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Money Stories: Brooke Van Sickle - Founder of Journey to Kidlit and BiblioKid Publishing

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Release Date: 08/08/2023

Should Your Business Accountant Be a CPA? show art Should Your Business Accountant Be a CPA?

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Should your business accountant be a CPA, or is an Enrolled Agent (EA) a better fit for your small business taxes? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, we’re breaking down the real differences between these accounting designations so you can choose the right professional for your business. In this episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) covers: Why not every great tax professional is a CPA and what the CPA designation really means. The key differences between a CPA, Enrolled Agent (EA), tax attorney, and PTIN holder. How to choose the best...

info_outline How to Avoid a Surprise Tax Bill as a Small Business Owner show art How to Avoid a Surprise Tax Bill as a Small Business Owner

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

No business owner wants to be surprised by a big tax bill at the end of the year. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, we’re breaking down how to plan ahead, save strategically, and work with your accountant to avoid tax season stress. Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, explains why quarterly estimated tax payments are the key to staying ahead, how accurate monthly bookkeeping gives you the clarity to forecast taxes with confidence, and why separating your tax savings from your regular business savings helps protect your cash flow all year long. If...

info_outline How to Deal with Quarterly Tax Estimates as a Small Business Owner show art How to Deal with Quarterly Tax Estimates as a Small Business Owner

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Understanding quarterly tax estimates is one of the biggest challenges small business owners face. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) explains exactly how quarterly taxes work, how accountants calculate them, and what you can do to avoid IRS penalties while protecting your cash flow. Parker walks through why taxes feel so different once you start running your own business, how the IRS safe harbor rule keeps you compliant, and why overpaying your estimates can actually hurt your bottom line. He also shares what to...

info_outline The Most Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make When Working With a Bookkeeper show art The Most Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make When Working With a Bookkeeper

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Bookkeeping mistakes cost small business owners time, money, and peace of mind, but they’re easy to avoid once you know what to watch out for. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) reveals the most common mistakes small business owners make when working with a bookkeeper and how to avoid them. From relying too much on bookkeeping software to paying for unnecessary weekly updates, Parker explains how these missteps waste money, create stress, and leave you with unreliable numbers. You’ll learn why cash-based...

info_outline Can Business Owners Trust Virtual Accounting Teams? show art Can Business Owners Trust Virtual Accounting Teams?

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Virtual accounting firms have become increasingly popular, offering convenience and tech-enabled solutions for business owners. But are they always trustworthy? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) explains what to watch for before handing your books over to a remote provider. You’ll hear the story of a well-known tech-backed firm that collapsed, leaving clients with incomplete records, and learn why the real issue isn’t whether a firm is virtual, but how it’s structured. Parker breaks down five major red...

info_outline What Should a Bookkeeper Be Doing for Your Online Business? show art What Should a Bookkeeper Be Doing for Your Online Business?

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Think bookkeeping is just about tracking expenses? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) explains exactly what a professional bookkeeper should be doing each month for your online business. You’ll learn why categorizing transactions requires nuance, why reconciliations are non-negotiable, and which adjustments most bookkeepers miss (like payroll, merchant fees, and refunds). Parker also breaks down what your bookkeeper shouldn’t be doing and how to know if your current setup is giving you the clarity you need. If...

info_outline What Is a Healthy Profit Margin for Online Service-Based Businesses? show art What Is a Healthy Profit Margin for Online Service-Based Businesses?

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Aiming for the right profit margin is one of the biggest questions online service-based business owners face. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) breaks down what healthy margins really look like for these types of businesses, how they shift as your business grows, and why tracking them consistently matters. Discover how team costs shape profitability, the role bookkeeping plays in smart decision-making, and what makes service businesses stable and sustainable over the long run. If you’ve ever wondered whether...

info_outline What Is a Healthy Profit Margin for Digital Creators and Online Businesses? show art What Is a Healthy Profit Margin for Digital Creators and Online Businesses?

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Are you making enough profit in your online business or just spinning your wheels chasing revenue? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, we’re breaking down what a healthy profit margin looks like specifically for digital creators and online businesses, and why this number tells you far more about the health of your business than revenue alone. In this episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) explains what defines a digital creator or online business and why that matters for your margins. He also shares the profit margin benchmarks we recommend...

info_outline How to Build a Financial Forecast for a Coaching Business show art How to Build a Financial Forecast for a Coaching Business

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

A financial forecast isn’t just a spreadsheet, it’s a strategic plan that helps you see where your business is headed and make decisions with confidence. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) breaks down how coaching business owners can create a realistic and useful forecast, even if numbers aren’t your favorite part of running your business. You’ll learn why forecasting matters, how to approach it without overcomplicating things, and how it can guide everything from your spending to your growth goals. 0:00...

info_outline What to Look for When Hiring a Bookkeeper show art What to Look for When Hiring a Bookkeeper

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance

Hiring a bookkeeper isn’t just about data entry, it’s about having a financial partner who helps you stay organized, informed, and ready to make confident business decisions. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) explains exactly what to look for when choosing a bookkeeper for your business. You’ll learn the key services they should provide, the red flags to watch out for, and how the right bookkeeper can work hand-in-hand with your tax accountant to set your business up for success. If you’re wondering when...

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“I just don't feel like the education was there from school, family, anything… Money just wasn't a topic people talk about.”

This week, Parker chats with Brooke Van Sickle about her financial journey.

Brooke is the owner & founder of Journey to Kidlit, the online resource that teaches thousands of aspiring children's book writers from over 35 countries around the world about how to write and publish a children's book based on her own award-winning writing journey. She's also the owner of BiblioKid Publishing, an American hybrid publishing house that specializes in producing quality books for kids.

As the senior editor of BiblioKid Publishing, Brooke has helped over 30 titles go on to receive 5-star reviews from children's book professional sites like Reader's Favorite, Reader's Choice, and Mom's Choice. She's also an award-winning picture book author, whose book received the 2020 Distinguished Favorite Preschool Picture Book. Learn more about Brooke and how to start your own publishing journey at journeytokidlit.com.

The Bottom Line by Evolved Finance explores the financial journeys of some of the most successful online educators, thought leaders, influencers, and service providers in the online space. Each week, Parker sits down with a current Evolved Finance client to talk about their relationship with money and how their mindset has changed as their business has grown.

To learn more about Evolved Finance:

To learn more about Brooke Van Sickle and her business: