After running a company in America and working on a project with BP in Australia, Maria Jowett reached a point many professionals recognise. The project was ending, finding the next job was proving difficult, and she started to question whether employment was really the path she wanted to keep pursuing.
Rather than trying to find another corporate role , Maria decided she would be better off running her own show.
That decision led her to buy a bookkeeping franchise and build a business that has now lasted almost 26 years.
Choosing business ownership
Maria had already experienced what it was like to run a business before moving to Australia, so the idea of managing clients, staff and operations was not unfamiliar.
What appealed to her about the franchise model was the simplicity of getting started.
She could have launched under her own name, but the franchise gave her branding, training, materials and a structure she could begin with straight away.
“It was easy out of the box.”
That support gave her a practical starting point, while still allowing her to build the business in her own way.
Learning as she went
In the early days, Maria’s biggest nerves were around software.
Back then, MYOB was the main platform, and while she understood accounting, she worried a client might ask something technical she did not know how to answer.
“So I used to carry my MYOB instruction manual with me everywhere.”
Over time, she learned that she did not need to know everything instantly. A simple “I’ll get back to you on that” was often enough.
That confidence came with experience, and it is a lesson many new business owners eventually learn. You do not have to have every answer on the spot. You need the judgement to find the right one.
Creating flexibility early
One of Maria’s proudest milestones was setting up her own IT infrastructure before remote work became normal.
Long before COVID made flexible work mainstream, Maria had built systems that allowed her to access what she needed from anywhere in the world.
That decision gave her freedom.
“I started that early on, which gave lots of flexibility to being able to move around.”
For Maria, that flexibility became one of the biggest advantages of running her own business. She was not tied to one place, one office, or one rigid way of working.
Standing firm on the right clients
Like many experienced bookkeepers, Maria has seen the industry change.
One of the biggest challenges today is price sensitivity, especially when potential clients compare local bookkeeping with offshore options.
Maria is clear on her position. She does not offshore work, and she does not plan to.
“I’m too cybersecurity conscious.”
That clarity has helped her attract clients who value the way she works. In fact, she recently secured a large new client where the first question was whether the work would be offshored.
The answer was no, and that was exactly what they wanted to hear.
It is a reminder that not every client is the right client. Sometimes standing firm on your standards is what wins the right work.
Support, referrals and good people
For Maria, the early value of the franchise was practical. It gave her branding, training, systems and support if she needed it.
Her first job also came through a referral from another franchisee.
That network helped her get started and introduced her to people she still values today.
“You had support if you needed it and met a lot of nice people along the way.”
Advice for new franchisees
Maria’s advice to new business owners is direct.
“Don’t be afraid to grow and hire the people to help you before you get too busy.”
She believes buying a franchise should not simply mean buying yourself a job. If the goal is to build a business, then capacity matters.
That also means staying open to leads. Maria’s view is that saying no to new leads because you are too busy can limit growth.
“Yes, say no to the people that don’t fit with you, but don’t say no to new leads.”
Her philosophy is simple: hire the right people, build capacity, and the work will come.
Knowing when to let go
Another lesson Maria has learned is not to hold on too long when something is not working.
That applies to staff and clients.
“If they don’t fit when you first put them in place, just go ahead and make the cut.”
The same goes for clients who disrupt the team, upset systems, or create unnecessary drama. Trying to fix the wrong fit can drain energy that could be better spent elsewhere.
Looking ahead
Maria has already expanded beyond bookkeeping by starting a tax business several years ago.
For those with the right background, she sees it as a natural progression once the bookkeeping business is established. It needs to be managed carefully, especially when working with accounting firms, but it can create a broader pathway for franchisees who want to grow.
A long-term business built on independence
Maria’s story is one of independence, practicality and longevity.
She chose business ownership because she wanted control over her own path. She built early flexibility into her operations, stayed clear on her standards, and learned to grow by hiring support rather than doing everything herself.
Almost 26 years later, her experience shows what is possible when you treat a franchise not just as a job, but as a business you can shape around your own goals.
Thinking about starting your own bookkeeping franchise?
If Maria’s story resonates, First Class Accounts could help you take the next step.
Explore franchise opportunities and learn how you can build your own bookkeeping business with training, systems and support behind you.
