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
4 days ago
4 days ago
13 min
Wondering how to learn bookkeeping without feeling completely lost? In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact 5-stage Success Path every member of Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques follows, from setting up QuickBooks the right way to finally being able to read your own financial reports with confidence.
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/how-to-learn-bookkeeping-for-boutique-owners
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
029. Knowing the Numbers with Lesly Birkland: One Boutique Owner's Bookkeeping Transformation
007. What Does "Doing Your Bookkeeping" Really Mean? Your Daily, Weekly & Monthly Bookkeeping Task List
Sep 7, 2026
Sep 7, 2026
14 min
There are two common bookkeeping mistakes I see boutique owners make over and over when it comes to recording their sales data, and both of them can quietly throw off your entire financial picture. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what each mistake looks like, how to check if you're making one of them yourself, and I'm sharing the story of how fixing this exact issue helped one of my clients uncover $21,453.08 she didn't even know was missing.
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/common-bookkeeping-mistakes-you-dont-know-youre-making
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Boutique Bookkeeping Bootcamp (Sept 14-17): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/bootcamp
Episode 047 | QuickBooks vs Excel Spreadsheet: Which Should You Use? Episode mentioned in this episode, listen if you're still deciding between a spreadsheet and QuickBooks
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.)
Aug 31, 2026
Aug 31, 2026
15 min
QuickBooks vs Excel spreadsheet, which one should you actually be using for your boutique's bookkeeping? In this episode I'm breaking down the real pros and cons of both, so you can stop guessing and start making an informed decision about how you track your numbers.
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/quickbooks-vs-excel-spreadsheet
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Boutique Bookkeeping Bootcamp (Sept 14-17): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/bootcamp
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.)
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
13 min
Ready to shift your mindset about your bookkeeping? In this episode I'm breaking down 3 common beliefs I hear from boutique owners right before they finally get started: not knowing where to begin, having tried QuickBooks before and had it not click, and worrying a real system will mean more work. We're tackling all three, and I'm giving you a real, tactical starting point to begin today.
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/shift-your-mindset-3-bookkeeping-excuses-to-drop
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Boutique Bookkeeping Bootcamp (Sept 14-17): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/bootcamp
Sign up for Quickbooks Here (affiliate link): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/qbo
Free Chart of Accounts Template (mentioned in this episode): www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/coa-template
Episode 029 | Knowing the Numbers with Lesly Birkland: One Boutique Owner's Bookkeeping Transformation, hear more about a real bookkeeping transformation over time
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
14 min
Feeling behind on your bookkeeping and not sure how to get out of that cycle? In this episode I'm recapping a conversation from the Inventory Genius podcast between my friend Ciara Stockeland and Rebecca, a former student of mine, where Rebecca shares the exact framework that can help you finally know your numbers and break free from the shame and avoidance that comes with running a business. We're breaking down her 3 words: courage, consistency, and confidence, and what each one actually looks like in practice.
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/3-words-that-help-you-know-your-numbers
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Ciara and Rebecca's full episode: “297 Pt 1: Courage, Clarity, and Confidence with Your Money”
The Inventory Genius Podcast (full show)
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
11 min
This week, I'm digging into why Shopify accounting isn't something most CPAs are trained for, and why that's not actually a knock on them. I share some of my own accounting background (including a confession about my own tax returns), and walk through why you don't need your CPA to explain your numbers to you. You can understand them yourself, and even be the one answering THEIR questions at tax time.
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/cpa-cant-help-with-shopify-accounting
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 16: Why You Shouldn't Use Your 1099-K to File Your Taxes
Aug 3, 2026
Aug 3, 2026
10 min
This week, I'm getting personal about why you started your business in the first place, and how that ties into the real mission behind Finding Freedom Financial. I share my own story, from the name I picked back in 2017 to the Bible verse this business is built on, and reframe bookkeeping as the tool that protects your freedom, not a test you have to pass perfectly.
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/why-you-started-your-business
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Free “Make Your Money Make Sense” Masterclass: Register for one of the upcoming sessions here: https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass
Jul 27, 2026
Jul 27, 2026
8 min
This week, Megan shares the real story behind a scary business decision she sat on for months this year, scaling back her client list and letting go of her employees. More than the decision itself, she walks through what actually helped her move forward with clarity instead of fear: knowing her numbers.
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/business-decision
Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:
Episode 040 | 5 Business Lessons for Boutique Owners (From My First 5 Years), last week's episode if you want more of my story
Episode 029 | Knowing the Numbers with Lesly Birkland: One Boutique Owner's Bookkeeping Transformation, hear more about how finally knowing her numbers helped Lesly run her boutique better
Want to reach out? Send me a DM on Instagram
Jul 20, 2026
Jul 20, 2026
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