In Arlington, on Jacksonville’s east side, a plaza is taking shape.
The space houses Brant & Associates, a bookkeeping firm founded by Jessica Brant. It’s the result of years of persistence, setbacks and a belief that second chances should lead somewhere worthwhile.
Inside, Jessica envisions a one-stop shop for financial education, collaboration and growth. A place where people can come not just to manage their money but to better understand it.
It’s a vision that started while she sat behind a desk at a Jacksonville bank and hustled to help clients in need. And with the support of VyStar, it’s coming to life more and more each day.
Where the Numbers Started to Matter
In 2017, Jessica reviewed loan applications while finishing her finance degree. Applications crossed her screen daily. Some were approved. Many were not. It was the denials that stayed with her.
“What happens when they leave after they’re not approved?” Jessica remembered wondering. “What do we do then?”
Instead of moving on to the next client, Jessica leaned in. She asked to see budgets. She traced expenses line by line with people who were already discouraged.
“I’d say, ‘Let me see your budget,’” she said. “I have a passion for numbers.”
One day, a client slid a stack of IRS letters across her desk.
“He said, ‘You helped me this far,’” Jessica recalled. Then he told her: “If you fix this, I will follow you.”
Jessica didn’t have all the answers, but she picked up the phone, contacted the IRS and worked through the problem step by step.
“It was trial and error,” Jessica said. “I was honest. I never maliciously made a client think I knew what I was doing.”
That moment stayed with her. It showed her what was possible when someone takes the time to help.
Booking Business
Not long after, Jessica’s life shifted.
Complications during pregnancy forced her onto long-term disability. Her income disappeared overnight. When her daughter was born, she experienced health complications and other personal situations, which caused her to move in with her future mother-in-law.
Through it all, she held onto a small but growing side business, helping clients navigate bookkeeping and tax issues the same way she had at the bank.
To stabilize her financial situation, she took a job as an accountant. But the business kept growing. One client turned into several. Then even more.
“I never had to market for work,” Jessica said.
As her client base expanded, her life at home grew even more demanding. In 2019, she was a mother of three when her daughter underwent surgery and her husband suffered a stroke while recovering from COVID-19.
Between hospital visits and late-night spreadsheets, Jessica made a decision that would change everything. She went all in on her business.
“I never planned to be a full-time entrepreneur,” Jessica recalled.
But it was clear that’s where she was supposed to be.
A Place to Grow
By 2022, Jessica was thinking bigger. She had her eye on a small plaza on Arlington Road, a space where she could grow her business and create something more for others. But past financial setbacks made her hesitant to try again.
“My motto is, ‘Don’t show me something that I can’t have,’” Jessica said.
At her local VyStar branch, Relationship Specialist Jonathan Hibbert saw the opportunity differently. For years, he had encouraged her to take the next step and find a permanent home for her business.
“I would bring it up every year whether it was birthdays or Christmas,” Jonathan said.
This time, she was ready. Jonathan connected her with VyStar’s Commercial Banking team, including Assistant Vice President of Sales Mark Emmel.
“They made sure I understood what was going on,” Jessica said. “They valued me as a person.”
Before moving forward, there was work to do. Jessica focused on strengthening her financial position, paying down debt and preparing for the responsibilities that come with owning commercial property.
“She was willing to do all the work,” Mark said.
Then came another obstacle. Right before closing, Jessica learned that the building was not compliant with the Community Reinvestment Act. The law requires financial institutions to meet the needs of their communities.
During that period, compliance requirements in the area were changing, causing the building to no longer meet code standards.
“This was going to be hard to do,” Mark said.
The issue caused the closing to be delayed for months. Fortunately, Mark was there every step of the way guiding and explaining the process to bring the building into compliance. With guidance from the VyStar team, Jessica navigated the process, renegotiated the terms with the seller and secured an agreement that included $75,000 in escrow, giving her added equity in the project.
“I do everything with VyStar now,” Jessica said, laughing.
Booking the future
Today, the space on Arlington Road is coming to life.
Walls are coming down. Beams are exposed. Possibilities stretch across the open floor.
Jessica plans to include co-working space for businesses and accounting firms, along with an event space designed for education and connection.
“I’m trying to keep it a one-stop shop,” Jessica said.
Through the challenges she faced while building her business, she hopes to create a legacy and a prosperous future for her family.
“It feels good to have my daughter as my heir,” Jessica said. “My kids will never have to work for anyone in their lives.”
With support from VyStar and a determination forged through years of perseverance, Jessica’s vision is no longer theoretical. It is taking shape into a legacy meant to last for generations.