Community Highlights: Meet Randy Hughes III of Seven Figure Profits® | Counting Pennies LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Hughes III

Hi Randy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From a very young age I knew I was interested in a life of service. So, before I even entered college, I began volunteering full-time in ministry work. Shortly after college, I met the love of my life and got married. We had dreams of owning our own businesses and continuing in volunteer ministry.

But, there was this little thing called money that we had to attend to.
So, I landed my first job and quickly realized that corporate life wasn’t for me. Long commutes, endless days, and the grind left me uninspired and too exhausted to enjoy the things that mattered the most to me. I started to make a plan to get out of the hustle of corporate and create a life that paid the bills and left me with fulfillment.
That decision led me to start Counting Pennies, LLC, where I helped individuals and businesses make sense of their finances. It began as a way to escape the corporate grind, but it quickly became more than that—it was my opportunity to help people build stronger financial foundations while creating the life I wanted for myself.

Over time, my work scaled, and I began focusing on high-earning entrepreneurs. Many of them were struggling with something I call the “7-Figure Poor” trap, earning big but still living in financial stress and low personal fulfillment. To address this, I co-founded Seven Figure Profits®, where I guide clients to stop bleeding money in taxes, take control of their finances, and build true wealth that lasts.

As a Certified Tax Planning Coach, Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, and Fractional CFO Advisor, I’ve built my career on solving financial stress with practical strategies and a touch of humor. Counting Pennies continues to serve as the foundation of my work, while Seven Figure Profits® helps me expand my impact and tackle the unique challenges faced by high earners.

Today, alongside my wife Renèe, I’m passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to break free from financial struggles, enjoy their success, and live the life they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how every stage of my journey—my ministry, college uncertainty, corporate discontent, and the leap into entrepreneurship—has shaped the work I do now. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about changing lives, including my own.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Taking the leap to start my own business was both a practical decision and a deeply personal one—it was about aligning my work with my values. Looking back, it’s been one of the best choices I’ve ever made.
That said, it hasn’t always been a smooth road—far from it. When I first started, I lacked confidence in working with real clients. It’s one thing to know the numbers, but stepping into the real world of client relationships was intimidating. Honestly, it felt like jumping into the deep end of the pool and figuring out how to swim.

I started the old-school way—putting flyers on cars and leaving them in apartment complexes, hoping someone would take a chance on me. It was humbling and a little nerve-wracking, but it taught me resilience. Gradually, I got used to working with clients, learning what they needed, and building my confidence one step at a time.

Another challenge has been shifting perceptions around financial struggles. Many high earners feel like they’re secretly failing because they don’t know how to manage their wealth sustainably. Breaking down that stigma and creating a safe space for them to address these issues has become a cornerstone of my journey.

Balancing growth and service has also been tricky. Growing Counting Pennies, LLC, while staying grounded in my personal life and ministry, has required a lot of intentional effort. There were times I had to slow down, step back, and work with an efficient, committed team to stay on track. It’s incredibly rewarding, but there were moments when I felt stretched thin.

Looking back, those struggles were essential. They forced me to grow, sharpen my skills, and stay focused on my mission: helping clients not just fix their finances, but find the confidence to take control of their financial futures.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Seven Figure Profits® | Counting Pennies LLC?
When I think about my career, one thing that stands out is the personal relationships I’ve built with my clients along the way. We’ve navigated their marriages, children, and all the highs and lows of life together. I’ve watched their businesses grow—sometimes from a simple idea to multi six- and seven-figure enterprises. It has been incredibly rewarding.

As the CEO of Counting Pennies, LLC, I’ve worked with a diverse range of clients, from high-earning entrepreneurs to accountants looking to elevate their services. Along the way, I noticed a recurring pattern that inspired me to expand my mission. Many of these high earners weren’t struggling because of a lack of income but because of a disconnect between their strategies and their mindset. That realization led to the creation of Seven Figure Profits®, a partnership with my wife, Renèe, that combines financial expertise with profit psychology to address the “7-Figure Poor” phenomenon. Through this platform, we help high-earning professionals break free from the cycle of high revenue but low profit, guiding them to build wealth aligned with their values and goals.

I also have the privilege of teaching my fellow CPAs through a program called The Well-Rounded Accountant. This has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my work—helping accountants go beyond simply “crunching numbers” to become trusted advisors who truly transform their clients’ lives.
What motivates me every day isn’t just seeing financial wins—it’s witnessing the confidence and relief my clients feel when they realize they’re no longer stuck. For me, it’s the stories of the people that make me proud and bring so much joy and fulfillment.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is about impact and balance. I was intentional about building a life that allows my wife and me to be fully present for each other and our ministry. My spiritual life, along with my relationships, is what matters most to me. Success means being able to give my all to the people and things that are most important, and I’ve achieved that.

Success also means making a positive impact on others, including my clients. Watching their growth—from feeling overwhelmed and stuck to becoming confident and in control of their finances—that’s success! If I can teach another accountant how to deliver deeper value to their clients, creating a ripple effect in the industry, that’s success, too.

Ultimately, I define success as helping others achieve theirs while staying grounded and present in my own life. Whether it’s a client gaining clarity about their financial future, an entrepreneur finally breaking free from money stress, or an accountant stepping into their full potential, those wins are what drive me in my business. Success is seeing those around me thrive because of the work we’ve done together.