Meet Cassandra Houck, EA

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassandra Houck, EA a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cassandra, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.

Early on in my career my mentor said something that has stuck with me to this day. He said, “You have to be willing to lose. By not trying you have already failed. If you try you at least have the option of succeeding, but if you never try you will always loose.” I look at each opportunity win/loss as a growth moment. I learn from my success as well as my loss. I have been in the accounting field for over 18 years. I had my bachelor’s degree but I had not taken my Enrolled Agent Exam because I was afraid of failing. It is a three-part test that has a 24% pass rate, and many say it is harder to pass than the bar exam. I pushed off taking this test and further launching my career because I was worried that I would not pass. Finally, I was reminded of my mentors’ words, and I set aside 6 months to study and work hard. I passed all three parts on my first time each. This is a great reminder to me that I am capable of hard things and if I had never tried, I would have failed to launch my career and get my Enrolled Agent designation, by trying and taking a chance on myself, I was able to have opportunities that otherwise never would have been available to me. I know have had my own tax practice for the last 5 years and I enjoy being able to offer clients all the advice, support, and expertise that comes with being an Enrolled Agent. Challenges can be intimidating but worth the reward.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Cassandra Houck is an award-winning financial services executive, entrepreneur, global leader, and beauty queen whose philanthropy has impacted organizations and charities around the world. A seasoned business leader and volunteer, she serves pro bono as chief financial officer of Global Dignity, treasurer of Central Park Angels, and on the advisory council of BPUR International.

Ms. Houck’s accomplishments have been featured in several leading pageantry, fashion and modeling publications and podcasts including World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, World Class Models Magazine, Magic Image Hollywood Magazine, and SASHversations.

Born and raised in Washington State, Ms. Houck was always drawn to helping others in her community and abroad. From the age of 13, Ms. Houck spent her summers in Africa and helped distribute food and clothing, built playgrounds, provided childcare, and served in soup kitchens in the Gambia, Senegal, Morocco, Uganda and South Africa.

In 2007, Ms. Houck embarked on her accounting and financial services career. She earned her associate of applied science in business degree from Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington while interning at a local tax practice. Committed to continuing her education, Ms. Houck then earned her bachelor of science in business administration degree from DeVry University in 2012.

In 2019, she earned her status as an Enrolled Agent under the Department of Treasury which allows her to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. That same year, Ms. Houck entered the world of pageantry where she has since won several national titles including: Mrs. Poulsbo, Mrs. Washington World International, Ms. World America and Ms. World International, and finally in 2023 winning the prestigious title of Ms Universe.

As a beauty queen and advocate, Ms. Houck has drawn public attention to several local charities and international humanitarian causes including the National Youth Football League of Haiti, which helps impoverished children from ages six to 18 to play soccer at no cost. Her volunteer efforts in the international community were recognized in 2021 when she earned the Friends of Africa Award, African Achievement Awards.

In 2020, Ms. Houck opened her own tax practice where she helps clients strategize and save money on their taxes. After only one year in business, the Bainbridge Island Review named Ms. Houck the 2021 Best Bainbridge Accountant. Since then she has won Best of Bainbridge Accountant 2022-2024. In 2022-2023 She won Best of Kitsap County Accountant.

In 2024 she launched her own luxury bikini line, Siren Couture.
Siren Couture was born out of necessity and a passion for uniqueness. Cassandra Houck, the Ms. Universe 2023-24 Grand Queen Title Holder, founded the brand after experiencing firsthand the challenge of finding a standout bikini for the Ms. Universe pageant. Required to wear a solid red bikini and coverup, she found that the available options were generic and uninspiring. Knowing that other contestants were likely to choose the same designs, she decided to create her own.

Hours of hand-stitching and sewing intricate details resulted in a one-of-a-kind couture bikini that dazzled the judges and set her apart from the competition. Cassandra’s unique bikini not only helped her win the title but also sparked the creation of Siren Couture—a brand dedicated to offering women exclusive, handmade swimwear that exudes luxury and individuality.

Step into a world where luxury meets enchantment. Siren Couture presents a luxury bikini collection that is as captivating as a siren’s call. Our high-end, handmade bikinis are designed for the chic woman who seeks to mesmerize at every yacht party and poolside gathering. With only 12 exquisite looks released each year and just 4 of each available for purchase, you are guaranteed an exclusive bikini that no one else will possess.

Our bikinis are more than swimwear; they are a testament to your unique style and sophistication. Each piece is meticulously crafted, ensuring top-tier quality and intricate details that enchant and captivate. Embrace the allure of exclusivity with Siren Couture and transform every occasion into a spellbinding event.

In September, Siren Couture Bikini will be featured at Milan Fashion week.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The Story

Every parent has an activity they love doing with their kiddos. Maybe it’s playing at the park, going camping, or enjoying a movie night.
For my boys and I, we love to do charity 5Ks together. But there’s also a twist: they suit up in their favorite superhero costumes, while I rock my ballgown, crown and sash.
My son Brycen and twin boys Brodi and Bronx have been tagging along with me to charity 5Ks since the beginning. I started attending lots of charity events when I won my first title as Mrs. Poulsbo in 2019, and my boys wanted to come with me. I loved the idea, and saw it as an amazing opportunity to show them the importance of philanthropy and volunteerism.
Since I loved getting dressed up for charity 5Ks, I thought it would be super fun for them to come along dressed as their favorite superheroes. Whether they are Captain America or Batman, they have a riot and their costumes always add a little flair and fun to these events.
It was always my priority to raise my children to be global citizens, and aware of other people’s struggles. I’ve explained to them how I used to get my food from the food bank when I was little, and it’s awesome that I don’t have to do that anymore because I was able to get an education. I’ve always wanted them to recognize that they have been given a wonderful, comfortable life – but not everybody is as fortunate as they are and sometimes, these people need help just like mommy used to.

The Impact

My boys and I have taken part in at least 30 races over the last few years that benefit a wide range of national causes like muscular dystrophy and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, as well local ones including a 5K fundraiser for a local girl who was fighting cancer.
By nature, little kids tend to focus only on themselves and it’s hard for them to think about others if they are just being told to do kind things. When I bring them to these races, I feel like I am giving them a real, tangible experience that shows them they are doing something meaningful that will make an impact on someone’s life. And, I’m showing them that they can have fun while doing it!
At their ages, they are beginning to understand the impacts they are making and developing an incredible sense of empathy for people in need. If it’s a hot day and they see someone homeless, they want to stop somewhere and get them ice cream. If there’s a volunteer opportunity or charity event happening at school, they sign us up right away. Helping people in need is always in the front of their minds, and it’s never an afterthought.
Every mother wants to raise a child who cares about other people and is kind and compassionate, and I am so proud to see those qualities in my children. When they look back on their lives someday, I want them to feel like their mom set an example of how people should treat others: with understanding, respect, and dignity.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I was always scared to open my own business because I worried nobody would give me a chance or take me seriously. Accounting is a very male-dominated industry, and when I worked in other tax practices, clients always thought I was the receptionist because of the way I looked. But when I was turned down for a raise, it gave me the confidence and the motivation to open my own practice.

I knew I had it in me to run a successful business, and after only one year, I was awarded the 2021 – 2024 Best Bainbridge Accountant – selected out of a group of professionals who have been in the business for decades.
My father never got to see my success because passed away a few years before I started my own business. But his death motivated me to leave a legacy for my own children. I felt empowered to try things I always wanted to do, but was held back by my own fear of failure. In 2019, I became an Enrolled Agent – which allows me to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and is a requirement for becoming a chief financial officer. Earning this designation includes an exam that is nearly impossible to pass after the first try. I was extremely intimidated but refused to let fear get in my way. I studied hard and managed to pass these tests the first time around. I was left with an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment for what I had achieved.
Triggered by my father’s passing – and my newfound confidence – I decided to compete in my first beauty pageant. I wanted to find new, interesting ways to be involved in my community and pageants seemed to be a great avenue for helping promote charitable organizations and causes. I also loved the idea of being part of a network of people who volunteered and helped one another’s charities.

My role as a mother has also shown me that I can do things that I didn’t think were possible. My oldest son, Brycen, and twin boys Brodi and Bronx have made me see everything in my life completely differently. Being a mom has heavily influenced my volunteer work because it gives me a higher sense of compassion and empathy – especially when I meet the children who need my help. I see these kiddos through the lens of a mother, and often, as my own children.

As I look to the future, I am excited to continue to build my tax practice and charity work, as well as dabble in some new projects. Looking back at my life up until this point, I believe all of my experiences, even the negative ones, have transformed me from a young, shy girl from humble backgrounds into an award-winning financial executive and humanitarian leader.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.couturetax.co/ https://www.sirencouturebikini.com/

Image Credits

MuseMe Images