Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Judson.
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve observed that there are two types of people in the world – those focused on “Experiences” and those focused on “Goals”.
While I have certainly achieved some Goals during my journey through life, I have always been focused on the value of Experiences – the next adventure! To that end, I have endeavored to experience as much as possible during my time here!
Throughout my life, I have been a Soldier, a Scholar, an Artist, a Business Owner, and a Financial Professional.
My humble beginnings included a tumultuous home life which led me to enlist in the Army when I was 17 years old. I fell in love with the Army and it molded me into much of who I am today. The Army was the perfect fit for me as I grew and explored life. I served in the Army for a total of 21 years between the Active Duty and Reserve Components. I was promoted through the ranks to Staff Sergeant and then earned a Commission as an Officer through US Army Officer Candidate School (OCS).
In addition to the wonderful range of experiences that I had around the Globe during that time – the Army also gave me the fortitude and confidence to put myself through College, Graduate School (MBA), and to pass the grueling Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and to eventually start my own Tax Accounting Business.
Ultimately, the Army pushed my limits and allowed me to understand the extent of my capabilities. And that knowledge is simply priceless.
My journey was not only limited to “Left Brained” analytical pursuits like Military Science and Business, I also let my inner artist flag fly! I performed in plays – both dramas and comedies – during my time in the Army and afterwards. I have trained and performed in Improvisational comedy (Improv) and finally slew the Dragon that put fear in my heart: Stand Up Comedy! My first time doing stand up was an 18 minute routine in front of about 300 people at Charlie Goodnight’s in Raleigh. I was terrified! But as I learned in the Army: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.” So I did it in spite of the fear!
As a person who has travelled a bit and had a varied range of experiences throughout life, Raleigh, NC is a perfect fit for me! Raleigh is a truly cosmopolitan city inhabited by fellow travelers from near and far. It has Sports, the Arts, Scientific and Academic Communities as well as a thriving Business Community! I’ve met all sorts of wonderful people here and I look forward to meeting many more and expanding my knowledge of this world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The obstacles along the way have been as varied as my experiences. There were Financial Challenges to putting myself through college. Choosing textbooks over food and shelter, and choosing tuition payments over comfort and stability.
The War in Iraq was a myriad of physical and mental challenges due to extreme weather and the Operational Tempo. Additionally, Ethical Dilemmas were also a daily part of the wartime landscape in country.
I know that everyone experiences obstacles to success, so I don’t want to bemoan my own challenges. They helped to make me who I am today. As a Sergeant once told me when I was a young soldier: “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it only matters how many times you get back up.” I’ve found this to be true.
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?
I opened my own Tax Practice in 2012 and it has been a great experience! Tax work allows me to challenge both sides of my brain in order to better serve my clients. A significant percentage of my clients are small business owners who are very successful at their chosen vocations, but want help in keeping more of what they earn! I get to help them with this, and helping others is greatly rewarding!
Going forward, I’d like to have more clients who earn their living locally through the Arts and Entertainment sectors. Helping Artists / Performers with their tax issues allows them to focus on creating – and that makes for a more beautiful world! And ultimately, that’s what *everyone* should be working for!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
As a Radio DJ in College – I produced / hosted the first ever Retro 1980s radio show on Cape Cod in Massachusetts using the name “Professor Doctor Madd Maxx U4EUH”. I was a child of the 1980s and it was awesome to share my favorite music with the Cape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cpa919.com
