Feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, or stuck in a model that doesn’t serve you or your clients? In this episode, host Brandy Spears sits down with Colin Dunn, Chartered Accountant and Co-Founder of Renew Group, to talk about redesigning tax and accounting firms for clarity, profitability, and sanity.

Colin shares what it means to truly “design a firm that works for you,” how to rethink your client mix, pricing, and service model — and why so many professionals operate by default instead of by design. You’ll also hear his take on burnout, boundaries, transformation through community, and why a firm built on value can actually free up your time.

If you’ve ever thought “there has to be a better way,” this conversation will show you that there is — and how to take the first step toward it.

Why Listen

• Learn how to reduce scope creep and fire the wrong clients

• Hear how advisory pricing and packaging can shift your firm’s future

• Understand the difference between running by default vs. design

• Explore what modern professionals want — and how to attract them

• Get tactical tips for time-blocking, pricing, positioning, and systems

In This Episode

• [00:00:00] Colin’s career journey and the “accidental” launch of Renew Group

• [00:06:00] The root issue most firms don’t see: broken business models

• [00:13:00] Making your firm the #1 client (and why it matters)

• [00:18:00] Pricing with confidence and creating value-led packages

• [00:24:00] Community, accountability, and not reinventing the wheel

• [00:30:00] Hiring advice: Would you work for you?

• [00:36:00] Stop chasing tech and staff — fix your tier one issues

• [00:43:00] 40-hour firms, abundant mindsets, and what comes next

Notable Quotes

• “You can’t attract great team members if your firm isn’t something you’d want to work for.” – Colin Dunn

• “Stop building the plane while flying it. Design your firm — don’t just let it happen.” – Colin Dunn

• “Raise your prices. Fire the wrong clients. Rip off the Band-Aid.” – Colin Dunn

• “Work should fuel your life — not replace it.” – Colin Dunn

Our Guest

Colin Dunn is a Chartered Accountant and Co-Founder of Renew Group, where he helps tax and accounting professionals transform their business models, client relationships, and profitability. With nearly 30 years of experience coaching firm owners and creating global communities, Colin focuses on helping practitioners move from overwhelm to clarity by designing firms that align with their lives — not run them. He’s a speaker, educator, and advocate for the “40-hour firm” mindset, where profitability, team satisfaction, and personal freedom can coexist.

Resource & Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

• Website - NAEA.org

Colin Dunn

• LinkedIn

• Website - Renew Group
  

In this episode, host Brandy Spears sits down with Nayo Carter-Gray, an Enrolled Agent and the founder of First Step Accounting, a fully virtual, eco-conscious accounting firm. Nayo, a proud tech enthusiast and educator, talks about how her journey from high school accounting class to becoming an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the profession has shaped her career and her practice.

Nayo shares her experience of becoming an EA, how technology has helped her design a virtual paperless firm, and why it’s crucial for tax professionals to embrace tech to improve both client service and work-life balance. She also discusses the importance of inclusivity in the profession, how she works to support underserved communities, and why advocating for the next generation of tax professionals is at the core of her mission.

Why Listen

• Discover how technology can improve small business accounting and client service

• Learn why paperless practices are more efficient and eco-friendly

• Hear how Nayo bridges the gap for underrepresented communities in the profession

• Get advice on pricing, client service, and work-life balance for modern accountants

• Understand how embracing diversity and tech can shape the future of tax work

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Nayo’s accidental start in accounting and how it became a lifelong passion

• [00:06:00] How Nayo transitioned from corporate to founding a virtual firm

• [00:12:00] The power of tech: QuickBooks, cloud-based solutions, and a paperless practice

• [00:16:00] How Nayo supports underserved communities with tax education

• [00:22:00] The importance of embracing change in tax practices and pricing strategies

• [00:28:00] How Nayo leads with education and fosters a community of growth

• [00:34:00] Overcoming the challenge of balancing work, tech, and human connection

• [00:40:00] Nayo’s leadership role in advocating for more inclusive, innovative tax practices

Notable Quotes

• “You have to show up for yourself first — then you can show up for your clients and your community.” – Nayo Carter-Gray

• “Technology is my love language, but it’s all about using it to serve people, not replace them.” – Nayo Carter-Gray

• “I don’t just teach tax; I teach others how to own their value, take up space, and advocate for themselves.” – Nayo Carter-Gray

• “Our work can’t just be about numbers. It’s about people, relationships, and making an impact.” – Nayo Carter-Gray

Our Guest

Nayo Carter-Gray is an Enrolled Agent and the founder of First Step Accounting, a fully virtual, paperless firm that helps small businesses across the U.S. with cloud-based accounting solutions. With over 25 years of tax and accounting experience, Nayo specializes in helping entrepreneurs simplify their financial processes using technology, ensuring efficiency and eco-friendliness.

Nayo is also a passionate advocate for inclusion in the accounting profession and currently serves as the immediate past chair of the NAEA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She has served on advisory boards for Intuit, FreshBooks, and Gusto. Named one of Hubdoc’s Top 50 Cloud Accountants (North America), Nayo is a QuickBooks Online Advanced Certified ProAdvisor who strives to make tax and accounting more accessible, modern, and impactful for underserved communities.

Resource & Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

• Website - NAEA.org

Nayo Carter Gray, EA

• LinkedIn

• Website - First Step Accounting
  

In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears sits down with David King, CEO of Optima Tax Relief, a leading tax relief firm. With over 12 years of experience in financial services, David shares how he built a client-first culture at Optima, focusing on customer service and creating a company where clients feel heard and supported through the tax resolution process.

David discusses his transition from the mortgage industry to tax relief, the leadership principles that shaped Optima’s growth, and how the “Client Comes First” approach is embedded into every aspect of their business. He also talks about how tax professionals can foster lasting relationships with their clients, and the future of customer service in the tax industry.

This episode is full of insights into leadership, customer service, and the importance of creating trust between clients and tax professionals. Whether you’re a tax pro working directly with clients or running your own firm, David’s approach to client relationships and leadership will resonate.

Why Listen:

• Learn how to build a client-first culture in your tax practice

• Discover the leadership principles that drive Optima Tax Relief

• Hear how a focus on customer service can fuel growth in the tax relief industry

• Get actionable advice on client retention, trust-building, and service excellence

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Welcome to the Enrolled Agent Advocate

• [00:01:10] Meet David King: From mortgage leadership to tax relief CEO

• [00:02:50] The importance of customer service in financial services

• [00:04:30] Transitioning from Secured Funding to Optima Tax Relief

• [00:06:00] The power of a “Client Comes First” approach

• [00:08:20] What makes Optima Tax Relief stand out in a crowded market

• [00:11:00] How sales management practices in mortgage applied to tax relief

• [00:13:00] Building trust: How to make clients feel heard and supported

• [00:15:00] Developing leadership in your tax firm or company

• [00:17:30] The future of customer service in the tax industry

• [00:19:00] Advice for tax professionals looking to grow their practice

• [00:21:15] What’s next for Optima Tax Relief and David’s vision for the company

• [00:23:00] Final thoughts and takeaways on leadership and customer service

Notable Quotes

• “The key to growth is making sure your clients always feel like they come first.” — David King

• “In any service industry, if you’re not creating trust, you’re not creating clients for life.” — David King

• “Building a client-first culture isn’t just about selling—it’s about long-term relationships.” — David King

• “Customer service can be your strongest differentiator in a competitive market.” — David King

Our Guest

David King is the CEO of Optima Tax Relief, bringing over 12 years of experience in growing and leading financial services firms. With a focus on client-first principles, David played a pivotal role in shaping Optima’s success, establishing a culture of service excellence and client advocacy. Before joining Optima, David held a leadership position at Secured Funding, where he pioneered best practices in sales management in the mortgage industry. Today, David continues to lead Optima Tax Relief with a focus on innovation, customer care, and making tax relief accessible for individuals in need.

Resource & Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

• Website - NAEA.org

David King

• LinkedIn

• Website - Optima Tax Relief