Building with Intention – Brittany Brown on Courage, Clarity, and Evolving as a Leader

In episode 132 of The Woodard Report Podcast, Heather Satterley speaks with Brittany Brown, CPA, founder and CEO of LedgerGurus—and keynote speaker at Scaling New Heights 2025, about what it really means to lead with purpose—and how to grow a business that honors your values, vision, and humanity.

From Big 4 to building a firm with heart

Brittany’s accounting career began on the traditional corporate track—but she soon realized that her ambitions for life as a mother and businesswoman didn’t align with that trajectory. “I had a wonderful career path,” she says. “But I was on this climb that wasn’t what I wanted.”

So, in the midst of the 2008 recession and with young children at home, Brittany launched LedgerGurus. What started as a solo venture evolved into a remote-first accounting firm serving ecommerce clients nationwide.

Leading through growth and transformation

As LedgerGurus scaled, Brittany faced a new kind of challenge: how to lead authentically while navigating the complex demands of a growing firm.

“There came a point where I needed to lead differently,” she explains. “I had to decide what kind of leader I wanted to be, and what kind of company we were building.”

That realization sparked a cultural transformation within the firm—one that prioritized vulnerability, empowerment, and continuous personal growth. Rather than stepping aside, Brittany leaned in.

Shifting your mindset as an entrepreneur

Brittany challenges the hustle-at-all-costs mindset that often pervades the profession. “It’s easy to define success as growth for growth’s sake,” she says. “But at some point, you have to ask: What am I building? And why?”

Her advice to firm owners: Take time to clarify your vision—not just for your business, but for your life. “The business should serve you,” she says. “Not the other way around.”

Why identity work matters

Too often, accountants and firm leaders tie their worth to productivity, people-pleasing, or external validation. Brittany’s journey includes actively shedding those habits and helping others do the same.

“We get to rewrite those scripts,” she shares. “We get to show up differently.”

By embracing courage, curiosity, and clarity, she believes firm owners can lead with greater authenticity and impact.

Final thoughts: you already have permission

Above all, Brittany wants listeners to know that they don’t need to wait for a title, a trend, or someone else’s approval.

“You already have the permission,” she says. “You get to choose yourself. And you get to build the thing that only you can build.”

Listen to the full episode and subscribe to The Woodard Report Podcast

🎧 Listen to the full episode at woodard.com/podcast.

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This article was generated by AI and reviewed and edited by a human.