Daily Inspiration: Meet Tevyn Grayson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tevyn Grayson. 

Hi Tevyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, my story starts like most from the Northside of Kalamazoo; just a kid trying to figure out what I want to do in life. Early on, I had more time on my hands than I knew what to do with and was internally committed to do something different for myself–I was looking for my way out of the cycle I saw around me. I always loved math and numbers, so when I ran into accounting in high school, I held onto it for dear life! I went to KVCC to get an Associate’s in Accounting, not that I planned on college or was determined to go that route, the Kalamazoo Promise just afforded me the opportunity in a really convenient way. After receiving that degree, I focused more on real-world experiences over furthering my schooling. With that mindset, I took advantage of the opportunities in front of me and gained what I was looking for. My “why” at the time was simple, build a brighter future for my kids and do something that I can see results from now. 

The administrative, logistical, and managerial positions I held put me in many new and unique situations from people I grew up around. I had the opportunity to impact company growth, lead sales meetings with CEOs and sales directors, and fly into different states to speak with suppliers. I took those moments and really focused on honing in my people skills and ability to collaborate with business minds to achieve a goal. I loved it, but it was veering a bit too far from my passion. At the time I couldn’t put it into words what that passion was, but I felt incomplete. 

One of the positions I held was in human resources which aligned with my mission of helping, teaching, and training staff, as opposed to instructing and guiding a sales force. I was pushed to get deeper into Anti-Racist work in this role and attended a course ran by ERACCE on structural racism in America. It was in that course that I received the framework to identify and verbalize my lived experience as a Black man. It gave words to things that I felt for so long but couldn’t explain. I knew then that I wanted to be a beacon for knowledge to the people going through the same things I was as a kid and, at the time, a lost Black man in the American system. 

With that energy, I grew more passion around starting my own business leaning into financial literacy and accounting practices, but more importantly, consulting these small, minority businesses and helping get them closer to their dreams. So, I started Grayson Accounting Service in 2020 as a DBA and in 2021 transitioned into Grayson Professional Services LLC and have been chasing my dreams ever since. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been smooth since starting my business. I have an active contract with a local incubator, Can-Do Kalamazoo, and that allowed me to lean into my business full-time while picking up new clients back in 2021. With their support and collaboration, I have built my brand off of referrals and have been able to move into a shared business space at Arcadia Suites in downtown Kalamazoo managed by Dover Birch & Associates. I also have an office manager and a bookkeeper to help with some of my lower-maintenance accounts. 

Although growing and hitting our stride early on has been the experience, I won’t say that I have not had the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It is definitely a challenge on my mental health, but I have a strong support team around me to keep me motivated and positive when challenges arise. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Grayson Accounting Service offers bookkeeping for established businesses that have not budgeted for a bookkeeper/accountant themselves. In those conversations and meetings, we work to establish good habits and processes to make the bookkeeping process smoother. I then offer to continue maintaining their books or assist them in hiring a bookkeeper themselves. 

One thing that I am known for, and I hope to build my company on the same reputation, is for being very helpful and patient with entrepreneurs starting with just an idea. I take pride in my communication skills and being able to communicate clearly and in a digestible way for a variety of lived experiences–a skill I have not seen in many of my counterparts. The team here at Grayson Accounting Service will assist with the things you know that you do not know and the things you don’t know that you don’t know. 

Creating a robust support system is important to us. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The one thing I will add to bring home my point. Anybody can create a successful business! Yes, you need to develop yourself and grow quickly to become successful and certain skills may need specific attention. But the thing I want people to realize is maintaining your integrity and who you are as a person in this world while also becoming successful is the real challenge. Please check out our social media pages and our website below to learn a little bit more about us and please be great! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.grayson-accounting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_GraysonAS/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraysonAccountingService
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grayson-accounting-service

Image Credits
Raychelle
Danielle