You might wonder why I’m sharing a testimonial, considering I’m a member of the PPF team. The answer is simple – having Pink Pig in my Pocket has made a huge impact on me, both professionally and personally. In addition to my role at PPF, I’ve also ventured into my own side hustle – .Little Dog Lodge.
Now to fully understand just how much the PPF team has helped, we need to go back a little bit to the start of my story before my side hustle was even a thing.
The backstory
When I joined PPF as Cheryl’s PA in 2021, I had come from a non accounting background, I’d spent the last 10 years working in the insurance industry and had no clue about the accounting world.
In fact I’m not much of a numbers person and much prefer words/admin and processes over numbers and maths, but for my role that wasn’t an issue and over the years I have learnt so much and grown into my current role as Head of Operations.
How Little Dog Lodge came to be
Fast forward to the start of 2023, I had been with PPF for over 18 months, and we sat at our annual team day discussing goals for the business & our individual goals.
I’d NEVER had an employer that cared enough to ask what my goals were, let alone encourage me to pursue any. Cheryl asked us to write down if we could do anything, what would we do. I hadn’t thought about my own dream business in literal years…
But now, after igniting that spark inside me, I started thinking about my dream of running a doggy day care business.
I’d love top open up one of those really cool ones, where there are different kinds of play areas & activities for the dogs, a pupachino stand and puppy parties (I could go on for hours about it and all my ideas)… but still the time isn’t right for me to launch that big dream but that doesn’t mean the dream has to end…
One of the things I hear Cheryl and the team say over and over again to any client, prospect or person that will listen is that if you want something but can’t achieve the big thing yet think about what is one thing you can do that will move you forwards towards the goal…
I may not be in a position to open an all singing, all dancing doggy day care but I could open my home (and heart) to dogs now and from that ‘Little Dog Lodge’ was born.
And while the idea was exciting, I knew I would need help to get everything up and running smoothly, especially when it came to the financial side of things.
How PPF has helped
Now you may be thinking – cool story, but how has PPF actually helped other than Cheryl igniting the initial spark and here is how –
Peace of mind
Not being a numbers person, and (previously) not really understanding how tax and having multiple income streams worked, I’d never had the confidence to start my own business or run a side hustle.
It is something that had crossed my mind and had been quickly ruled out as impossible because it was too much stress for me to even consider. I was too scared about doing it all wrong and getting in trouble with HMRC.
Knowing I have the support of bookkeepers and accountants that have the knowledge & brains to make sure I am doing it right gives me complete peace of mind.
Unlimited Questions & support
I can ask as many questions as I need, both accounting and business related and I’m never made to feel like I’m silly for asking them. Having this available to me helped the process of starting sooo much easier and I set everything up in a way that as my client base grew, I could keep track and on top of everything.
Getting my pricing right
Bouncing ideas off of Cheryl and the team meant that I had the confidence to set my pricing at a fee that felt comfortable to me, and then when it came time to raise my pricing and communicating that with my clients I knew exactly how I needed to word it, how I would manage it and what I could say/do if anyone wasn’t happy.
Surprise, surprise the most common response was “I don’t blame you for the price increase, your prices are very reasonable”.
Understanding my numbers
This is one aspect that truly cannot be underestimated. Knowing my numbers goes far beyond simply setting aside money for taxes. Of course, ensuring I’m prepared for the tax bill each January is a relief, but the real value lies in what I can do with the rest of the data I have at my fingertips.
Having accurate, up-to-date figures helps me make informed decisions about the future of Little Dog Lodge. Whether it’s knowing how much to reinvest, identifying which services or offerings are most profitable, or understanding when it’s time to adjust my pricing, I have the confidence to plan and grow without guessing.
For example, when I look at my monthly figures, I can see trends in bookings, understand where I might need to boost marketing, and plan for quieter months. By staying on top of these numbers, I’m not just surviving – I’m setting my business up to thrive. It’s like having a clear roadmap that allows me to see where I am and where I need to go next.
Ultimately, knowing your numbers doesn’t just help you avoid nasty surprises from HMRC – it empowers you to grow your business, plan for the future, and make informed decisions every step of the way and it is purely thanks to the PPF team that I understand what is happening in my business.
Mindset
I used to tell myself, I can’t do that or that’s not going to be possible, but after working with the PPF team for just a short time, my confidence began to grow.
“You can do anything, but not everything” has become one of my favourite quotes, and it’s a mindset shift that the PPF team has really instilled in me. With their support, I’ve learned that if I put in the work and surround myself with people who cheer me on and have my back, then I really can achieve whatever I set out to do.
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve had while building Little Dog Lodge is embracing the idea that version one is better than version none. In the past, I’d get stuck thinking everything needed to be perfect before I could launch an idea or take the next step. But working with the PPF team has taught me that progress is more important than perfection.
With their support, I’ve been able to push past that fear of “not being ready” and take action, knowing that each step forward gets me closer to my goals.
What is Pink Pig in Your Pocket?
For the last couple of years, I’ve had Pink Pig in my Pocket, and now you can too!
For many small business owners, having access to expert advice can come with a hefty price tag. In the early days of running a business, it’s often hard to justify the cost of a full accounting package.
Ironically, this is the stage when support is most crucial – getting your finances right from the start can make all the difference.
PPF is passionate about helping business owners at every stage, no matter the size of their business. That’s why we created Pink Pig in Your Pocket, a service designed to give small business owners and side hustlers access to expert accounting and business advice whenever they need it.
Whether you have a quick question about tax, need guidance on setting your pricing, or just want a sounding board for your latest business idea, the PPF team is there – right in your pocket all for only £37 a month (just £1.23 a day)
But that’s not all! You’ll also gain access to a vault of business resources, regular live “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) sessions, masterclasses, and a community of like-minded small business owners who are on the same journey. It’s everything you need to confidently run and grow your business, without the overwhelm.
Ready to Get Pink Pig in Your Pocket?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your business journey with expert support right at your fingertips, sign up for Pink Pig in Your Pocket. You’ll find all the details you need to get started.
Still have questions? No problem! Drop us an email (hello@pinkpigfinancials.co.uk), and we’d love to chat through how this membership can work for you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extra guidance as you grow, we’re here to help.
