Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanessa Dougherty.
Hi Wanessa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey: From Brazil to Building Businesses with Purpose
My life has unfolded into an unexpectedly rich and rewarding story. I was born and raised in Brazil in a hardworking, middle-class family. From early on, I discovered a natural affinity for structure, processes, and organization. Even before completing my degree in Business Management, I was already building a career in office management, human resources, accounting, and finance.
In my mid-twenties, I set out to broaden my horizons. I moved to England to strengthen my English skills in preparation for a career in international trade. That journey soon expanded to Italy, where I immersed myself in a new culture and language. After a year abroad, I returned to Brazil and quickly secured a position in international trade.
Just a few years later, the opportunity knocked again: I was offered a role in Houston with a freight-forwarding company, continuing to work within the granite and marble industry. In 2004, I arrived in Kansas as a partner in a marble and granite import and distribution business. Over the next 14 years, I poured my experience, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit into the company, leading it through both prosperous times and the challenges of the economic downturn. Ultimately, the business not only survived but thrived, culminating in a successful sale in 2018.
After that chapter, I decided to reinvest in my personal and professional growth. I earned a master’s degree in human resources management from Wichita State University, completed a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell University, and worked with several local businesses in HR roles. Along the way, I also deepened my commitment to philanthropy, contributing and volunteering to both local and international organizations. Today, I’m honored to serve as President-Elect of the Waldo Brookside Rotary Club and as a local ambassador for Fraternity Without Borders US.
With all these experiences combined, I felt the call to return to entrepreneurship. I founded Organize HR & Bookkeeping to serve small businesses and nonprofit organizations. My mission is simple but impactful: to provide reliable bookkeeping and HR solutions that allow business owners to focus on their passion, while I ensure that their financial and organizational foundations remain strong.
What sets Organize HR & Bookkeeping apart is not just the services we provide, but the perspective I bring. As a former small business owner, I understand the pressures and complexities that entrepreneurs face. My HR expertise allows me to approach clients with empathy and a holistic view of their business, while my international and multicultural background helps me connect with minority-owned businesses who may find financial and compliance systems intimidating.
Above all, I see myself as more than just a bookkeeper, I aim to be a trusted business partner. I have a special passion for supporting nonprofits, women in business, and minority entrepreneurs. To me, success is not only about numbers; it’s about empowering others to thrive in what they do best.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Over the past 22 years, I’ve faced many challenges on the path to where I am today. From navigating business in a second language when I moved to Houston, to living far away from my family and roots, overcoming financial obstacles in business, going through a divorce, and more—each challenge has shaped me.
As an eternal optimist and a well-educated woman, I’ve chosen to face difficulties with acceptance, perspective, strategic planning, humility, and resilience. I’ve learned to count my blessings, to trust that tough times are temporary, and to keep moving forward with determination and faith in better days ahead.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Organize HR & Bookkeeping Services, LLC?
“Bookkeepers record numbers, accountants analyze numbers, CPAs handle taxes—but I do something different: I become a true business partner who helps you understand, structure, and grow your business.”
That’s the heart of Organize HR & Bookkeeping. My business was born from the combination of years of entrepreneurship, HR expertise, and financial management, with one goal in mind: to empower small businesses and nonprofits.
I specialize in helping organizations streamline their operations and gain clarity through services such as:
New Business Formation
Bookkeeping Services
Payroll Processing
HR Support & Compliance
Financial Reporting & Insights
Small Business Advisory
What sets me apart is perspective. Having been a business owner myself, I know the challenges of juggling payroll, compliance, strategy, and growth. I don’t just keep the books—I interpret results, connect the dots, and offer a holistic overview of a business’s structure and positioning. My goal is to give business owners confidence in their numbers and organizational needs so they can focus on what they do best.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of being seen as more than a service provider. I position Organize HR & Bookkeeping as a trusted partner with entrepreneurial mind, whether I’m helping a nonprofit stretch limited resource, guiding a woman-owned business toward financial clarity, or supporting minority entrepreneurs in navigating compliance.
At the end of the day, my brand is built on partnership, transparency, and trust. I don’t just crunch numbers, I help build stronger, more resilient businesses.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe my friends and family would describe me as a risk taker. I’ve never shied away from opportunities, even when they came with uncertainty. Leaving a stable job to spend a year in Europe improving my English was both an investment in my future and a leap of faith. Moving to the United States alone, becoming a partner in a business in a foreign country, and later starting a new business—all of these were risks. But they were also defining moments that shaped who I am today. I don’t let fear hold me back; instead, I take measured risks with confidence, preparation, and trust that growth comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://organizehrbooks.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanessa-dougherty-mhrm-212589a/
