As a fourth-generation rancher, Jana Walker grew up with a strong sense of heritage and a clear vision for her future. Surrounded by hardworking ranchers and business owners, she developed an entrepreneurial spirit early on.
“I was raised around people who owned their own operations and ranches, so I had the itch to be a business owner myself,” Walker said. “As a kid I always knew I wanted to own my own business.”
Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Vision
After graduating from Mooreland (Okla.) High School, Walker headed to Western Oklahoma State College where she played basketball before transferring to Northwestern Oklahoma State University to continue both her education and her basketball career.
“I wasn’t sure exactly what route I wanted to go so I took a variety of classes,” said Walker. “Once I took accounting, I knew I was going to go the business route. Believe it or not, not everyone enjoys accounting like I do.”
In 2010, while attending college, Walker married her husband, Wade Walker, a Northwestern graduate and full-time rancher. Today, the couple is raising four children- Luke, June, Ladd and Drew - while balancing the demands of family life with their thriving businesses.
Walker credits Northwestern for helping shape her path.
“Northwestern was great because all of the professors knew my name and what I was interested in. I was able to have relationships with them and they would always be on the lookout for opportunities that would help me reach my goals.”
During her final year at Northwestern, Walker attended the university’s Woodward Campus. In Woodward, she connected with a local CPA and began an internship in 2011. Over the next six years, she earned two degrees and eventually became a partner at the firm of FSW&B CPA's-PLLC.
Walker received her bachelor's degree in accounting from Northwestern in 2012. After graduating, she moved to Stillwater to pursue a master's degree in agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University. She earned her master’s in 2014 after achieving her CPA license in 2013
Building a Business, Teaching the Future
In 2017, Walker took the next step in her journey by opening her own accounting office. She also returned to Northwestern as an ajunct accounting instructor giving back to the university that helped shape her path.
When asked what advice she would give to students following in similar footsteps, Walker said, “Don’t ignore the opportunities in your own back yard. There are so many opportunities around you if you just look for them.
“Enjoy the daily journey of building and creating because there is no end game in entrepreneurship, only a continuous process of growth and discovery.
“If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
The Jana A. Walker, CPA, PLLC office specializes in nonprofit auditing and advising. She has customers across Oklahoma. In addition to auditing services, the firm offers tax planning, preparation, and advisory services to businesses and individuals.
As her CPA business grew, Walker realized success meant more than just doing the work herself. In the beginning, she was hands-on with every detail; as the team expanded, she embraced the challenge of mentoring her employees and giving them room to grow.
“It might be faster for me to do something myself,” Walker admitted, “but watching my employees take the lead has been incredibly rewarding. Years down the road, it has paid off. I now have a team of strong, capable professionals who have learned so much along the way. Seeing them succeed has been one of the most fulfilling parts of building this business.”
Expanding Horizons
Walker’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop with her CPA office. In 2021, she and Wade purchased a historic building in downtown Woodward and transformed it into Walker Mercantile, a vibrant marketplace showcasing vendors offering items from home décor and furniture to candy and clothing.
A year later, the couple expanded their vision by opening Walker’s Western Store in the building next door.
“Walker’s Western Store is about the experience,” said Walker. “When you walk in you are treated like a guest. People do business with people they feel like they have a connection with. Our connection and experience are how we hope to win over customers.”
The added level of service is what Walker says sets them apart from their competitors.
“Our goal is to make the customer feel and look their best when they walk out of our store.
“Anyone can go online and purchase clothes but they won’t have the one-of-a-kind experience they would get at Walker’s Western Store.”
In 2023, they opened up a second “Walker’s Western Store” in Enid, Okla.
Though both stores sit in historic downtown districts in northwest Oklahoma, Walker quickly discovered each community has its own unique style and preferences.
“The audiences are different, so what we sell varies from store to store,” she said. “We’ve also had to adjust our marketing and advertising. It’s been a learning experience, and we’re constantly making changes to meet our customers' needs.”
The business classes that she took at Northwestern helped pave the way to her successful businesses.
“I remember having discussions in class about how small businesses have to set themselves apart from large chain industries. I use that knowledge when making business decisions.”
A Passion for the Process and Heart for the Business
Walker believes the most exciting part of entrepreneurship is often the very beginning. For example, she enjoys the creative challenge of transforming old buildings into something new.
“Most people don’t enjoy the early legwork of starting a business, but it’s actually my favorite part. I love remodeling old buildings and giving them a second life.”
The buildings they renovated were destined to sit vacant for years, quietly fading into the background of the two downtowns. For Walker, bringing them back to life wasn’t just about opening a business, it was about preserving the heart of her community. Keeping her local downtown vibrant and thriving is a passion that runs deeper than profit.
The Walkers have also transformed a loft in downtown Woodward into a welcoming Airbnb, offering visitors a cozy place to stay.
Despite her love for launching new ventures, Walker never forgets the people who keep them running.
“The most important piece of our businesses are the people who keep them running. The western stores, my CPA office…none of these would be possible without our employees who love our businesses like their own.”
Perseverance and Pride
Walker’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. She has faced countless hurdles, including broken air-conditioning units, roof repairs, finding the right managers, and overseeing remodeling projects.
“Not giving up when times have gotten tough is what I’m most proud of,” she said. “There are always fires to put out, but we’ve faced them head-on.”
Through it all, Walker remains grounded in gratitude.
“My husband and I wake up every day looking forward to the life we get to live,” she said. “We’ve been very blessed in both our personal and business lives.”
When asked what future venture Walker might have up her sleeve, she said, “No door is ever closed for me.”