Today we’d like to introduce you to Andra Duncan.
Hi Andra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Estonia and built my life here in Jacksonville — and the path between those two places has been anything but linear.
When I first moved to the U.S., I started out working as a nanny and assistant, which was a meaningful way to get established and begin building my life in a new country. From there, I transitioned into the corporate world at Landstar, working in revenue processing, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. While working full-time, I went back to school — earning my AA, then my ASN, and eventually my BSN — and somewhere in the middle of all of that, I met my husband and transitioned from corporate into nursing.
We spent some time in the New Jersey area before deciding to return to Jacksonville at the end of 2017. Shortly after moving back, my husband launched his refinishing business, and I began supporting it behind the scenes — helping with organization, finances, and day-to-day operations. That experience opened my eyes to how often bookkeeping becomes overwhelming or overlooked for small business owners, and how much of a difference strong financial systems can make.
At the start of 2026, I officially launched Ivory North Bookkeeping with the goal of helping business owners feel more organized, confident, and in control of their finances. I’m building it with intention — continuing to grow, refining my systems, and focusing on genuine relationships with the clients I serve.
Outside of business, I’ve also challenged myself in new ways. I started running at 48 — later than most — and have since completed the Gate River Run and a half marathon, with another half marathon planned for September 2026. Running has been both mentally and physically transformative, teaching me consistency, discipline, and resilience—qualities I bring into my business and everyday life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. My path has included a lot of transitions — moving to a new country, starting over, changing careers, becoming a mom, and stepping into entrepreneurship later in life. Each stage came with its own learning curve and required me to adapt quickly.
One of the biggest challenges has been shifting into something new and building confidence in a different field. Starting a business from the ground up comes with uncertainty, and there’s always that question of whether you’re making the right decisions along the way. Balancing that with family life and supporting an existing business has also required a lot of time management and discipline.
At the same time, those challenges have been some of the most valuable parts of the journey. They’ve pushed me to grow, stay consistent, and trust the work. I’ve learned that progress doesn’t happen overnight, but with steady effort and the right mindset, things start to come together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ivory North Bookkeeping is a boutique bookkeeping service focused on helping small business owners stay organized, informed, and in control of their finances. I work primarily with service-based businesses, providing support with day-to-day bookkeeping, transaction categorization, account organization, monthly financial reporting, and overall financial clarity.
What sets Ivory North apart is a personalized, thoughtful approach, rooted in real experience, combined with a focus on efficient systems and modern tools. I understand firsthand how small businesses operate because I’ve been closely involved in running one alongside my husband. That perspective allows me to go beyond just recording numbers—I focus on creating systems that actually make sense for each business and help owners feel less overwhelmed and more confident in their financial decisions.
I also take a forward-thinking approach by leveraging technology and automation where it makes sense, helping clients reduce manual work while keeping their books clean and reliable. At the same time, I believe bookkeeping should still feel personal and understandable, not overly complicated or disconnected.
My goal is to bring a sense of calm and structure to something that often feels stressful or confusing. I want clients to feel like their books are not just done, but truly understood and working for them.
From a brand perspective, I’m most proud of building something that reflects simplicity, clarity, and trust. Ivory North is designed to feel approachable, reliable, and intentional—where business owners know their finances are being handled with genuine care and attention to detail.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck plays a role in life, but I also believe that a lot of what people call luck, is really the result of showing up consistently and being open to opportunities.
Looking back, I feel fortunate for the timing of certain things — moving to a new country, meeting my husband, and being exposed to both corporate and small business environments. Those experiences gave me a foundation that I might not have fully appreciated at the time, but they’ve all contributed to where I am today.
At the same time, none of it would have mattered without the work behind it. Going back to school while working full-time, changing careers, supporting a growing business, and now building my own has all required effort, patience, and persistence.
So while I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, I’ve come to see luck as something that meets you when you’re willing to take action and keep moving forward.
- Website:https://helloivorynorth.com/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587434327378
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