Meet LaTilda Owens | CEO-Finance, Accounting & Business Strategist

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

Hi LaTilda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I actually fell into entrepreneurship unintentionally. Back in July of 2013, while on maternity leave, I got laid off from my corporate job of over 5 years. I looked at it as a blessing in disguise because I would have more time to spend with my newborn son.

I worked as a corporate accountant and work life balance was a myth. I took a few months to enjoy motherhood while looking for another job. I happened to be attending a birthday party for a close friend’s son. Her father, a serial entrepreneur, mentioned that he needed someone to audit his books because he felt that his people were stealing from him, so I offered to help him out, while I was searching for another job. I knew enough to establish a LLC and that small business owner became my first client, The rest is history…

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 started out my business as an independent consultant providing technical assistance to small business in the areas of startup assistance and business strategy, operational management, human resources, marketing and financial assistance. I was hired by local corporations and government agencies to assist businesses in economically disadvantaged communities with the technical assistance they needed to obtain access to capital. I helped these programs deploy over two million dollars to small businesses in targeted areas across the city of Richmond and surrounding counties. Through my community work, I became a highly sought after consultant and created lasting relationships and connections within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2020, I decided to scale my business by building a team and focusing my services in the areas of Accounting, Finance, and Business Strategy because during my independent consultant work, I found that finance and accounting services was the biggest need in the small business community.

My passion is to help entrepreneurs walk in their divine assignments run successful businesses that advance the Kingdom of God. My biggest flex is to see my clients WIN. When I see my clients exceeding goals, meeting milestones, receiving awards and recognitions, it gives me the upmost joy and satisfaction. I actually care about my clients, they trust me with their money and finances and I think of them as family. I go above and beyond for my clients and they tell me all the time that I am not your ordinary run of the mill accounting firm.

There have been many lessons I have learned along this journey.

One lesson I have learned is to seek God before making any decisions, whether its a decision to hire or a decision to fire. Seek confirmation before taking on new clients and don’t be scared to let go when you realize that situations no longer serve you and your purpose. I have hired people and took on clients without His confirmation and things ended up disastrous. I learned that lesson early.

Secondly, I have learned to give myself grace and to extend grace to others. You will find that grace goes a long way and you will save yourself a ton of stress and headaches. Pick and choose your battles wisely and do not make decisions based off of emotion. Mistakes in business will happen, what’s most important is how you handle it. Its important to know when you season has changed and when its time to implement new strategies.

Lastly, remember to check your circle and be mindful of the words that come out of your mouth. Do not go looking for validation in friends and loved ones, you will save yourself disappointment. When you are working in the Kingdom of God, He is the only one you should be seeking validation from and the only one you should aim to please.

Everyone cannot handle the levels of favor and success on your life. You will see people that you was once close to start to distance themselves from you. My daily prayer is for God to send people into my life who are on divine assignment to assist me in fulfilling my purpose and to protect me from those who are not.

My story is one of faith, resilience, and perseverance. Throughout my 11 year entrepreneurship journey I have dealt with and overcame loss, high risk pregnancy ending in 60 days of hospitalized bedrest while building my business, dialysis, a kidney transplant, multiple hospitalizations, Covid 19 shutdown, and downsizing of my staff. This journey is not for the weak but for the strong.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day one: We would visit the African American Art Museum and tour the Jackson Ward area which is known as the “Harlem” of Richmond. We would stop to have lunch at Croaker Spot, one of Richmond’s favorite restaurants for soul seafood. Later that evening we would go out for drinks and games at The Park RVA

Day two: The morning we will spend down on Browns Island touring the canal and getting fresh air. We walk down to the financial district and check out the James Center area while getting fresh air and enjoying a brisk walk. Then we will visit Soul Taco for lunch.

During the afternoon, we will schedule a tour at the Governor’s mansion and take in a few more sights and buildings downtown such as the Historic Main Street station and the Valentine museum. Bring comfortable shoes, so that we can go walk along the infamous slave trail. We will end the evening with dinner at Southern Kitchen.

Day three: There is nothing better than a trip to the Richmond Metropolitan Zoo. We will order lunch in advance from Christopher’s Runaway Gourmet food truck to enjoy at the Zoo. After the trip to the Zoo, we will rest up before heading out to the West End to the Tin Pan to enjoy some live music, good food, and drinks.

Day four: The parks in Richmond are absolutely gorgeous. On day four, we will start the day with brunch at Millie’s and then head down to Marymount park for the morning hours. The afternoon will be spent checking out a matinee at the Bow Tie Theater in Scotts Addition. After the movies we will head out for an early dinner at Lillie Pearls before catching a late night Richmond Squirrels game.

Day 5: On Day 5 we will start the day having breakfast at a local favorite McLean’s Restaurant. Next we will journey down to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and take in the exhibits. That evening for dinner will dine at Buckhead’s, a local steakhouse that has been around for many years. We will end the evening at Mona’s Cigar Lounge for drinks and live music.

Day 6: We will head to Kings Dominion to enjoy a day of food fun and amusements.

Day 7: Sunday will start the day at the historic Jefferson Hotel for brunch. Sunday afternoon we will be spending shopping at Short Pump mall and enjoying that experience. Sunday night we will take in a comedy show at the Funnybone and have a late dinner at Texas de Brazil in Short Pump as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I attribute all of my blessings and success to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All that I do, and the reason that I serve is to advance His kingdom. Secondly, my Mother always told me I could do anything I put my mind to and my Father told me to always keep the faith. I have had many strong women come in and out of my life, however the late Dr. Caroline Hines served as my mentor, once I began my entrepreneurship journey and I will never forget the nuggets she poured into during the time we spent together.

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