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.


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