Bold Business Logo

Tech Data Corporation Infographic

infographic about tech data company, their history and recipe for success as distributors of technology and solutions

Xendoo: Revolutionizing Accounting for Small Businesses

It’s late Friday evening, and as a small business owner, you need some financial guidance fast. What are your options? Most CPAs aren’t available after hours or on weekends. And even if they are, you’ll likely be paying a premium for the services. For Xendoo cofounders, Lil Roberts and Steven Gelley, such a scenario was completely unsatisfactory. Especially in today’s age of advanced digital technologies, small businesses deserved better. Thus, Xendoo was born, and an accounting platform and easy bookkeeping software was made.

Bold Business had the opportunity to interview Xendoo’s co-founder Lil Roberts at the 2019 Synapse Summit.

 

Xendoo, an innovative online accounting software service, was launched in 2015 to solve these problems for small- and medium-sized businesses. Roberts and Gelley, serial entrepreneurs themselves, appreciated the financial challenges these business owners faced daily. Through cloud-based technology and online accounting software, they set out to make a difference. And today, Xendoo’s bold business idea is completely disrupting the way accounting and bookkeeping services are being considered.

Steven Gelley quoted
Steven Gelley understands that smaller companies need easy bookkeeping software and an accessible accounting platform.

Xendoo’s Solution for Business Accounting Struggles

Understanding the 24/7 needs of small and medium businesses, Xendoo developed an easy bookkeeping software on a digital platform to accommodate entrepreneurial financial peace of mind. Roberts and Gelley created a cloud-based system that allowed businesses to manage accounting, tax returns, payrolls, and sales tax remittances. Likewise, the online accounting software provided continual access to CPAs and bookkeeping services that could offer specific, customized guidance. The response by small businesses has been tremendous ever since.

In essence, Xendoo identified a major gap between entrepreneurial needs and outdated accounting practices. Their online accounting software and platform resolved these issues and offered small businesses a better solution. And at the same time, Xendoo’s online accounting software solution provided predictable pricing and excellent efficiency in attaining results. From easy access to financial expertise to ready-to-download bookkeeping reports, Xendoo modernized the accounting industry for many businesses.

Lil Roberts quoted
Lil Roberts and Steven Gelley started Xendoo to make accounting more accessible.

Xendoo – Nationally Recognized as a Bold Business Startup

Xendoo launched its official online accounting software platform in 2016, and within a year, Xendoo subscriptions had doubled. Likewise, by 2017, Xendoo had raised over $1.2 million in venture capital funding. Today, the online accounting platform provides FinTech services to hundreds of businesses. These include various e-commerce companies, retailers, professionals, restaurants, and franchises throughout the country. And based on Xendoo’s recent appearance on CNBC’s “The Job Interview,” working for Xendoo has become a coveted position. Xendoo’s ability to revamp small business financial services is clearly getting broad attention.

To further highlight this point, Xendoo was named the 2018 eMerge America’s Startup Showcase winner. With over 100 startups from around the world at South Florida’s largest technology conference, Xendoo walked away with the prize. And the prize was quite substantial. In addition to receiving access to Google software architects, Xendoo also received $100,000 in investment monies. Likewise, the online accounting platform company participated in Jason Calacanis’ incubator program in Silicon Valley this past fall.

Lil Roberts quoted
Lil Roberts and Steven Gelley’s Xendoo is a tech company that just happens to be the “go to” for accounting.

Xendoo Offers a Streamlined Approach Using Financial Technology

Using Xendoo’s online accounting software is easy for businesses. The company offers several subscription packages ranging from monthly to annual. And prices range from $110 to $330 a month depending on services needed. Once subscribed, entrepreneurs meet their financial team and enjoy customized reporting options as well. Xendoo thus offers a simple, secure and transparent way for businesses to effectively and efficiently manage their financial health while providing peace of mind.

The promise of FinTech for small and medium-sized businesses is substantial. Operating such a business is challenging enough as it is, but managing financial health makes things even more complex. Xendoo, through providing its online accounting software platform, increases the chances of success for these entrepreneurs. In this way, Xendoo provides a bold solution to help businesses better manage their financial needs.

Transportation Infrastructure and a Nation’s Economic Growth, an Undeniable Interlink

Transport infrastructure and economic growth are intertwined. A robust transportation system is a catalyst for economic growth and development. Throughout history, major milestones in transportation technology have stimulated economic progress and extensively improved the quality of the life of the people.

For instance, the invention of steamboats in 1785 allowed farmers around the Delaware River to sell their surplus crops to other communities. The establishment of the Metropolitan Railways in London circa 1863 helped commuters, in a short span of time, travel to different parts of the country. The freedom and mobility led to the creation of more jobs and opportunities for locals and residents.  In 1914, the first commercial flight taking off of the runways of St. Petersburg in Tampa, Florida ushered in the era of transcontinental commercial flights. Undeniably, there is no shortage of proof supporting the correlation between transport infrastructure and economic growth.

“Roads are the arteries through which the economy pulses. By linking producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to school, and the sick to hospitals, roads are vital to any development agenda.” Claudia Berg, Development Research Group, World Bank.

The Importance of Transportation in Economic Development: Powering Strong Economies

The movement of goods and products were limited and agonizingly slow prior to the invention of powered transportation by the end of the 18th century. The invention of the steam engine in 1760 paved the way to the invention of steamboats and steam-powered train. Soon after, the modern automobile, the airplanes, and jetliners followed. Picturing a modern society without these transportation modes can be difficult.

There is recognition of the US as a country with the largest transportation network in history.

America’s transport infrastructure has a system of four million miles of roads, 2,000 miles of railway tracks, and 5,000 airports. The country’s economic growth is built upon the freedom and mobility of its citizens. 

A society that supports its citizens’ need to be mobile is a bedrock of resilient nations. Then and now, transportation has powered the world’s strongest economies.

Beyond Transport Infrastructure and Economic Growth

The importance of transportation in economic development is akin to the significance of fuel to the engine. But more than economic repercussions, the absence of a strong transport system may have extensive and lasting societal impact.

  • The seamless transportation system allows easier haul of goods. Accessibility of goods and services improve prices. It is consequently increasing the consumer’s buying power.
  • With increased financial capability, citizens can participate in more economic activities. Besides purchases, people can save money, and invest in financial products.
  • Economic activities draw in more businesses and investments in the area. More investments and businesses within the region mean more jobs. With more opportunities to earn, residents and locals have better chances for economic mobility.
  • It improves the quality of life for citizens through access to social services such as education, legal assistance, and health facilities.
  • The accessibility of an area attracts talents from other regions. With quality talent, businesses can bank on quality outputs, better services, and more innovations.
importance of transportation in economic development, george soros quoted
Freedom of movement is not all physical.

Technological Innovations in Transportation

Innovations in the transportation sector are starting to pick up. While in some parts of the world, transportation infrastructure may be lagging behind, a number of innovative cities are channeling their resources around innovations in transportation.

  • The electrification of transportation applies across various modes. We already see electric vehicles in various countries such as China (Shenzhen and Shanghai), Norway, France, and the United Sates. Electrification in ships is also gaining momentum. Rolls-Royce – a British power system company recently launched SAVe Energy, a battery system to electrify ships. With increasing air traffic, aircraft companies are also investing in the electrification of airplanes.
  • Transportation is going driverless and autonomous. Cars, planes, and ships are joining the artificial intelligence game. Companies are testing autonomous cars. Autonomous cargo ships are following behind. Similarly, tests flights are being conducted on autonomous passenger aircraft.
  • Advanced road paving and maintenance technology are underway. Automated asphalt paving is now being used in Europe, the US, and Asia. Similarly, concrete pavement is being done with modern construction vehicles.
  • Solar and Glow in the Dark Roads harness the power of the sun to illuminate roads and highways. The Netherlands is the first country to apply this technology. In China, a 1,080-meter long highway in the province of Jinan was embedded with solar panels. The technology meant to gather solar energy to light the highways and 800 homes.
  • Transportation integrates into one system. Singapore’s connected bus stop system has already tapped into this potential. In the future, other different transportation modes will become interconnected. Soon, you can hop into an electric vehicle that will take you to the nearest train stop.
importance of transportation in economic development, anthony foxx quoted
It might be too late to plan now.

From being nomadic travelers of the savannas to mass transit commuters, we have developed and progressed because of our capacity to travel from one point to another. As humanity has always been on the move, what other groundbreaking developments in transportation can we anticipate in the future?

But more importantly, how will these innovations add to the importance of transportation in economic development?

Bold Leader Bob Dutkowsky Helped Tech Data Achieve Success Cartoon

cartoon caricature of Bob Dutkowsky, Executive Chairman of Tech Data, posing as the bold leader spotlight of the week
From Tech Data CEO to broader leadership opportunities, Bob Dutkowsky is a true bold leader who values diversity, diligence, transparency and humility!

How can we help?