Have you watched any of the Rocky movies? If you have, then you’re familiar with the storyline. In every film, Rocky Balboa—a scrappy underdog in the boxing world—faces off against a seemingly unbeatable opponent.
At first, it looks like the odds are stacked against him.
His opponent lands blow after blow, and Rocky struggles to stay on his feet. But with the help of Mick, a supportive team, sheer determination, and maybe a little bit of luck, Rocky comes out a world champion. He is bruised and bloodied, but he leaves the ring a hero.
In many ways, Rocky’s story mirrors the journey of every small business owner.
The Fight Every Business Owner Faces
With unmatched discipline and perseverance, Rocky fights his way from aspiring amateur to heavyweight champion. Every successful business owner we run into has a lot in common with Rocky.
Every day is a fight.
I get it—I’ve been in the ring myself. Since starting Patrick Accounting in 2003, I’ve experienced firsthand what it means to hustle, make tough decisions, and stay the course when the odds feel insurmountable.
Growing up, I watched my parents and uncles run our family’s nursery business in Florida. I saw their incredible successes, but I also saw their frustrations and setbacks. They kept fighting, but looking back, I’m not sure they had the kind of team in their corner that Rocky had.
Sometimes, they needed a push—a kick in the butt or a pat on the back—to keep going. They needed someone to strategize with, to motivate them, and to help them see the bigger picture. That’s exactly why I started Patrick Accounting: I wanted to help business owners win their fights.
Giving Every Business a Fighting Chance
Statistics show that only half of small businesses survive the first five years. I think every business should have a fighting chance to thrive, not just survive.
Personally, I think that one of the critical differentiators between businesses that are successful and those that flounder is a trusted accounting team (a Mick!) that helps them feel ready to conquer anything, like Rocky.
Five Things Your Accounting Team Should Be Doing to Help You Become the Champion Business Owner You Wanted to Be
1. Providing actionable insights, not just reports.
It’s not enough to hand over spreadsheets. Your accounting team should help you understand what the numbers mean for your business. Insight drives action.
2. Asking you the right questions.
Most business owners would rather focus on running their business than diving into the details of their finances. A good accounting team knows how to ask the right questions to help you think critically about your next steps.
3. Identifying ways to save money.
This includes finding opportunities to reduce your tax burden and streamline expenses, giving you more resources to invest in your business.
4. Aligning with your goals.
Your accounting team should understand not just where your business is now, but where you want it to go. They can provide guidance that helps you achieve your vision.
5. Understanding small business realities.
There are some accountants who are great with numbers, but they don’t really know small business. You want an accountant and bookkeeper who fully gets the reality of running a small business. The ups and downs and the fight it takes to win so that they can give you the most useful information.
One of the things that inspires me most is hearing entrepreneurs’ stories. I love to hear why someone took the plunge to leave the seeming security of a nine-to-five job to pursue a dream. As an entrepreneur myself, I have that same entrepreneurial passion, and my team and I love to play a supporting role in our client’s success stories.
When the Bell Sounds, Who Will Be in Your Corner?
Every great fighter has a great team behind them. When the bell sounds, who will be in your corner?
If you’re looking for someone who truly understands the fight it takes to run a small business—and who’s ready to help you win—
Patrick Accounting might be the partner you’ve been searching for.
Find out if we’re the right fit for your business: Who Is a Good Fit for Patrick Accounting?
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