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Louise Tailleur
Features
From Pivot Magazine

This CPA and substitute teacher is a good influence on young people

Even with more than 150,000 followers on TikTok and YouTube, Louise Tailleur never predicted she’d move from being a retired CPA to becoming an online influencer

Louise TailleurDuring the pandemic, Louise Tailleur started using her marketing knowledge and artistic licence to start making TikTok videos (Rémi Thériault)

What prompted the move from CPA to teacher?

I worked in banking and then the public sector before becoming a stay-at-home mom for eight years. That’s when I decided to obtain my Bachelor of Education at University of Ottawa with a plan to retire early and start a new career as a teacher. For the past few years, I’ve been teaching business and accounting to students grades seven to 12.

How did that evolve into becoming an online influencer?

Years ago, while teaching grade eight students how to produce commercials, they introduced me to TikTok. They told me that an older person (like me) didn’t usually become an influencer, which stuck with me until the pandemic happened. That’s when I started using my marketing knowledge and artistic licence to start making TikTok videos.

When I first set out to make videos, I wanted to focus on unique and exotic foods and kitchen gadgets while also being educational. Within eight months, TikTok approached me to be part of their marketplace, TikTok North America. Agencies have reached out to me and I’ve also had opportunities in affiliate marketing.

How did your CPA training help with your influencer work?

Surprisingly, the leadership program of the CPA designation helped me tremendously as an influencer. It gave me the confidence to discuss financial topics (fees, licensing, etc.) with brands, and also negotiate and understand contract proposals. It also trained me to communicate clearly and authentically with both brand reps and my audience.

I did consider teaching basic accounting online, but it would have been on another platform than TikTok, perhaps YouTube. But looking back after over three years, I’m happy with my choice.

Tell us about how you’re giving back to students.

For the past five years I’ve been able to provide bursaries to some of my high school students that are going to study accounting in college or university—but this year I was able to expand it to students going into other fields. The money comes from the profits that I make with TikTok.

What’s one area you feel is lacking in the education curriculum?

I’m disappointed that the school curriculum doesn’t have more mandatory courses to help with financial literacy. That’s why I teach my students budgeting, debt management, savings, and investments through fun projects like budgeting for their prom or with their summer job income.

MEET OTHER INSPIRING CPAS

Read about how Janine Rogan is helping women build their financial savvy and how Carter Wilson is helping build capacity within First Nations communities.