We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mandy McGowan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mandy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I have historically been in the accounting and tax industry for the past almost 17 years at this point. This past spring, I took a huge leap of faith and fully closed down my accounting practice to step fully into supporting business owners in a different way with their finances. This was a risk because my accounting business was very successful and I knew I could earn enough in 4 months to support my family all year. But the level of work during those 4 months was no longer worth it. I wanted to prioritize my family and my health and to do that, I knew I had to let go of this safety net.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I work with business owners who want to align their business vision with the finances in their business. These two are so tied together- to achieve your vision, the business must serve your financial needs and desires, and to achieve those financial needs and desires, you have a vision that is driving you!

I have always loved numbers, especially in the finance space, and I have been an entrepreneur for almost my entire adult life. I truly get how difficult some days can be, all the hats we wear, and how emotional the days can be.

I work with business owners to take simplified financial data from their business to get really clear on action steps that are needed to achieve those goals. Rather than looking at all the lines of data your financial reports show, if you can focus on one or two key points and action steps, you can move the needle in big ways in your business.

I have owned several businesses in my career. Some were extremely successful and I sold them, one almost bankrupt me, and I still run several. I truly understand the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and running a service-based business. I have never worked in corporate, and this is one of my strengths. I get the small business in a way corporate finance professionals NEVER will. I get how some days feel lonely and others you are on cloud nine. I get how emotional some of the business decisions can be. I get how some days you just need a break. I also get how driven you are and how badly you want to achieve those goals that you have! I get how much you want your business to be a source of time and financial freedom for you and your family, a legacy. I know how to get my clients there, simply, clearly and effectively.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In the finance world, I think what has helped me build my reputation is the fact that I am honest and get to the point. The numbers may not always be what a business owner is hoping to see, but they don’t lie. They are what they are and by knowing what they are, you can shift. I don’t always have good news when I first start with a client, but we do after they focus.
I also am very approachable and easy to talk to, which makes the relationships I have with my clients one where they are comfortable even when things are tough.
I like to have fun in business, and that is apparent in my client relationships.

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

Under promise and over deliver!!!

This creates clients who are happy and happy clients refer their friends!

Image Credits
Samantha Markey Photography