Radio Front Desk
Radio Front Desk is a podcast that talks to real people in real clinics about what it takes to build a health and wellness business.
Host Denzil Ford, Editor-in-Chief of Front Desk magazine, digs into the inspiring stories of folks building their practices from the ground up — including what works, what hasn’t, and everything in between.
Created by the team at Jane App, this podcast is your source for discovering fresh ideas and proven strategies for clinic life. Join us on this journey of building a practice you love.
Radio Front Desk
Why does financial literacy feel so intimidating? How finding the right accountant can make it all click
What if you’re not bad with money? You just don’t speak the language?
In this episode, Denzil shares how a conversation with Andrew Riesen (CEO and co-founder of Heard) helped her see finances in a new way.
As a lifelong “words person,” she talks honestly about feeling intimidated by spreadsheets, the quiet shame of not understanding money terms, and the kinds of professionals who made things finally click.
Along the way, Denzil invites you to:
- Look for accountants and advisors who translate, not perform
- Ask “silly” questions (and notice who makes you feel small for asking)
- Request things in writing so you can process them on your own time
- Seek out the pros who think one step ahead and tailor advice to your real life
If the money side of your clinic has ever felt confusing or overwhelming, this is a gentle reminder that you don’t have to become a “numbers person” overnight. You just have to find the right translators to help you learn the language.
Have a story about when the financial side of your business finally started to make sense? Denzil would love to hear it. Email her at frontdesk@jane.app. And if you enjoy episodes like this, subscribe for more reflections from Denzil.
Oh hey, it's Denzel again. I've always been a words person. I can unpack how people use language to communicate for hours. But ask me about finances and spreadsheets, and my brain goes dial up internet mode. For a long time, I thought that meant I wasn't a numbers person. But recently it kind of dawned on me that money has its own kind of language. And I wish I could say that I realized this all on my own. But truthfully, it was a conversation with the CEO of Herd, Andrew Reason, that sparked this. Andrew is a certified numbers person. I mean, he co-founded an accounting platform. But even he was quick to admit that when it comes to talking about finances, it's really easy to get lost in the weeds. Not only is there a lot of big words, but there's also this weird shame when you don't understand everything. Money is funny, isn't it? It affects everything we do: our security, our sense of freedom, our stress levels. And yet, we rarely talk about it. And when we can't talk about it, we can't learn it. And then we end up just nodding along to words like deductions and retained earnings without really understanding what they mean for us personally. But like any language, it can be learned and it can be translated. You just need the right teacher. When I personally started working with different accountants, there was something that really set the good ones apart. They didn't throw numbers at me. They paused. They asked questions. And they took something abstract and made it personal. They translated it into my language. And that made a big difference for me. So if this sounds like you, I wanted to share a few things this words person, me, has picked up while learning to speak money. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem silly. The right professional won't make you feel small for asking. Plus, you'll be able to tell a lot about how they work based on their answers and the way that they give them. Look for translators, not performers. In my opinion, the best accountants or advisors don't try to impress you. They help you understand. And if you leave a meeting feeling smarter, not smaller, you've found your person. Request things in writing. For anyone who learns best by reading, like me, having written notes or summaries helps you absorb the meaning long after the conversation ends. And I think just seeing things broken down visually brings more clarity. And finally, look out for people who go above and beyond. The pros who think one step ahead are the ones who make the learning process so much easier. Seek out the ones who share the extra tip, explain in overlooked detail, and provide examples that are specific to your life. So, yes, understanding money talk for clinics can be tough. But when you really think about it, financial systems are just another kind of story. It's just that sometimes stories are written in a language you don't understand yet. And honestly, I love that. Because it means I don't have to stop being a words person. I just have to learn a new language. So what about you? Was there something that made the money side of your business click? If yes, or if you have anything else to share, drop me a line at frontdesk at jane.app. Until next time, you've got this.