“Building something from the ground up gave me the freedom and flexibility I needed for my family.”
Philippa Rickards of My Bookkeeping Buddy, has built a thriving business that not only supports small business owners but also gives her the freedom to be the kind of mum and grandmother she wants to be. With over 25 years of experience in business management, bookkeeping, and mentoring, Philippa has a unique understanding of what it takes to help small businesses navigate financial challenges with clarity and confidence.
Philippa’s journey into entrepreneurship began when she was working temp jobs while raising her young children. The experience from these roles gave her the confidence that she had something valuable to offer — and rather than having someone else profit from it, she “decided to take control and build something for myself and my family. That was the spark that led me to start my business.”
“I wanted to be present for my children – to be there for the important moments and not constantly torn between work and family life.” This decision turned out to be one of the best Philippa has ever made. Today, My Bookkeeping Buddy helps small and micro businesses by providing tailored bookkeeping, payroll, business advisory, and compliance services, ensuring that clients feel confident, clear, and in control of their finances.
For Philippa, the most rewarding part of running her own business is the freedom it gives her to serve her clients and maintain a flexible lifestyle. She says, “What I enjoy most is the freedom and flexibility it gives me – not just in how I manage my time, but also in how I serve my clients and run my business in line with my values.” Philippa thrives on creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients who often feel stressed or overwhelmed about their finances can get the clarity they need to reduce their stress and regain control over their time.
She is passionate about empowering business owners to feel more confident about their numbers. “There is always enough money – you just need to create a plan, budget wisely, and work with where you’re at right now,” Philippa says. She believes that clarity and good bookkeeping make all the difference in making informed financial decisions that allow businesses to thrive.
As a member of the HerBusiness Network, Philippa is working on monetising an extensive template library she has developed over the years. “One of my goals is to package these resources and create a new income stream – something that adds value to others while also leveraging the work I’ve already done,” she says. She’s also exploring ways to scale her business through an online training portal to reach more small business owners, without always trading time for money.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
It’s a toss-up for me between Steve Jobs and Janine Allis – both for very different but equally inspiring reasons.
Steve Jobs stands out for his incredible innovation and vision. He had a remarkable ability to anticipate what the world would need before anyone else could see it – and then bring those ideas to life in ways that completely changed how we live and work. His resilience through setbacks and his relentless focus on design, user experience, and simplicity are things I really admire.
On the other hand, Janine Allis inspires me with her grounded and relatable journey. She started Boost Juice from her kitchen, juggling business and family life, and turned it into an iconic Australian brand. I love that she built something so successful while staying connected to her values – showing that you don’t need to follow a traditional path to achieve incredible things.
Both have shown that with passion, grit, and a clear vision, you can shape an idea into something extraordinary.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
At the time, I had very young children and I wanted to be present for them – to be there for the important moments and not constantly torn between work and family life. I was doing temp work, and I kept having my assignments changed – in my view, because the agency could place me somewhere else for better money based on my skills.
That experience actually gave me a huge boost in confidence. It reinforced that I had something valuable to offer – and rather than having someone else profit from it, I decided to take control and build something for myself and my family. That was the spark that led me to start my business.
I hoped it would not only allow me to earn a decent income but also give me the flexibility and freedom I needed to be the kind of mum I wanted to be. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
What I enjoy most is the freedom and flexibility it gives me – not just in how I manage my time, but also in how I serve my clients and run my business in line with my values. I love being able to create a supportive, non-judgemental space for clients who often feel stressed, overwhelmed, or unsure about their finances.
There’s a real sense of fulfilment in helping clients get back their time so they can focus on what they enjoy – whether that’s growing their business, spending time with family, or simply having a breather. Knowing I’ve helped reduce their stress and helped them sleep better at night is incredibly rewarding.
It’s also empowering to have built something from the ground up – to know that my skills and experience are making a genuine difference, while also allowing me to shape a lifestyle that works for me and my family.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- There is always enough money – you just need to create a plan, budget wisely, and work with where you’re at right now. It’s not about having loads of money; it’s about making confident, informed decisions with what you have. That’s where clarity and good bookkeeping make all the difference.
- Put yourself first and set strong boundaries – It’s easy to put yourself last when you’re running a business, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Whether it’s your time, energy, or headspace – protecting it is essential. Setting clear boundaries helps you show up as your best self, for your clients and your family
- Dream Big – Don’t be afraid to set bold goals or imagine a life and business that truly lights you up. You don’t have to have it all figured out from day one – just start where you are, back yourself, and take the next right step. With consistency, support, and belief, big dreams become achievable.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Start with a clear purpose – know why you want to be in business, because that will guide you when things get tough (and they will). Back yourself, even if you don’t have all the answers yet – confidence grows with action.
Be prepared to learn as you go, and don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin. Progress beats perfection every time. Surround yourself with good people – a support network, mentors, and other business owners who understand the journey makes a world of difference.
And most importantly, set boundaries early and take care of yourself. Burnout doesn’t serve you or your business. Build something that works for your life, not someone else’s version of success.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Understanding your numbers is absolutely essential – not just bookkeeping, but the bigger picture of cash flow, budgeting, and financial reporting. You don’t need to become an accountant, but you do need to know what the numbers are telling you so you can make smart decisions and stay in control.
Time management and setting boundaries are also key. It’s easy to get caught up working in the business and forget to work on it. Learning how to prioritise, delegate, and protect your time will keep you focused and help prevent burnout.
And finally – get a mentor. Having someone who’s been there before, who can guide you, challenge you, and cheer you on, is invaluable. A good mentor can help you avoid common mistakes, fast-track your learning, and stay aligned with your bigger vision.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business is one where I’m leading a small, capable team who genuinely care about our clients and love what they do. We’d have streamlined systems in place, everyone would be working in their zone of genius, and I’d be focusing on strategy, client relationships, and mentoring – the parts of the business that really light me up.
We’d be supporting a wonderful community of small and micro business owners – people who feel overwhelmed or uncertain about their numbers, and who we help feel confident, clear, and in control. Our clients would see us as trusted partners, not just bookkeepers – and we’d be making a real difference in their business and life.
And personally, I’d have the freedom and flexibility to enjoy more time with family, travel a little more, and continue growing both personally and professionally. That balance – helping others while living a life I love – is what an ideal business looks like to me.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
One of my goals is to monetise the extensive template library I’ve developed over the years. I’m hoping to be able to package these resources and create a new income stream – something that adds value to others while also leveraging the work I’ve already done.
I’m also trying to set up an online training portal to support business owners in a more scalable way, so I can reach more people without always trading time for money.
I have no experience in either of these areas and am hoping that via the HerBusiness Network I can get ideas, support and advice on the best way to do this.
Learn more about Philippa and My Bookkeeping Buddy.
