We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shanderia Montgomery. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Shanderia, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
What I think is misunderstood about my business is that I know about investing, tax strategies and planning. There are several faucets to accounting and people tend to automatically connect finance to it. To be clear, accounting focuses on recording and analyzing past and present financial date. Finance focuses on planning and strategizing for the future, managing assets and liabilities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Shanderia Montgomery, and I’m the founder and CEO of One Chance Bookkeeping, based in Tennessee. My company was inspired by my son, Chance, he’s the reason behind the name and the motivation behind everything I do. One Chance Bookkeeping started as a way to help small business owners gain clarity and confidence in their finances, and it has grown into a full-service firm offering bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll, and business consulting.
What makes my brand special is that it’s built on purpose, education, and empowerment. I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs, especially those who feel overwhelmed by numbers, understand their finances so they can make informed decisions and build sustainable businesses.
I’ve also expanded my mission through One Chance Bookkeeping Academy, where I teach others how to manage their own books and even start bookkeeping businesses themselves. Everything I do connects back to my purpose creating opportunities, inspiring confidence, and reminding others that all it takes is one chance to change your life and your business.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
What I believed about myself as a child that I no longer believe is that I wouldn’t be able to live a full life. I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 10 years old, and for a long time, I felt limited by that label. Many people don’t realize that it’s considered a disability, and from ages 16 to 24, I was repeatedly told by doctors that I should consider applying for disability benefits because of my health. I’ll never forget one appointment where a doctor told me I had the health of a 65-year-old woman.
I was prescribed multiple medications that weren’t even for diabetes, just “preventive” measures. At one point, I was told I should never live alone because of the risk that something could happen and no one would be there to help.
Today, I no longer believe that I can’t live a full, healthy, and independent life. Choosing to take control of my own health by doing my own research, asking questions, and trusting myself changed everything. I’m grateful I didn’t accept the limitations others placed on me, because now I’m living proof that your diagnosis doesn’t define your destiny.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
The last time I changed my mind about something important was when I realized that rest is not a reward but it’s a requirement. For years, I believed that constantly working and pushing myself was the only way to succeed. As a business owner, and mother, I used to feel guilty for slowing down or taking a break. But I learned the hard way that burnout doesn’t build businesses, balance does.
Now, I prioritize rest, mental health, and boundaries just as much as I do my goals. Changing my mindset about rest didn’t just make me healthier; it made me more creative, focused, and grounded. I’ve learned that taking care of myself is one of the most powerful business decisions I can make.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that second impressions reveal who a person truly is. The first impression is usually rehearsed. People naturally put their best foot forward when they first meet someone. But it’s during the second interaction that their true character begins to show. You see their consistency, how they treat others when they’re comfortable, and whether their words align with their actions.
Consistency is what I look for, because people can only deter from who they are at their core for so long. Over time, the truth of their character always surfaces and that’s what I pay attention to. First impressions may open the door, but second impressions show whether someone truly belongs in your space.
Of course this is not all people but it’s just something I cannot prove.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. For a long time, I thought I was just “good with numbers,” but I’ve learned that what I really do is bring order, confidence, and peace of mind to people through their finances. That’s not something I was told to do, it’s something that grew out of my own life experiences and the challenges I’ve faced.
I believe purpose shows up in the things that come naturally to you and the impact you make without even trying. Helping people understand their money, build better businesses, and see what’s possible for them is where I feel most aligned. This isn’t just a career for me, it’s my calling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onechancebookkeeping.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onechance.bookkeeping
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanderia-montgomery-macc-198a73197
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onechancebookkeeping
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onechancebookkeeping9156
