When Angela Koska, owner of Sandhills Bookkeeping LLC, attended Intuit Connect through the support of the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation (ACF) scholarship, she was standing at a defining moment in her career.

Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Angela had nearly 20 years of hands-on bookkeeping experience. She had managed the finances for the two businesses she and her husband owned, building deep practical knowledge along the way.

But only recently had she decided to turn that experience into something new: a bookkeeping business of her own.

“I landed my first client in September 2022 and was excited about what was ahead,” Angela shared.

At the same time, she was navigating the realities of starting from scratch — defining services, building systems, and learning how to grow a sustainable business.

The conference represented something important: an opportunity for clarity, confidence, and connection as she stepped into this next chapter.

The Starting Line: Turning Experience Into a Business

While Angela was confident in her bookkeeping skills, building a business required a different set of decisions.

She found herself asking questions many new firm owners face.

How should services be structured?
What should pricing look like?
How do you clearly communicate your value to potential clients?

“Selling myself was not my strong point,” she said.

Even more challenging was doing much of the work alone.

Angela missed having peers she could talk to — professionals who understood the challenges of running a bookkeeping business and could share ideas and insights along the way.

At the same time, the financial realities of life were weighing heavily.

Coming out of COVID, one of the family’s businesses, a special events company built around large gatherings, had been deeply impacted and effectively shut down.

Angela knew she wanted to move forward and build something new, but resources were limited.

Applying for the ACF scholarship felt like an opportunity to say yes to growth despite those challenges.

The Turning Point: Finding Purpose and Community

At Intuit Connect, Angela discovered something she had been missing: community.

“My biggest takeaway was realizing how valuable connection really is,” she said.

Beyond the education and practical tools, being surrounded by other professionals who understood the work made a profound difference.

“It helped me feel less alone, more confident, and reassured that the challenges I was facing were normal and manageable.”

One session in particular left a lasting impression.

During a talk by Jade Simmons, Angela heard a message that shifted how she thought about her work.

“Your purpose is not the thing you do. It’s the thing that happens in others when you do what you do.”

That idea resonated deeply.

“It reminded me that my work as a bookkeeper isn’t just about numbers,” Angela explained. “It’s about the impact I have on my clients’ lives and businesses.”

Equally powerful were the conversations that happened outside the sessions — in hallways, at lunch tables, and between presentations.

“Hearing other people’s experiences and sharing ideas in real time gave me perspective I couldn’t get online.”

Those conversations helped Angela realize that the challenges she was facing were not unique,  and that solutions were within reach.

After the Conference: Moving Forward With Confidence

When Angela returned home from the conference, she approached her business with renewed clarity and confidence.

She began refining her service offerings, adjusting her pricing, and putting better systems in place to support both her clients and her workflow.

Equally important were the connections she maintained with the people she met during the event.

“I stayed connected with peers across the country, sharing ideas and support.”

The experience gave Angela the encouragement she needed to keep moving forward.

Looking back, she believes that without the conference, she might not have had the confidence to take those next steps.

“The conference gave me the push I needed to move forward,” she said.

Building a Business on Her Own Terms

Since attending Intuit Connect, Angela’s business has grown into something deeply meaningful.

Her bookkeeping firm has now replaced the annual income of the business that was lost during COVID, a milestone that represents both resilience and success.

Along the way, Angela discovered something else important.

She realized she did not need to build a large team to succeed.

“I’ve learned I can build a thriving business as a solopreneur, on my own terms.”

By trusting her experience and setting her own pace, she has created a business that fits her life while continuing to grow steadily.

Why In-Person Learning Matters

For Angela, one of the most powerful aspects of the conference was the sense of belonging that came from being surrounded by peers.

“Being a business owner, especially a solopreneur, can be lonely,” she said.

In-person learning offers something that cannot easily be replicated online.

“You get to share experiences, ask questions, and receive support from people who truly understand what you’re going through.”

Receiving the scholarship itself was also deeply meaningful.

“It made me feel seen, supported, and motivated,” Angela said. “It reminded me that my work matters and that others believed in my potential.”

Paying It Forward

Angela believes the work of the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation has the power to change lives.

“Scholarships like the one I received open doors to learning, connections, and confidence that might not be possible otherwise.”

For her, the support she received helped shape the direction of her business and her future.

Her advice for anyone considering applying for the scholarship is simple.

“Go for it.”

Because sometimes the opportunity that changes everything begins with simply taking the chance to apply.

If Angela had to summarize her experience in one sentence, she says it best:

“The ACF scholarship gave me the support, confidence, and connections to grow my business, showed me I could thrive as a business owner, and reminded me that I’m not alone on this journey.”