Founder Interview With Michelle Miele, Do Paperwork
Photo Credit: Michelle Miele
Michelle Miele is the founder of Do Paperwork, a CPA firm dedicated to helping small business owners understand their numbers and build businesses with confidence. With a journey that took her from physics classes to accounting, and from corporate CFO roles to running her own firm from the road, Michelle brings both deep expertise and a genuine love of teaching to everything she does.
During our interview, Michelle shared her winding path into accounting and what it felt like to finally build something on her own terms, after years of proving herself in male-dominated workplaces. She opened up about the intentional decision to show up openly as a queer business owner in Florida and online. Michelle also offered grounded advice for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs ready to take that first leap, reminding us that you don't need to have it all figured out to get started.
1. Can you walk us through your professional journey?
I’ve always loved numbers, but I also love learning and teaching. Accounting gives me the best of all three. My grandpa was actually an accountant, so maybe it’s in my blood, but my own path wasn’t exactly planned. I started college studying physics, but I wanted to take a bowling class with my friends, which conflicted with my schedule. I ended up taking an economics class instead and completely fell in love with it. That small decision ended up changing everything.
What’s kept me in this field is how much there is to learn and how much I enjoy helping others understand it. I’m always learning new things to better serve my clients, and I love seeing the lightbulb go off when something finally makes sense. Helping people feel more confident about their finances is the best part of what I do.
These days, I’m actually running my firm while traveling the world. I left the US about two years ago and started in Turkey, then made my way through South America — Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia — mostly by car with my partner. I did a lot of hiking and got to see some truly incredible places. I’m still a Florida-based CPA no matter where I land.
2. What inspired you to offer the services you provide?
I’m inspired by helping people build and grow their businesses. It’s really rewarding to watch clients gain confidence, understand their numbers, and see their businesses thrive over time. I love being part of that process and knowing that the work I do helps them reach their goals.
In high school, I always liked math — that part was obvious. But I didn’t actually know accounting was a thing until I had to take it in a business class. Once I did, something just clicked. It felt like a real fit in a way that nothing else had before.
Photo Credit: Michelle Miele
3. What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a CPA and small business owner?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been working in a male-dominated field. In many of my previous positions, I often felt like I had to prove myself over and over again just to be seen and respected. It was exhausting at times, and it made me question whether there was really space for me to grow in the way I wanted to.
At one company, even though I was the CFO, it never really felt like it. The older male partners always had the final say, and there was constant tension I just couldn’t shake. I knew I wanted to do my own thing, but I just had to get brave enough to do it.
Starting my own firm changed everything. I built something that reflects my values and the kind of environment I wish I’d had earlier in my career: one based on respect, collaboration, and authenticity. It taught me that I don’t need to fit into someone else’s idea of what a CPA should look like to be successful.
“The biggest takeaway for me has been learning to trust my abilities and lead in a way that feels true to who I am.”
4. If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ accountants or small business owners, what would it be?
Just do it. Try the thing, even if it feels scary or uncertain at first. There are so many people and resources out there who want to see you succeed and are willing to support you along the way.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. You just have to take that first step.”
For me, that first step came kind of unexpectedly. I was in what I thought was a contract position, slowly building my business on the side, and then the company let me go out of nowhere. Suddenly, the slow build became a leap. What really carried me through was having my partner in my corner, cheering me on and reminding me that I could do it. That kind of support makes a huge difference.
5. How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?
Being openly queer has definitely shaped how I see my work and community. As a Florida-based CPA, I was nervous at first about what that might mean and how people would respond. When I first set up my website, I kept my about page pretty generic. I didn’t lean into who I was because I was afraid of turning potential clients away when I was just getting started.
But a few months in, I decided to just be myself, and as aligned clients found their way to me, something shifted. I rewrote my about page to actually sound like me, and it felt really good.
“I’m lucky to work with clients who value authenticity and who support what I do. It’s been a great reminder that showing up as yourself attracts the kind of people you actually want to work with.”
Photo Credit: Michelle Miele
6. What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-to’s and why?
I work with Rooted Business Foundations because they focus on supporting queer and women-owned businesses, which really aligns with my values and the clients I love to serve. I also love working with Quinton Cook, a queer video creator who brings so much creativity and authenticity to his work. Collaborating with other queer professionals who care about community and quality always feels inspiring.
7. Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity?
One of my favorite LGBTQ+ voices is Gabe Dunn from Just Between Us. I love how honest, witty, and thoughtful they are in everything they create. Their work really captures real-life experiences with humor and authenticity, and I find it inspiring to see someone use their platform to entertain, educate, and advocate all at once.
8. Can you share one fun or unusual fact about yourself?
One fun fact about me is that I’m a huge nerd for board games and puzzles. I love spending time figuring out strategies, solving challenges, and getting completely immersed in a game. It’s my way of relaxing and having fun outside of work. That and hiking through mountains in South America, apparently!
