Meet Bryan! Bryan Coryell, an accomplished attorney and pianist, shares his journey through law and music, insights into legal compliance, and the evolving landscape of trust and estate law. He discusses the balance between his legal career and artistic pursuits, highlighting the parallels between studying music and practicing law. His focus on trust and estate law involves a personal and practica...

Meet Adam! Adam Lean, founder of the CFO Project, shares his journey from being an accountant to starting his own e-commerce business and eventually offering CFO advisory services. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the future and helping business owners improve their cash flow. Adam believes that accountants should shift their focus from compliance work to providing valuable advisory ser...

Stacey Feldman, partner COO at FullSend Finance, shares her journey in the accounting world and the lessons she learned along the way. From majoring in accounting to working at startups like PopSockets, Stacey's career has been defined by her adventurous and ambitious spirit. She emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities, taking initiative, and being comfortable asking questions. St...

Meet Krystalynn! Krystalynn Schlegel, an insurance advisor, shares insights on the role of insurance in personal financial risk management and the challenges of the insurance industry. She also discusses her family-run insurance brokerage, her involvement in a managing director role, and her experiences in the restaurant business and Provisors. The conversation delves into the complexities of insu...

Meet Zak! In this conversation, host Zane Stevens interviews Zach Swad, a wealth advisor and founder of Swad Wealth Management. They discuss the role of a wealth advisor, Zach's journey in the financial sector, and the principles of wealth management. Zach emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, considering all aspects of a client's financial life. He also highlight...

Meet Bill! Bill Vick, a Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, shares his insights and experiences in finance and leadership. He discusses his transition from a career in education to financial services, the changes in the industry over the years, and the importance of meaningful communication in a world of overwhelming information. Bill also talks about his role as a Vistage Chair and the value of p...

Dominic Piscopo, a CPA and founder of Big4Transparency.com , shares his journey from public accounting to entrepreneurship, highlighting the impact of transparency in the professional space and the challenges faced in the accounting industry. The conversation explores the complexities of compensation, career decisions, and the need for timely and granular data in the accounting field. Dominic Pisc...

Meet Leo In this episode of Protea Conversations, Leo Bakerian, the founder of Professional Computer Concepts (PCC), shares his journey in the world of IT and cybersecurity. Leo's interest in computers began in middle school, and he pursued a career in IT after completing his education. He started PCC 22 years ago and has been providing IT support and cybersecurity services to businesses, with a f...

In this episode, Zane Stevens interviews Victor McKnight, Vice President of Business Development at Risk Strategies Company. They discuss the role of employee benefits brokers and consultants in designing benefit packages that meet the needs of organizations and employees. Victor shares his career journey from accounting to the insurance industry and emphasizes the importance of understanding acco...

Isaac Smith shares his journey from being an architect to starting a bookkeeping business and eventually founding Team Up, a platform that connects accountants with job opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding financial numbers and the impact it can have on a business owner's mental well-being. Isaac also highlights the significance of customer service in the accounting industr...

Meet Tony! In this episode, Zane interviews Tony Wilson, a distinguished CPA, CMA, and champion for software development agencies. Tony shares his journey from becoming an accountant to starting his own business, Equip, which focuses on empowering entrepreneurs through financial acumen and strategic guidance. They discuss the importance of education in business growth, the challenges faced by smal...

Meet Roman! Roman Villard is the founder of Full-Send Finance. He shares his journey in the world of finance, from accounting to his transition into business development and eventually starting his own firm. Roman also discusses the inception of Full-Send Finance and its growth over the years. He emphasizes the importance of balancing work and personal life. He shares his journey of starting an ac...

Meet Josh! Zane Stevens interviews Josh Sterling, a wealth strategist at Camas Advice. Josh shares his journey from being a soccer coach to entering the financial industry. He discusses the importance of education and mentorship in his success. Josh emphasizes the value of helping others and building genuine relationships. He also talks about his focus on educating clients and professionals about...

Hannah Smolinski, founder of Clara CFO Group, shares her journey from working at a large accounting firm to starting her own virtual CFO agency. She discusses the benefits of starting in a big accounting firm and the experience she gained. Hannah also talks about the transition to entrepreneurship and the challenges she faced. She explains how she started a YouTube channel to provide financial gui...

Meet Jeremy! The teacher turned attorney. An incredible journey from helping troubled teens to keeping business owners out of trouble. A specialist in dirt, food and booze. Jeremy Little, a partner at CMPR Attorneys, shares his career journey from being a teacher to becoming a lawyer. He discusses the challenges he faced along the way and the importance of networking and learning from others. Jere...

Meet Lukas Sundahl! The creative accountant is changing the image of the industry. The TikTok star brings a new light to the term boring accountant. Lukas is the visionary behind Accounting Couture. Lukas shares his journey from physical fitness to accounting and how he found his passion in accounting. He discusses the impact of Accounting Couture and how he uses TikTok to promote the accounting p...

Meet Carter Welch! He is a family man who finds comfort and strength in his faith. This marketing genius for large corporations now uses his strengths to help small businesses. Zane Stevens interviews Carter Welch, a branding, sales, and business coaching professional. Carter shares his career journey, from working in brand management for big companies like Procter & Gamble to starting his own...

Meet Mark Corum! The entrepreneur who became a bookkeeper then became an app developer. In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane Stevens interviews Mark Corum, a visionary who seamlessly blended the world of bookkeeping and technology to create solutions that transform the accounting industry. Mark shares his journey from bookkeeper to tech innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, and experience...

In this episode of Protea Conversations, host Zane Stevens interviews Andrea Christensen, the principal of H & N Christensen Company, a family-owned insurance agency. Andrea shares her journey of carrying on the business started by her grandfather over a hundred years ago. Andrea discusses the challenges and rewards of running a family business and highlights the importance of understanding th...