I opened my own bookkeeping office after being told my accent would put clients off

Dear Delyara, I worked for an accountancy firm where one manager repeatedly said clients found my accent “difficult.” I was moved away from phone work despite good performance. I eventually left, completed additional qualifications, and began taking small bookkeeping clients from home. Referrals grew. Today, I signed the lease on a tiny office with space for two desks. Sixteen clients already use my services. Most have heard my accent. Apparently, invoices still balance. My old manager’s comment stayed with me longer than I want to admit. I used to rehearse phone calls before making them. Now my name is on the door. Career success has not meant proving prejudice never affects business. It has meant building a business where nobody needs to apologize for the sound of the person explaining their accounts.