Meet Andrea McNair | Bookkeeper, Tax Professional, Notary, Insurance Broker, Travel Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea McNair and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Where do I begin, there are many lessons in starting and running your own business. One of the main lessons goes back to the biblical adage that faith without works is dead. It’s the same in business, you can have all of these wonderful glorious ideas but it takes hard work to not only make them come true but also make them profitable!

Now with that being said, you shouldn’t work yourself into the ground but you should be mindful as a business owner your reward is directly correlated to the amount of work put in. You should plan reasonably and well (but be flexible) and then execute your plans. I’ve found this method has worked the best the work gets done and I haven’t attempted to overwork myself (had to learn this lesson the hard way).

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
MRA Services LLC is a full-service business and personal financial services organization. We offer business services such as bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, business startup and soon to offer advisor services such as cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and tax planning. On the personal financial services, we offer tax preparation, insurance/annuities, travel, and soon tax planning & credit repair.

Here at MRA Services, we strive to run a full faith-based business that stands on honesty, integrity, and a holistic client approach. We want to be a one-stop point for your most common financial services. To use our expertise to focus on the numbers while you focus on what you are passionate about whether it be your business or life. We strive to be that semi-silent supporter in everything you do! Our mantra is “Your Success Is Our Motivation!”

So MRA Services came into fruition when I became disenchanted with my current job position. I was so mad one day I came home and incorporated my business and set up my EIN after work. Then it sat for a few months. Fast forward to the pandemic and a change of jobs, the idea took root again. Every day during lunch I had my notebook out planning what I thought I wanted my business to be at the time. Then like God does he forced me to take the full-time jump into this business. I made tons of mistakes and wasted plenty of time but I wouldn’t change a thing to get me where I am today. Hours of research, work, planning, learning new things all to help my business be the best it could be. Now we are still learning and evolving and things aren’t perfect but almost two years later I can see our growth and that not only encourages me to keep going but makes me proud as well.

When running a business first and foremost you must always be willing to learn and adapt. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing focus on your path and your race first, you don’t know what it took for others to get where they are. Also, have faith in what you do and actively operate in that faith. You are always told to plan your work and work you plan this is definitely true in business.

I would like the world to know that MRA Services is here to serve. I love being able to support people in their dreams and see how my work has helped them attain the goals they have set for themselves. Whether it is bookkeeping for their small business, letting a client know how much I can save them on their taxes this year, helping someone protect their family and legacy with insurance, or someone wanting me to help them plan that once in a lifetime trip, we are here to serve people in all these moments and be the catalyst in changing or improving their lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmm, let’s see:

Monday: Thumbs Up Diner, MLK Memorial, Piedmont Park for a picnic
Tuesday: Waffle House, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Benihana’s Buckhead.
Wednesday: Hight Museum of Art, Your Dekalb Farmer’s Market
Thursday: Fernbank Museum, World of Coca Cola, Underground, Slutty Vegan
Friday: JJ’s Fish on Candler Road, The Beach (Clayton County Park)
Saturday: Downtown Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain Park
Sunday: My Home Church, Piccadilly’s at South Dekalb Mall

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have several groups that are responsible for where I am now.

Family & Friends were an integral part of my support and encouragement during the early stages of starting my business up until now! Sometimes they are the toughest critics but they have also been the biggest cheerleaders of my business.

Business buddies, yes this is a thing! I’ve learned so much from these ladies and I’ve been able to pass on some of my knowledge as well. We continue to grow and push one another to be better in our businesses.

My clients are the reason I’m here my ride-or-die clients have a special place in my heart they stuck with me as I’m growing and learning in this thing myself. I’ve been able to support them in their growth and they in mine.

Website: www.mrabusinessservices.com

Instagram: @mrabookkeeping

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mcnair-a7280412/

Twitter: @mra_llc

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MRAServicesLLC

Other: TikTok: @mrabookkeeping

Image Credits
Photos by Sisco