When Aliza Esty, CEO of BeachBound Business Solutions, first stepped into entrepreneurship, she knew she was taking a leap.

After spending ten years in a stable government job with strong benefits, she made the bold decision to leave security behind and build something of her own. Like many new business owners, the transition meant navigating unfamiliar territory without a clear roadmap.

“I literally had to jump with both feet into the unknown,” Aliza shared.

At the time, she was operating as a solopreneur, working to support her clients while also figuring out how to structure and grow her own business.

The dream was clear: build a successful bookkeeping practice that could stand on its own. But without a mentor and with many complex client situations to manage, the path forward often felt uncertain.

That’s when Aliza decided to apply for a scholarship through the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation (ACF).

The Starting Line: Navigating Business Alone

Before attending Intuit Connect, Aliza was still finding her footing as a new firm owner.

She faced questions many early-stage bookkeepers encounter — from understanding different entity structures to ensuring financial records were prepared correctly for CPAs and tax professionals.

“I had the most unique clean-ups and didn’t have a mentor to guide me,” she said.

Without a consistent framework for systems and workflows, she found herself jumping between different online resources and content creators, trying to piece together the right processes.

But the uncertainty went deeper than technical questions.

“The biggest struggle was being unsure if this life was for me,” Aliza admitted. “Every winter, I would hit a wall and start questioning myself and my chosen path.”

Still, she continued searching for opportunities to learn and grow. Applying for the ACF scholarship felt like another leap — one more chance to move forward.

“I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

The Turning Point: Finding Community at Intuit Connect

The moment Aliza arrived at Intuit Connect, something shifted.

She still remembers stepping off the escalator and seeing the conference team welcoming attendees with music, cheers, and excitement.

“It was the most overwhelmingly exciting and happiest feeling to belong in a huge community of like-minded individuals after being alone on this path for over a year,” she said. “It changed my whole outlook.”

Throughout the conference, several sessions left a lasting impression.

One of the most impactful was a presentation by Nayo Carter-Gray and Sherrell Dorsey on workflow and operational structure, an area where Aliza had been struggling.

“I used to put my clients’ needs first and sacrifice my own time and energy to please them,” she said.

After hearing their approach, Aliza realized something needed to change.

“When I got home, I immediately implemented boundaries and processes that protect my time.”

Another meaningful moment came during a session on public speaking, where she saw mentors she had previously followed online in a new light.

“It gave me a completely different perspective than what I would have seen through a screen.”

But perhaps the most valuable learning happened in conversations with peers.

During breakout sessions with professionals from different industries, Aliza received honest feedback about her systems and processes — and learned something important.

“It helped me see what I was doing well, what I needed to improve, and that it’s okay to be different.”

Those conversations helped quiet the self-doubt that had followed her during her first year in business.

After the Conference: Implementing Systems and Setting Boundaries

When Aliza returned home from Intuit Connect, she immediately began putting what she learned into practice.

One of the biggest changes came in her client onboarding process.

What had once felt rushed and stressful became structured and intentional.

“I used to feel like onboarding had to be done in 30 days,” she explained. “Now I extend it to 90 days or even six months.”

That shift transformed the experience for both her and her clients.

“I learned my clients are not in a hurry, and the process is no longer stressful.”

She also implemented new pricing structures and began conducting quarterly client reviews, ensuring her services reflected the value she was delivering.

Equally important were the relationships she built at the conference.

“I still keep in contact with my cohort,” she said. “We text and email each other, support each other, ask questions, and it’s been exciting watching everyone grow their businesses.”

A Career That Continued to Grow

Since attending Intuit Connect, Aliza’s business has expanded in ways she once questioned were possible.

What began as a solo practice has grown into a team of four.

Her firm has doubled its revenue, and she has continued investing in additional training and workshops to strengthen her skills and leadership.

Today, Aliza has an even bigger vision for her future.

Her long-term goal is to become a coach and educator, helping others navigate the same challenges she once faced.

For her, the conference was more than just a professional development event. It was a moment that shifted her belief in what she could build.

Why In-Person Learning Matters

For Aliza, the most powerful part of the experience was the human connection that comes from learning together in person.

“To develop robust conversations and connect with individuals past the screen and monitors,” she said. “Hearing laughter in person is a different experience than online.”

Receiving the ACF scholarship itself was also a moment she will never forget.

“At first I thought it wasn’t real,” she said with a laugh. “I even looked them up to make sure I wasn’t being scammed. It felt too good to be true.”

When she realized the opportunity was genuine, her reaction was simple.

“I was over the moon.”

Paying It Forward

Today, Aliza speaks passionately about the impact of the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation and the role it plays in supporting professionals in the accounting and bookkeeping industry.

Her advice to anyone considering applying for the scholarship is straightforward.

“Just do it. There should be no question about it. Apply until you get it.”

Because sometimes the opportunities that feel the most uncertain are the ones that lead to the greatest growth.

If Aliza had to summarize her ACF experience in one sentence, it would be this:

“One of the most memorable adventures of my career.”