Meet Chandra James | Serial entrepreneur and mentor

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

Hi Chandra, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is my consistency. Being consistent plays a major roll in being successful. Their will be days when business is great and their will be days when you maybe thinking I can let this go. However by me being consistent it balance out. I am determined to get things done and keep my business relevant by being innovative and comming up with new ideas.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have two business one is my food truck whick is here in Birmingham AL. The name is the Arctic Shack. I started this business back in 2019. I knew I was ready to leave corporate america but really didnt know how. Then I saw a local business here in Birmingham run their shaved ice business and it was always jam packed. I thought to myself I can do that so I made a plan to get my own food truck . I did alot of research first to make sure it made sense and would be good profit. Spring of 2019 I made it happen. We did our first event and sold out. I knew from that point if I stayed consistent this truck would bring wealth and also provide wealth for my kids. I did have some challenges getting started. I didnt know exactly everything that was need to start and operate a foodtruck. So me being me I reached out to others who was already doing it to help get my permits and licnensing. Just recently I purchased my own private lot and we set up their on the weekends. We have events like Trunk or Treat, backpack giveaways for back to school and customer appreciation days. This is a family business and our brand is about bringing great food to a community that a food truck may not pull up to and the community love to see us coming.

My next business is my tax firm and mentorship program. So I started doing taxes in 2017. I was working a for another tax firm. My second season in I realized that I was ready to open my own tax season and create the flexibiliy I needed in my life. So I did just that started my own tax firm, Guardian Tax Associates LLC. I am a solo practictioner and I have prepared taxes for over 415 clients. I consistently do what it take to stay knowledgeable in this forever changing business. My clients value my expertise and I keep them updated on changes in the tax law while also providing resources.

After a couple seasons in I was getting request from other aspiring tax professionals that wanted to join the tax industry. I would help answer their questions, and then noticed that I can take this to another level and offer my services as a mentor. I have a passion with helping people and wanting them to be successful as well. So I started The Boss Up Tax Academy. This academy is geared for tax professionals that want to start and run their own tax business. Registration is only open once a year. I teach them how the can generate 10k to 30k their first year while creating financial freedom and flexibilty. This program has been a success for me based of the reviews and feedback that has been given. I will continue to be a pillar in my community to help others become successful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This one would be hard for me because I have really become a homebody. My home is the most exciting place for me lol! Just to give it a shot I would probably take them to Ruby Sunshine for breakfast. Then for lunch I would show them the Pizitz Food Hall. Dinner is so many great options my favorite is Halfshell Oyster House. Some hangout spots we would go to hear good music and drinks would be the Shop or or City Club Birmingham. For some good laughs we would go to the Stardome Comedy Club. We also walk around our newest park which downtown called City Park and maybe rent some scooters.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would have to say my husband. My husband is my biggest supporter and goes with all my crazy ideas. If it wasnt for him telling me on a consistent basis that I can do this. I probably would’ve never started my own business. He is the muscle, listening ear, and confidant behind everything I do. I truly appreciate him more than he may ever know.

Website: https://guardiantaxassociate.com/ and https://thearcticshack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thearcticshack/ https://www.instagram.com/guardian_tax_associates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guardiantaxassociates https://www.facebook.com/thearcticshack