When Caroline Barclay launched Thrive Accounting Services, she was less than a year into business and serving just three clients. Like many new firm owners, she was navigating the early growth stage with equal parts hope and doubt.

“I often questioned whether starting my own firm had been the right decision,” Caroline shared. “I wondered if others were growing faster than I was, and at times I even considered going back to corporate.”

The dream was clear. Build a firm that could eventually replace a full-time salary. But access to the right support and learning opportunities felt out of reach.

That is when Caroline discovered the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation scholarship.

The Starting Line: Wanting More, But Feeling Stuck

Caroline learned about the ACF scholarship through a newsletter. She had been watching other accountants attend conferences and talk about the impact of being in the room. As a new business owner, the cost made it feel impossible.

“Attending a conference was something I wanted to experience,” she said, “but my early-stage business income made it feel out of reach without financial support.”

Like many first-year firm owners, Caroline was not just looking for technical education. She was looking for reassurance, clarity, and proof that growth was possible.

The Turning Point: Being in the Room at Reframe

With support from the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation, Caroline attended Reframe, and the experience quickly became a turning point.

“My biggest takeaway was realizing that I am not alone. I belong. I am valuable. I deserve to believe in myself and my business.”

Session after session challenged how Caroline thought about pricing, value, and the way she communicated her services. Instead of viewing her work as a list of tasks, she began to see it through the lens of impact.

“I really loved the presentations on value and pricing,” she said. “They stretched my thinking and helped me reframe my services as true value to the client.”

But it was not just the content. It was the connection.

“Being in the room physically made me fully present. From early mornings to lunch breaks to post-conference dinners, every interaction felt immersive. The energy, emotion, and shared commitment are things you just cannot replicate virtually.”

For the first time, Caroline felt seen and supported by peers who believed in her potential.

After the Conference: Putting Value Into Practice

The impact did not end when Caroline returned home.

Almost immediately, she began applying what she learned, starting with her mindset.

“I now ask myself, ‘What value is this providing to the client?’ and ‘Am I honoring my work?’”

That shift led to a tangible result she is especially proud of. Raising her prices.

“I increased my pricing for my first client in December, and I now approach every consultation with more confidence.”

Beyond pricing, Caroline gained something even more lasting. Belief.

“Attending Reframe reinforced that I am capable of growing my business to replace a full-time salary. I no longer feel stuck in uncertainty.”

Her confidence, professional presence, network, and work-life balance all improved, proving that in-person learning creates ripple effects far beyond the conference itself.

Why Access Matters

For Caroline, access to in-person learning is not a luxury. It is essential.

“In-person learning allows for full immersion. Beyond the sessions, it creates space for real conversations, collaboration, and meaningful networking. Virtual learning just cannot offer the same depth.”

Receiving an ACF scholarship made her feel something she had not realized she needed.

“I felt believed in. It affirmed that my small business matters and that I have the potential to grow and succeed.”

Paying It Forward

Today, Caroline plans to make conferences a regular part of her growth strategy and hopes to one day give back to the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation herself.

“This experience was profoundly impactful,” she said. “ACF made it possible, and I am incredibly grateful.”

Her advice to anyone considering applying for a scholarship is simple.

“Believe in yourself. Even completing the application helped me reflect on my value and my goals. There is truly nothing to lose.”

And if she had to sum up her experience in one sentence, it would be this.

“Reframe helped me reframe my beliefs about myself, my business, my value, my worth, and my future.”