BooXkeeping

After nearly 18 years at American Express,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stone-3394a9/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=david-stone-booxkeeping-franchise-2731477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Stone</a> didn’t get burned out. He was experienced, credentialed and very familiar with how large organizations worked. What he wanted next was ownership, leading him to invest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=david-stone-booxkeeping-franchise-2731477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BooXkeeping</a> franchise in Las Vegas.Stone spent most of his career working at the intersection of finance, technology and operations. His background included communications, insurance and retirement products, plus a stint as an accountant. That mix eventually led him into software implementation roles and then into American Express, where he worked across analytics, compliance and project management while earning his MBA and multiple technical certifications.Along the way, he also served 13 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, an experience he says reinforced the importance of structure and leadership. But it was his corporate career that most directly shaped what he was looking for next.“I’ve always kind of wanted to have my own business,” Stone said. “At a certain point, I knew I wanted to build something myself.”<h2>From Corporate Systems to Small-Business Ownership</h2>During his time at American Express, Stone held a variety of roles tied to financial products, including gift cards, and worked closely with technology teams on the business side. He was trained in Six Sigma, Agile and Scrum methodologies and became known for his ability to break down complex processes into repeatable systems.That discipline carried into his approach to entrepreneurship. Rather than starting from scratch, Stone partnered with two CPAs in Las Vegas to buy a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/booxkeeping/info">BooXkeeping</a> franchise.“All three of us bought the franchise together,” Stone said. “More people are smarter together than we are on our own.”That partnership structure became a practical advantage. While Stone manages day-to-day bookkeeping operations, his CPA partners provide deeper insight when clients raise more complex questions around depreciation, tax readiness or accounting structure.“My clients aren’t getting something I looked up on the internet,” he said. “They’re getting real answers.”<h2>Why Franchising Made Sense</h2>After years inside large organizations, Stone understood how many unseen details sit behind a functioning business. The franchise model helped cover those blind spots. Legal documentation, compliance standards, insurance requirements and secure technology systems were already in place. Just as important, Stone gained access to a network of other franchise owners navigating similar challenges.“There are communities of people going through the same thing,” he said. “You can collaborate on best practices and see what’s already worked.”As the business grows, BooXkeeping’s centralized hiring and training pipeline has also helped Stone scale more efficiently, allowing him to bring on trained staff without starting from zero.<h2>Training, Support and Learning to Sell</h2>Even with deep financial experience, Stone said the training still paid off. It refreshed the fundamentals, kept his work consistent from client to client and gave him a weekly forum to pressure-test tricky situations and industry-specific questions with the group.As someone who self-identifies more as process-driven than sales-oriented, Stone said the training helped him better articulate value and communicate with prospective clients.“They offered sales training, and that was very valuable,” Stone said. “I learned that I had a lot to learn about sales.”<h2>More Hours, but More Purpose</h2>Stone is candid about the realities of franchise ownership. At this stage, he’s working more hours than he did in corporate America, often juggling bookkeeping, management, sales and process design. The difference, he explained, is motivation. The work feels directly connected to growth and long-term goals rather than organizational inertia.“I enjoy what I’m doing,” Stone said. “I know why I’m working extra.”As the business matures, his focus is shifting away from doing everything himself and toward building systems, hiring employees and maintaining standards that allow the operation to scale in a way that’s manageable.&nbsp;<h2>Advice for Others Considering the Jump</h2>Stone believes the skills corporate professionals develop translate well into franchise ownership, often more than they expect.“You understand process. You understand why structure exists,” he said. “It’s very unstructured when you go out completely solo. Coming from corporate America, I already had structure.”That foundation, combined with a franchise model that provides guardrails, can make the transition less overwhelming than starting entirely on your own. Franchising wasn’t a departure from discipline; it was a way for Stone to finally apply it to something he owned.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/booxkeeping.">https://1851franchise.com/booxkeeping.</a>&nbsp;

Why This Longtime American Express Leader Bought a BooXkeeping Franchise

Why an American Express Leader Bought a BooXkeeping Franchise

1851 Franchise

David Stone’s decision to buy a franchise followed years of experience navigating finance, technology and operations at scale.

david-stone-booxkeeping-franchise

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a BooXkeeping

Why Franchise Brokers Love BooXkeeping

Growth & Momentum

My Experience Buying a BooXkeeping Franchise

Learn

Visit Website

BOOXKEEPING

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

SOCIAL MEDIA

Scale Your BooXkeeping Franchise: From Solo Operation to Multi-Client Success

Future of Bookkeeping and Franchising with Max Emma

Max Emma Featured on the Cover of The Inc Magazine’s “5 Most Pioneering Business Leaders to Follow in 2025”

BOOXKEEPING MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT BOOXKEEPING

CONTACT BOOXKEEPING

facebook

twitter

linkedin

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City

State / Province

Zip Code

Preferred Method of Contact (Email, Text, Call)

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiabongardbooxkeeping/">Sofia Bongard’s</a> decision to franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/">BooXkeeping</a>,&nbsp;a leading franchise network providing remote bookkeeping services, came after years inside the business. Long before she opened her location in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeeping.com/locations/san-diego-east/">East San Diego</a>, she met founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma/">Max Emma</a> and worked for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/booxkeeping/info">BooXkeeping’s</a> corporate operation, where she got a clear view of how the company served clients and operated day to day. That early vantage point is what made her decision a practical one: go independent or franchise with the company she already knew.Ironically, when Emma first raised the idea of franchising, Bongard wasn’t eager to sign on immediately. She said no, then sat with it. A few months later, she came back ready to move forward.“It was like a seed in my mind,” Bongard said. “And then a few months later, I came to him. I said, ‘You know what? I’m ready. I’ll do this.’”<h2>Autonomy and Boundaries</h2>For Bongard, ownership was tied to control over time. She wanted the flexibility to meet client deadlines without having her life dictated by a fixed schedule. That desire also intersected with personal health concerns, which pushed her to rethink what she was willing to trade for work.“I was done with people telling me what to do with my day. With accounting, as long as you meet the due dates for clients, it doesn’t really matter if you do it at 3 a.m. or 5 p.m.,” she said. “I had some personal health issues, and that was really the break point for me. Nothing is really worth putting your health at risk.”That philosophy shows up in how she structures her weeks now. She builds her work around her family and her routines, then focuses on the windows when she needs to close out the month and review financials with clients. She describes the work as concentrated rather than constant, with heavier client touchpoints early in the month and more independent production work through the rest.<h2>Why BooXkeeping Instead of Going Solo</h2>Bongard’s choice to franchise wasn’t about needing a new skill set. It was about the parts of business ownership she didn’t want to carry alone — especially marketing and visibility.“I hate doing anything advertising and social media,” she said. “I’m not good at it.”That’s where BooXkeeping’s presence became a deciding factor. Bongard says she hadn’t realized how often prospects research service providers before reaching out, but she saw quickly how an established brand changes that dynamic.“People see you and they secretly Google you, and I didn’t know that,” Bongard said. “So it went from, ‘Hi, I’m Sofia Bongard — no one on the internet,’ to ‘This company has been there for years and they actually have some links to social media and stuff.’”She also values the brand’s tone in sales conversations. Rather than pushing prospects, she describes an approach that aligns with how she prefers to work. “It’s very straightforward: ‘Hey, I do bookkeeping. You want it? Great. You don’t want it? OK, it’s fine,’” Bongard said. “There’s no desperation.”<h2>Getting Started With Support</h2>Even with her background, Bongard says the early challenges of ownership weren’t technical accounting questions. They were business questions — pricing, setup and the administrative lift of launching. Fortunately, Emma was able to help her keep her perspective by reassuring her that the early scramble wouldn’t last and she’d soon find her footing.“At the beginning, I had no clue how to price my services,” Bongard said. “I was just drowning with all the permits and everything that you had to do, but Max reassured me it was only temporary. ‘It’s fine,’ he told me. ‘I know you feel like you’re drowning, but you are on the boat with us.’”Bongard acknowledges franchising comes with royalties, but she frames the cost as part of running any business — and one she’s willing to pay for brand presence and support. “It doesn’t bother me to pay royalties because the support they’re giving me and the presence they’re giving me — it’s the infrastructure I need,” Bongard said.&nbsp;For Bongard, franchising with BooXkeeping ultimately offered what she was looking for: a familiar system, built-in visibility and room to run the business in a way that fits her life. “Me being in control of what I do or what I don’t do has made me very happy,” she said.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/BooXkeeping">https://1851franchise.com/BooXkeeping</a>.

Why Sofia Bongard Chose a BooXkeeping Franchise Over Going Solo - 1851 Franchise

Why This San Diego Bookkeeper Chose BooXkeeping, a Bookkeeping Franchise Over Going Solo

booxkeeping-franchise-sofia-bongard

BooXkeeping Welcomes New Franchisees in San Diego, California

booxkeeping-welcomes-new-franchisees-alejandra-hernandez-and-sandrine-rattier-in-san-diego-california

From Ice Cream to Income Streams: How Greg Cox Found His Sweet Spot with BooXkeeping

from-ice-cream-to-income-streams-how-greg-cox-found-his-sweet-spot-with-booxkeeping

LANSING, Mich.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/">BooXkeeping</a>, a leading franchise network providing remote bookkeeping services, announced a year of significant growth and operational achievements, positioning the brand for continued success in 2026.In 2025, BooXkeeping expanded to 14 franchise locations in nine states, more than doubling its franchise network.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We have momentum and proof of the concept,” said BooXkeeping Co-Founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma">Max Emma</a>. “Selling the first couple of franchises is the hardest part. But once you have successful franchisees that can share their stories, it makes a huge difference for any brand. That’s what happened with BooXkeeping. We now have seasoned franchisees who have been in the system for a while.”The franchise also further strengthened its operational infrastructure via the launch of BooxDesk 2.0, an upgraded internal support system that streamlines document signing, meeting scheduling, budgeting and prospect communication. The platform’s mobile-friendly apps have also helped deliver enhanced efficiency.BooXkeeping’s growth reflects a broader market shift, with remote bookkeeping services gaining greater acceptance among American businesses.&nbsp;“Before the lockdown in 2020, almost everybody wanted their bookkeeper in their city or office. Now, remote services are widely accepted and businesses trust the security,” Emma said. “We’ve also seen more new businesses starting in the U.S., all of which need bookkeeping. Many business advisors suggest owners focus on growing their businesses and outsource everything else. Well, BooXkeeping is a perfect example.”As BooXkeeping looks ahead to 2026, and further growth, the company is launching innovative new strategies to continue driving success for franchise owners. It is also coordinating a complete rebrand that incorporates modern technology and design while maintaining the company’s core values, with the rollout set to be complete by February 1.“Starting in 2026, we will offer options for new franchises to purchase BooXkeeping clients from day one, which will make them cash-flow positive immediately,” Emma said. “That’s a unique model. Not many franchises can do this and I believe it will take us to the next trajectory of growth.”In many ways, 2025 served as a turning point for BooXkeeping, laying the groundwork for steady, long-term growth. With new systems in place and a sharper focus on franchisee performance, the brand enters 2026 prepared to keep building on that momentum.ABOUT BOOXKEEPINGBooXkeeping is a bookkeeping franchise that combines professional expertise with genuine human connection to provide cutting-edge bookkeeping services for small and medium-sized businesses, franchisees, franchisors, CPA firms, and more. Founded by Max and Elena Emma, two entrepreneurial immigrants with in-depth experience in finance and accounting, the brand’s journey spans over 20 years. Today, with 16 franchise locations across the country and one corporate location, BooXkeeping has emerged as a unique player in the bookkeeping industry, emphasizing a human-driven approach and personalized service. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/">https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/</a>.

BooXkeeping Closes Out a Breakout Year With Major Wins and Momentum for 2026

booxkeeping-growth-franchise-expansion-2026-momentum

LAS VEGAS&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/">BooXkeeping</a>, a leading franchise network providing remote bookkeeping services, announced it was named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. In the Franchise 500,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/booxkeeping/info">BooXkeeping</a> ranked No. 330 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, operational and marketing support, and brand power.“We’ve spent years refining our systems with one goal in mind: helping our franchise owners build durable, profitable businesses,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma/">Max Emma</a>. “Earning recognition from Entrepreneur reflects the strength of our platform and the value we deliver across the network. We’re proud to be recognized as a standout brand in today’s franchise landscape.”In Entrepreneur’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company’s 47-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. Each franchise is thoroughly evaluated and given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500.&nbsp;&nbsp;"For 47 years, the Franchise 500 has been the gold standard for identifying franchise excellence. This year's ranking proves that the best brands don't just survive changing markets; they thrive in them," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer/">Jason Feifer</a>, Entrepreneur magazine's editor in chief. “These 500 companies represent some of the most reliable pathways to business ownership in America, each one vetted through our rigorous analysis of what actually drives franchisee success.”Looking ahead to 2026, BooXkeeping is introducing new strategies aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing outcomes for franchise owners. The company is also undertaking a full brand refresh that modernizes its look and technology while staying true to its core principles, with completion expected in early this year.“Starting in 2026, new franchisees will have the option to acquire existing BooXkeeping clients right away, giving them the ability to be cash-flow positive from the start,” Emma said. “That’s not something you see often in franchising, and it sets the stage for our next chapter of growth.”Throughout 2025, BooXkeeping made meaningful progress that helped reposition the brand for the future. With improved infrastructure and a clearer focus on franchisee success, the company heads into 2026 ready to sustain and expand that growth.&nbsp;To view BooXkeeping in the full ranking, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500</a>. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands.&nbsp;ABOUT BOOXKEEPINGBooXkeeping is a bookkeeping franchise that combines professional expertise with genuine human connection to provide cutting-edge bookkeeping services for small and medium-sized businesses, franchisees, franchisors, CPA firms, and more. Founded by Max and Elena Emma, two entrepreneurial immigrants with in-depth experience in finance and accounting, the brand’s journey spans over 20 years. Today, with 15 franchise locations across the country and one corporate location, BooXkeeping has emerged as a unique player in the bookkeeping industry, emphasizing a human-driven approach and personalized service. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/">https://www.booxkeepingfranchise.com/</a>.

image of booxkeeping Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® Ranking

BooXkeeping Ranked Among the Top Franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® Ranking

booxkeeping-franchise-500-ranking-2026

Why This Longtime American Express Leader Bought a BooXkeeping Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS