We recently connected with Rezella and have shared our conversation below.
Rezella, appreciate you joining us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
Growing up as a teen and early adult my plan was to get involved in the retail fashion industry. My experiences at this time was in retail and I moved up quit quickly. However things quickly changed from early pregnancy in my 20’s marriage and divorce. I became a single mother. I realized I wanted / needed a 9-5 no weekends so I can be at home with my children after school and weekends. This led me to my first job as a bookkeeper. (We have all heard the saying fake it till you make it) I studied went to night school 2 x week and did well. However things changed as I was (green and nieve in this line of work) I was always the submissive standoffish and non confrontational) I did as I was instructed from my superiors, accepting orders, signing off on legal documents etc. (My superiors took advantage of my lack of) I decided to leave this position as I became more knowledge and found a better position closer to home, un benounce to me , I was arrested, convicted and sent to prison. Accused of embezzlement. To speed things up, after serving 4-6 months of my 2 year sentence in prison an Attorney came to see me questioning me again about the same things I was charged of, to later have my charge lowered to misappropriation, my new sentence was 9 months. come to find out fortunately some prior co-workers learned what occurred , and went to the co-operate office sharing the details of what they knew and I did not. The company treasurer and forman were later charged from what I was advised and were voted out as shareholders or partners. I found that I really enjoyed accounting and later turned a bad experience into a positive one, teaching business owners how to manage there financials as well as providing the services for them. My business is run on clear transparency and helping other single mothers, and or fathers by employing them, which allows them to work from home remotely. There’s more to this story of course but this is the just of it.
Rezella, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
When I learned how much enjoyed the field of accounting, I began to take night courses at a local college. I found some great mentors, whom were CFOS or CPA,s. Even until this day I study and take online knowledge courses, as there is always something knew to learn. I became a quickbooks Pro adviser, over 20 years ago. I try to provide services that fit any business owners needs. I believe I’m different. I train consumers how to use quickbooks and manage there financials, I have ala carte services, were as they can pick and chose a specific service while they do the other services, I have video instructional videos, were as a client can purchase a how to video specific to there need, I offer quickbooks software for wholesale so they can receive a lifetime discount. I also understand that business owners wear many hats and their schedule is not always an 8 hour day, we make it possible to assist our clients after hours and weekends. Our clients have options to meet us virtually were ever they are. What I have been told by most of my clients or consumers I have assisted along the way, is they like how I explain finances, I make easy to understand in NON ACCOUNTING language. I feel as a business owner we sometimes need to meet the client were they are (meaning) I’m not a mechanic so talk to me in layman’s terms .
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When I decided to start my accounting firm, I did not want to risk a loan or adding additional debt to the household. I have always budgeted well and had no problem with doing without. First I knew I had to build relationships with CPA,s and potential clients. while working a full time job, I also worked seasonal jobs cleaning up financials for small businesses. This is where the CFOS and CPAs played a part. I applied to contractual positions with them, these were the same CFOs, and CPA,s that I had to report to working these full time jobs. I shared my vision and they referred me there clients. To connect with business owners directly, because I was already working for a company, I already had direct connection with the owners and built my mailing list. Because I was a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, I did NOT have to pay for my own software, and I was able to secure software for clients as needed at a discount. This certification program also allowed me to be placed in there listing to find a bookkeeper in the Quickbooks site. Consumer would search for bookkeepers here as Quickbooks marketed this program for FREE. The only thing left was a website, and marketing material. I spent months looking at other website local and abroad, looking at the visual appeal, ease of use, services offered. I then took the money I saved vested into a website, that grew as I learned. I would send a monthly newsletter and get involved in local networking groups and tradeshow event. It was important that I got my face out in public. (my saying is) when you drive by McDonald you may not eat there today, but there is a chance you will at sometime. So the more I am seen at some point, someone will want to connect.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I want my team to feel as though they are part of the company just not my employees. Each team member builds a relationship with the client I assign them, because someday I will retire, and when I do. I want those clients to keep my team member on as there bookkeeper, to outsource or hire directly. My team knowing this understands that there future in this field is beyond me. I also give bonuses on retainage , My business is ran with a team NOT just me, and there efforts do not go un seen. I appreciate them keeping our clients happy and staying loyal to my firm. They deserve the bonuses. I do NOT demand a schedule. As long as the work gets done is the timeline required, they can make there schedule how they want it. Compliments are important and acknowledgement, but lets be honest people have a family to feed and bills to pay as the cost of living continues to increase. It cost to train new hires, so I rather take less of a profit and retain clients and staff.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcdonaldbookkeeping.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldbookkeepingservices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcdonaldbookkeepingservice/?viewas=100000686899395
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcdonaldbookkeeping/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/McDonaldBookkeepingServices
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mcdonaldbookkeepingsrvc?lang=en
