Today we’d like to introduce you to Nannette Ray, MBA.
Nannette, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Mississippi during the height of the civil rights movement and raised by a single mother in a home filled with love. As a family, we confronted a number of personal and financial challenges. In my freshman year of high school, those challenges were exacerbated when my mother passed away from complications resulting from a car accident. The unexpected and tragic loss of my mother created a strong desire to make her proud, and help others improve their financial status.
I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Accounting & Information Systems. I subsequently received an MBA from St. Mary’s University in Finance. I was able to gain valuable experience working for a Fortune 500 company in various corporate roles for 18 years.
I later met and married my husband, Terrence Ray. After the birth of our second child, we decided to move to the Houston area to be closer to family, which led me to accept a position with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Around 2000, my husband and I decided to leverage the valuable experience we acquired while working for Fortune 500 companies to build our own businesses. Additionally, we set a goal to help others achieve success via entrepreneurship. Since 2002, we have been serial entrepreneurs; we have owned and sold several businesses. This includes childcare centers, a real estate company, medical software company, and etc.
In 2008, we formed TNR Accounting & Management Consulting, LLC, to primarily provide accounting and management consulting services for the businesses we owned. After providing advice and services to family and friends at little or no costs, we decided to pursue a goal of helping others by accepting outside clients in 2018. TNR Accounting & Management Consulting, LLC has seen significant growth in both 2019 and 2020.
My passion for giving back to the community is also reflected in other areas. My husband and I recently launched a non-profit “Faith in Business Foundation,” which helps families and minority small business owners increase income and build wealth via job readiness, financial coaching, and small business development. I am currently a charter member and newly elected Treasurer of the Katy Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In addition, I am an associate member of the Katy Prairie View Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where I served as Chapter Vice President and chaired several committees. I also serve as an executive board member for The Morgan Frazier Cancer Foundation and The Texas Chapter of the Meridianites.
My husband, Terrence, and I have been happily married for over 28 years and have three children, Jessica (28), Terrence II (23), and Miles (19). I am blessed that I have my best friend as my life partner. I love reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Per Langston Hughes, “life ain’t been no crystal staircase,,”but I would not change a thing. I am a firm believer that all obstacles and challenges are designed to make us better people. Each and every good and bad experience is designed personally for my growth and development into a more spiritual and godly person.
The loss of my mother at an early age taught me how to overcome difficult and challenging times. Working in corporate America as a young African American female, taught me the value of hard work and how setting high standards for myself and others can help you stand out from the rest. The challenge of balancing a family, career, and business taught me how to prioritize my time and the importance of self-care.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Our business motto is “Translating your financial numbers into your business STORY!” All financial statements tell a story about your business. We help our clients translate that information into something they understand. We strongly believe that business owners can and will make better business decisions if they have an understanding of their financial position.
There are a number of accounting and CPA firms in the Houston area. What makes our firm different? Our extensive experience in owning and operating various businesses provides a deep appreciation for the operational challenges associated with managing the day to day business. Additionally, we are committed to assisting small business owners in growing their businesses and building generational wealth. When advising our clients, we work with them to clarify both their short and long term business goals and ensure their business decisions are aligned with their vision and overall goals for the business.
Our clients mention our commitment and passion to their success as a major decision when choosing our firm over competitors. This is confirmation for my husband and I that we are operating in our purpose. Since, we consider the work we do “ministry.” I am most proud of our commitment to our clients during COVID19. Our firm has successfully assisted our small business clients in acquiring approximately $750,000 in PPP and/or EIDL loans at no charge.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This one is easy! I would begin working out and eating right at an earlier age. I am a firm believer that all obstacles and challenges are designed to make us all better people. However, our choices about what we eat and selfcare have long-term consequences.
Contact Info:
- Address: 24275 Katy Freeway, Suite 400-54
Katy, Texas 77494 - Website: https://www.tnraccounting.com
- Phone: (713)489-4411
- Email: info@TNRaccounting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tnraccounting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tnraccounting/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tnraccounting
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tnr-accounting-and-management-consulting-katy?osq=TNR+accounting
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40849596/admin/
Image Credit:
Terrence Ray II
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