The Boutique Bookkeeper Show | Know Your Numbers & Prepare For Taxes
Are you making sales in your boutique but still wondering where all your money is going?
Do you panic at tax time because your books are a mess—or worse, nonexistent?
Are you tired of feeling like you should understand your numbers, but no one ever taught you how?
If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or straight-up anxious about the money side of your boutique business, you are not alone. Running a retail business—especially online through platforms like Shopify—is no small feat. You’re juggling inventory, marketing, customer service, and social media… and somehow, you’re also supposed to be your own bookkeeper?
Let’s be real: finances can feel intimidating. Maybe you’ve tried spreadsheets, downloaded bookkeeping software, or even hired someone—only to still feel totally in the dark. You just want to understand your business’s money and feel confident making decisions. You want freedom, not fear.
I get it—because I’ve been there.
Hi, I’m Megan Schmitke, host of The Boutique Bookkeeper Show. I have my Bachelor’s in Accounting and spent over seven years working in corporate accounting. But when I became a mom, I knew I wanted more flexibility—and I still had a passion for helping others with their finances. That’s when I started Finding Freedom Financial Services. What I discovered? So many boutique owners were struggling with their numbers—not because they didn’t care, but because no one had ever taught them how to manage their books.
And while plenty of bookkeepers will do your bookkeeping for you, almost none will take the time to teach you how to do it yourself.
That’s where this podcast comes in.
The Boutique Bookkeeper Show is your go-to resource for breaking down the money side of your boutique in a way that actually makes sense. In each episode, you’ll get real-world, easy-to-digest education on topics like:
⭐ Understanding your Shopify reports
⭐ What numbers really matter in your business
⭐ How to stay organized month after month
⭐ How to prepare for tax season without the stress
⭐ And how to create systems that actually give you freedom—not more to do
Whether you want to DIY your bookkeeping with confidence or just want to finally understand what your numbers are telling you, you’re in the right place.
Let’s take the confusion out of your finances so you can step into the CEO role your boutique needs.
👉 Ready to connect and take the next step?
Follow me on Instagram @findingfreedomfinancial for tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and updates on new episodes.
Want to dive deeper or work together?
Visit www.findingfreedomfinancial.com to learn more about how I help boutique owners just like you find financial clarity and peace of mind.
Hit subscribe and let’s turn your confusion into confidence—one episode at a time.
Episodes
9 hours ago
9 hours ago
14 min
This week's episode looks a little different. Instead of a typical bookkeeping walkthrough, I'm celebrating 5 years in business by sharing 5 business lessons that apply directly to boutique owners, no matter what season your shop is in. From learning to pivot, to embracing AI tools, to finding your niche and knowing your why, these are the lessons that have shaped Finding Freedom Financial over the last half-decade.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do your own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using QuickBooks Online, I walk you through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long, no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like QuickBooks? Don't worry, I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/5-business-lessons
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 028 | How a Failed Course Led Me to Simplify Accounting for Retailers, hear more of the backstory of this business and the pivots I've made in my business and niche to get where I am today
Jul 13, 2026
Jul 13, 2026
18 min
Ever feel like you're making plenty of sales but you still can't say whether your boutique is actually profitable? In this episode, I'm walking you through how to find the break-even point for your boutique, which is the exact number of net product sales you need to cover all your costs. Then I show you how to turn that number into a SMART sales goal built on YOUR real numbers, including one extra step most boutique owners miss when they've got a business loan. Grab a notebook, a pen, and your calculator for this one.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
http://findingfreedomfinancial.com/calculating-your-break-even-point/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 31: The Inventory and COGS Mistake That's Hiding Your Real Profit
Episode 8: Understanding the Income Statement for Your Boutique
Jul 6, 2026
Jul 6, 2026
13 min
Starting your boutique and not sure what bookkeeping even means? Welcome to bookkeeping for beginners! In this episode, we are walking through exactly what bookkeeping is (and what it is not), plus the few simple things every brand new boutique owner should set up right from the start. You will learn why separating your business and personal finances matters so much, how to pick a system you can stick with, and the one weekly habit that keeps tax season from ever becoming a scramble. No overwhelm, no math degree required, just a clean and confident start.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you’ll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we’ll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry - I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
http://findingfreedomfinancial.com/how-to-do-your-own-bookkeeping/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 3 | How to Get Started with QuickBooks Online: Listen here
Episode 18 | 3 QuickBooks Online Features That Will Save You HOURS Each Month (Plus 1 to Avoid): Listen here
Ready to sign up for QuickBooks Online? Use my link: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/qbo (I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)
Shopify Seller Income & Expense Spreadsheet: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Jun 29, 2026
Jun 29, 2026
13 min
Most boutique owners don't avoid their bookkeeping because they're lazy. They avoid it because nobody ever handed them a roadmap. In this episode, I'm walking you through six free bookkeeping resources that meet you wherever you're stuck right now, in the exact order you'd actually use them. We start with the most common bookkeeping questions answered in plain English, move into knowing what you can deduct on your taxes, avoiding the most common bookkeeping mistakes, building a solid foundation with a boutique-specific chart of accounts, learning to actually READ your financial reports, and finally getting a handle on your cash flow with Profit First. You don't have to grab all six today. You just need to know which one matches where you are.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system. Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
https://findingfreedomfinancial.com/bookkeeping-resources/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Boutique Bookkeeping Guide: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/guide
Tax Deduction Guide for Boutique Owners: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/deductions
5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Boutique Bookkeeping: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/mistakes
Chart of Accounts Template: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/coa-template
Make Your Money Make Sense Masterclass: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Profit First Template: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/profit-first-template
Jun 22, 2026
Jun 22, 2026
13 min
Hiring a bookkeeper for your boutique is a big decision, and most boutique owners go into that conversation without knowing what to ask. In this episode, I’m walking you through 8 specific questions to ask when hiring a bookkeeper, what a good answer looks like for each one, and the red flags that should send you running before you hand over access to your financial accounts.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you’ll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we’ll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do your own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry - I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-a-bookkeeper
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Ep. 36 - Hiring a Bookkeeper Isn’t Always the Answer
Ep. 20 - Bookkeeper vs. Tax Preparer (And Why You Need Both)
A2X
Bookkeep
Jun 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026
11 min
Whether you should be hiring a bookkeeper or doing your own bookkeeping is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a boutique owner. In this episode, Megan breaks down both sides honestly so you can figure out what's actually right for your business right now. Spoiler: hiring a bookkeeper isn't always the magic fix you think it is.
Ready to take your learning a step further?Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do your own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/pros-and-cons-of-diy-bookkeeping/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:Episode 29 — Lesly's Bookkeeping TransformationQuickbooks Cleanup Bootcamp kicks off June 22nd - join us inside the membership
Jun 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
20 min
In this episode, we’re breaking down the 7 types of transactions in your boutique and why not all of them are expenses. If you’ve ever recorded everything that leaves your bank account as an expense, this episode will show you exactly why that’s a problem, and how to get each type of transaction categorized correctly in QuickBooks Online so your books actually reflect what’s happening in your business.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you’ll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we’ll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do your own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry - I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/7-types-of-spending
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 2: What is a Chart of Accounts? Understanding the Chart of Accounts for Your Retail Boutique
Episode 22: How Do You Pay Yourself as a Small Business Boutique Owners?
Episode 31: The Inventory and COGS Mistake That's Hiding Your Real Profit
Free Chart of Accounts Template for Boutique Owners: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/COA-template
Jun 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
9 min
If you’ve been recording your Shopify deposits in Quickbooks Online as straight sales, your financial reports aren’t as accurate as they could be. In this episode, we’re covering the simple system for recording Shopify deposits correctly in QBO so your books are clean, your reports are trustworthy, and you’re not overpaying in taxes.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you’ll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we’ll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do your own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long — no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry — I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode: https://findingfreedomfinancial.com/shopify-deposits/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Listen to last week's episode to learn more about the 6 components that make up your Shopify Deposits, and why it's important that they be recorded separately - Listen here
Worried you're making mistakes in your own bookkeeping? Check out my free resource, "5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Boutique Bookkeeping" to learn about the most common mistakes I see boutique owners make (and what to do instead): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/mistakes
May 25, 2026
May 25, 2026
14 min
Your Shopify payouts aren’t just one number - they’re actually made up of 6 separate components. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what’s inside every Shopify payout, why recording them correctly gives you a much clearer picture of your boutique finances, and how one simple habit could be causing you to overstate your income and pay more in taxes than you actually owe.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you’ll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry - I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
http://findingfreedomfinancial.com/how-to-record-shopify-payouts/
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 31: The Inventory and COGS Mistake That’s Hiding Your Real Profit
5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Boutique Bookkeeping: https://findingfreedomfinancial.com/mistakes
May 18, 2026
May 18, 2026
11 min
Ever paid for a business expense with your personal card and had no idea how to get it into your books? Recording business expenses paid with personal funds is something almost every boutique owner runs into, and in this episode I'm walking you through exactly what to do. Whether you paid for things out of pocket before you had a business bank account, or you just accidentally swiped the wrong card, those expenses still belong in your bookkeeping. I'm covering how to record them in QuickBooks, what your reimbursement options look like, and why your business entity structure matters when it comes to paying yourself back.
Ready to take your learning a step further?
Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.
Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Other Ways to Work With Me:
Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off.
Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership
Are you a Shopify seller who’s not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don’t worry - I got you! I’ve created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet
Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:
http://findingfreedomfinancial.com/business-expenses-paid-with-personal/