From Corporate Finance to Business Owner

Paula Veysey-Smith • 5 June 2025

The Power of Mentorship in Tracy Bland’s Success

I’m thrilled to share the story of one of my incredible mentees, Tracy Bland. Her journey from corporate finance to building her own thriving bookkeeping practice is truly inspiring and a testament to how the right guidance can turn a vision into reality.

Tracy’s story was first shared by Ideal Schools in this original blog post. They gave her the best start, supporting her through studying for and passing her exams.

But the learning journey does not end with qualification, in fact it just begins! She instantly recognised the advantage that my guidance would give her through the six month structured MPower Mentoring program.

Why Did Tracy Bland Change Careers?

After two decades working in corporate finance across various manufacturing industries and even the NHS, Tracy realised she needed more flexibility to support her family. The corporate world, with its constant travel and weekend demands just didn’t work anymore.

She explored many options, including selling kitchens, before discovering that setting up her own bookkeeping practice was the best career path forward. This offered the ideal balance: meaningful work, flexible hours, and a chance to make a real difference.

Knowing your WHY is the first essential step in your success.

What were Tracy’s first steps in making her vision a reality

Retraining with Ideal Schools and choosing the ICB route gave Tracy the tools and confidence to launch Brigg Bookkeeping Ltd. Starting a business from scratch isn’t easy but Tracy had the determination and willingness to learn which, with the right guidance, would guarantee success.

Reaching out for help is essential for your development.

How Did Mentorship with Paula Veysey-Smith Support Tracy’s Business?

When Tracy reached out to me for mentorship, she was ready to take her business to the next level. Together, we worked on taking Tracy’s vision to reality by:

From her vision setting realistic and achievable goals in line with her lifestyle
Helping Tracy to more fully understand herself and unlock her true potential
Building a solid platform to drive her business forward
Guiding Tracy to find her own answers

Being part of this journey with Tracy growing the practice that she had dreamed about, has been a real joy. This truly shows the rewards that a mentoring relationship can have for both the mentor and mentee.

As Tracy says, “It’s about keeping things smart, your guidance has helped me keep my practice sleek and focused on my clients’ needs.”

Being willing to act will make the difference in seeking out your success.

Why is Mentorship Important for Bookkeepers and Small Business Owners?

Tracy’s story shows that mentorship can make a real difference. With the right support, you can build a business that works for you—balancing your personal and professional life.

Whether you’re looking to start your own practice or grow an existing one, I’d love to help. For a limited time period I’m currently offering a free taster mentoring session for anyone who’s ready to take the next step

Book your free session here

Turn your vision into a thriving and successful business just like Tracy did.

Together, we can step into your success.

HMRC mileage rate increase 2026 -- car dashboard representing business travel costs

HMRC Increases Mileage Rate to 55p Per Mile

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 5 June 2026

HMRC has increased the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment rate from 45p to 55p per mile for the first time in 15 years. Find out what the new rates mean for employees, directors and self-employed individuals from 6 April 2026.

M is for Measurable

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 31 May 2026

You've made your goal specific. Now how do you know you're actually getting there? The answer is in the M. "The more you can define your goals, the more likely you are to achieve them." Last time we looked at S for Specific — turning vague wishes like "I want to get fit" into something concrete and actionable. If you missed it, go back and start there, because everything builds on that foundation. Now we move to M for Measurable. And this one is just as important, because a goal without a measure is still just a wish.

S is for Specific

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 3 May 2026

Your New Year’s resolutions haven’t failed, they just need a sharper edge. Here's how one simple shift can change everything. “We make New Year's resolutions — let's call them goals. But they can be a bit vague. The way to make them happen is to actually define them better.” It's that time of year when those bold January intentions have quietly faded into the background. "Get fit." "Lose weight." "Grow my business." Sound familiar? You're not alone — and more importantly, you haven't failed. Your resolutions just need a better framework.

MTD for Income Tax Is Here: What It Means for You

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 13 April 2026

HMRC’s new system Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment has now arrived! This isn’t just a regulatory update. It’s a shift in how your records are kept, how often you report, and what you will need to do throughout the year. What’s changing for you: Under MTD for Income Tax, if you’re a sole trader or landlord within scope: You’ll need to keep digital records Quarterly updates will need to be digitally submitted to HMRC An End of Period Statement (EOPS) will need to filed A Final Declaration will be needed to finalise your tax position for the year In short: instead of one annual deadline, your tax reporting becomes a year-round process. Why using compliant bookkeeping software is now essential? To meet MTD requirements, HMRC requires fully digital record keeping and submissions . Manual spreadsheets alone are no longer sufficient You’ll need to use MTD-compliant bookkeeping software Sending your accountant paper records or incomplete information will cause delays The upside (it’s not just compliance) While MTD is mandatory, it also brings real benefits: Clear visibility of your tax position throughout the year Better cash flow planning Fewer surprises at year-end What support do you need to navigate this new system? The support of qualified accounting professionals is now more necessary than ever. We don’t expect you to navigate this alone and here’s how MPower Accounting can ensure that you not only comply with, but thrive under, this new reporting requirement. We’ll help you choose and set up the right software We work with trusted platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and others. We’ll recommend what fits your business best and get everything set up correctly. We’ll ensure you stay compliant Review your records regularly Submit your quarterly updates accurately and on time Handle all year-end submissions We’ll take the stress off your shoulders With the right system in place: Your records stay up to date automatically We can spot issues early You avoid last-minute pressure and surprises All we’ll need from you to make MTD work smoothly, is access to your chosen bookkeeping software, regular uploaded receipts so we can keep records current and a little of your time when there are questions. The more up-to-date your records are, the more value and proactive advice, we can provide. Your role is simple but important. Letting us take the strain of compliance will save you time and cause significantly less stress, enabling you to focus on what is important, that is running your business successfully. Next steps If you haven’t already: Speak to us about getting set up on MTD-compliant software Let us review your current bookkeeping process Make sure you’re ready for quarterly reporting