Whether you’re feeling burned out or seeking inspiration for sustainable growth, this conversation delivers hard-earned insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and legacy.

We sit down with Nick Averia, founder of Agency Acquisitions and a seasoned entrepreneur with a global story. From his multicultural upbringing between Vancouver and Chile, to building a career spanning DJing, corporate roles, and ultimately launching and scaling businesses, Nick shares pivotal lessons on buying back your time, building resilient companies, and the true value of systems and team development.

Tune in as Nick reveals why preparing your business for sale is a game-changing strategy—even if you’re not planning to sell—and how harnessing efficiency, AI, and ongoing learning has transformed his journey and those of his clients.

This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.

Moments

04:58 Traveling to Chile as a kid

07:11 Sports differences in Chile vs Canada

09:40 Learning English in Chile

12:51 Traveling within the US

16:28 Balancing DJ work with college

20:01 Striving for top grades

24:39 Buying back time early on

26:05 The value of compound learning

30:01 Time management and efficiency tips

33:20 Learning through books and mentors

37:50 AI hype and current limitations

40:11 Shifts in online trust

43:49 Client transformation timeline

47:46 Improving margins and training staff

49:45 Achieving financial independence

52:13 Supporting entrepreneurs and giving back

Here are 3 key takeaways for entrepreneurs:

Buy Back Your Time: Outsourcing tasks—both at home and work—can free you to focus on higher-value opportunities and personal growth (23:15, 24:33).
Make Your Business Sale-Ready: Preparing your company as if you’re going to sell it (even if you’re not) forces you to systematize, build leadership, and reduce owner-dependence—unlocking freedom and higher value (45:15-47:10).
Human+AI is the Future: Leverage AI for efficiency where possible, but don’t sacrifice the human touch—trust and relationships remain at the heart of sustainable business growth (35:16-41:22).

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.

An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.

Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.

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Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus

Running a business takes vision, grit… and the right financial partner. At Harper & Company CPAs Plus, we don’t just crunch numbers—we empower entrepreneurs. From proactive tax strategy and accounting to business advisory services, our team helps you keep more of what you earn and scale with confidence. Whether you’re launching, growing, or preparing for exit, Harper & Company is in your corner with expert guidance built for business owners like you. Visit www.harpercpaplus.com to book a complimentary discovery call today - or call us at 614-456-7222.

Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus

Nick Averia on Sustainable Growth and Entrepreneurial Freedom