Entrepreneur, author, product creator, and trainer… Lisa Newton has a rich track record, one that is defined by the spirit of enterprise coupled with a passion for accounting and people. In founding her own bookkeeping company Boogles in 2004, she committed to helping small and micro-businesses, CIC’s and charities keep their accounts in order or, in Lisa’s own words to, “take the fear out of finance”.
What motivated you to come to Bayes and study the MSc Investment Management?
“Before joining Bayes Business School, I had obtained a first-class honours degree in Accounting and Marketing at Middlesex University. My interest in finance and entrepreneurship was inspired by Robert Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad Poor Dad, which emphasises the importance of becoming a business owner and/or investor rather than relying solely on traditional employment.
“I chose the MSc Investment Management because I wanted to deepen my understanding of investments and business strategy. Prior to Middlesex, I had completed A-levels, The CIM Certificate in Marketing and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, all of which gave me a strong foundation in Accounting and Marketing — two essential skills for any entrepreneur.”
How would you define your student days at Bayes?
“Extremely challenging and rewarding. The programme was rigorous, covering complex topics such as derivatives, econometrics and portfolio analysis. My dissertation focused on behavioural finance and how people perceive money, a subject that continues to fascinate me. If I hadn’t pursued investment management, I would likely have studied the intersection of Finance and Psychology.
“Studying at Bayes was a transformative experience. Until then, my academic journey — GCSEs, A-levels, CIM and AAT qualifications, and a first-class degree — had been demanding but manageable. Bayes was different. The complexity and pace were on another level. For the first time, I found myself struggling to keep up, particularly with the mathematical aspects, as I hadn’t studied A-level Maths. It was humbling and taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the value of collaboration — I often relied on peers and even a helpful overnight security guard in the building where I was living for support! He was a whizz with numbers who was a great maths tutor and working with me helped keep him awake!”
How did your business venture journey begin?
“After graduating in 2004, while many of my peers entered investment banking, I was determined to start my own business. I noticed that many people had a fear of numbers and financial jargon, so I launched a bookkeeping service aimed at simplifying finance and complex data and removing that fear. With an initial investment of £150, I registered my first limited company and began building a business that focused on clear communication and practical support.
“Some clients wouldn’t even like opening their bank statements. They’d leave them on the desk, waiting for me! Initially, I’d wanted to be an accountant, but I realised there was a massive gap in the market for bookkeeping. On-site help to get tasks done – that was the overlooked niche area. Accountants would say that they offered bookkeeping … but they really didn’t. Not like us, anyway.”
How have you realised your entrepreneurial dream since the early days?
“My academic background in investment management at Bayes shaped my approach. I wanted to understand investments deeply, which influenced my decision to pursue that programme. Over time, I ensured every business I launched incorporated an investment element, even if it was as simple as index funds.
“This strategy helped build a financial base for diversification. While continuing to run my book-keeping firm, I expanded into book publishing to share my experiences and later into property investment. However, the journey was far from smooth — challenges included staff misconduct, client disputes, and legal battles. These experiences inspired me to write How to Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business and Be Successful, which I plan to update with new lessons learned. I also wrote Make the Most of Your Money, having seen how people spend both in their business and personally. How you do anything is how you do everything. So if a client didn’t want to face their business accounts and would rather bury their head in the sand, their personal affairs were usually the same.
“My first client came through a simple advert on a notice board at the Mary Ward Centre in Holborn. That opportunity turned into a five-year engagement with a property millionaire, earning £200 per day—a significant rate in 2004. From there, the business grew steadily, driven by persistence and adaptability. And a lot of late nights!”
What advice would you give those considering an entrepreneurial route?
“When starting out, I dedicated one day a week to client work and spent the rest of my time building the business. As the business grew, I took on more and more clients personally. In hindsight, my biggest mistake was staying hands-on with clients for too long. I should have stepped back earlier and hired staff to allow me to focus on growth. Initially, many entrepreneurs operate as self-employed individuals, but as demand increases, you must either turn work away or hire employees, which brings its own challenges.
“So, in short, avoid trying to do everything yourself. Think about scalability from the start. Understand your clients’ needs, but don’t let that keep you from delegating and developing systems. Employment brings complexities, but it’s essential for sustainable growth.
“Business ownership also comes with unexpected situations, such as competitors copying your marketing or clients not paying you. These experiences taught me mental toughness and the importance of clear contracts and strong processes. Ultimately, success requires flexibility – being able to pivot, strategic thinking, and the willingness to transition from “doing the work” to “building the business.” You have to recruit good people on your team and delegate to them. If you think that nobody can do it better than you (and maybe they can’t), your job is to find those who can, find someone who can find those who can, or find people with the right attitude, and train them. And get them on your team! If you want your business to grow and function without your presence, it’s teams and systems all the way.”
How did your time at Bayes prepare you for the business world?
“Beyond the academic side of things, the experience developed the versatility I would need in business. As an entrepreneur, you must wear many hats: IT specialist, marketer, people manager, debt collector, and strategist. If you can’t, you need a team that can, or risk becoming the bottleneck in your own operation. Find people who have the skills that you don’t.
“Technology has changed the game. Tools like AI and platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram make tasks easier but also increase global competition. When I started in 2004, these resources didn’t exist. Today, I’d draft contracts with AI rather than spend thousands on legal documents that may not hold up in court.
“Another critical lesson – scalability matters. A business built solely around you will limit growth and lead to burnout. I learned this after years of hands-on client work. To create sustainability, I developed passive income streams—publishing books and creating over 100 online courses on accounting software and business tools. This not only diversified revenue but also freed me from the constant demands of service delivery.”
What are you working on at the moment?
“Right now, I’m developing a new YouTube channel called Freedom in Finances, designed primarily for women aged 25 and over who want to better understand how money works. Many people feel their finances aren’t where they’d like them to be, yet they’ve never had any formal financial education. I’ve been studying and working with money since I was 16, when I began doing the AAT at college, and I’ve realised just how many people reach adulthood without ever taking an accounting class or learning the basics of managing their money.
“There’s a lot of talk about “financial freedom,” especially as more people consider leaving the UK in search of a better financial life. I want to demystify the topic and make personal finance accessible – helping individuals (not just businesses) understand why their current situation looks the way it does, and the practical steps they can take to improve it.
“This channel is something I’ve wanted to create for a long time, and because I genuinely enjoy teaching about money, I’m excited to finally build it out. The YouTube page is already set up, and I’ll be sharing content there on how to align your financial goals with your life goals and build money habits that actually stick: https://www.youtube.com/@freedominfinances.”
You have joined the Bayes Alumni Community of Entrepreneurs (BACE). What do you hope to get out of it?
“Networking is invaluable—not just for sales, but for sharing ideas, forming partnerships, and finding genuine support. Connecting with people who are also going through similar experiences is invaluable, to compare notes or swap insights on how you’re all facing your respective challenges. One of the best things I’ve ever done was to be in a mastermind group where we met regularly to support each other. Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and so networking with like-minded individuals provides both practical insights and emotional support.
“Many of my closest friends today are fellow business owners – because only they truly understand the daily pressures we face. There’s no 9-to-5 safety net for us – we eat what we kill! We get paid after staff, suppliers, and everyone else, and if we’re not profitable, then we don’t survive! That’s why surrounding yourself with others in the same boat is so important. I’m looking forward to doing all this and more via BACE!”
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Useful links
Boogles:
Official website web: http://www.FindMeABookkeeper.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooglesHQ
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/booglesb
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bookkeepers_uk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boogles.bookkeeper
Lisa Newton:
Official website: http://www.lisanewton.co.uk
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/boogles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisanewtonuk
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mslisanewton
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/booglesb