Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance Podcast Show Notes
Host: Dallas' Henry Harrison
Guest: Dida Clifton, Founder of TheOfficeSquad

Epidsode: https://henryharrison.com/dida-clifton-theofficesquad/

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance”, Henry Harrison sits down with Dida Clifton, the founder of TheOfficeSquad - a back-office solutions company offering comprehensive bookkeeping, administrative, and operational support. Dida shares her entrepreneurial journey of running a successful business for over 20 years and discusses the unique way TheOfficeSquad provides back-office solutions for entrepreneurs to keep their operations running smoothly.

Key Takeaways:

• TheOfficeSquad’s Approach to Operations: Dida explains how her company offers full-charge bookkeeping and day-to-day operations support, distinguishing it from accounting firms. TheOfficeSquad consolidates essential administrative functions under one roof, providing services like bookkeeping, light accounting, phone answering, and mail handling—all at a cost lower than hiring a full-time employee.

• The Value of Longevity and Building a "Squad": Dida prides herself on fostering long-term client relationships, with many staying for 5-7 years or even longer. The company emphasizes cross-training and having a “wingman” mentality, inspired by her military background, to ensure business continuity and support clients effectively.

• The Road to Franchising: After years of perfecting her business model, Dida is now franchising TheOfficeSquad, offering others the chance to start a business with her proven systems and support. Franchising offers the advantage of learning from her 23 years of experience, allowing franchisees to grow their own squads quickly and efficiently.

• Lessons in Entrepreneurship: Dida shares some hard-earned lessons on growing a business, such as the importance of active participation in networking and the value of listening to experienced mentors. She emphasizes that entrepreneurs must balance confidence with humility and be willing to learn from the right sources.

• Military Background and Business Mindset: Drawing from her experience in the Air Force, Dida created a business culture at TheOfficeSquad centered around loyalty, systems, and backup plans. She highlights how these principles have shaped the company and contributed to its success.

• Balancing Work, Life, and Dreams: Dida talks about how the flexibility of being an entrepreneur has allowed her to spend time with family, travel with her pilot husband, and achieve a work-life balance. Her story underscores the potential for freedom that comes with building a business designed to run independently.

Notable Quotes:

• "Once they become a client, it takes about three months before the light bulb comes on and the systems start working. Then, they stay with us for an average of 5 to 7 years."

• "The ultimate goal for a franchisee is to grow a squad that works without you."

• "TheOfficeSquad is here because someone once told me, 'You can't scale bookkeeping.' And I said, 'Hold my beer. We're going to do that.'"

How to Get in Touch:

• Interested in Franchising?
 Visit https://www.theofficesquad.com/ and click the "Franchise" button in the top right corner. For direct inquiries, email flightclub@theofficesquad.com

• Looking for Office Support? 
Visit https://www.theofficesquad.com/ and click "Contact Us" to speak with their team.