Building Business and Balance: A Conversation with Ashley Chamberlain
Running a business is never easy — and doing it while raising a family is an entirely different challenge. On this episode of 502 Entrepreneurs, host Carl Armijo sits down with Ashley Chamberlain, the founder and CEO of Chamberlain and Good Company, to talk about the journey of entrepreneurship, authenticity, and building systems that truly support both clients and employees.
From CFO to CEO
Ashley didn’t set out to be a business owner. While working as a CFO for a construction company, she began doing bookkeeping on the side to help cover private school tuition for her kids. What started as a small side hustle soon grew into Chamberlain and Good Company, a firm offering bookkeeping, accounting, tax services, fractional CFO support, and even social media management.
“I never saw myself as a business owner. But I realized I could make a real impact helping small businesses with the financial side of things while creating a flexible lifestyle for my family.”
Creating a Culture of Authenticity
One of Ashley’s biggest differentiators is her authentic approach. She often works with female business owners and moms, showing up as her true self.
“When I show up in leggings or without the ‘perfect’ business look, it gives my clients permission to relax and just be themselves.”
This authenticity has carried over to her company culture. Her fully remote, all-women team thrives in a flexible, family-first environment. Many of her employees have welcomed babies while working at Chamberlain and Good Company — and returned because they love the supportive culture Ashley has built.
Systems That Support Growth
Growing from a one-woman show to a team of ten required strong systems. Ashley and her team use tools like QuickBooks for bookkeeping and time tracking, Monday for project management, and Go High Level for CRM and payments.
“Having the right systems means I don’t have to hover. It gives my team the freedom to do their jobs while ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.”
Beyond Bookkeeping: Why Social Media Matters
One unique aspect of Chamberlain and Good Company is their social media management services. While it may seem unusual for a bookkeeping firm, Ashley explains that visibility and communication are essential for small business success.
“Business owners need more than clean books — they need to be seen. We help create content that builds trust, relatability, and visibility.” Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Ashley’s story is filled with lessons for anyone starting or growing a business:
● Start before you’re ready. She launched without all the formalities in place and built as she went.
● Set boundaries early. Clients and teams thrive when expectations are clear.
● Build a culture you’d want to work in. Her family-first approach attracts and retains great team members.
● Invest in systems. The right tools keep everything running smoothly.
“You don’t have to do it all. Sometimes the best decision you can make is letting someone else help you.”
👉 Listen to the full episode on 502Entrepreneurs.com/authenticity-in-business or wherever you get your podcasts!
Carl Armijo
Podcast Host/Photographer/Business Owner
As the host of 502 Entrepreneurs, I bring real-world experience from building two service-based businesses from the ground up. I know what today’s customers expect — and what it takes to deliver. Whether I’m behind the camera in my real estate photography business or managing my cleaning company, my focus is always the same: make life easier for clients through clear communication, modern tools, and reliable, stress-free service.
On this show, I share honest, practical lessons about customer service, building trust, and using streamlined systems to simplify the client experience. I believe that great service isn’t just about finishing the job — it’s about setting clear expectations, communicating proactively, and standing behind your work long after the invoice is paid.
I’m passionate about helping fellow entrepreneurs — whether they’re just starting or scaling up — learn how to deliver quality work, simplify their processes, and create businesses that people rave about. Each episode is a chance to share real stories, useful tools, and the lessons I’m still learning every day while building my companies here in the 502.
