After the First Million

This is your destination for feeling empowered in building your business. These are the real, raw stories of entrepreneurs and business owners who have built their businesses through the messy middle of $1-20 Million, hosted by serial entrepreneur Matt Tait.Matt knows what it’s like to scale past the first million, and on this show he’ll be bringing on other serial entrepreneurs and business owners who have been there, done that (or, are currently in it) to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what’s next.

After the First Million is a business podcast hosted by Matt Tait, with 37 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Matt Tait hosts After the First Million, a business show with 37 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #37

  Scaling an Accounting Firm with AI and Advisory Services with Dan Gertrudes

  Sep 4, 202552 minS0

  <p>Scaling a firm requires more than technical expertise. It calls for clear systems, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt as the market changes.</p><p>Dan Gertrudes, CEO of GrowthLab, has spent the last decade shaping an outsourced finance and accounting firm that emphasizes strategy alongside service. From acquiring a traditional bookkeeping practice to building an advisory-driven model, he has focused on standardization, innovation, and the future role of AI in the industry. </p><p>Dan shares how to move from bookkeeping into advisory, why standardization fuels growth, and what AI means for the economics of running a f...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #36

  Building a Sellable Accounting Firm with Justine Lackey

  Aug 21, 202548 minS0

  <p>Running a firm takes more than just bringing clients in. It requires delivering consistent value and putting strong structures in place to support sustainable growth.</p><p>Justine Lackey, Bookkeeping Business Coach and founder of The Incubator, has spent her career helping firm owners think bigger. After scaling and selling her own firm, she turned her focus to equipping others with the systems, skills, and mindset to do the same. Her approach blends practical processes with the human side of running a business, from retaining clients to fostering a strong team culture.In this episode, Justine shares how to...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #35

  How to grow your firm faster with franchising

  Aug 11, 202547 minS0

  <p>Running a firm is one thing. Building a business that scales is another.</p><p>Matt Tait, founder and CEO of Decimal, knows how overwhelming the growth stage can be. He’s developed a clear-eyed perspective on what holds people back and what to do instead. Recently, Decimal announced a bold move into franchising, giving other entrepreneurs access to the systems, structure, and support that have powered their own success.</p><p><br>In this episode, Matt answers the questions he hears most often from accountants and firm owners. He lists down what the Decimal franchise model includes, who it...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #34

  Why AI-native accounting is the future with Sasha Orloff

  Jul 17, 20251 hourS0

  <p>Accounting is no longer just about balancing books. It’s about delivering insight, enabling smarter decisions, and driving the strategic direction of a business.</p><p>Sasha Orloff, CEO and Co-Founder of Puzzle, believes the future of accounting is AI-native. With years of experience in fintech and scaling financial operations, Sasha recognized the opportunity to transform accounting—not by sidelining professionals, but by empowering them. Puzzle was built on the idea that AI should be integrated into the foundation of bookkeeping, enhancing accuracy, increasing efficiency, and elevating the role of accountants into trusted advisors.</p><p>In this episode, Sash...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #33

  How grow your firm through specialization with Joel Hughes

  Jun 4, 202550 minS0

  <p>Building a business involves making wise choices, focusing on what matters most, and driving long-term value.</p><p>Joel Hughes, CEO of Rightworks, has guided his company from a niche QuickBooks hosting service to a comprehensive platform for accounting professionals. With a background in engineering and years of startup experience, Joel shifted to the accounting space, bringing a fresh perspective on technology adoption and customer-centric solutions.</p><p>In this episode, Joel shares the story of Rightworks’ evolution and the importance of staying focused on a single vertical. He explains how building a strong team and creating a shared vi...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on After the First Million. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.