We answer:

1. Should I be an LLC or an S-Corp?
2. When is the right time to start paying myself?
3. What percentage of revenue should go toward salary?
4. When should I hire someone—and when should I contract instead?
5. What’s the best tech stack for a service-based business?

Charles also shares insider tips on accounting platforms, invoicing tools (like Anchor), and why Google Workspace is still underrated. Seth gets real about the opportunity cost of your time and how to think like a founder when it comes to delegation and growth.

Whether you’re freelancing, scaling, or just figuring out what to do next, this episode is packed with unfiltered, practical advice to help you make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and grow with confidence.

📦 Plus: A sneak peek at a new business launch—Postcards from the Parks!

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode of Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris (CPA & founder) and Dr. Seth Jenson (PhD in strategy) unpack the messy middle of entrepreneurship—when your idea isn’t quite working and you’re not sure whether to double down or ditch it.

From Noah Kagan’s taco-to-t-shirt pivot to accountants rebranding themselves as CFOs, this episode is packed with honest, nuanced takes on how to listen to the market without losing your soul.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• What a “pivot” actually means (hint: it’s not just changing your mind)
• The 3 pillars that determine if your business is viable: demand, channels, and margin
• Why chasing easy money often leads to shallow expertise
• The sunk-cost trap: why people stay too long in a dying business model
• How to spot real market signals vs. ego-driven decisions
• Why “following your passion” sometimes isn’t enough—and when it is
• How to test hypotheses like a strategist, not a floundering founder
• The ethics of positioning: should you call yourself a CFO if you’re not one?
• When a micro-pivot (like rebranding your role) makes sense—and when it doesn’t
• The niche goldmine example of a friend who pivoted into audits for lawyers (and crushed it)

This episode will help you clarify if your business needs a bold new direction, a subtle tweak, or just a little more time. Perfect for solo founders, consultants, creatives, and operators navigating the tension between vision and validation.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode of Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris and Dr. Seth Jenson get real about one of the most important (and most avoided) moments in your entrepreneurial journey: getting your first customer.

If you’re stuck in “planning mode,” endlessly building, tweaking, and perfecting your product—but haven’t made your first sale—this episode is the kick in the pants you need.

🎯 You’ll Learn:

• Why getting your first customer is the true moment you become an entrepreneur
• The difference between wantrepreneurs and real founders (and how to cross the line)
• How to find your first 5 clients using your existing social capital
• Why building a product before selling is a recipe for wasted time
• When to use Facebook Marketplace, Meta ads, or just walk into businesses
• The power of hand-to-hand combat (aka: doing what doesn’t scale)
• How to ask better questions and get real customer feedback
• When to discount your early customers—and when it’ll cost you in the long run
• Why your first customers should be obsessed with you
• Organic growth strategies better than throwing money at ads
• How to piggyback off influencers and niche groups—for free

Whether you’re starting a cleaning business or building SaaS, this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice to get your first sale and build momentum—without hype, jargon, or startup theater.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode of the Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, co-hosts Charles Harris and Dr. Seth Jenson debunk the myth of the “mega mentor” and reveal a smarter, more realistic path to growth: building a portfolio of micro-mentors. This isn’t about chasing gurus—it’s about curating your own board of advisors who can help you with real-time, tactical decisions in the trenches of business.

We cover:

• 👎 Why the idea of a “forever mentor” is outdated—and potentially harmful
• 🔍 How to identify and approach the right people with the right questions
• 🛠️ Why a mentor is more like a contractor than a guru
• 🤝 How to build relationships with mini-mentors without feeling awkward
• 💬 Why mastermind groups, DMs, and 15-min Zoom calls are more powerful than you think
• 🧠 How to use social capital to get answers when you don’t even know the right question
• 🚫 Why even Mark Cuban can’t answer all your questions (and why that’s okay)
• 👣 Why your journey to expertise can’t be skipped—and how every “failed” convo is part of the process

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, this conversation will help you reframe how you think about mentorship, connection, and building your business support system.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

You just need something janky that gets the job done.

In this episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris and Dr. Seth Jenson break down the Lean Startup Method—the strategy used by companies like Airbnb to validate their ideas and build real momentum before spending big.

If you’re stuck waiting until everything is “ready,” this episode will get you moving.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• Why “building is fun, but it’s not entrepreneurship”
• What a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) actually is—and why it’s NOT just for software
• How to avoid building a product that only you want
• Why it’s better to get paid for a janky product than to perfect one no one buys
• The “Build → Measure → Learn” loop, explained with real examples
• How to launch a plumbing business (or any service biz) using the lean method
• The power of testing with Google Forms, PDFs, and fake workflows
• Why your customers don’t always know what they want—and what to do about it
• How Charles upgraded his accounting firm by listening to feedback (and ignoring some of it)
• The difference between feedback-driven and vision-driven entrepreneurship
• How to make small bets and iterate toward product-market fit

Whether you’re starting a side hustle, tech product, or service business, this is your permission to build ugly, learn fast, and start now.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Because the difference between winging it and planning it could mean $30,000 in unexpected taxes (true story from this episode).

In this solo episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris (CPA and small business owner) walks you through the exact playbook he uses with his clients to reduce tax bills, avoid nasty surprises, and make smart, long-term moves before year-end.

If you’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or small business owner, this episode will help you stop procrastinating and start preparing.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• What “tax planning season” really means—and why now is the time
• The actual process Charles uses with clients to estimate tax bills
• Why waiting until April is too late to do anything useful
• The #1 mistake people make with S-Corp elections (and how to avoid it)
• Why “go buy a truck” isn’t a smart tax strategy
• The real cost of being an S-Corp (hint: it’s not just taxes)
• The difference between saving money and spending money
• The best long-term way to reduce your tax bill (spoiler: retirement accounts)
• Why accurate bookkeeping NOW could save you thousands later
• How to use your tax rate as a “discount rate” when making business purchases
• Why peace of mind is the best return on investment you’ll get from tax planning

Whether you owe $3K or $30K, this episode will help you take control of your business finances—so you can walk into tax season with clarity and confidence.

Now the question is—who do you need to build it?

In this episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneur, hosts Charles Harris (CPA, firm owner) and Dr. Seth Jenson (business strategist) dive into one of the most high-stakes decisions every founder must face:

👉 Should you go solo? Bring on a co-founder? Hire employees? Or just outsource?

This conversation is your blueprint for building your startup team the right way—without wasting time, money, or equity.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• Why your first few team decisions shape the future of your business
• When to hire vs. outsource vs. figure it out yourself
• The “value multiplicative” test for bringing on a co-founder
• Why many startup partnerships fail (and how to avoid that fate)
• How to avoid giving away expensive equity when a simple contractor will do
• The real cost of your first hire (it’s not just salary!)
• How to future-proof your business by building around your bottlenecks
• When to trust your long-term vision—and when to just listen to your business

Whether you’re in the Zero to One phase or scaling up your firm, this episode offers practical frameworks and personal stories to help you build smart from the ground up.

But can it actually make money?

In this episode of the Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, Charles Harris (CPA, business owner) and Dr. Seth Jenson (PhD in business strategy) walk you through how to size your market—and how to think about scale, opportunity, and profitability in a practical, non-fluffy way.

They use a real example: a high school student who wants to launch a floral wreath and porch-decorating subscription business. What starts as a “cute” local idea turns into a potentially $24 billion market—and you’ll hear the logic behind every step.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• What “Total Addressable Market” (TAM) actually means—and how to find yours
• The difference between TAM, SAM, and SOM (yes, these matter)
• How to market-size local service businesses with free tools
• Why market size matters less than you think
• How small numbers can still build a big business
• The overlooked power of niche domination
• Real examples from law firms, music schools, and high-end porch decorators
• How to back-calculate revenue goals based on client count
• Why 40 clients could be all you ever need

Whether you’re planning a tech startup or a seasonal service hustle, this episode gives you the clarity you need to evaluate your idea like a strategist—and start building with confidence.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode of the Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, Charles Harris (CPA and founder) and Dr. Seth Jenson (PhD in business strategy) dive into one of the most critical phases in the entrepreneurial journey: validation.

Whether you’re starting a new business, launching a product, or entering a new market, you must prove your idea works before you invest big time or money. And no—your gut isn’t enough.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• What validation really means (and what it’s not)
• The two biggest risks every founder must test: demand and channels
• How to identify and break down your value proposition assumptions
• Why being scientific (not emotional) about your idea leads to revenue
• Real-world examples of testing assumptions with free tools like ChatGPT
• How to use AI to research trends, competition, and market size
• What Airbnb, Kickstarter, and farmers markets have in common
• The role of MVPs—and when to go pro vs. scrappy
• Why a “soft launch” is often smarter than a grand opening

This episode gives you a concrete, step-by-step framework to test whether people want what you’re selling—and whether you can reach them consistently. You’ll walk away with the tools to become an expert in your customer, your product, and your market before you build anything big.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

If you’ve ever felt confused, scared, or stuck about taking money out of your business, this Actionable Insights episode is for you. CPA and entrepreneur Charles Harris breaks down how to think about distributions, taxes, revenue vs. profit, and what your bank balance actually means — so you don’t starve yourself or screw up your cash flow.

Joined by Dr. Seth Jenson, Charles gives tactical, no-fluff advice for founders trying to build financially sound businesses — and actually get paid.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• The difference between revenue and profit (and why it matters)
• How to know when you can start paying yourself
• The difference between a salary and a distribution
• How much to set aside for taxes (hint: 20–30%)
• When to open a business bank account
• How to avoid cash flow panic
• The value of consistent, responsible pay
• Why you can’t wait until April to think about taxes

Whether you’re just making your first few sales or are sitting on $200K and still not sure if you can take a paycheck—this episode will give you clarity, peace of mind, and a real plan.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

This is the first episode of our Zero to One series—designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to know the very first steps of getting started in business.

In this episode of the Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, Charles Harris (CPA and firm founder) and Dr. Seth Jenson (PhD in business strategy) help you answer the essential question every founder must face: Is your business idea even worth pursuing?

We talk about:

• 🔍 Where good business ideas actually come from
• ⚠️ Why the “thinking stage” is a trap—and how to move beyond it
• 💡 How to identify real problems that people are willing to pay for
• 🧪 The $100 test: How to validate a business idea fast
• 🧱 The “X unlocks Y value for Z customers” framework
• 🚫 Why you don’t need an LLC before you need your first customer
• 📈 Why saturation is not the problem you think it is
• 🤖 How to use ChatGPT as your free business idea coach

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to actually get started on a business that works—this is the episode for you.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this solo episode, CPA and founder Charles Harris takes the mystery (and fear) out of estimated quarterly tax payments. Whether you’re a first-time founder, a solo consultant, or scaling your service-based business, Charles explains the most common tax pitfalls, why the IRS probably isn’t coming after you, and how to plan for tax season with confidence.

You’ll learn:

✅ What “safe harbor” really means

✅ The 110% rule for avoiding penalties

✅ Why quarterly estimates matter (and when they’re due)

✅ The truth about SEP IRAs, cost segregation, and TikTok tax myths

✅ How to use a simple 20–30% savings rule for peace of mind

This isn’t a dry tax lecture — it’s real talk for real entrepreneurs who don’t want surprises come April 15.

Key topics:

• Estimated tax payments
• Safe harbor IRS rules
• SEP IRA and solo 401k deductions
• Entrepreneur tax planning
• Self-employment tax basics
• Tax strategies for small business owners
• How to avoid IRS penalties
• Quarterly tax estimate deadlines
• Business tax deductions
• Deferring taxes vs. avoiding taxes

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Brittain unpacks his journey—from falling through deals and learning the ropes in a high-volume shop, to building a business with heart, humor, and humility. He talks about partnership dynamics, financing, team culture, making bold industry jumps, and what surprised him most as a first-time business owner.

This is a must-listen if you’re:

• Tired of corporate America
• Considering buying a small business
• Exploring ETA (entrepreneurship through acquisition)
• Looking for real advice on risk, funding, and leadership
• Curious about blue-collar business opportunities
• Key Topics:

✔️ What it’s really like to buy your first business

✔️ ETA vs. starting from scratch

✔️ The power of partnerships and mentors

✔️ Getting over analysis paralysis

✔️ Why auto repair is underrated

✔️ Leadership, identity, and doing work that matters

This is not the Instagram version of entrepreneurship. This is the real stuff — the Unsexy stuff. And it’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Tracy shares what most first-time founders get wrong, why hustle is a trap, and how building systems is the only path to true business freedom. Whether you’re starting from scratch or acquiring a small business, this episode will reshape how you think about growth, freedom, and ownership.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• Why many “entrepreneurs” are just self-employed (and stuck)
• How to build systems that scale instead of jobs that burn you out
• What leverage actually looks like in a small business
• The difference between doing the work and owning the process
• How Tracy helps entrepreneurs escape the corporate mindset trap

💬 Ideal for Listeners Searching:

• Entrepreneurship mindset
• How to build a business, not a job
• Small business systems
• How to scale without burnout
• Millennial entrepreneurship
• Business leverage
• From corporate to entrepreneur
• Women entrepreneurs in business
• Smart business ownership

👉 Subscribe and leave a review — we read every one.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

There’s a faster, more proven way: entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). In this episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris CPA and Dr. Seth Jenson introduce the powerful path of buying an existing business instead of building one from scratch.

🚀 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What entrepreneurship through acquisition actually is
• Why buying a business can be smarter (and less risky) than starting one
• The key things to look for in a small business before you buy
• What makes a business worth acquiring (and what to avoid)
• How your accounting, sales, or operations skills could make you a great fit for ETA
• How ETA puts you on the fast-track to financial freedom

💬 Charles and Seth also share:

• Common myths and misconceptions about business acquisition
• Real-life examples of people who skipped the startup hustle by buying a profitable business
• Why this path is especially powerful for millennials tired of corporate life

Whether you’re a frustrated professional dreaming of freedom, or a side-hustler looking to make your move—this episode will open your eyes to a less-hyped but highly strategic path to ownership.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

You need a competitive advantage—something that makes your business hard to copy and worth choosing.

In this episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneur, Charles Harris (CPA & business owner) and Dr. Seth Jenson (PhD in strategy) break down the 4 types of sustainable competitive advantage, or “moats,” that keep your business ahead of the competition—even if you’re small, bootstrapped, or just starting out.

🔍 What you’ll learn:

• Why most businesses think they have an advantage (but don’t)
• The 4 types of real competitive advantage:

1. Brand Loyalty
2. Intellectual Property
3. Network Effects
4. Operational Excellence

• The power of beliefs and founder worldview as a hidden edge
• What a donut shop, calligraphy class, and mattress company each us about standing out
• Why differentiation isn’t just marketing—it’s survival

💡 Whether you’re launching a startup, buying a small business, or trying to grow past a plateau, this episode will help you build strategic clarity so you don’t waste time on things that don’t move the needle.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode of The Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, Charles and Seth tear down the one-dimensional image of an entrepreneur and reveal the 3 identities that every real founder must embody:

• The Scientific Problem Solver — You’re not here to guess. You’re here to run experiments, gather data, and fix the right problems at the right time.
• The Relentless Expert — You’re not just selling a product—you’re mastering an industry. Your depth of knowledge becomes your moat.
• The Strategic De-Risker — You don’t “jump off cliffs.” You build bridges. You test. You pre-sell. You stay lean.

Whether you’re starting your first side hustle or pivoting into entrepreneurship from a drained corporate job, this episode gives you a repeatable framework to:

• Start small without feeling like you’re playing small
• Build credibility without burning cash
• Iterate, test, and evolve your business like a scientist
• Avoid common legal, marketing, and product mistakes by staying nimble

⚠️ Don’t fall for hustle culture hype. If you want long-term freedom, this is how you build it—one smart move at a time.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this deep dive of The Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast, Charles and Seth unpack the misunderstood power of social capital—aka, the network currency that can unlock your next 5 clients for free. If you’re a millennial entrepreneur tired of feeling behind because you can’t afford a marketing agency or fancy tools, this is your wake-up call.

You’ll learn:

• Why “luck” isn’t real—and what’s actually happening behind those so-called lucky breaks
• How to leverage your inner and outer networks without sounding desperate
• A dead-simple strategy to grow your client list using nothing but your phone contacts
• What BNI and Chamber of Commerce groups get right (and wrong)
• How to build trust with your network without pitching or schmoozing
• Why being honest about your journey (even when you’re not “there yet”) builds credibility faster than pretending

Whether you’re an introvert who dreads “networking events” or someone who thinks their network is too small to matter, this episode gives you the mental shift and practical tactics to grow your business using what you already have.

🚀 Let’s make magic (pixie dust included).

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Join hosts Charles Harris (CPA turned founder) and Dr. Seth Jensen as they unpack why goal-setting is the make-or-break skill every new entrepreneur needs, especially if you’re transitioning from a job to your own gig.

You’ll learn:

• The real reason why most goal-setting advice doesn’t work
• How to align your goals with your actual motivation (money, freedom, or family—it all matters)
• Why you probably aren’t ambitious enough (and why that’s okay… for now)
• The mindset shifts you need to stop playing small and start planning smart

This episode is for people who are done pretending the startup life is glamorous and are ready to put in the right kind of work.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In Part 2, they dive deep into:

• Advantage: How to stand out from competitors and create real differentiation—even in “boring” industries.
• Indispensability: How to solve a “shark bite” problem so customers can’t live without your product or service.
• Clean Closet: The unsexy legal, financial, and ownership issues that silently kill businesses—and how to clean them up early.

Whether you’re starting from scratch, buying your first small business, or scaling what you already have, this episode will help you make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and build something you can be proud of (and maybe even sell one day).

👉 Like what you hear? Subscribe, leave a review.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

From understanding how to price for profit, to identifying the kind of customers who will become your superfans, to building systems that let your business scale without chaos—this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice for new and aspiring entrepreneurs.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• The MOSAIC framework for the essential business health check
• Why healthy profit margins are more critical than revenue
• How to find (and keep) obsessed customers that drive growth
• Why systems and repeatable channels are the key to a stress-free business
• What most people miss when hiring employees or acquiring an existing company
• How AI and automation are changing operations (and what to do about it)

Whether you’re planning a startup, considering entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), or already in the trenches, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to build a business that lasts.

📬 Got a question? Reach out at podcast@charriscpa.com

👍 If you find this helpful, please subscribe, rate the show, and leave a review. We read every single one.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

In this episode, Charles (a CPA who left corporate America to launch his own firm) and Seth (an Oxford PhD in business strategy who’s helped thousands start companies) break down the real traits, skills, and mindsets it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur—no fluff, no hype, no hustle culture.

You’ll learn:

• What age group really succeeds in entrepreneurship (it’s not who you think)
• The 3 key ingredients that matter more than personality
• How to shortcut expertise and still deliver real value
• What financial slack means—and how to calculate your personal runway
• Why you don’t need to be extroverted, high-energy, or a sales ninja to succeed
• What kind of goals actually lead to the lifestyle you want

Whether you’re a millennial figuring out your next move or a mid-career professional eyeing freedom, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to take your next step.

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and review if you’re ready to build freedom—without the BS.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Sick of corporate? Thinking about starting or buying a business—but don’t want the hype, the hustle porn, or the BS?

In this kickoff episode, hosts Charles Harris, a CPA who left the big firms to launch his own thriving accounting practice, and Dr. Seth Jenson, a PhD in strategy who’s helped thousands of young entrepreneurs, introduce The Unsexy Entrepreneurship Podcast—your new go-to resource for real, raw, actionable business advice.

They share their own journeys from burnout to business ownership and break down what actually matters in those early startup stages. No sugar-coating. No unicorn fantasies. Just battle-tested insight on:

• How to know if a business is worth buying
• What it’s really like after you quit your 9-to-5
• Why anyone can become an entrepreneur—if you get the basics right

If you’re a millennial ready to build freedom on your terms, subscribe now. This is the podcast you’ve been looking for.

👉 Follow + review to help us reach more future founders like you.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.