Before attending XeroCon, Stephanie Manley, founder of The Salty Ledger, felt like she had reached a standstill in her professional life.

Based in Baytown, Texas, Stephanie knew she was capable of more. But without the right support system or exposure to new opportunities, she struggled to see what the next step could be.

“Stagnant. Trapped,” she said when describing that time. “I knew I could do better and do more, but I lacked the resources, the support, and the direction.”

She wanted to grow her career in bookkeeping and accounting, but the path forward often felt unclear.

That’s when she decided to take a chance and apply for a scholarship through the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation (ACF) to attend XeroCon.

The Starting Line: Searching for Direction

Before attending the conference, Stephanie faced a challenge that many professionals encounter when entering or growing within the accounting industry: figuring out which voices to trust.

“There was a lot of negativity and gatekeeping around the idea that if you didn’t follow one specific path, you weren’t a ‘real’ bookkeeper or accountant,” she explained.

That mindset left her feeling like her options were limited to a narrow definition of success.

But Stephanie believed there had to be other ways to build a meaningful career in the profession.

Applying for the ACF scholarship felt like a small act of courage.

“I remember thinking, ‘What’s the best that could happen?’”

After a difficult stretch in her life, the application became something more than a professional opportunity. It was a moment to choose herself.

“I tend to give a lot of myself to others but rarely do anything just for me,” she said. “Applying felt like finally saying yes to something for myself.”

The Turning Point: Discovering a Community of Possibility

At XeroCon, Stephanie experienced something she had been missing: a community of professionals eager to learn, share, and grow together.

“My biggest takeaway was realizing how many possibilities actually exist,” she said. “And how many people are genuinely willing to help.”

Instead of rigid expectations about what her career should look like, Stephanie encountered a diverse group of professionals building businesses and careers in many different ways.

For the first time, she saw that there wasn’t just one path forward.

Several speakers also left a strong impression.

She was inspired by Liz Mason’s commitment to continually investing in herself and her team, and by Serena Shoup’s presence on stage, where confidence and joy were clearly part of the work.

“It was a reminder that we’re allowed to enjoy our work, have fun, and even be a little silly along the way,” Stephanie said.

The energy of the event itself played a huge role in shifting her mindset.

“You could feel it,” she said. “Being in the room made me more open, creative, and receptive to new ideas.”

For the first time, she felt something powerful: a sense that she truly belonged in the profession.

After the Conference: Taking Action and Building Momentum

Stephanie returned home from the conference determined to act on the inspiration she felt.

One of the first things she did was begin reaching out to software vendors and exploring new tools, something she had never done before.

“I came home motivated to implement more technology right away and be more intentional about how I was building my systems.”

That curiosity and initiative opened new doors.

Shortly after the conference, Stephanie began contracting with another firm that recognized and valued her skills. At the same time, she continued offering services locally when capacity allowed.

The results were significant.

By 2025, Stephanie earned more income from her bookkeeping work than she did from her full-time W-2 position.

That milestone gave her the confidence to make a major decision.

In 2026, she stepped fully into her bookkeeping career.

A Career Defined by Choice

One of the most meaningful changes Stephanie experienced wasn’t just financial growth, it was the ability to make choices about how she worked.

She reached a point where she had enough opportunities that she could say no when something wasn’t the right fit.

“That level of choice and discernment is something I didn’t have before,” she said. “And it’s been a big shift for me.”

That freedom allowed her to build a career that aligns with her strengths, her values, and the kind of work she truly enjoys.

Why In-Person Learning Matters

For Stephanie, attending a conference in person opened doors she didn’t even know existed.

“In-person learning opens pathways you may never know exist,” she said. “Paths that often don’t reveal themselves outside of being in that space.”

The environment created opportunities for conversations, inspiration, and connections that can’t easily be replicated through virtual learning alone.

Receiving the scholarship itself also had a profound personal impact.

“It made me feel confident and genuinely worthy, both personally and professionally.”

More importantly, it helped Stephanie redefine success on her own terms.

“It showed me that success doesn’t have to look just one way, and that my version of it is just as valid.”

Paying It Forward

Stephanie believes the work of the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation creates opportunities that can transform careers.

“Your support gives people opportunities they may never have had otherwise,” she says to potential donors. “And in many cases, it allows them to give back to the accounting community because of it.”

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

“Just do it,” she said. “Ask yourself, ‘What’s the best that could happen?’”

Because sometimes, one opportunity is all it takes to reveal a future you didn’t know was possible.

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

“ACF helped me see possibilities I didn’t know existed and gave me the confidence to believe I belonged there.