We recently connected with Carla Vaughn and have shared our conversation below.

Carla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success in America is often equated with how much money you earn or what is in your bank account. Though these can be a measure for success, true success has to resonate with the entrepreneur in terms of the value that they receive from being in business. Thus for some it isn’t about the money as much as it is the status or number of clients, or it might be the market share, etc. Defining success on your own terms is what is the true measure of where and how you will know you have reached professional happiness.

I once took a class titled, “The Happyness Factor” which got to the heart of why even successful people weren’t really happy. It opened my eyes to understanding that happiness means different things to different people. The adage of ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’ is true, and knowing that then means you need to properly define happiness and success for yourself. This transcends just entrepreneurship, but is most relevant to small business owners because there are so many challenges that we face.

Carla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

If you said I was a master problem solver, I’d agree. Not only do I solve the financial nightmares for clients, but learned to solve it for myself when with my first business my CPA could never truly explain to me why I owed the IRS every year. I make taxes and bookkeeping easy to understand to that my clients have less stress, more time and make more money. What makes me different? I’m the L’Oreal of Accountants, plain and simple. When you hire me you get not just a seasoned, professional accountant, but a relatable one!

We all have a story. What’s yours? As a seasoned entrepreneur I have encountered many trials and tribulations and it has resulted in me wanting to share me stories and expertise. With multiple degrees and many clients, over the years this has lead me to hone in my skills and seek to be the best Accountant, Business & Tax Consultant, and nonprofit leader that I know how to be. I express these financial nuggets and words of wisdom through Speaking To Elevate. I have been a speaker for the National Association of Tax Professions this past July, spoken on emotional intelligence with the Boost Thru Summit this month, engaged audiences with Keller Williams Real Estate group and Women’s Council of Realtors. By speaking about financial wellness for more than 20 years I am hoping to uplift and share the knowledge of reducing stress, increasing your time, and helping you make more money.

I create financial empowerment through speaking to elevate her audiences with financial educational topics that are relevant to successfully operating a small business. I firmly believes that to be successful you have to develop competent and compliant business strategies around your financial wellbeing.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing clientele comes only from establishing, maintaining and fostering good relationships. Seems simple enough but isn’t as easy as it may seem. My business has always had about 95% of a referral base for new clients. Your current clients are our your greatest fans, but you have to ask them to refer you. Some naturally will, but others may take you for granted. I periodically send my core client list my Google review link and ask for referrals, and always send a ‘Thank You’ note with a gift card, spa day, or money to show my appreciation.

We all need and desire to feel valued, that means to know we are appreciated especially if a relationship is long standing. Many of my clients have been with me for nearly 20 years. That’s a long time! I believe it is because they know how much I respect and appreciate them. This is particularly important when there might be some conflict or discord. Always be the professional, your reputation matters. This will go a long way in keeping in business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My first big pivot in business had come in the mid-2000’s after the mortgage market crash. Like many people it caught me unaware. At that time my business services was taxes and insurance and I marketed mortgage loan insurance most of the year. After the crash this changed the market and what was going on with mortgage loans. My pivot…was not to reinvent myself or the business but to expand on the tax industry. I decided to make this business a year round money maker I needed to improve my credentials and add services. My accounting business went from tax and insurance to bookkeeping, taxes and payroll as core offerings.

Like all life changes this means that there are new things to learn and new opportunities. It took about 5 years to truly get these key services as core money makers but in the meantime I did [and continue to do] all those things are are necessary to move my business forward and fulfil my business model and motto.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BossesElevate.Me
• Instagram: www.finlit1st
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bizfinancialmgt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-vaughn-mba-44945025/recent-activity/all/
• Youtube: Speaking 2 Elevate @Speaking2Elevate
• Other: www.BossesElevate.Me