Too many so-called professional advisors exemplify the expression, "do as I say and not as I do." That's not the case for Business Consultant Steven Beal, who is one of those rare examples of a counselor who actually follows his own advice.

Beal founded Beal Business Growth Consultants Inc. (www.BealConsultants.ca) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to help people buy, sell, improve, and start businesses. His firm offers many innovative services in those areas, including succession planning for family-owned businesses, a franchise evaluation system and on-demand access to professional business advice through an "outsourced CFO" service.

Steven's certainly qualified to advise business owners with his MBA, CGA and CFA credentials. He also brings 18 years of corporate management experience to his clients, obtained while working in senior financial positions in investment banking and corporate banking.

Two and a half years ago, Steven decided to venture out on his own to offer his big business expertise to owners of small and medium-sized businesses.

When asked what he loves most about running his own business, Steven half-jokingly says, "It's the freedom to work 70 hours a week!"

"Running a business does mean putting in longer hours than a regular job, but I really enjoy being able to set my own schedule and working when I want," he adds.

As a business consultant, Steven decided to get an RBC Royal Bank Visa Business Platinum Avion* card. "I'm always telling my clients how important it is to separate business and personal expenses in order to keep clean bookkeeping records," he says. "My Visa Business card helps me to follow my own advice."

"Using one card for all of my business purchases really makes it easier to do my accounting," he explains. "Because I only use my card for business expenses, I can download my credit card transactions directly into my bookkeeping software so I don't have to re-enter my expenses manually."

A longtime RBC Royal Bank client, Steven says he also enjoys earning reward points every time he makes a purchase with his Visa card. "Cashing in your reward points is another way to save on business expenses such as travel," he enthuses.

Steven's advice to other business owners is clear. "Embrace tools that make your business life easier and save time," he says. "My Visa Business card frees me to spend more time serving my clients."

* Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.