Key takeaways
- Success isn’t overnight: Miriam made $1,000 in her first year and $8,000 in her second.
- Focus on what works rather than chasing glamorous opportunities.
- Expect challenges: Challenges and setbacks will happen, and each one teaches you something.
- Take action: Don’t get stuck in the “fluffing around” phase. Take consistent action towards your goals.
- Build genuine connections: Networking and building relationships with other business owners can provide support and opportunities.
- Find your tribe: Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you to grow.
- Prioritise self-care: Looking after your physical and mental health matters for the long term.
- Balance isn’t realistic: There are times for “beast mode” and times to be present during downtime.
- Don’t be afraid to fail: Mistakes are part of the process. Learn from them and keep moving forward.
- Celebrate along the way: Accept the ups and downs of running a business and celebrate your wins as you go.
- Adapt as you go: Personal development and self-reflection help refine your approach over time. Adjust your tactics and celebrate the small wins too.
- Leadership starts with self-awareness and responsibility for team culture.
- Set boundaries with clients and value your time.
From Doctor Dreams to Accounting
Miriam Holme’s path into business wasn’t a straight line. She first wanted to become a doctor, but after failing the UMAT test, she realised medicine wasn’t for her. She later found her passion for accounting and built her own practice from the ground up.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
The real change in Miriam’s business came from an unexpected source: a ridiculously high mortgage. “When you’ve got a high mortgage, you are so much more focused on a daily basis,” she explains. This financial pressure, combined with hiring team members who needed to be paid, created the accountability that had been missing. It pushed her out of her comfort zone and into serious business growth.
Leading with Authenticity: Breaking the Traditional Mould
Miriam’s leadership style goes against conventional wisdom. “I’m probably not a typical leader,” she admits. “I’m probably a bit of an over-sharer.” Instead of keeping a rigid hierarchy, she focuses on creating an environment where team members feel free to raise issues and suggest changes.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Miriam talks about the importance of mindset and self-mastery in business. She shares her own struggles with limiting beliefs and how she overcame them to reach her goals. She encourages other business owners to challenge their own limiting beliefs and build a positive mindset.
Action and Hard Work
Miriam stresses the importance of taking consistent action towards your goals. She cautions against getting stuck in the “fluffing around” phase and encourages owners to take bold steps, even if they’re not sure where they’ll lead. She believes hard work and dedication are essential.
Building a Network and Finding Your Tribe
Miriam highlights the importance of networking and building relationships with other business owners. She shares how her network has given her support, opportunities and useful advice. She encourages owners to find their tribe and surround themselves with people who challenge and inspire them to grow.
Prioritising Self-Care and Enjoying the Ride
Miriam talks about the importance of self-care and good health. She shares her struggles with burnout and how she learned to prioritise her physical and mental health. She encourages owners to accept the ups and downs of building a business and to celebrate what they achieve.
Finding Your Version of Balance
Rather than striving for traditional work-life balance, Miriam suggests working with your natural rhythms. “I’ve just owned that I’m a crazy person,” she laughs. “Sometimes I just have to go into beast mode.” The key, she’s found, is being fully present, both in work mode and in family mode.
Lessons from Loss and Legacy
A major turning point came with the unexpected loss of her father at 63. “That changed everything,” Miriam shares. “I do not want to play small.” This experience strengthened her commitment to pushing herself while keeping perspective about what matters most.
The Marketing Approach That Works for Her
While many businesses pour money into traditional marketing, Miriam’s approach is different. She focuses on building genuine connections:
- Adding clients to her personal social media networks
- Engaging authentically on platforms where her clients are active
- Using organic tagging and mentions in industry groups
- Being selective with paid advertising
- Building strong referral partnerships
This approach works so well that she admits, “I get so many referrals that I don’t actually probably have to market, but I actually like doing it.”
Setting Boundaries for Sustainable Growth
One of the clearest lessons from Miriam’s story is learning to value her time and set clear boundaries. She shares a recent example: “Someone booked in right before Christmas… didn’t answer their phone, didn’t send me an email… and then said sorry, I was out shopping.” Her response? “No, sorry, I can’t take you on right now.” This is a big shift from her earlier days of accommodating everyone.
AI in Accounting
Looking ahead, Miriam is excited about bringing AI into her practice. “We’re going to be able to reduce our costs and provide a better level of service,” she explains. She also stresses keeping the human touch while using technology for efficiency.
Action Points
- Start Small and Act Now: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Begin with small, practical steps and learn as you go.
- Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Reflect daily on what may be holding you back and commit to a “no excuses” mentality.
- Set Clear Goals: Write down your goals (even on a simple Post-it note) and picture where you want to be.
- Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, and find mentors who have “been there, done that.”
- Prioritise Execution Over Perfection: Focus on practical steps rather than getting lost in planning. Progress compounds over time.
- Own Your Path: Your path is yours alone. Celebrate your wins, learn from your failures, and don’t let comparisons steal your joy.
- Aim for Harmony Over Balance: Rather than striving for perfect work-life balance, aim to fit your work and personal life together in a way that suits you.
- Stay Accountable: Use daily or weekly check-ins (a simple calendar or a commitment card) to make sure you’re moving toward your goals.
