Today we’d like to introduce you to Susana Lozano.
Hi Susana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career has been full of hard work, challenges, goals and high rewards.
I was born in Los Angeles CA but raised in Monterrey N. L. Mexico. In Monterrey, I became a secretary/bookkeeper at the age of 15 in 1972 and began working immediately in an accounting office as a typist. As time went on, I advanced in my secretarial career and eventually became an administrative assistant to a mid level executive. My goal was to become an administrative assistant to a senior level executive; little did I know then, that instead, because of my hard work and perseverance, I would become the senior executive myself.
Later on in the evenings, still in Monterrey, while working full time, I finished high school and started college at La Universidad Regiomontana. I was a studying a Licenciatura en Economia, which generally translates to a BBA in Economics. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish because of economic and political challenges. I moved back to the United States in 1980.
Once in San Antonio TX, I immediately began working for a retail store as a bookkeeper. I also began night classes first at San Antonio College and then at the University of Texas San Antonio from where I graduated with a BBA and a MS both in Accounting. After sitting for and passing the Texas Uniform CPA exam, I became a CPA in 2001 and opened my CPA firm in 2010 after being laid off from my job.
I climbed the accounting ladder from bookkeeper to controller and eventually became a CFO in the various companies for which I worked. Last year, I retired from my last job as CFO/Controller of a chain of restaurants but kept my CPA firm going and that is where I now work.
As I look back at my professional life, I realize that it was always a fulfilling one and that all the companies I worked for were great. My favorite jobs were as bookkeeper for Los Rayados del Monterrey, a professional soccer team in Monterrey, Interlex Communications, Inc. an advertising agency, Smashin Crab a chain of restaurants and off course, my CPA firm, the last three in San Antonio.
I am grateful for having had the opportunity to set goals and reach them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Generally speaking, it was a smooth road because I had the will to accomplish my goals but there were challenges.
I was living in Monterrey N. L., Mexico with a tourist visa so eventually it became difficult to study and work in Mexico so I decided to move back to the US.
There were time challenges. I had to work to support myself so it took me longer than normal to finish my education.
There were economic challenges. In addition to my full time job, I made and sold wedding cakes to supplement my income and be able to pay for my education without incurring too much debt.
At the end, overcoming all these challenges, was worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My CPA firm specializes in auditing, bookkeeping, controllership and tax services for small businesses and hablamos Español.
How do you define success?
Being able to accomplish your goals by navigating through the challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slozanocpa.com
