Raising Four Kids Alone and a Business: Megan’s Journey to Financial Freedom
Running a business is already tough. But imagine doing it while raising four children as a single mom, with little savings, no clear plan, and everything on the line.
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That’s exactly what Megan, the CEO and founder of Sidekick Accounting, did—and today, she leads a thriving, all-women bookkeeping and tax firm that helps hundreds of small business owners across the U.S. manage their money smarter using the Profit First system.
In this episode of The Lazy Entrepreneur Podcast, Megan opens up about her inspiring journey—from unexpected challenges to unstoppable success—and shares her best advice for women entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable, flexible, and fulfilling business.
A Journey That Started with Necessity
“I had to figure out a way to support myself and my daughter,” she shared.
Accounting became her lifeline—a stable path to financial security. She earned her bachelor’s degree, worked full-time, and later transitioned to part-time bookkeeping after her second child was born. But then, within a single month, she lost both of her jobs.
That moment could have broken her. Instead, it became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey.
She had been doing taxes and bookkeeping for friends and family, so she decided to start her own business—Sidekick Accounting. With no grand plan, no investors, and only a small amount of savings, she began networking and offering her services locally.
“The worst that could happen was it wouldn’t work—and I’d go back to getting a job. So I thought, I might as well try.”
Twelve years later, that “try” became a profitable company with nine employees, contractors, and clients across the country.
The Struggles of a First-Time Business Owner
When Megan first started, she faced two major challenges familiar to many small business owners: low confidence and improper pricing.
She admitted she struggled with self-esteem and found it difficult to talk to people or sell her services. But everything changed when she met a business coach early in her journey. They bartered services—she handled his bookkeeping, and he provided her with coaching.
“He taught me how to set goals, do sales, and believe in my value,” Megan said. “That foundation helped me grow my business with confidence.”
Still, there were financial lessons to learn. Like most new entrepreneurs, Megan didn’t know how to price her services properly. She often undercharged—sometimes doing more work than she was being paid for.
One client she found on Craigslist received exceptional service, yet paid her the least of anyone she’s ever worked with.
“I realized I had to start pricing based on the value I provided, not just the hours I worked,” she shared.
That mindset shift helped her scale. She started researching what others charged, comparing market rates, and positioning her services accordingly. This not only increased her revenue—it gave her the confidence to stand by her worth.
Building a Business While Becoming a Single Mom
In 2018, four years after starting her business, Megan’s life changed dramatically again. She became a single mom—with four kids, including a newborn baby and a 9-month-old.
“It was an unexpected separation and divorce,” she said. “My daughter was 12, my son was six, and I had two babies back-to-back.”
It was an incredibly hard season. But because she had already built a profitable, recurring-revenue business with systems and a small team, her business didn’t just survive—it sustained her family.
“My business gave me flexibility and stability,” Megan explained. “It was able to support my kids financially, and my team helped me keep things running when I couldn’t be fully present.”
That flexibility allowed her to focus on what mattered most—being a mom.
Her business gave her something even more powerful than income: options.
Over the next few years, Megan continued to grow Sidekick Accounting while providing for her family. She moved across the country, bought a house, and built the kind of life she once dreamed of.
And she did it all by understanding one key principle: profitability equals freedom.
Why “Profit First” Changed Everything
Today, Sidekick Accounting is a certified Profit First firm—a system designed to help entrepreneurs prioritize profit, manage cash flow, and plan strategically.
For Megan, this isn’t just a financial strategy. It’s a philosophy that changed her life.
“If your business isn’t profitable enough to pay yourself, pay your team, and save for taxes—something’s broken,” she said.
Profit First flips the traditional accounting formula.
Instead of:
Sales – Expenses = Profit,
it teaches:
Sales – Profit = Expenses.
That simple shift forces business owners to focus on profit from the beginning.
At Sidekick Accounting, Megan helps clients set up multiple bank accounts for different financial purposes—payroll, taxes, operations, reinvestment, and owner’s pay.
By separating funds, business owners can see exactly where their money is going and make smarter decisions.
“If you’re not seeing the profit you want, start by reviewing your expenses,” Megan advises.
“Ask yourself: does this expense have a purpose? Are you using it? Is it helping your business grow?”
She recommends cutting unnecessary costs, reevaluating subscriptions, and raising prices where necessary. It’s a system designed not just to organize finances—but to create sustainable growth and peace of mind.
The Power of Asking for Help
One of Megan’s biggest lessons—both as a single mom and a business owner—is learning to ask for help.
“When I became a single mom, I had to accept help from family,” she said. “That same principle applies in business. You can’t do it all alone.”
So many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of thinking they need to handle everything themselves—sales, marketing, operations, finances. But true success often comes from delegation, community, and mentorship.
Megan encourages small business owners to reach out—to other entrepreneurs, to coaches, to support networks.
“There’s no shame in asking for help,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re serious about growth.”
For her, this support system was the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
Advice for Single Moms and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
When asked what she’d say to single moms who want to start a business, Megan’s advice was simple yet powerful:
Know what you want from your business.
“Do you want more flexibility? More income? Knowing your goal helps you reverse-engineer your business plan.”Be determined to make it work.
“Tenacity and grit are key. You might not have all the answers, but if you’ve decided you’ll make it work—chances are, you will.”Build relationships and seek community.
“There are people who are willing to help you—coaches, mentors, other small business owners. Talk to them.”Focus on profitability.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Your business must pay you and sustain itself. If it’s not profitable, reassess your pricing, expenses, and systems.”Give yourself grace.
“You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Progress, not perfection, is what matters.”
A Lesson in Faith, Flexibility, and Freedom
Today, Megan lives in Florida, where she finds peace and grounding in nature.
“Walking outdoors helps me reconnect,” she shared. “As a single mom and business owner, there’s always something pulling at you. Being in nature reminds me to breathe, reflect, and realign with what matters.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about money—it’s about creating a life that supports your values.
Through financial wisdom, systems, and faith, Megan turned hardship into opportunity—and built a business that gives her both profit and peace.
Key Takeaways
✅ Start where you are. You don’t need perfect timing or a big safety net to begin.
✅ Know your numbers. Bookkeeping and cash management are the foundation of every successful business.
✅ Profit first. Pay yourself, save for taxes, and invest wisely before expanding.
✅ Ask for help. Whether in motherhood or business, support systems are essential.
✅ Define success your way. True success is having time, flexibility, and peace—not just revenue.
If you’re a business owner who wants to gain control over your finances, start implementing systems, and finally create profit with purpose, connect with Megan at:
🌐 Website: https://www.sidekick-accounting.com/
📱 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn: @SidekickAccounting
