We recently connected with Dawn Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dawn, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I come from a long line of helpers: Nurses, teachers, policemen and I’ve always wanted to help my community but helping in a traditional role never really felt right to me. During college, I struggled to find a major that spoke to me, until one day while sitting in my accounting 101 class I realized that everyone around me was really struggling, and I was actually understanding what was being explained. I decided then and there if I was able to get through the courseload I would be able to take my accounting degree in a different, nontraditional direction and fill a hole in the market. It wasn’t until about 10 years later when I realized small business owner’s desperately need understandable accounting and tax guidance in an approachable, easy to understand way. That was how I was going to give back, how I was going to make my place in this world, I was going to take something not fun and even less understandable and make it easier to understand. So many businesses fail by year 5, this was my way of helping people understand their numbers so they could keep their dreams alive.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I created The Empowered CPA, we provide digital courses for small business owners, side hustlers and new gig workers that help navigate the business side of their new journey in an approachable way. Think drinks with an old friend, coffee dates or hikes in cool mountain air – that is the feeling we are looking to achieve…all while helping you understand step by step how to navigate your record keeping and tax filing. We also have an incredible podcast where we celebrate the amazing people we are lucky enough to have in our lives. I get excited watching someone understand something that historically has caused so much stress and anxiety. I love being able to change that for them. We are getting ready to launch our Empowered Taxes course along with the small group session that will walk you through A-Z of how to prepare for and actually file your taxes!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, I’ve always held tight to the thought that if I wouldn’t take advice from someone I am certainly not going to take their criticism. So many people are going to tell you that what you are doing is crazy, be selective on who you listen to. I think it is also really important to know your worth and charge accordingly. Unless you are running a not for profit, don’t charge like you are and certainly don’t give away your knowledge for free. One thing I have been working on lately is boundaries, it is something I’m not great at but am actively working to improve. I’ve communicated with my staff things that are hard for me and ask them to hold me accountable, I’m a people pleaser and I’ve come to realize there are people who will never be satisfied, that is not a me problem, that is a them problem.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We would love to collaborate with anyone who want to take control of their business finances as well as understand how to properly prepare for and file their taxes. Do you have a side hustle, small business or are you curious how it all works? You would be a perfect fit for us!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theempoweredcpa.com
- Instagram: theempoweredcpa.com
- Facebook: theempoweredcpa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-scott-cpa-7b25a216/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theempoweredcpa
