Episode Details

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kimberly Tara about navigating career pivots, entrepreneurship, and the realities of balancing family life with professional ambition. Kimberly Tara is based in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina. Kimberly shares her journey from aspiring chemical engineer to CPA firm owner. Listeners will gain insight into the pressures of high achievement, handling burnout, the challenges of growing a business while raising four young kids, and the confidence required to own both your finances and your dreams.

About Kimberly Tara:

Kimberly Tara is a CPA, Certified Tax Coach, author, podcast host and founder of The Tara CPA firm and TaxMove. She's also a wife and mom to four amazing kiddos all born in 5 and a half years (no twins!). She's on a mission to help profitable business owners have access to reliable tax strategy, so they can actually use their business to pay less taxes instead of more. Kimberly believes that the definition of success isn't about more money, it's about making the most of what you have on your terms.

Main Topics Covered:

• Pivoting from chemical engineering to accounting mid-college: decision-making and overcoming feelings of failure.
• The realities of financial planning and debt after changing majors.
• Choosing between corporate career tracks and entrepreneurship, and how observing workplace role models can clarify life priorities.
• Experiencing and identifying burnout as a high-achieving parent and business owner.
• Transitioning from solopreneur to building and leading a team, including the operational and mindset shifts required.
• The societal pressures on women to “do it all,” people-pleasing, and the importance of setting boundaries.
• Strategies for sustainable business growth, scalable systems, and redefining personal and professional success.
• Empowering women to take charge of their finances and believe in their ability to thrive as business owners.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Show intro; Kimberly’s move from New Orleans to Charlotte, NC, and what she loves about it

[00:00:44] Reflections on generational identity and why it matters for the conversation

[00:02:39] Original college plans: chemical engineering, internships, and the hard pivot to accounting

[00:04:25] The emotional process of changing majors and facing internalized feelings of failure

[00:06:51] Financial impacts of switching majors, scholarships lost, and student debt

[00:08:14] Starting a new career in public accounting; the importance of the CPA credential

[00:09:39] Why Kimberly chose a medium-sized firm over the Big 4

[00:13:29] The partnership track in accounting and a moment of clarity: witnessing a manager balance work and motherhood

[00:16:39] Choosing personal over professional milestones; how representation informs life decisions

[00:22:04] Early career burnout, and feeling pressured to perform in every life role

[00:27:17] The ongoing influence of people-pleasing and perfectionism

[00:30:26] Deciding whether to stay small or grow the firm; math, motherhood, and management

[00:35:35] The operational reboot: packages, team-building, and shifting systems to support scale

[00:39:45] Why Kimberly shares her story—empowering women in business and financial confidence

[00:41:11] Redefining business ownership for freelancers and digital creators

[00:42:25] Kimberly’s recommended read: “Remarkably Bright Creatures”

[00:43:30] Favorite practical purchase: The Dyson stick vacuum

[00:44:53] Amy’s wrap-up, how to join the community, and