Getting my first customers

I became a Proadvisor in 2001 and completed my Proadvisor profile.  Local QuickBooks users in the area found me and asked for help.  By 2006, the demand was so great, I switched positions within my company so that I could support these customers full time.  I continued my education and training to become an advanced proadvisor so that I could be at the top of my field.  In 2008, I became an Intuit Solution Provider to provide my customers with a complete business solution with QuickBooks at the core of our business.

Advice for others

Don't undervalue the value of certification.  Instead of fearing your competition, network!  You can't be the expert in all the different areas of QuickBooks consulting, focus on your area of expertise.  Network with CPAs so they can provide top notch tax service, audit, reviews & compiliations, you focus on learning everything you can about QuickBooks!