Yulia Sharapova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Yulia, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Hi everyone! I’m so glad to be back — I really enjoyed our last conversation, where I got to share the journey of building my boutique accounting and advisory firm and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s a pleasure to reconnect and give you a peek into what life looks like these days behind the scenes.
A normal day for me starts somewhere between 5 and 6 AM — I’m not one of those “jump out of bed” people, but I do ease into the morning with a glass of lemon water and a quick 5-minute positive-mind meditation to gently remind myself not to panic about my to-do list (yet).
Then comes my favorite part — coffee and daydreaming. I sip and imagine all the magical things the future might bring… like a self-cleaning inbox or a team meeting that ends on time.
Once I’m fully caffeinated and optimistic, it’s time for the morning pet parade. I walk my Shiba Inu, Leya, who is convinced she runs the house. Then I feed Grisha, my cat, who knows she runs the house. And finally, our newest furry addition, Nik the kitten, just happily causes chaos.
After a shower, I check the to-do list I made the night before — my way of thanking “yesterday me” for trying to set “today me” up for success. I catch up on emails and hop on a call with my team to set the game plan. Mornings are for focused work — research, analysis, strategy — while my brain is still fresh and hasn’t wandered off into dinner thoughts.
Around lunch, my assistant and I swear we won’t talk about work… and about 7 minutes in, we’re back discussing cash flow and systems again. But we try — and often redirect to chat about life, family, and whatever’s happening outside of spreadsheets.
Creating a relaxed, happy team culture is non-negotiable for me. I believe laughter should be on the calendar. We take breaks, tell jokes, and laugh often — it shifts the energy and makes the office feel more like a community than a job.
Afternoons are for routine tasks — emails, marketing, studying, and planning for tomorrow. After work, I like to reset with Pilates or a long walk. That’s my thinking time — or podcast time, usually something psychology-related. I’m endlessly fascinated by how people think, why they do what they do, and how different personalities tick. It helps me better connect with people, in business and in life.
I close the day with journaling or a short meditation… and maybe a quick cuddle session with one of my four-legged co-workers.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Yulia Sharapova — founder of Sharapova & Co., a boutique accounting and tax advisory firm that helps fast-growing electrical companies get their financial systems in order so they can scale smarter, keep more profit, and finally feel in control of their cash flow.
I didn’t start out with a grand plan — I started with a spreadsheet, a lot of questions, and a deep desire to help business owners understand what their numbers are really telling them. When I launched my firm, I knew I didn’t want to be “just a tax preparer.” I wanted to be the partner business owners actually needed — someone who doesn’t just file taxes once a year but helps fix the root financial problems that silently cost them money every day.
What makes our firm unique is our focus on strategy. We don’t throw reports at you and disappear. We roll up our sleeves and help you implement real systems — purchase orders, accounts payable workflows, job costing, and cash flow controls that bring structure and sanity to your operations.
I specialize in serving 7- to 9-figure electrical businesses — solar, automation, industrial and residential wiring, substations, field services, fiber, you name it. These are brilliant, hardworking teams who often grow so fast they outpace their back office. That’s where we come in. We’re not here to slow you down — we’re here to help you grow with intention.
Beyond the numbers, I’m passionate about making finance more human. I believe business owners deserve to feel confident, supported, and empowered — not stressed and lost in QuickBooks. That’s why I host weekly livestreams across Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn where I break down complex financial topics in plain English, with real stories and solutions (and a little tough love when needed).
Lately, I’ve been working on expanding our educational content, developing a free guide called “12 Financial Mistakes Holding Back Electrical Companies” (link here) and launching mini-audits for business owners who know something’s off in their financial system… but aren’t sure what.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s this: your financials aren’t just paperwork — they’re your most powerful decision-making tool. And when used right, they don’t just show where you’ve been… they guide you to where you want to go.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s hard to point to just one moment — not because I haven’t had life-changing experiences, but because I truly believe we’re shaped by thousands of tiny, ordinary moments that happen every single day. For me, “a moment that shaped how I see the world” isn’t frozen in time — it’s alive, happening over and over again, every day I show up for my work, my team, and my life.
I see it when a client finally breathes easier after months of financial chaos because they finally understand where their money is going. I see it when someone on my team overcomes self-doubt and steps into their potential. I see it when someone loses direction — and then finds it again. I see people rise, fall, try again, believe in themselves… or forget to.
Every time I witness that — even in a small way — it shapes how I see the world. It reminds me that we’re all in motion. And that sincerity, patience, and showing up with care matters more than any strategy or spreadsheet.
Some days the lesson is to keep going. Other days it’s to let go. I’ve learned that not everything is meant to be held onto — some situations are better left behind, not out of bitterness, but out of wisdom. And sometimes what didn’t happen teaches me more than what did.
One of the most beautiful things I’ve learned is that when you do things sincerely — whether in business, relationships, or simply in how you carry yourself — life becomes a lot lighter. There’s more trust. More peace. More joy.
So no, I don’t have one dramatic moment. I have a daily mosaic of stories — client stories, team stories, even quiet personal ones — that remind me this world is complex, messy, and beautiful. And I’m lucky to witness it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this:
There will be moments in life when everyone says you’re wrong — and you’ll be the only one who thinks you’re right. And sometimes… you will be.
I once heard that if everyone says one thing and you say another, then you must be wrong — because how could everyone be mistaken? But the truth is, there are rare and defining moments when the crowd is wrong, and your inner voice is right. Recognizing those moments takes tremendous self-trust. Acting on them takes courage, clarity, and a little healthy stubbornness.
And yes — sometimes you’ll take the leap and find out they were right after all. That’s part of the journey too. But the real strength lies in not letting that stop you from listening to yourself again next time. To keep moving, learning, trusting.
So I’d tell my younger self: Believe in your instincts. Even when your voice shakes. Even when you’re the only one who sees it differently. Because that kind of belief is what shapes extraordinary lives.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Is the public version of me the real me?
Haha — yes, painfully so! You can usually tell within the first 30 seconds of one of my Facebook Live streams that I’m an introvert. Those livestreams are basically my version of extreme sports — I do them because I believe in sharing value, but let’s just say they push me way out of my comfort zone (and yes, I’ve considered hiding behind slides).
I’m definitely not a “look at me!” kind of person. I’m not the life of the party — I’m more likely the one standing by the snacks, having a deep one-on-one conversation about your childhood dreams or your cash flow issues.
But if you pay attention, you’ll see that what you get with me is real. I’m not good at faking energy or pretending to be someone I’m not. If I’m confused, you’ll see it on my face. If I’m excited, you’ll hear it in my voice. I think that’s one of the things people appreciate — that I show up as I am, whether I’m teaching about job costing or just being human.
So yes — the public me is the real me. A little awkward on camera, very driven, deeply caring, and completely incapable of hiding how I feel. It might not be perfectly polished, but it’s authentic. And in the long run, I think that’s what people connect with most.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow (which, let’s be honest, is highly unlikely unless I win the lottery and discover a deep love for gardening), my clients would probably miss a few things:
First — my obsession with fixing their accounting systems like a detective on a mission. Most people see a messy chart of accounts and feel dread. I see it and get excited like it’s a mystery to solve. I mean… who else gets this enthusiastic about job costing?
Second — my very blunt but loving honesty. I will never sugarcoat your financial chaos, but I will absolutely help you clean it up with a plan, a spreadsheet, and a lot of encouragement (and probably coffee).
Third — the emotional support tax advisor energy. Because let’s face it — half of my job is reminding clients that they’re not failing, they’re just growing faster than their systems can keep up… and the other half is reminding them to breathe during tax season.
And let’s not forget the occasional guest appearances from my pets during Zoom calls. Who else is going to offer cash flow advice while a Shiba Inu walks across the screen like she owns the business?
So yes, if I retired tomorrow… my clients would definitely miss me. But let’s not test that theory just yet 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sharapovacpa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharapova.cpa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharapova-co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ys.sharapova.cpa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SharapovaCo
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yulia-sharapova/
https://www.yuliasharapovacpa.com/12-mistakes
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