Ashley Carroll: The ROI of Relationships

In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, host KC Brothers sits down with Ashley Carroll, founder of Operations House, to explore the balance between people, process, and profit.

Ashley’s journey is one of grit, growth, and giving back. From growing up below the poverty line to leading a purpose-driven operations consultancy, she’s built her career on helping firms create equitable, scalable, and human-centered systems.

Together, KC and Ashley discuss:

• Why psychological safety is the cornerstone of productive, profitable teams
• How to identify and eliminate single points of failure in your firm
• What happens when leaders stop equating busyness with success
• The systems every modern accounting firm needs to support sustainable growth
• Why firm culture isn’t “soft stuff” — it’s the foundation of everything that works

Ashley brings a refreshing mix of operational expertise and empathy, reminding us that success in modern accounting isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about building businesses that people actually want to be part of.

Whether you’re a firm owner, team leader, or operations professional, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to lead with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro: Meet Ashley Carroll
• 3:15 From Poverty to Purpose
• 8:40 The Human Side of Operations
• 13:55 Psychological Safety and Profitability
• 19:10 Eliminating Single Points of Failure
• 25:25 Redefining Success in Modern Firms
• 31:40 Building Better Systems for People and Profit