We had the good fortune of connecting with Ensa Huger and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ensa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To be frank – we got into this business to help businesses and individuals succeed. That’s it in a nutshell. As accountants and business consultants we have been exposed to almost all cross functional teams and we see how the numbers really can inform and guide decision making. We also see the choices that are sometimes made in absence of good financial metrics and coaching. Our vision is to create opportunity and cultivate a space where our team and clients grow – together. We are ushering in the future of accountancy as we offer an array of services and creative solutions through which we assist our clients in building successful businesses and accumulating wealth. We are leading the way with innovate and customized coaching solutions. With over 40 years of combined experience in companies of varying industries and sizes, in over 25 countries, we are equipped to assist with any business or financial goal or problem.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We collaborate with our clients regarding their unique needs to formulate both traditional and creative solutions spanning a wide range of Accounting, Tax, and Consulting services. We combine expertise, authenticity, and experience to ensure each of our clients receive a close personal and professional experience. We also add value through the contribution of competent advice and thorough explanations as we seek to help better manage their financial affairs. My journey to starting SEED was an interesting one. My business partners and I founded the company while two of us were still working full time corporate jobs. We had a vision meeting and were excited by where we believed this business could go. But we still deducted a majority of our time to our employers at that time. One day I walked into a meeting that I have been anticipating for a while thinking “Im getting a promotion”. I was on cloud nine – glad that this meeting with finally taking place. I wrote the job description and planned the goals of the department months earlier. I was thinking “finally” I get to be impactful in an exciting role. I was told during that meeting the the role was given to another person. I was asked to work underneath that individual as they executed on the ideas that I had initially presented. In fairness, the person leading the meeting seemed entirely unaware that I had written this plan and job description so I listened to her intently because I respected her. I left the room feeling confused and defeated. I went back to speak to my manager and asked “If I choose not to take this role then what?”. He basically told me that my current role was no longer in the budget so “take it or else” effectively. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. I was tied up in knots. Was God telling me to take a step backwards. I mean I had been stressed with this job. I left the office early around 2pm because I was just not going to have a productive day. I took the weekend to think it over. I spoke to my sorors and friends Ashley Tanks and Rita Akiyode. I called my mom. I called Blair. I called Desmond and Simon (my business partners). I prayed and attended church with fellow a fellow entrepreneur and friend Leonard. I called my therapist even. The consensus was clear – quit! My tribe was all aware that I felt stressed more days than not. They reminded me that I came into the company with a specific goal in mind and that I had achieved that goal. They stressed the difference between being a “quitter” and letting go. So on Monday I let go of that job and the loyalty I had to Corporate America as a whole. Being honest with myself, I cannot say if I was the better candidate. What I can say – I wasn’t the right candidate – simply because that was not my purpose here on earth. My purpose is and was always to acquire the knowledge needed and bring it back to the community of people who couldn’t otherwise afford to obtain it. My drive has always been to coach and development talent within my community so that we develop a stronger financial acumen poised to accumulate and leverage our wealth. I am proud to say that so far we have been able to coach clients who have seen their revenue triple year over year. We have seen clients be able to quit their jobs and improve their quality of life. It was not easy. The days and nights (and weekends) are long but I have no regrets. I have leaned a few things along the way 1) make long term goals and make time consistently to revisit the goals and your progress; 2) apply the EAD method (Eliminate Automate Delegate) to increase productivity 3) do not connect your business pricing to your personal sense of self worth. Price for the time it took you to acquire the skills – not the time it took to complete the tasks.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ponce City Market – Rooftop The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont Silver Comet Trail (to actually ride) Atlanta Beltline – to eat and drink amongst the people Morgan Falls Park to Kayak Golden Glide skating rink on Sunday for Adult Skate Busy Bees Cafe World of Coke and Aquarium (We have to do the touristy stuff) MLK Home and Center Movie tour (all the locations of cool movie scenes) Battery Park High Museum Joy Stick Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out several people who I feel have been pivotal in my Journey. I’ll start with two former bosses Michelle Barton and Ronald Hough. In their own way, they each provided me with invaluable support and guidance to become a more skilled practitioner and leader. I would also like to Shout Out my business partners Desmond McCain (SEED Business LLC) and Blair Presley (So She Did Academy). We consistently push each other to greater heights. I know that I would not be here, today, without the both of them. I truly hope that I have made Michelle, Ron, Desmond and Blair proud.
Website: www.seed.business
Instagram: @ensa.gram
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ensahuger/
Twitter: @iam_Ensa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ensa.huger
Other: www.soshedidacademy.com