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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mowbray and Cherina Rowand

Co-founders of The Rowand Group and One Stop Taxes, the largest Black-owned virtual tax preparation service in America. The interview highlights their business evolution, scaling strategies, community impact, and the creation of the Black Tax Festival.

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🧭 Interview Outline 1. Background & Origins

• Both from Memphis, Tennessee; met in high school.
• Started tax preparation in 2010 as a mom-and-pop operation.
• Transitioned from brick-and-mortar to virtual model by 2015.

2. Business Philosophy

• Entrepreneurship is defined as service to others.
• Mowbray is the visionary; Cherina is the implementer.
• Emphasis on scaling with structure: legal, accounting, HR.

3. One Stop Taxes

• Grew from a single office to over 1,000 virtual franchise locations.
• Offers free training, no startup costs, and shared revenue model.
• Built a platform allowing clients to submit documents and sign remotely.

4. Virtual Tax Model

• Designed for convenience and accessibility.
• Clients and tax preparers never need to meet in person.
• Platform includes document upload, e-signature, and cloud storage.

5. Franchise & Training

• Learning Management System (LMS) for onboarding.
• Training includes tax prep, customer acquisition, and platform use.
• Strategic partnerships with local businesses (e.g., dealerships, daycares).

6. Black Tax Festival

• Annual event held in Atlanta
• Combines networking, education, and recognition.
• Includes IRS updates, business workshops, and the Titan Awards.
• Open to all entrepreneurs, not just tax professionals.

7. Expansion & Diversification

• Own restaurants in Memphis and the Dominican Republic.
• Franchised Fat Tuesday and Esco Restaurant (did \$1M in first 6 weeks).
• Own a yacht for rental experiences in the DR.
• Plans to develop a restaurant strip near FedExForum in Memphis.

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💡 Key Takeaways

• Vision + Execution = Growth: Their complementary roles fuel business success.
• Virtual is Scalable: Transitioning to virtual allowed exponential growth.
• Community Impact Matters: Black Tax Festival fosters education and recognition.
• Diversification is Strategic: Restaurants and real estate expand their brand.
• Mentorship & Learning: They study successful entrepreneurs like Tilman Fertitta.
• Faith & Family Drive: Their journey is rooted in love, planning, and purpose.

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🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Entrepreneurship means being a servant to other people.”
• “The same thing that works at \$1M doesn’t work at \$15M.”
• “We had to fire ourselves from some jobs and hire professionals.”
• “We built a platform where you can do taxes from your couch.”
• “We started before social media—we know belly-to-belly marketing.”
• “Recognition matters—people don’t get it at home or work.”
• “We’re trying to bridge the wealth gap through proper paperwork.”
• “We bought a yacht in the Dominican Republic to rent for experiences.”

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#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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