Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in accounting but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jami Monte, founder of Monte CPA, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I teach self-employed people how to crush their bookkeeping so that they can reach their financial goals and feel confident in their numbers. My customers are small businesses, mostly solo entrepreneurs, working across multiple industries (artists, coaches, consultants, designers, course creators)

Tell us about yourself

I was a tax accountant for a few years and quickly realized that the majority of solo entrepreneurs did not know how much money they were making or how much tax they were going to owe come tax time. Tax time was super scary and stressful for them - and the remedy to a stressful tax season was so clear to me. They needed a bookkeeping system to support them through the year. So I started by helping people set up their bookkeeping systems, soon that developed into my signature 3 Phase Bookkeeping Bootcamp process.

I am motivated by the sparkle that I see in my client's eyes when they first see their numbers all laid out for them and organized into neat little categories of their choice. There is so much relief AND excitement at that moment for what is possible financially. Setting up a bookkeeping system is the most empowering step you can take for your small business finances as an entrepreneur. I want that for everyone.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Letting go of all of my tax clients in order to fully commit to facilitating and growing Bookkeeping Bootcamp. It was a huge leap of faith as the majority of my income was coming from tax filing, but I knew I had to do it if I wanted to serve more people and start to make waves in the Canadian accounting and tax landscape.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Boundaries between work and personal life - I am so passionate about my business, and it can be hard to turn it off sometimes, even when I'm at social events. At times I feel my mind is in "business mode" from morning to night. Even though I love what I do, I recognize it's important to carve out personal time.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start bookkeeping as soon as you start your business. The earlier you set up QuickBooks (or whatever software you choose), the easier it will be. Every business owner I meet says, "I wish I met you at the start of my business." Create a system that will support you in your growth, don't wait to grow, and then build the system.
  2. Focus on marketing in a way that feels good to you - if you like Instagram, hang out there. If you prefer face-to-face networking, do that. It's easy to feel pressured by what people are doing around you. There is so much advice out there but trust that you know yourself best.
  3. You may not know exactly what your product or service will look like, but the best way to figure it out is to take action in a direction that feels good. Action will bring you clarity over time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.montecpa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montecpa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montecpa/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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