Meet Sonya Sessoms | Faith Stalker

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

Hi Sonya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have to be honest and say that I wanted to start my own business because every example I heard about successful people in the Accounting world had their own companies. They also didn’t look like me. I wanted to be an example for other women of color. I hadn’t thought about it much until my junior and senior years of college. I’d always read about the CPA or tax expert who made decisions for major companies and they were “consultants.” So I said, “WAIT! You can be a CONSULTANT?! And they will pay you for your OPINION?!” LOL! So yeah, my desire to be something I hadn’t seen drove me to start not just one business, but several.

Now that I am a proud parent of two Brown children, the decision I made over 20 years ago hits different. My husband and I can show our son and daughter a different way to reach their goals, different ways to become successful. We teach them about creating their own lane because if you can’t find it and you have the skill to produce it, you go full speed ahead. We surround ourselves around other entrepreneurs who look like us and are more successful too. That’s how you continue to grow and learn. So I initially wanted to start my own business because I thought it was cool, and that quickly turned into me realizing that my example would now impact my children and their children and their children.

Legacy began to be my focus. So everything God placed in my “treasure chest” I try my best to walk out. Not every business stuck, but I tried and that’s what counts. I’m now at a place where I can be your accountant, your travel advisor, your life coach, your employer, all the way down to being your Pastor. LOL! I want my children and those who look up to me to see that the SessomsFam, with God’s help, are making their own lanes and staying in them.

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?
Some say that I’m a Jackie of all Trades. I may be inclined to believe them. I used to think that having several businesses meant that I would never be successful in each business because so many people told me that I was doing “too much.” And at times, I do get a little overwhelmed, but I believe that God gave me the tools to use and if I didn’t use them, I’d be letting Him down.

I’ve run my Accounting Firm for over 20 years and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. Being a Black woman in Finance wasn’t always easy. I started in corporate America and climbed the “ladder” but realized that being my own boss was more rewarding. Over the years I began to add to my arsenal. I started a choir, a travel agency, a call center (so men and women could work from home), accepted the call to ministry, started my life coaching business, and have taught on the collegiate level to help budding Accounting professionals. While doing that I managed to pen a book and open a publishing company to help aspiring authors with their thoughts and dreams as we introduce them to the world.

None of this was easy. In fact, it took some time, money, sweat, tears, and a whole lot of faith. I just decided that I would never give up. That’s how I made it. If I failed, I would learn the lesson and come back even better. I guess the world should know that all things are possible in life. Sometimes you start a business and you soar immediately, other times you encounter road blocks and challenges. With all of those experiences I kept moving forward and now I offer a full-service experience to my clients. Many of them come to me for more than one service and that just goes to show that you can be who God called you to be, even if you feel like you’re doing the most with the absolute least. So KEEP IT MOVING!!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I reside in the city of Killeen and while my friends would enjoy it here, a lot of people hear about some of the major cities and want to visit when they come in. So we’d take a trip to Dallas. On the way there, I’d introduce them to Buc-ees…the greatest rest stop ever! I’m originally from Philadelphia, PA and our Wawa has NOTHING on Buc-ees and I do mean NOTHING. After we shop, eat, enjoy the cleanest restrooms you will ever find at a gas station, and get gas, we will head over to Waco and visit the Dr. Pepper museum.

We will then take that hour and a half drive to Dallas and then the fun begins. We will eat dinner at Pappadeaux and then we will stay at one of many hotels in the city and head to the Galleria in the morning. You have to see the ice skating rink. I was shocked when I first visited the Galleria. After shopping, we will grab a bite to eat at Cane Rosso because they have the best mozzarella bites and pizza in town. And we will spend half a day at the Aquarium and the zoo and the other half at Six Flags. Who doesn’t like the amusement park? Before we head back to Killeen to enjoy a day at the lake and my excellent cooking, we will visit the African American Museum of Dallas and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

When they come back we can check out Austin, Houston, the beach. There’s just so much to do and so little time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God is definitely first because without HIM…NONE of this would be possible. I want to say thank you to my family. My mother (Felicia aka Lady), my children (Vidal and Reid), and the love of my life, my husband (Darnell Jaxon) of 21 years. They have pushed me, encouraged me, loved on me, prayed for me, given reproof when needed, and so much more. You need a strong family unit that will literally be a backbone for you. I’ve wanted to quit at times, not be my best at times, and they would NOT let me do it. I’m grateful.

I also have a small tribe of women and men. I’m an only child, and these people are like my real-life brothers and sisters. They have traveled with me on this journey. I don’t want to get into naming names because that never ends well, but why not. In NO ORDER and with nicknames loaded…Tilly, Janee’, Tony, Lil Bitz, Favorite, Jimmy, Cleo, Emoni, Ced, Jaz, Akia, Christal, Shelley, KP and BP, LaNique, Mike, and Kish…THANK YOU! I’m praying I didn’t miss anybody. SMH. Listen…it’s important for them to be honored because I’m difficult to love. LOL! I’m what some may call “an acquired taste.” Not everyone gets me, and these beautiful humans see beyond what others don’t, and some have been in my life for well of 20 years. I’m uber blessed for real!

I would also like to send a special shoutout to my Uncle Burt, who never ceases to amaze me with how he sees me. I also would be remiss if I didn’t honor those who have passed before me: Pop Pop and Grandma, My bio father, Stanley, my bonus father, Derrick, my close friend Joey, and my Uncle Victor. There are so many folks along my journey in college that made an impact in my life and that of my family. I shouted them all out in my book, How I Faithed it Over…Do You Trust God of Don’t You? They know who they are for sure. And if you grab that book (shameless plug), you’ll see a long list of thank-yous because I believe in giving folk flowers while they can smell them, for sure.

See…this part can mess you up when you really think about your life and the impact others had on your development. I had professors who have turned into big brothers and sisters, too: Dr. Harvell, Dr. Anderson, Jose, Dr. Walls. Man…they were beyond impactful, and I communicate with them to this day. But yeah…I pray I didn’t miss anybody. If I did, know that I love and appreciate you and am humbled by the large or small part you’ve played in my development as a believer, pastor, professor, life coach, love doctor, author, publisher, singer/songwriter, rapper, sister, aunt, godmom, mother, and wife. With all of the many hats that I wear, you all have been through it all with me, and I legit love y’all!!! I’m a better human because of your sacrifices and commitment to love me for me and all of the hats I wear.

Website: http://iamsonyasessoms.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamsonyasessoms

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smsessoms

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonyasessoms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamsonyasessoms

Image Credits
Book cover photo, Headshot (side shot), and Personal Photo: Tanisha Dunham of LightLens Photography