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Beyond The Books
A Bookkeeper’s Guide to Building
a Profitable, Meaningful Business
After more than two decades of helping entrepreneurs navigate the financial side of business, Stacey Gardner has gathered the practical lessons, real-world experience, and foundational principles every business owner deserves to know. Beyond the Books is a clear, approachable guide to understanding your numbers, making stronger decisions, and building a business with greater confidence and long-term purpose.
20+
Years Accounting Experience
150+
Businesses Served
Roles
City Treasurer, Controller, CFO, Founder
WHY I WROTE THIS
“Over the past 20+ years, I’ve worked alongside hundreds of small business owners, celebrated incredible wins with them, helped navigate difficult seasons, and watched avoidable mistakes cost people time, money, and confidence.
I wrote this book because I believe every entrepreneur deserves practical guidance before they have to learn these lessons the hard way. Beyond the Books brings together the conversations I’ve had across conference tables, bookkeeping meetings, coaching sessions, and years of working beside business owners every day.
My hope is that this book helps you build not only a profitable business, but one that reflects your values, supports your family, and creates the future you envision.”
- Stacey Gardner
Founder & CEO, Shoebox Bookkeeping Service
A Personal Note from Stacey
“Owning a business isn’t just about making a living; it’s about creating something that reflects your purpose, persistence, and passion.”
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
This Book Is For You If…
You have a great business idea but aren’t quite sure what comes next
You’re already a business owner but still feel like you’re figuring things out as you go
You want to build a strong foundation, covering your business structure, team, and the systems that keep everything running
You want to better understand the financial side of your business without becoming an accountant
You’re learning how to hire, lead, manage your time, and grow into your role as a business owner
You want the right people in your corner, from professionals and mentors to a team you can trust
You want to build a business that supports your goals, protects what you’re creating, and can grow with you for the long haul
Find Your True North, Four Directions at a Time
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Every business needs a compass. These are the four directions Beyond the Books will help you navigate.
Build a Strong Foundation
Business planning
Entity selection
Insurance
Taxes
Building your professional team
Understand Your Numbers
Cash flow
Budgets
Financial reports
Payroll
Owner compensation
Lead and Grow
Hiring
Leadership
Mindset
Technology
Networking
Build a Lasting Legacy
Personal finance
Exit planning
Long-term growth
Creating meaningful impact
“The most successful businesses are built on genuine care. When customers feel seen, heard, and valued, they don’t just buy your product or service; they buy the experience.”
Stacey Gardner, Founder & CEO, Shoebox Bookkeeping Service
MEET THE AUTHOR
Stacey Gardner is the Founder and CEO of Shoebox Bookkeeping Service, serving clients across Utah and beyond. With more than 20 years of accounting experience, she has held roles including City Treasurer, Controller, and CFO.
She is passionate about helping small businesses succeed and believes strong businesses are built through integrity, relationships, and a genuine desire to serve others.
Through both her work and Beyond the Books, Stacey helps business owners gain the clarity, confidence, and financial foundation they need to grow their business and their vision.
20+
Years Accounting Experience
Roles
City Treasurer, Controller, CFO · Serving Utah & Beyond
Early Praise
-
![Five-star rating graphic in teal-colored stars.]()
Stacey Gardner has the chops not only to write this book but to run the financial backbone of any company. I know, because she's been mine.
Reading Beyond the Books felt like reliving the business lessons I learned the hard way: commingled money, missing operating agreements, owners who forget to pay themselves. Stacey saw all of it from the inside, and she lays out how to avoid it in plain English.
If you're in business, or thinking about starting one, read this before you learn these lessons the expensive way.
Joe Kenemore
Serial entrepreneur and author of How to Be a Mailbox Marketing Maverick -
![Five teal-colored stars arranged in a horizontal line.]()
I’ve worked with Stacey for nearly a decade, first while I was part of a corporation where she managed the company’s books as a contracted partner as a fractional CFO, and later as a business owner and Shoebox client myself. Through both experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how her knowledge and experience extend far beyond bookkeeping. She has always poured her perspective as a business owner into the way she guides others, helping them better understand both their numbers and their business. Reading Beyond the Books, it was incredible to see all of that wisdom brought together in one place: years of lessons compiled into a single resource that’s thorough, manageable, and genuinely actionable. Highly recommend!”
Mary Bevins
Founder & CEO, Memora Marketing Shoebox Client -
![Five teal-colored stars in a row.]()
Growing your business is always the goal, and I like that about Stacey and her book. Both her business and her book are here to help, and that means practical advice, useful how-to, things to think about that may push you just a little bit further, and all-around encouragement.
Again, it’s what we need as small business owners. We carry the nation, and having someone to give us a shot in the arm, that goes a long way. I highly recommend Beyond the Books to you and everyone else in your shoes.”
Brian Mast
Small business owner
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Add Beyond the Books
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Paperback
Ships nationwide
Signed copies available, while supplies last
Bulk ordering available for teams, workshops, and events
Whether you’re building your first business or strengthening one you’ve led for years, Beyond the Books offers practical guidance you can return to through every season of growth.
LOVE LEARNING?
Continue the Journey with Shoebox
Shoebox Bookkeeping helps business owners stay organized, understand their numbers, and confidently manage the financial side of their business.
Learn About ShoeboxFrequently Asked Questions
You can order your copy of Beyond the Books directly through this page using the button above.
“Owning a business is more than a career choice; it’s a privilege and, for many, a dream realized.”
MEET THE AUTHOR
Ready to Build Your Business with Greater Confidence?
Start with the lessons, tools, and perspective Stacey has gathered through more than two decades of working alongside business owners.
NEED MORE SUPPORT?
Continue the Journey with Shoebox
Shoebox Bookkeeping helps business owners stay organized, understand their numbers, and confidently manage the financial side of their business. If the book helps you recognize that you need more hands-on support, Stacey and the Shoebox team are ready to meet you where you are.
Beyond the Books
A Bookkeeper's Guide to Building a Profitable, Meaningful Business, by Stacey Gardner.
© 2026 Stacey Gardner / Shoebox Bookkeeping Service. All rights reserved.