Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanderia Montgomery.
Hi Shanderia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am an Accountant, Owner/Operator of a virtual accounting services business named, One Chance Bookkeeping. I grew up in West, TN and I knew back in high school that I would want to be an Accountant. I was interested in numbers but I didn’t know how much until after school one day waiting on my ride home, my principal asked me what I wanted to do after high school.
I told him I wanted to be an accountant, and he immediately said “you must like numbers”. I told him yes, I do! Then he asked me, “Ok what’s the room number for your English class”, I answered without even thinking about it! He confirmed that I got it right and I realized then that numbers would just come naturally to memorize! Aside from that, my favorite classes were accounting and banking classes!
I didn’t go to college until three years after I graduated but when I did, I continued until I got 3 degrees in accounting. I have my Associate’s in Accounting, Bachelor in Forensic Accounting, and Master’s in Auditing. In the midst of getting my degrees, I worked two jobs but my main job was always an accounting job. In 2018, I had my son, Chance who in which my business is named after. In 2018, I realized how difficult it was to be a mother and work in the corporate world.
I would miss a lot of days due to him being sick, eventually ran out of PTO days, and since I was a salaried employee, it was nothing, I could do to make up for missing. In 2019, I decided that I wanted to work for myself. I figured that if I can do accounting work for someone else, I can do it for myself and generate my own revenue. The word “chance” by Webster’s definition means, “a possibility of something happening”.
I was told for many years I would not be able to carry a child, so my son’s name Chance is sentimental. I decided to name my business, One Chance Bookkeeping after my son, as I viewed it as another possibility of making something happen. I have now been in business for three years as of January 1 of this year!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When I first started, my biggest obstacle with being self-employed was networking. I struggled with getting exposure, so in August 2019 I decided to have my 1st Small Business Expo. I had no experience with events, but over 30 vendors gave me an opportunity to try it out! I was still in a lot of debt from being off work after having my son, so I did Postmates and Instacart just to pay off the venue!
I am originally from West, TN and most of my clients are there so I tend to travel between West, TN, and Middle, TN often. I am currently seeking a venue for my 1st Expo that will be held in Memphis. I have been so blessed to meet such amazing business owners, and many have become friends! My business has grown so much and so has my experience with event planning!
This year on August 27th from 11 am-3 pm, I am hosting my 3rd Small Business Expo at Gaylord Springs Golf Links here in Nashville! Hosting the events has been success after success so I intend on hosting them annually. I support ALL of my vendors in some way, to show my appreciation!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our mission at One Chance Bookkeeping is to give small business owners confidence by knowing where their business stands. Our vision is to educate small businesses on their finances while watching them grow into big businesses.
One Chance Bookkeeping brings accountability and trust while helping with bookkeeping, consulting, business credit, tax planning, and preparation.
As of May 2022, we now have business funding programs for start-ups!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I would say that there is no such thing as luck to me. However, I would say that all of the things I have gone through were lessons that I have been able to learn and grow from.
Pricing:
- Bookkeeping starts as low as $250/month.
- Credit Services- $209 to start and $59/month.
- Business Funding for Start-Ups- No Rev Required.
- Payroll Services start as low as 45/per month.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@onechancebookkeeping.com
- Website: https://www.onechancebookkeeping.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_chance_bookkeeping_llc/?fbclid=IwAR2MCiOr9D6N365rjyNge6WB4lbdNDF41Cl4Lra16URLnXEiyDcYvfEy4Aw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onechancebookkeepingllc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/one-chance-bookkeeping-nashville
Image Credits:
Motelewa Smith Photography
