Starting a new business is never simple. For Abbey Vu, becoming a First Class Accounts franchisee was both a leap of faith and an exciting new chapter. Just six months into her journey, Abbey has already grown her client base, built her confidence, and embraced the freedom of business ownership.
From international student to corporate finance professional
Abbey’s career journey began when she moved to Australia as an international student. After completing her studies, she landed her first role as a data and publication officer at Monash University. From there, she worked her way through finance roles, gaining experience in accounts receivable, assistant accountant, and financial accounting.
Her first major corporate opportunity came at AGL, where she progressed from accountant to senior finance analyst. Later, she took on senior accounting roles at a German multinational energy company. On paper, her career was thriving but Abbey wanted more.
Why choose a bookkeeping franchise?
For Abbey, running her own business was about more than just career progression.
“I wanted to do something that my husband and later my son will be proud of me, and something my 80-year-old self will look back on with pride,” she explains.
Owning a business also offered the chance to push herself outside her comfort zone. “I knew there were traits I wanted to develop, things I could not gain by just staying in corporate roles. I believed running a business would help me grow.”
Facing the unknowns
Despite her strong qualifications and career experience, Abbey admits the first steps were daunting.
“The challenges are the unknowns, the uncertainty. Everyone told me I could do this, but I had not done it before. It is like becoming a parent for the first time. You know other people can do it, but when it is your turn you wonder if you will really manage.”
That sense of the unknown motivated Abbey to embrace learning, lean on support, and take things one step at a time.
Unexpected milestones
When asked about proud moments, Abbey reflects on a personal win that came with business ownership.
“Before starting, I was the type of person who if you ask me ‘Do you drive?’, I would say ‘I have a license’. Since running my business, I have been driving everywhere for me, that is a big achievement. I am proud of it because it shows how much I have pushed myself.”
Another milestone came quickly: clients. In just her first six months, Abbey had more work than she expected. “I did not plan to have as many clients as I do now. It is a good problem to have.”
Learning to wear every hat
Like many small business owners, Abbey soon realised that being her own boss meant managing everything.
“As an employee, I just did my job. IT, sales, marketing, they were someone else’s responsibility. Now, it is all on me.”
But she also recognises this as one of the benefits of joining a franchise. “First Class Accounts taught me not only the things I knew I needed, but also the unknown unknowns, things I did not realise I had to know. I like structure and process, and they have been great at providing detailed, step-by-step guidance.”
Support that makes a difference
For Abbey, the support of First Class Accounts has been invaluable.
“Bookkeeping is a different world from corporate finance. There is so much to learn, and I cannot know everything. But the support is always there. I ask one question and they not only give me the answer, they also tell me everything else I need to know around it. That is a huge help.”
She credits the network and community for giving her confidence to serve her clients, even in unfamiliar situations. “I have had clients be so impressed with my help that they gave me generous praise. That would not have been possible without the backing of the network.”
Personal transformation
Six months into her journey, Abbey already feels like a different person.
“My learning curve has been steep. I have become more disciplined, more resilient. At first I was nervous about simple things like sending a contract to a client. Now I cannot believe I struggled with that.”
She adds, “There has not been a single overnight change, but by taking it one day at a time, I have grown into someone more confident. I look back at myself six months ago and see how far I have come.”
Advice for aspiring franchisees
When asked what advice she would give to others, Abbey shares:
“Embrace yourself for the challenge. Take it one day at a time, and push through. You will get there. I wish I had believed more in myself from the start. So many people told me I could do it, but I did not believe them until I experienced it myself.”
Looking ahead
Abbey is already thinking about the next steps for her business.
Her plan is to bring her husband into the business, hire staff, and in five years’ time, buy an office. “First Class Accounts was the best decision. The second best was joining BNI through their recommendation. Those two things have set me up for success.”
Conclusion
Abbey’s story shows that even with uncertainty and steep learning curves, the rewards of running your own business can be life changing. In just a few months, she has gone from nervous beginnings to building a thriving client base and growing in confidence every day.
For anyone considering a bookkeeping franchise, her advice is simple: take the leap, trust the process, and believe in yourself.
