JaJuan L. Williams (also know as J. Lauren Williams) is a focused, driven, and passionate accounting professional who holds scholarship and entrepreneurship as the two key attributions of her identity.
As a confident, professional, accomplished accounting professional, her primary focus now is sharing her experience with other minority women accountants through mentoring and encouraging them throughout their educational and professional journeys.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
After working in corporate accounting as a senior regional accountant handling over 130 accounts, I knew this was something I could do for myself as my own accounting firm.
Tell us about your business.
I have two CFO Benefits which is a full service Accounting/CFO Consulting Firm. We service small to mid-sized business virtually all over the world. I have 1 accounting supervisor, 2 senior accountants, and 5 bookkeepers who are all virtual. Not enough people that you can easily get Virtual Accounting done for their business, and it can be a great help to be honest.
My other business is The Lady CPA, a non-profit organization helping to aide the advancement of minority women in the accounting and finance profession.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We have no promos but we are hosting our annual conference for The Lady CPA in Orlando, Florida this summer, July 20-22 where we will have a host of information and informative speakers in different areas of accounting and/or finance.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- I was inducted into the NAPW VIP Women of the year circle for 2017-2018.
- I was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta International association for business in 2013 in recognition of scholastic attainment:
- I am a CPA candidate.
Where is your business based?
Both businesses are virtual. I am in St. Augustine, Florida. TLCPA has members all over the U.S. CFO Benefits has clients all over the US.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I began the transition while still working in corporate America. I began to take on clients for about 2 years before I was able to fully leave corporate America to work full time for myself. That was almost 10 years ago.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
For the accounting firm it has been referrals and The Lady CPA has been social media with a lot of hard work—dedication and long hours for both.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
The time it has taken away from my family. Growing an empire takes time and dedication that many may not be willing to sacrifice or can sacrifice.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I developed a great support system that believes in my dreams as much or more than I do, so the sacrifice of time has not been an issue.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My family and children are my motivation, because I am establishing a legacy and generational wealth for them.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
My customer service and wealth of knowledge through extensive education and research. I believe in providing stellar customer service and being knowledgeable about what I am offering, what the client needs, and what I am able to provide. I take a more hands-on approach.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Someone has to be first in order to be able to lead, why not me?
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Find a great support system, an accountability partner who is aspiring to achieve the same goals as you, and never give up. Never stop dreaming, as dreams become reality with hard work and dedication.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
My calendar, OneNote, and my administrative assistant. I can’t function without any of them.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Wake Up Happy by Michael Straham.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Sponsorships for my non-profit organization.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My primary focus these days are the NPO. My accounting firm is well established and runs seamlessly, so I am focusing on obtaining grants and fundraising for the NPO in order to provide our members with the necessary tools to succeed in their career goals.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @theladycpa
Twitter @theladycpa
Facebook @theladycpa
Facebook Group The Lady CPA
Website theladycpanetwork.com
Email theladycpa@gmail.com