Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaisha Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kaisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Yes, a true ATLien. I take great pride in telling people that I am from Atlanta, partly because of the City’s reputation for embracing and promoting Black excellence.
Growing up, the eldest of three siblings, my parents took education and exposure to the arts very seriously. My weekly calendar included several extracurricular activities outside of school. From piano lessons and ballet to basketball and church activities, my childhood was very active. Looking back, I know those activities allowed me to hone in on my strengths at an early age. I enjoyed math, had a high attention to detail, and I was extremely competitive. Leveraging those strengths led me to focus on accounting as a career.
I obtained a dual Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance from Georgia State University “GSU”. I remember it like it was yesterday, my dad asked me a week before I graduated from GSU, “when are you getting your Master’s degree?”. Education was never forced, but my parents made sure I understood its importance. A few months after graduating from GSU, I enrolled in Mercer University where I received a dual Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Accountancy degree. Yes, that’s right… four degrees! Not too bad for a first generation college graduate. It’s funny because people often give me accolades for making myself more marketable by doing dual degree programs. The truth is, there was no strategy behind it. I’m a tad bit indecisive. I couldn’t choose between accounting or finance so I majored in both. I guess I’ve revealed by secret now.
Being in the accounting industry for over ten years, my work experience has involved public, government, tax, and corporate accounting for several Fortune 500 companies. Like most, in the beginning of my career, I aspired to climb the corporate ladder. Meanwhile, I was truly inspired by watching my aunt, a Certified Public Accountant, build her accounting firm and expand to offices in different states. Witnessing her journey lit a new fire inside of me. I knew my long-term goal would be to have my name on my own brand.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been a very rewarding road. Pursing your passion isn’t as easy as people often make it look on social media. Sleepless nights are just the beginning. When adversities arise I try to maintain a positive perspective. You know, seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty. My most valuable lessons in business and in my personal life have come after overcoming hard moments.
I’ve balanced corporate and entrepreneurship so I understand the mountains on both sides Entrepreneurship has truly taken me to new heights. I surprise myself daily by my level of motivation and drive to push through adversity and get the job done. Building my brand has been my greatest challenge to date; however, I have awakened a new source of energy during the process. I am naturally an introvert so building my clientele required me to step out of my comfort zone. My confidence in my level of knowledge played a strong role in allowing me to overcome this challenge. As a business owner, you are a walking brand. Every interaction has the potential to be a new client or lead to client referral.
Looking back over my career, I would tell my younger self or other young women: (1) Give yourself grace to make mistakes. No one is perfect. The key is to evaluate and truly learn from the mistakes made. (2) Be willing to be uncomfortable. In order to be successful, you must be willing to take risks and make sacrifices. (3) Understand your WHY. The road will not always be easy but having a clear understanding of your purpose will allow you to overcome your challenges.
We’d love to hear more about K Smith Company.
I am the CEO and Founder of K Smith Company, LLC. K Smith Co. is an accounting practice based out of Atlanta, Georgia that provides accounting and tax services to clients nationwide. Our services include tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses, business formation, and personal finance. Our small business accounting services include but are not limited to bookkeeping, payroll, and sales tax reporting.
Summer 2020 will bring our new initiatives to focus on the community through personal development and financial literacy programs. Some of the topics will include credit repair, savings and budget, retirement planning, public speaking, and taxes.
I am most proud of being able to mix my career with my passion for helping others. Whether we’re creating a personal finance budget, setting up a new business, or tax planning, I enjoy assisting my clients in achieving their financial goals. My Instagram tagline is @Your_Favorite_Accountant, and that is truly what I aim to be.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Though it may sound cliché, my mother has been my greatest inspiration. She is extremely poised and the epitome of grace. She never raises her voice; yet, she always gets her point across and commands respect. She has taught me many values and principles, but the one lesson that I am most thankful for is her teaching me about the love of God and the power of prayer. Because of my mom, I have a solid relationship with God. Without God, I know I would not be where I am today.
I am also thankful that as a young adult my mother and father surrounded me with positive people. My mom’s best friend, Monica Miles, has also played a very instrumental role in my career. As previously mentioned, my admiration for Mrs. Miles was one of the reasons I chose accounting. Watching Mrs. Miles grow a successful public accounting firm while still nurturing a household of four kids and a husband was proof that women can truly have it all. Mrs. Miles never settles, and she is constantly raising the bar.
I also have a host of women whom I admire from afar and take notes. These would include Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and Serena Williams. There are so many women who have helped mold me into the woman that I am today. I believe one of a woman’s most powerful tools is the ability to learn from those around her.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3348 Peachtree Rd NE, suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30326 - Website: www.ksmithcompany.com
- Phone: 404-935-1100
- Email: ksmith@ksmithcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_favorite_accountant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksmithcompany
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ksmithcompany
Image Credit:
Quture Media
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