Being a Business Owner

Hosted by Alexis Charkiw

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

Nobody hands you a manual when you start a business. That's why I created this podcast, the closest thing to one I could build. Hey, I'm Alexis Charkiw and I cover the stuff that actually keeps business owners up at night (money, strategy, AI, growth) and I promise to always explain it in plain English. You belong in this conversation, and I want you to feel that way every single episode.

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 515 min

What Happens When You Put 3,000 Accountants in a Room (My AccountEx 2025 Experience)

Once a year I make the trip to London for AccountEx, the largest finance expo in the world. And every year I come home buzzing. This episode I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it's actually like to attend an event like this as a small practice owner; why I go, how I plan my time, and what I came away thinking about this year. This isn't just an event recap. I'm sharing conversations that confirmed things I already suspected, moments that genuinely surprised me, and one particular seminar that sent me straight home to update my client agreements. You can expect to hear: Why networking with other small accountancy firms is one of the most valuable things I do all year How I plan my time at expos to make sure I'm always looking ahead, not just keeping up What the seminars on AI actually revealed and why the US is already doing what's coming to the UK What the Anthropic and Xero partnership actually means for your financial data Why I came home and immediately started updating my client communications If you're the kind of business owner who likes to know what's happening behind the scenes before everyone else is talking about it...you'll enjoy this one! Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Be sure to check out: Ways to work with me Right Click Accounting Blackline Academy Useful Links: Accountex London Accountex - Seminar Programme Accountex - Exhibitor List Birmingham Business Show GenFinance AI Xero & Anthropic Collaboration

June 4, 2026Episode 417 min

Why Accountants Are Leaving the Industry (And Why I Don't Blame Them)

Something is happening in the accountancy world that nobody is really talking about, and I think it's time someone did. Accountants are leaving. Practices are being sold. People are retiring early. And if you work with an accountant or rely on one for your business, this episode is worth a listen. I'm pulling back the curtain on what's really going on inside the industry; from the shift to digitalisation and real-time reporting, to the weight of new regulation, rising costs, and the pressure that AI is adding on top of it all. I'm sharing: Why the move to digital has completely changed what clients expect from their accountant. Why explaining numbers is a completely different skill to crunching them. The regulation changes that are quietly making the industry harder to stay profitable in. What AI and software partnerships actually mean for the future of accountancy. What to look out for when it comes to your own accountant and the questions worth asking. Because the more you understand about the world your accountant is navigating, the better conversations you can have to benefit your own business. Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Be sure to check out: Ways to work with me Right Click Accounting Blackline Academy

May 28, 2026Episode 317 min

You Don't Know What You Don't Know: The Real Challenges Founders Face at Every Level

It doesn't matter how long you've been in business or what your turnover looks like. At some point, every founder hits a wall. And more often than not, it's not the business that's the problem…it's everything around it. This episode is inspired by real conversations from a cohort of established founders I ran earlier this year. And what struck me most? The challenges were almost identical across the board, regardless of the size of the business. In this episode I'm sharing: Why every founder plateaus and what it actually takes to break through. The simple exercise that can help you figure out exactly what to delegate (and when). Why not making a decision is still making a decision. How to build systems and processes that don't rely on you being in the room. Why confidence, not strategy, is often what's really holding founders back. Because sometimes the most valuable thing isn't another business tool or strategy, it's knowing other people are going through the same thing too! Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Be sure to check out: Ways to work with me Right Click Accounting Blackline Academy Useful Links: S.O.A.R Programme

May 21, 2026Episode 214 min

Why Running a Business in the UK Has Never Been Harder (And What's Coming Next)

Nobody's talking about this enough. So I am. Every UK business owner is feeling right now, whether they want to admit it or not. It's hard out there. Really hard. And it's not just me saying it. I've been in the rooms with some of the most respected voices in UK accountancy and tax, and even they're saying it. In this episode I'm breaking down exactly what's going on in the UK business landscape right now, why it feels so stifling, and why AI is adding a whole new layer of uncertainty on top of it all. I'm sharing: The tax changes hitting UK employers hardest right now. Why the cost of living crisis and rising business costs are creating a perfect storm. My honest, love-hate relationship with AI and why it excites and terrifies me in equal measure. Why being agile and staying curious might be the most important business skills you can have right now. Because understanding why things are hard makes them a little easier to navigate. And if you've been feeling the pressure lately you're not imagining it, and you're definitely not alone. Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Be sure to check out: Ways to work with me Right Click Accounting Blackline Academy

May 14, 2026Episode 117 min

I Never Meant To Go Quiet (But Here's Why I Did)

I said I was taking the summer off. Then summer turned into months. And if I'm being honest, it wasn't just a break. I'd lost my voice. Somewhere along the way I'd convinced myself that unless I had a hot take or something controversial to say, maybe I didn't have anything worth saying at all. (Spoiler…I was wrong!) In this episode I'm getting honest about where I've been, what's been building behind the scenes, and the two things that happened that made me realise I couldn't stay quiet any longer. I'm sharing: Why imposter syndrome quietly talked me out of showing up (and why so many entrepreneurs feel the same). The client story that genuinely shook me, and why having clean financial data can make or break a business. What I've been building while I was away, including new ways to support business owners. Why I'm back, and what this podcast looks like from here Because you don't need hot takes to have a voice worth listening to. You just need to be honest. And if you've ever talked yourself out of showing up, this one's for you, whether you're just starting out or years into running your business! Let's Connect: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Be sure to check out: Ways to work with me Right Click Accounting Blackline Academy

July 22, 2025Episode 8716 min

Slowing Down Is a Strategic Move, Not A Setback

In business (and in content) what works one month, won't always serve you in the next. In this episode of Being A Business Owner, I'm sharing why I'm reshaping the podcast format to better reflect where I'm at in my business journey, and why taking space this summer is an intentional move, not just a break for the sake of it. This isn't just about schedules or structure...it's about energy, alignment, and making decisions that feel good for you, not just your audience. I'll be chatting more about; • Why I'm switching to short, weekly solo episodes (with bonus guest episodes) • The value of pausing during busy seasons, especially if you're juggling work and life • How I've outgrown certain formats and what I'm leaning into now • Why honouring your own pace is a power move, not a weakness If you're in a place of rethinking, reshaping, or simplifying, this episode will remind you that evolution is part of the job and there's real strength in slowing down to realign. Let's Connect: Right Click Accounting LinkedIn Instagram Useful Links: Request to be a guest Get in touch

July 10, 2025Episode 8622 min

AI Anxiety: Why Business Owners Feel Overwhelmed by Artificial Intelligence (And What to Do About It)

It's everywhere....ChatGPT, Copilot, Canva's Magic Write…AI is no longer just a buzzword; it's creeping into how we write, plan, design, and do business. But how are we really feeling about it? In this episode, I'm diving into the real talk around artificial intelligence. Not just the tools, but the fears, the overwhelm, and the big opportunities it brings for business owners. This isn't a tech tutorial. It's a conversation about adapting, staying curious, and being intentional with how we move forward. I'm sharing: • Why AI can feel overwhelming (and what to do when it does) • The balance between embracing innovation and sticking to your values • How I'm personally using tools like ChatGPT to boost creativity, not just save time • What to consider before relying too heavily on AI in your content • Why your mindset (not the tech) determines whether AI helps or hinders your business So if you're feeling like AI is everywhere and you're not sure whether to lean in or run away, this episode will help you reframe your approach and feel more in control. Let's Connect: Right Click Accounting LinkedIn Instagram Useful Links: Request to be a guest Get in touch

June 24, 2025Episode 8539 min

How Changing Careers Helped Me Build a Life-Led Business with Kate Brooks

What does it really look like to build a business that works for your life, not the other way around? In this episode, I'm joined by Kate Brooks, equestrian coach turned driving instructor, outdoor adventurer, and long-time friend. She's spent the last 25+ years building a business that fits around family life, personal values, and (most importantly) her own definition of success. From freelance beginnings and accidental self-employment to finding her sweet spot with strong boundaries and a four-day workweek, Kate's story is a reminder that bigger isn't always better and that keeping things simple can be a power move. We're diving into: • How a shift in family priorities led to a career pivot (and a surprising new passion) • What people really misunderstand about being self-employed • Pricing fairly without penalising people who can't pay upfront • The emotional side of teaching (and what no one tells you about failed driving tests) • Why admin time and emotional labour count—even if you're not paid for them • Building boundaries, managing your energy, and being mentally present for the people that matter • Making space for joy outside of business (and what she's learned from walking solo as a woman) This one's warm, honest, and full of grounded perspective for anyone who's choosing a business that works with their life...not one that runs over it. Let's Connect: Right Click Accounting LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Kate Brooks: Instagram YouTube TikTok Useful Links: Request to be a guest Get in touch

June 11, 2025Episode 8419 min

Stop Rebuilding the Same Business Systems Over and Over

You know that feeling when you've finally got your business systems working...and then the software company gets bought out? Or goes under? Or completely changes everything you relied on? It's happened to me three times now. And honestly, I'm tired of rebuilding the same processes over and over again just because I can't control what happens to the tools I'm using. But the problem isn't just picking the "right" software. It's about building systems that can actually survive when things change...because they will! In this episode, I'm sharing what I'm doing differently this time around and why I think we need to stop thinking about "where we spend our time" and start thinking about "where we spend our attention." I'll be covering: • Why your business processes need to survive software changes • The difference between spending time vs. spending attention • What "staying in your lane" actually looks like in practice (because it's harder than it sounds) • How to create a central place for all your processes so your team can actually find them • The real reason most business processes fail (it's not about the software) So if you're tired of rebuilding the same systems every time something changes, or if you're running a business that feels like it's held together with digital duct tape, this episode will help you build something more sustainable. Let's Connect: Right Click Accounting LinkedIn Instagram Useful Links: Request to be a guest Get in touch

May 27, 2025Episode 8353 min

From Second-in-Command to CEO: The Shift to Self-Leadership with Olya Grovel

What happens when you stop building for someone else and finally take the leap for yourself? In this episode, I'm joined by Olya Grovel (a growth consultant turned founder) who's right in the middle of that messy, brave, and transformational journey. After years scaling startups behind the scenes, she's now building her own AI-powered product and facing all the mindset shifts, habit rewiring, and emotional rollercoasters that come with it. We're diving into: • The identity shift from being "the right-hand" to calling the shots • Why working for yourself shines a harsh light on your habits • Balancing ambition with reality (especially when you've got young kids) • What most influencers don't tell you about building a business online • The dangers of hustle hype, engagement pods, and recycled Stripe screenshots • The power, and chaos, of building in the AI space • Why defining your runway (financial and emotional) is crucial before going solo If you've ever felt torn between comfort and calling, this one's for you! We're ditching the Instagram gloss and getting real about what it means to step out of the shadows and build something that's fully your own. Let's Connect: Right Click Accounting LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Olya Grovel: Website LinkedIn Instagram Useful Links: Request to be a guest