Fearless Finance: Martin Kamenski on Breaking Down Barriers to Generational Wealth
Fearless Finance: Martin Kamenski on Breaking Down Barriers to Generational Wealth
Martin Kamenski's path from theater to taxes wasn't exactly planned. When we talked for Finding Fearless, it became clear that his unconventional background is exactly what makes his work so effective—he just didn't realize it at the time.
Martin started at PwC like most accounting graduates, but lasted less than two years. He watched a partner on his fourth wife spend most of his time golfing and thought, "I want something different." That something different eventually became Revel CPA, but first he spent years trying to keep his creative and analytical sides completely separate.
How theater training solved a business problem
Back in high school, Martin was already living this dual identity—studying business and performing in theater. When he applied to college, half his applications went to theater programs, half to business schools. For years after graduation, he kept these worlds apart: accounting work during the day, Chicago theater scene at night.
Then his creative friends started asking for help. "I saw them struggling a lot," Martin explains. "These are not high earning professions, generally speaking. And they were paying a whole lot in taxes just because of things they didn't understand."
His theater training turned out to be perfect preparation for financial consulting. "I kept hearing people say, 'I've never had anybody explain it to me like that before,'" he remembers. "I think it might be that sort of left brain, right brain hybrid that helps me almost act as a little bit of a translator."
Why "Rockstar CPA" was actually brilliant marketing
When Martin decided to rebrand and focus on creatives, his 20-year-old self came up with "Rockstar CPA." He's slightly embarrassed by it now, but it did exactly what a brand should do, got people talking and stood out completely.
"I had a couple clients tell me they chose to work with me in spite of my name," he admits. But that bold choice to niche down led to speaking opportunities, a book deal, and eventually the deeper work he's doing now. Sometimes you have to be willing to look ridiculous to find your people.
The rebrand to Revel came later, but the principle remained: be clear about who you're here to serve, and trust that clarity will attract the right people while repelling the wrong ones.
Core behaviors beat core values every time
At Revel, they don't have core values—they have core behaviors. The difference matters. "It's really hard to observe if people around you are valuing something or not," Martin explains. "But behaviors are something you did or you didn't do."
Their process for developing these behaviors is practical: the whole team lists qualities of their favorite coworkers from all time, then does the opposite exercise—listing everything they hated about terrible coworkers and flipping those traits to their positive inverse.
"I like to think of our behaviors as the bus rules," Martin says. "How are we going to be around each other in a way that makes this fun?"
When you're clear about how you want to operate, you attract people who want to operate the same way.
The personal stakes behind the mission
Martin's focus on helping underrepresented entrepreneurs build generational wealth isn't abstract. His wife is a Black woman, his kids are queer, and his family includes immigrants. "We have a whole lot of underrepresented groups within just my immediate family," he says.
The urgency crystallized in 2020 when a Washington Post article revealed that 40% of Black-owned businesses had closed during the pandemic. Martin realized that entrepreneurship might be one tool for addressing wealth gaps, particularly the fact that while income gaps between Black and white households are about 2x, net worth gaps are 10x.
"What if we directed that creative energy in a way that tried to empower the Black community through building generational wealth?" he asks. "Because we know what wealth can mean in this country."
This isn't charity work, it's smart business. Martin sees massive untapped potential in supporting founders who've been systematically underestimated.
The industry's diversity problem is really a flexibility problem
Martin doesn't buy the "we can't find qualified candidates" narrative that's common in accounting. "It's puzzling to me how some people in our industry can say that they don't know where to find diverse candidates," he says. "If that's happening, probably the first place to look is inward."
The problem isn't a lack of talent, it's inflexible systems. Those brutal busy season hours are particularly challenging for people without extensive support networks. The rigid hierarchy doesn't leave room for people who need to show up as their whole selves.
"The more that our industry can create opportunities that revolve around flexibility, revolve around adapting and access for people, the more you'll be able to attract a diverse talent pool," Martin argues.
Being more human as AI changes everything
There's something almost counterintuitive happening right now. Just as AI is changing how accounting work gets done, people are demanding more humanity in their work experiences. Martin sees this as an opportunity.
"All of the tech and tools and things that we're playing with these days are amazing," he says. "But at the end of the day, people, when they're looking for an advisor, they appreciate real human connections."
His advice for other entrepreneurs? "Be even more real, be even more authentic." The more technology handles the technical work, the more valuable genuine human connection becomes.
The cost and payoff of standing for something
Martin's honest about the challenges of building a values-driven business. "You will ask people their preferred pronoun on a job application form and get all kinds of spicy comments in response," he warns. "There will be as many people who are opposed to everything you're standing for as there are who really get attracted to it."
But the relationships you form with people who find you because of who you are and what you stand for are "10 times stickier" than purely transactional ones. When something goes wrong (and it will) those deeper connections buy you grace that a purely transactional relationship never could.
What this means for the rest of us
Martin's approach proves that the most powerful businesses aren't built by trying to be everything to everyone. They're built by people brave enough to stand for something specific, serve someone particular, and show up as exactly who they are.
"The more that you're clear about who you are and what you're trying to do and who for, the easier it is for all those people to discover you even in this big wide world," he says.
That clarity is exactly what he's achieved. By being upfront about his mission, his values, and his commitment to underrepresented entrepreneurs, Martin has created something that goes far beyond a typical accounting firm. He's built a platform for change and a business model that proves doing good and doing well aren't mutually exclusive.
Connect with Martin:
If you're interested in Martin's work around entrepreneurship and wealth gaps, the best way to reach him is on LinkedIn—just shoot him a note about what you're working on.
For Revel CPA, check out revelcpa.com and @revelCPA. They work specifically with creative entrepreneurs who want to build generational wealth through their businesses.
Martin also created a business value assessment that helps you understand how your company stacks up in the key areas that drive business value—the biggest factor in most entrepreneurs' net worth. You can take it for free here.
Connect with Fearless Foundry:
Get ready for the Advisory Amplified Tour!
I'm hitting the road this fall, with FinTech and accounting innovators for a high-impact, one-day event in six cities. We're diving into the future of advisory—think AI, automation, pricing, payroll, and people-first leadership.
If you're a modern firm owner aiming to grow your impact, streamline services, or connect with peers, you can't miss this! Join us in Seattle, LA, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, or Boston. Tickets are just $99.
Visit to www.advisoryamplified.com register now!
Special Offer:
Manage your money with ease and receive everything a scaling small business needs in a bank; check out fearlessfoundry.com/relay to start your free account at Relay.