Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Arrant.
Hi Jodi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started working at an independent pharmacy in Sutherlin almost 18 years ago. I became the front-end manager, attended gift buying trips, ordered and displayed merchandise, handled staff schedules, and was eventually trained to take on payroll, bookkeeping, and the day-to-day office operations. The owners had a lot of confidence in me and gave me so many opportunities for growth and learning while I was in that position. I truly did a little bit of everything — from bookkeeping to live radio ads. Through that experience, I gained a real understanding of what it takes to run a business.
Eventually, the owners retired and sold the pharmacy to a group that owned independent pharmacies across Oregon. I retained my role as office/financial manager for that location, and the new owners were impressed with my work and asked if I could begin providing payroll and bookkeeping services for some of their other stores as well. At that point, I started to realize it made more sense for me to become an independent contractor rather than remain an employee.
I began traveling between locations, helping with various bookkeeping and administrative tasks, and eventually realized I could start building my own client base and turn this into a business. In January 2020, I moved to Eugene with more opportunities for growth and decided to fully pursue this new business venture. I was ready to find clients, the company had helped me set up an LLC, and I was excited to get started.
Not long after my business launched, the pandemic hit. In a strange way, I felt very fortunate because businesses were suddenly transitioning to a remote “work from home” model — which was actually the vision I had originally planned for my business. I wanted to provide personalized bookkeeping and administrative support for small businesses while also maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
It has now been over 6 1/2 years since I started my business, and I am incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful clients and everything I have learned along the way. While you may think you understand what it takes to run a business, you truly don’t realize what it takes until you are in the thick of it. There are so many moving parts, especially in today’s digital world. I knew I would need a website, a Google presence, and so much more, so I went online and taught myself how to build a website from scratch — and I’m actually still using that same website today.
I also quickly learned the importance of networking and building strong business relationships. It’s not just about finding clients — it’s about learning from those who have done this before you and alongside you. I have gained several mentors along the way whom I am extremely thankful for. I always go back to the original owners — who are like family to me — and thank them because they are truly the reason I am here today. They instilled so many important values in me about running a business, and through that experience I realized how much I care about small businesses and the vital role they play in our communities. That is why I have built my business around helping small businesses succeed.
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?
I think with anything, there are always challenges, but overall I feel really blessed. I have definitely had teaching moments with both clients and contractors helping me along the way, but that’s how we grow, learn, and continue building the businesses we want to create.
You really have to be motivated to run a business because there isn’t a guaranteed paycheck every month if you slack off or stop putting in the work. Everything ultimately rides on you, and suddenly you have clients, contractors, and other people relying on you to make things happen. You have to stay organized, adaptable, and motivated if you want to succeed.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At J. Arrant Consulting, we provide services designed to help small businesses succeed. Our services include bookkeeping (including A/P & A/R), payroll, QuickBooks consulting and support (training, troubleshooting, and setup), administrative support, and Financial Care Management. We are based in Eugene, Oregon, but work with clients across the U.S. and Canada.
I’ve never really “niched down,” so to speak — our niche is small business. We work with a wide variety of industries and are constantly learning and growing along the way, including working with small non-profits and churches.
I would say I am most proud of the service and communication we provide to our clients. We truly strive to give that personal touch while also being responsive and proactive to our clients’ needs. I also have a wonderful team that helps us continue providing excellent service and support to the businesses we work with.
What makes you happy?
I would say what makes me happiest is traveling, experiencing new places, trying delicious food, and immersing myself in different cultures. I love to travel, go to concerts, eat great food, paint, and visit art museums. I really enjoy experiences that inspire creativity and allow me to see the world from different perspectives.
On a professional level, what makes me happy is serving small business owners. I truly believe small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and we have to fight to keep them going. It’s my passion to help small business owners find clarity and confidence in their numbers so they can focus on growing the businesses they’ve worked so hard to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jarrantconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.arrantconsulting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/j.arrantconsulting
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrantconsulting/
