As a veteran of the armed forces, Iba Leka was a natural fit as an employee for a military contractor. But during the ten years of working for contractors, Iba was also an astute observer of the many issues contractors face, especially when traveling overseas. That’s when Iba realized she could help contractors while also earning a better income by starting her own business. Iba launched International Deployment Solutions, Inc., in December 2016. Since her company is a veteran-owned business, Iba is very inspired by her fellow veterans and contractors. She tries to hire as many veterans as she can to give them the chance they deserve. One challenge Iba has faced has been that she’s a woman in a predominantly male industry, so she’s had to overcome being treated differently. Another challenge has been cash flow. She never understood just how expensive it is to run a business until she was in the middle of it. To help with her tax issues, Iba signed on with 1-800Accountant. “My accountant is amazing!” says Iba. “He’s always there to help me when I need it. Being a small business owner and having used all my savings to get this business started, it’s nice to have someone I can trust to handle my tax needs.” Now, Iba sees enormous growth potential for her business. The company is thriving, having already been awarded three contracts, with another $86 billion contract set to begin in August. International Deployment Solutions currently has about a dozen employees but plans to have as many as 1,200 by the end of the year. That’s impressive growth by any standard.

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Read our client story, Iba Leka and 1-800Accountant: Giving Veterans the Chance They Deserve. 

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Iba Leka and 1-800Accountant: Giving Veterans the Chance They Deserve

For commuters driving in and out of Atlanta every day, it’s easy to get stressed out by accidents and congested highways—not to mention the busy workday and the daily deadlines that come with it. One coffee shop tries to bring a little peace and joy to that frenzy with gourmet coffee on the go. What’s better than the intoxicating smell and taste of fresh-roasted espresso to soothe your nerves?   
Since 2013, <a href="https://www.dripthrucoffee.com/about/">Drip-Thru Coffee</a> has been bringing high-quality and convenient coffee to Atlanta area commuters. It draws on the tradition of gourmet drive-through coffee stands in the Pacific Northwest and pairs that with a commitment to the local community and a passion for hospitality amid a busy commuter culture. 
Drip-Thru Coffee came entirely from Christy Deen’s hard work and ambition. After more than 25 years working in the food and beverage industry at venues like Walt Disney World and the Atlanta airport, she decided it was time to go into business for herself.
“I decided I wanted to work just as hard—actually harder—and build something of my own!” said Deen. “I truly just wanted to do something for myself.” And so she got to work sharing her passion for hospitality with Atlanta commuters. 
<h2>Commitment to Community</h2>
Deen is showing drivers in Atlanta that you don’t have to choose convenience over quality when it comes to coffee. The Drip-Thru Coffee drive-through coffee stand gets people the gourmet coffee or tea they want without having to wait. And that’s not all they do, either. 
Drip-Thru Coffee is a small business rooted in the community and committed to “loving local.” Deen uses local vendors and suppliers as much as possible and sources her coffee from Cafe Campesino, a Georgia organization that imports organic, fair-trade coffee from Guatemala.  
Drip-Thru then offers that fresh, high-quality coffee with the convenience of a drive-through. Drivers order, pay, and pick up their coffee at the same window. 
Incredible customer service is also a crucial part of what they offer. The friendly and compassionate baristas help make the morning a little easier and a little more joyful for each customer. 
<h2>The Struggles of Starting a Small Business</h2>
Deen loves being her own boss, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. One of the biggest challenges she faces is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Deen said she’d learned the importance of “making time for yourself [and your] family, and remembering that some things can simply wait.” 
Running a business will take a lot out of you, but it shouldn’t take everything. You have to be dedicated to carving out time for your other priorities when necessary.   
Deen’s advice for new small business owners is to “never stop learning!” It’s so valuable for your business and for your own growth to keep learning about new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences. “Take classes, webinars, read books, attend city meetings in the prospective town you want to open up shop in, and network.” 
And Deen doesn’t get by without a bit of help sometimes, either. Her vision and passion are supported by the hardworking people at 1-800Accountant. 
“It has been a lifesaver!” said Deen. “It fits our small business budget, and I truly enjoy the availability of support when I have questions or need financial advice about the business.” 
Running a small business requires connecting with your community and investing in those relationships, both in-person and virtual. 1-800Accountant is honored to be a part of that community.

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Drip-Thru Coffee Spotlight Blog (2)

Read our client story, Christy Deen: Taking a Chance on a Dream. 

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Christy Deen: Taking a Chance on a Dream 

One look at John Meadows of Columbus, Ohio, and it’s pretty obvious that he’s crazy about fitness. As the sole owner of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC, it’s just a business requirement. Meadows runs www.mountaindogdiet.com out of his home office, coaching his audience with nutritional and fitness information — as well as content by affiliated, relevant businesses — and a members-only section for subscribers. Despite having run a training business for many years without formal establishment, Mountain Dog Diet became an LLC in 2011.
“I’ve been coaching people since maybe 1994 or 1995. I worked in the corporate world for 9 years before fully committing to my business. During that time, I was working two jobs and I was building a clientele base. I would go to work during the day and have to work with my clients at night. I ended up having twin boys and was spread really thin. So after long consideration, I stopped working in the corporate world and decided to do this on my own. I maintained my good relationships in the banking industry in case I ever needed to go back, but I just didn’t want to work those 70-hour weeks anymore with newborn twins,” he explains.
Meadows developed a knack for fitness and bodybuilding early in life, getting into it at 12 years old. At 13, he competed in his first bodybuilding contest – which is, as he puts it, “insane.” By high school, he was involved in a lot of sports and enjoyed working alongside other athletes. When he approached 40 and found himself overwhelmed juggling work, parenthood, and his hobby, he knew he had to make some life-changing decisions.
“When you love something and put a lot of time into something, you eventually become very good at it. I already loved what I was doing every day. I just had to give up those steady corporate paychecks. I enjoyed my work in the corporate world, but I didn’t feel like it was what I was born to do,” Meadows says.
There is no shortage of personalities in the fitness industry who use their seemingly aspirational lifestyles as a means of selling their brands. Sometimes, crazy promises are just part of the sales pitch. So how does Meadows set himself apart from the competitors saturating his industry?
“I never got into that kind of marketing. I’ve just been true to myself. I’ve been honest with people. I walked the walk. I worked really hard for many years, and people saw the example I was setting. I provided free information for magazines and websites so I could educate readers on the industry. I wasn’t just some guy in a lab coat, and I think people identified with me because I’m a hardworking guy who didn’t have everything handed to him,” he says of his secrets to success.
Meadows’ favorite aspect of small business ownership is the fun that he has staying innovative and evolving his brand. He is currently working with an affiliated company on a fresh, unprocessed protein bar. His goal was to create a protein bar with a good taste and texture. It is this diversified approach – he also has a smart phone app and clothing line — that keeps him ahead of the curve.
“I have a pretty solid educational background in addition to having competed successfully in bodybuilding competitions. A lot of people are one-sided — they’re either too scientific or not educated enough. One thing I won’t do is put on a fake persona to sell average products,” he says.
The main demographic of John Meadows’ client base is 60% male and 40% female between the ages of 20 and 55. Meadows promotes himself, Mountain Dog Diet, and his other ventures online. He has an website – <a href="http://www.mountaindogdiet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.mountaindogdiet.com</a> – as well as pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mountaindogdiet/?fref=ts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://websta.me/n/mountaindog1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mountaindog1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>, and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mountaindog1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> channel.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Being your own boss doesn’t mean all play and no work. Meadows emphasizes time management as one of the biggest challenges small business owners face in the startup stages of success. And as many learn in the preliminary stages, working hard doesn’t always mean working smart.
“Even though you’re having fun building your business, you’re still working. People say, ‘Oh, you probably don’t feel like you’re working!’ Well, guess what? I do feel like I’m working!” he laughs.
It is important to maintain a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle despite the demands of entrepreneurism. And that means carving out time for family.
“When you start a business, you really need to be passionate. But you can’t just stay that way all the time and never pay attention to your family or anything else. For people with families, you’ve got to be careful not to spend all of your time working. Don’t let it swallow up your whole life.”
One of the fears plaguing entrepreneurs the most is the risk associated with leaving the paycheck-to-paycheck life behind in favor of the unpredictability that comes with small business ownership. Still, don’t let that deter you from taking the plunge.
“When you’re an entrepreneur, you have the risk of making no money, but you also have the potential to double what you would make at a conventional job. There is an upside to every risk. You get what you put in.”
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to branch out into the world of small business ownership, Meadows offers some invaluable advice.
“Have a backup plan, but don’t be afraid of failure. Be extremely thorough in your planning. Create a brand identity. What do you really stand for? When people think about your company, what should come to mind? Identify your demographic. Then build your business plan around those findings,” he advises.
This narrowing of focus is essential for success.
“I think a lot of people don’t really know what they want to do. Put a lot of forward thinking into every aspect. Then go for it. If you learn lessons along the way, then that is just a part of business. You can’t just quit when something doesn’t go well. I made a lot of business mistakes even a year ago, but I learned from them and I’m not making them now.”
Meadows also suggests finding a mentor with a similar desired career trajectory.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
John Meadows of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC has been a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant right out of the gate. Because he finds business taxes one of his biggest pain points, he has benefited tremendously from the service.
“My accountant has been excellent. We do check-ins every quarter to see how the business is doing financially. He keeps me posted with market changes or things I should do with my retirement plan and other investments. He keeps me in the know with things that the bank doesn’t even tell me,” he enthuses.
Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by John Meadows of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC and are used with permission.

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Read our client story, A Story of Success for the Mountain Dog in You. 

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A Story of Success for the Mountain Dog in You

Chris Ackerman saw a vital transportation need he thought he could fill. It seemed that most people living on the eastern shore of Maryland rarely made the trip to the western shore, especially to visit the landmarks of Washington, D.C. or Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, or to enjoy the casinos and wineries in the area. Moreover, Chris realized that a lot of people didn’t like driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and renting a limo or other transportation was expensive.
“All of these places are an hour and a half or better from this area,” says Chris. “A lot of people don’t like to drive across the bridge. So I decided it would be a good thing to see if people would want to take the opportunity to just get on the bus and ride. There was just no one here on the east shore who was doing that.”
As a side job, Chris bought a bus in May 2018. It took several months of planning, getting insurance and licensing, and dealing with other hurdles before he could accept passengers. He also registered his business as E. Shore Bus Tours LLC, operating out of Cambridge, Maryland. Finally, in the second half of 2018, Chris started booking tours and boarding passengers.
In addition to providing safe, fun, and economical transportation to the places above, E. Shore buses transport happy passengers to sporting events, concerts, plays, outlet malls, and more. Some families use the service to take their kids to Six Flags amusement park. As of now, Chris drives some tours and has a second driver for others.
Running a new business has certain challenges, like how to best book passengers for each trip. Another challenge is bookkeeping and tax preparation. “I can organize a trip, but actually handling the paperwork and all the details that come with the business side of this thing, I need some help.” That’s why Chris has teamed up with 1-800Accountant to assist him with organizing his business receipts and paying his taxes.
Chris has a clear vision for where he wants to take his business. Once he starts to see a profit, his next goal will be to turn that profit into a second bus. Chris would also like to expand to other cities and start providing an airport shuttle service. Eventually, he’d like to leave behind his day job and make his company the work that takes him all the way through retirement.
For now, though, Chris carefully plans each of the E. Shore Bus Tours. “I’m just good at it,” he says.

Read our client story, Get On the Bus and Ride – Chris Ackerman Fills a Vital Transportation Need on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

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Get On the Bus and Ride – Chris Ackerman Fills a Vital Transportation Need on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

When Cristin Curl attended the University of Central Arkansas on a basketball scholarship, she was interested in losing a little weight. That’s when she turned to <a href="https://www.herbalife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herbalife</a>, a global nutrition and weight management company. Additionally, she started playing soccer and had now lost 20 pounds. It was a decision that changed Cristin’s life in important and unpredictable ways.
Cristin took her degrees in both business management and physical education and moved to Australia, where she eventually worked in disability support. In addition to reconnecting with Herbalife as a product user, Cristin began selling Herbalife products to supplement her earnings. It was a part-time gig that turned into a three-and-a-half year commitment.
Soon, the structure of nutrition and weight management started to change. People began opening nutrition clubs. Cristin took this as her cue to move back to her hometown of Amarillo, Texas, where she explored opening a nutrition club of her own. She got training as an International Herbalife Wellness Coach, signed a lease for retail space, and created a limited liability company (LLC). On January 15, 2019, Cristin opened the doors of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ActiveNutritionAmarillo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Active Nutrition Amarillo</a>.
Active Nutrition Amarillo offers a vibrant social space where Cristin can talk to people about wellness and nutrition. The storefront provides comfortable seating and displays the work of local artists on the walls. Cristin also sells shakes, teas, and energy drinks to customers wanting nutritious beverage options. “I have a passion for helping people get healthy,” says Cristin. “It’s so much fun! And it’s extremely rewarding when you have someone come up to you and say, ‘You changed my life, thank you.’”
While learning the ropes of running a business, Cristin realized she wasn’t a tax-centric person. She needed a company that could help her with every step of the business process. That’s when she went online and found 1-800Accountant. 1-800Accountant matched her needs at a reasonable price.
During her initial 1-800Accountant consultation, Cristin had a list of questions ready. Thomas, her <a href="https://1800accountant.com/products/small-business-taxes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tax accounting expert</a>, was able to answer all of them. He provided time frames and offered a detailed tax plan for Cristin’s business. About 1-800Accountant, Cristin says, “You guys are on the ball when it comes to tax changes, staying in contact with what to expect.”
Where does Cristin see herself in the future? Looking at the big picture, Cristin would like to expand her business to other cities. She’d like to see Active Nutrition clubs not just in Amarillo but in Austin, Texas, Colorado, and maybe even in New Castle, Australia.

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Read our client story, Cristin Curl and Active Nutrition Amarillo – Healthier Lives, A Thriving Business. 

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Cristin Curl and Active Nutrition Amarillo – Healthier Lives, A Thriving Business

Carrie Weaver values good leadership. After all, she’s a leader herself. In February 2017, Carrie took fifteen years of corporate human resources experience and translated it into her own New York City business, <a href="https://silverbranchconsulting.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silver Branch Consulting LLC</a>. Now, Carrie spends her days coaching and developing leaders in enterprises all across the country.
Dealing directly with people wasn’t always Carrie’s milieu, though. She has a master’s degree in geology and was employed for a time by the U.S. Geological Survey. But Carrie soon learned that studying rocks isn’t nearly as interesting as working with people. “I made the shift into the human resources field after I realized you could really help organizations do amazing work,” says Carrie. “But you needed people who were really aligned and had the right skills and abilities in their roles to make sure the organization was working.”
Today, Carrie sees a specific need for leadership training. “I think that, as you get into executive-level roles, there’s this idea that you’re there, you’ve made it, you’re done,” Carrie says. “Actually, it’s quite the opposite. You really need to double down on your own learning and make sure you’re still sharp.”
Carrie is motivated by one of her core values – continued growth. It’s vital to her to be able to develop and learn constantly. But what really drives Carrie is a desire to be of service to others. “It’s important to me to do what I love and give it to other people,” says Carrie.
When Carrie formed her business, she knew she had a lot to learn about accounting, so she hired 1-800Accountant to assist her. The move has paid big dividends. “I knew nothing about taxation as it relates to LLCs, so I had a huge learning curve,” Carrie says. “But I had a number of calls in the early stages with my accountants to really help me understand taxation issues, such as how to do estimated tax, which is something I never had to think about before.”
As Carrie contemplates growing her business and perhaps shifting from an LLC to an S corporation, she’s come to rely on her relationship with 1-800Accountant even more. She believes she’s seen enough revenue growth to make the switch soon. “I’m at my target revenue where it’s going to make sense for me to do that,” says Carrie. “But I had no knowledge of any of that going into it. So, it’s just been super informative and illuminating to be able to work with the 1-800Accountant team.”
With 1-800Accountant in her corner, Carrie’s business trajectory appears to be going nowhere but up.

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Read our client story, Carrie Weaver and Silver Branch Consulting – Growing Better Leaders Every Day. 

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Carrie Weaver and Silver Branch Consulting – Growing Better Leaders Every Day

When Kyle Bergman first heard about a new fashion statement, sweatpants overalls, he wanted a pair for himself. Unfortunately, the only ones he could find for sale were for women. Undaunted, Kyle took his experience from the merchandise retail industry and created a business that sells sweatpants overalls to both men and women. He called them Swoveralls.
Kyle’s business, <a href="https://swoveralls.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Great Fantastic LLC</a>, launched in March 2017. He sold his first pair of Swoveralls in September of 2017. Over the following year, he pulled in nearly $250,000 in gross sales. According to Kyle, if you google “sweatpants overalls” online, Swoveralls are the only ones you’ll find.
Prior to starting The Great Fantastic, Kyle worked in the buying office at Bloomingdale’s. He then went on to work for Birchbox, an online subscription service that sends subscribers boxes of makeup samples and other beauty-related products.
But while the industry experience was invaluable, Kyle prefers to be his own boss. He loves coming up with ideas and then executing them to be sustainable and profitable. “I’m one of those people who would rather work 100 hours per week for myself versus 40 hours a week at a desk for someone else,” says Kyle. “I’m a producer. I like talking the talk and, shortly thereafter, walking the walk.”
Not surprisingly, Kyle receives frequent requests to make specific designs or add college logos to his Swoveralls products. New parents are asking for Swoveralls in baby or kid sizes, too. Says Kyle, “The biggest challenge is always staying focused and not spreading myself too thin with cool opportunities that arise – things that look shiny and seem like they might be amazing to do, but realistically they could stretch me from a cash flow standpoint.”
Kyle considers himself a classic entrepreneur who would rather paint with his hands than produce a bar graph or analytical spreadsheet. With that in mind, Kyle had another great idea: he hired 1-800Accountant to help with accounting and tax issues. “1-800Accountant has been amazing at holding me accountable and reducing the amount of stress I have,” says Kyle.
With so much at stake, Kyle likes that he can talk to an accountant whenever he needs solid advice. “Deni looks at everything and tells me I’m doing great. It’s nice to know I have someone with that expertise, someone who can say you’re all good with this, now you can focus on painting with your hands again.”
In the last twelve months, Kyle has proved that the Swoveralls concept is a good one. Now, he’s looking forward to growing in the existing market. “Sweatpants overalls didn’t exist more than a year ago. I’ve created this subcategory within athleisure and loungewear. I want to put Swoveralls in every household in the world!”

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Read our client story, Kyle Bergman: What Do You Get When You Combine Two Great Ideas?. 

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Kyle Bergman: What Do You Get When You Combine Two Great Ideas?

In July 2018, when Gary Angel made his healthcare IT consulting business official by filing it as an LLC, he saw it as a sideline of work – a way to make a little extra cash to supplement his regular job. He didn’t know that soon he’d be working the equivalent of two full-time jobs. Now, Gary’s getting so many quality referrals he can barely keep up with them. Good thing he enjoys what he does Trained in computer programming, Gary first started in telecommunications, then switched to the auto industry. Eventually, he found himself at the University of Michigan, where he worked his way into the healthcare side of information technology. In 2002, Gary moved on to the Detroit Medical Center, where he was introduced to Cerner programming and its applications. He’s been serving in various IT consulting roles ever since “I really enjoy my work,” says Gary. “I enjoy programming. I enjoy the challenges of working with people. I enjoy problem-solving” He says he feels lucky to be working with very kind and good people at hospitals around the region Like many entrepreneurs, Gary filed his business as an LLC because he wanted to separate his business assets from his personal assets. It was a smart business decision. Another smart decision was hiring 1-800Accountant to assist him with business accounting. “It’s helped in the fact that I’m probably more on top of my tax situation,” says Gary. “I have a better idea of when things need to be done, thanks to Marc. He’s been about as easy to work with as one could ask for. Gary can envision a day soon when he’s working only for himself. Ideally, though, he’d like to cut down from the 80 hours a week he’s currently working to about 60. Says Gary, “We’ll see what the future brings.”

Read our client story, Gary Angel: Filing As An LLC Was A Smart Business Decision. 

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Gary Angel: Filing As An LLC Was A Smart Business Decision

Journalist Carrie Sheffield saw a country divided by its political parties. But instead of being satisfied with the status quo, she decided to do something about it. Carrie teamed up with celebrity Clay Aiken and founded a new digital network called <a href="https://bold.global/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bold Media Enterprise, Inc.</a> – a true bipartisan news media outlet – in November 2015. Carrie has been a news correspondent for more than a dozen years. After graduating with a journalism degree in 2005, she moved to Washington and wrote for The Hill newspaper, then for <a href="https://www.politico.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> when it was just a startup. She next wrote editorial pieces for The Washington Times, before achieving a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. Suffice it to say that Carrie is passionate about politics because it affects everyone’s lives. “I’m driven by a desire to help make the world a more peaceful, unified, and happy place,” says Carrie. “And that’s so much easier said than done.” In starting Bold Media Enterprises, Carrie faced many hurdles. Says Carrie, “Initially, one of the challenges we found was that it was hard to bring in outside capital to a media company because a lot of venture capitalists and financial investors are not interested in media.” But instead of giving up, Carrie transformed the challenge into an opportunity. Rather than trying to attract investors, she pursued sponsors for the business. The sponsorship model allowed Carrie to retain her own vision for the company. To keep costs down but still preserve the company’s financial integrity, Carrie hired 1-800Accountant to handle day-to-day accounting needs. “1-800Accountant has been very responsive to our needs from an accounting standpoint,” says Carrie. The outlook for Bold is bright. Bold airs three shows: Bold Politics, Bold Life, and Bold Business. The company’s focus is on growing the audience and the community for each. The company is also in conversations with a number of exciting partners for distribution and sponsorships. Carrie wants to encourage everyone to be bold. “Live your boldest life possible,” she says.

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Read our client story, Carrie Sheffield Makes a Bold Business Statement. 

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Carrie Sheffield Makes a Bold Business Statement

Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome had already formed the Burbank-based band The Armoires when they realized there was an opportunity to do more. They believed they could cultivate a whole new music scene, not just in L.A. but internationally. The idea germinated when Christina and Rex created the Big Stir: Power Pop &amp; More concert series. The series spread from L.A. to Northern California and the U.K. The response by bands and audiences alike was so great that when one prominent musician (Steven Wilson of Plasticsoul) announced he was putting out his band’s third album on Big Stir Records, Christina and Rex immediately turned their attention to getting a record label off the ground. In May of 2017, <a href="https://www.bigstirrecords.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big Stir Records</a> released the long-awaited Plasticsoul album, Therapy. Big Stir Records became an LLC in March of 2018. Christina handles the financial aspects of the business, while Rex works at promoting the label. The label now represents six bands and is looking to add more. “We’ve got five other bands interested in being on our label that we’re over the moon about!” says Christina. Starting a business hasn’t been easy for this energetic duo. “We spend a lot of money on promotions without a lot of return so far,” says Christina. “The challenge is in sticking with it – perseverance and persistence.” Meanwhile, to supplement income from concerts and CD sales, Christina teaches music to budding musicians in the local area. At the outset, one of Christina’s biggest business challenges was in keeping the books. Then she made the smart decision to hire 1-800Accountant. “We’re all artists, we’re all musicians,” says Christina. “We don’t know what we’re doing in terms of accounting or <a href="https://1800accountant.com/products/bookkeeping">bookkeeping</a>. 1-800Accountant actually took the time to lead me through the entire process, showed me what I needed to do. It lifted a giant weight off my shoulders.” The future looks bright for Big Stir Records. The concert series continues. A new Armoires album will be out soon. What makes all the work worthwhile? “Community,” says Christina. “It’s really that simple. The singular yet subconscious idea that there are people out there who want the same things we do, and we’re finding them in droves. We’re all very, very grateful for what we do.”

Read our client story, Christina Bulbenko: Making Music...Keeping the Books. 

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Christina Bulbenko: Making Music...Keeping the Books

For Alexis van den Berg, the road to her own business was a long and winding one. Family hardship forced Alexis to take a break from her fine arts and illustration schooling early on. “I was still working random jobs here and there when my boss from the restaurant I was working at heard that I was going to school for illustration,” says Alexis. “He asked me to create new branding for some new restaurant concepts for his business, scooped me up and had me start work at the corporate office.” Alexis found that brand design was a big step up from illustration, but it was a career she felt drawn to. “I found that graphic design was a beautiful marriage of art, technology, and business that I enjoyed,” Alexis says. “I decided that this was something I needed to go back to school to educate myself. I took out loans, went to school and began my new career path.” During three internships, one on the Jim Henson lot, Alexis learned about the branding industry and found that she wanted to help people by using her creativity. After graduating, she worked for a while as an in-house graphic designer, but soon she realized this wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do. She began freelancing on the side, helping small businesses starting up. Not much later, Alexis decided to make a full-time business of it, and in 2017 <a href="http://www.alexisvandenberg.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AV Creative Designs LLC</a> was born. It’s been going gangbusters since. “The best feeling in the world is when past clients come back a few months later, and they send you pictures of the logo or other projects you worked on together with some updates on how their business is doing. I live for that.” Alexis also made another smart decision. She hired 1-800Accountant to help with her taxes and bookkeeping. “Taxes were such a gray area for me,” she says. “I thought I was doing things right, but 1-800Accountant gives me the guidance I need with all of my taxes. It also helps that my LegalZoom account is linked up with 1-800Accountant, so it feels like all of my business information is together in one place. Each time I meet with Vanessa, I breathe a sigh of relief because I feel like everything is buttoned up nicely.” Not surprisingly, Alexis is looking to grow her business even more. “I am definitely working on expanding my client base and hopefully hiring some talented graphic designers to work with me in the future,” Alexis says. “I can&#8217;t wait to be in a position where I can create some jobs!”

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Read our client story, Alexis van den Berg: The Long and Winding Road to AV Creative Designs. 

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Alexis van den Berg: The Long and Winding Road to AV Creative Designs

Dan Madine has always been a natural leader. At Fordham University in the late 1990s, he quarterbacked the Rams football team. Following graduation, his leadership skills landed him a position in a management training program. Beginning in 2001, Dan started honing his coaching and management abilities in the corporate world, often working 85 to 95 hours a week. Says Dan, “It took a lot of sacrifices, but the adversity built a strong character that positioned me for success when future challenges arrived.” In October 2017, Dan decided his coaching abilities had matured to the point that he wanted to set his own course and share his knowledge with more people. That’s when he founded Striped Collar Consulting, LLC. Through Striped Collar, Dan trains leadership teams, providing them with relationship building strategies, helping them through culture changes, and improving employee engagement. “When I think of what makes me happy during a standard workday, it has always been when I spend time coaching others and helping them achieve success,” says Dan. One of Dan’s biggest concerns with starting his own company was the financial accounting. So, he hired 1-800Accountant to help. “In my previous positions, I’d always had an accountant on staff, which actually created a weakness in my abilities,” says Dan. “1-800Accountant plugged that weakness gap and gave me the confidence to move forward.” Now, Dan’s goals are to continue to expand his practice and improve his financial means, so that he can donate more and support those in need in the community, particularly disadvantaged children. “Helping others is what inspires me,” Dan says. “Helping others achieve success at work as well as helping those who are less fortunate than me.”

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Read our client story, Dan Madine and Striped Collar Consulting – Coaching for Success. 

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Dan Madine and Striped Collar Consulting – Coaching for Success

Melanie Haynes has always loved animals. All animals, big and small. So when Melanie was in transition from a corporate job, she decided to take her eleven years of pet care experience and start a business that reflected that passion. In March 2017, Melanie officially registered Mel’s Space Coast Services, LLC, and from there Space Coast Pet Services was born. “I did pet sitting casually as a hobby and was a pet owner for many years before taking the leap and starting my own pet care business,” Melanie says. “There’s a huge difference between a professional pet care provider and someone who does it as a hobby, and I knew there was a need for qualified, trained and caring pet care professionals in my area. I decided I would fill that need.” Melanie puts in long hours for her business. What drives her to succeed, besides giving pet owners peace of mind, is providing for her family’s future. “There’s a great sense of pride in knowing that you’ve worked hard to create something from nothing all on your own and, in the process, are able to help others. I want my children to see that hard work can pay off when you’re passionate about what you’re doing.” As a new business owner, Melanie continually seeks to learn new best practices and to keep up with current trends in the industry. She’s had many opportunities to connect with and collaborate with other local small businesses. “When you can find a way to network with other small business owners who hold the same core professional values as you do, it can only lead to positive results,” Melanie says. “My experience has shown me that when you do good, good comes back to you.” Melanie also hired 1-800Accountant for tax preparation and advice. “The prompt and exceptional service I receive from 1-800Accountant has tremendously helped my success,” says Melanie. She’s thankful that her personal tax advisor answers any questions she has in a timely and detailed manner, and help is always just a phone call or email away. “It’s definitely been worth the investment as a new business owner to make sure my business has a successful financial ground from the start. I feel very confident going into tax season and beyond.” Melanie has big plans for her business. She’s currently enhancing the services she offers to ensure that Space Coast Pet Services continues to be the premier pet care company in the area. Says Melanie, “I’m really excited to see ideas become reality and watch my company grow into more than I ever dreamed.”

Read our client story, Melanie Haynes Provides Expert Pet Care, Relies on 1-800Accountant to Boost Her Success. 

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Melanie Haynes Provides Expert Pet Care, Relies on 1-800Accountant to Boost Her Success

Change is something Abby Dryer knows something about. While at her full-time job as a program manager at a large bank, Abby began working in and around change management – introducing strategies for making changes happen and helping people adapt to them. Then, Abby decided to make a change of her own. In August 2017, Abby left her job and started Ask Abby Dryer, a project management and problem-solving consulting company. Abby says, “I decided to start my own business because I haven’t seen a place do what I want to do. If you can’t find it, you have to build it – so here I am!” Abby feels a real calling to help businesses and their employees reduce stress and find the right balance between their jobs and their home lives. Says Abby, “I’ve seen too many people hospitalized (or worse!) from the stress of highly complex or high-stakes projects, and I sort of blended project management with emotion management, which I later found out is a form of change management.” In talking about what inspires her, Abby says, “I call myself an Employee Experience Evangelist. I get a deep sense of personal satisfaction from knowing that I’ve made a difference that will last. If I can help individuals on a team make small changes that greatly impact their stress level and/or work-life balance for the better, I consider that a win.” Abby identifies business development as her biggest challenge right now. But she’s also willing to get help for her business when she needs it. That’s why she hired 1-800Accountant to assist with her finances. “Without 1-800Accountant, my biggest challenge would have been managing the financials. It’s such a relief to know that I have an expert at hand to answer my silly questions about how my financials are supposed to work. It really takes all that stress away.” Looking toward the future, Abby continues to embrace change. She recently rebranded her business as Syncopated Consulting. She hopes to partner with companies to help make a real difference in the employee experience during mergers and acquisitions, leadership changes and other disruptive events.

Read our client story, Abby Dryer Embraces Change, Lets 1-800Accountant Lessen the Stress. 

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Abby Dryer Embraces Change, Lets 1-800Accountant Lessen the Stress

Tiffany Paige Lambert was a single mom working three jobs, none of which made full use of her considerable talents. But Tiffany had bigger dreams. That’s when she decided to open her own cosmetology and makeup artist business, Tiffany Paige LLC. Tiffany Paige LLC provides hair and makeup services for weddings, events and photo shoots. Although Tiffany has been in the beauty industry for six years, she’s been mastering her trade all her life. As a performer, she’s always had to do her own hair and makeup for various events. Tiffany really loves people and genuinely wants to make them feel good about themselves, and she says the joy in her customers’ eyes truly inspires her. With a new business, though, comes new challenges. Now, as a mother of two and a wife, it’s hard for Tiffany to find the time to market her services and arrange financing for the full-service salon and spa she plans to open. Fortunately, she’s been able to make amazing connections in the industry and has lots of people supporting both her business and her dream. One of those supporters is 1-800Accountant. Tiffany says that 1-800Accountant has been a huge help because, with everything she’s currently juggling, she doesn’t have to worry about her taxes and important deadlines. Trusting the experts to take care of these details frees up time she can use to focus on her business and her family. With a baby in one hand and a makeup brush in the other, she needs all the help she can get with organizing her finances! What’s in store for Tiffany? Her #1 focus right now is growing her business. In addition to opening a salon and spa, Tiffany also plans to one day travel internationally to do hair and makeup for weddings. She also hopes to guide other women like herself, who may also wish to own a business, through life coaching and motivational speaking.

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Read our client story, Tiffany Paige Lambert gets inspired with 1-800Accountant. 

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Tiffany Paige Lambert Gets Inspired with 1-800Accountant

Riley Mate got an early start in designing. His parents introduced him to art at a very young age. Later, his interests became more focused on design and textiles, both of which he studied in college. Riley now has a four-year career under his belt. He’s been designing clothing and other objects under the pseudonym PSEUDODUDO since 2015. In October 2017, Riley officially incorporated his business as an LLC. “The thought of owning and operating some sort of entity was always very appealing to me,” says Riley. “So when things really started to pick up, it just felt like the right thing to do. Incorporating was one of the best decisions I have ever made.” Riley says that what drives him to succeed are all the odd and abstract aspects of life that he doesn’t fully understand. “Those things keep me thinking, keep me working.” He also feels challenged by clients who seem to ask for the impossible. He realizes that these challenges push him to explore new territory and discover unexpected ways for things to fit together. “Progress in design is amost always tough but worthwhile,” Riley says. To solve other business challenges, Riley reached out to 1-800Accountant. “1-800Accountant’s service has helped in many ways,” he says. “For one, the online portal provides such a beautifully simple way to keep everything organized and balanced.” Riley recognizes the important investments 1-800Accountant has made in keeping current on the latest technology. “And of course my accountant, Robert – I have a lot of good things to say about him,” says Riley. “He’s somewhat akin to an accounting oracle. He provides a wealth of valuable guidance and answers that help me make smart decisions related to my business.” PSEUDODUDO will continue building up its clothing line and design portfolio while being open to any new opportunities that come along. “Simply put though,” Riley says, “more work and more fun are on the constant horizon.”

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Read our client story, Riley Mate and 1-800Accountant: Designing the Perfect Partnership. 

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Riley Mate and 1-800Accountant: Designing the Perfect Partnership

In 1968, Mary Lee Decoster went to work for a surgeon who was fresh out of medical school and starting his own practice. Mary Lee had to learn the business of managing the books from the ground up – how to bill and collect from patients and insurance companies, along with just about everything else that needed to be done in the office. The practice eventually grew to a group of five surgeons. Fast forward almost 50 years, and Mary Lee was entering retirement from a series of management roles that culminated in a vice president position at a large healthcare system. But retirement would be short-lived for Mary Lee. People kept calling her for help with revenue, cash flow, collections, and other advice. Her consulting business was born, and in December 2016 she formed an LLC. Mary Lee is passionate about enabling others to succeed. “I love to be a part of helping an organization transition from manual, paper-based workflows to automated, electronic workflows,” Mary Lee says. “I like to learn the games the payer plays to deny payment and to figure out how to win the reimbursement.” Over the years, Mary Lee has seen just about every healthcare billing and collection challenge that could possibly arise. From HIPAA to the Affordable Care Act, she’s accumulated a staggering wealth of knowledge. One area where she wasn’t so confident, though, was in managing her consulting revenue and paying her taxes. Thus, she began a relationship with 1-800Accountant that has proved valuable in ways she never dreamed. “My accountant, Chris Tuttle, has been very helpful,” says Mary Lee. “Chris explains things so I can understand what needs to be done. He has given me suggestions to further minimize my taxes. He recommended I become an S-Corp, hire a payroll service and start paying myself. I would never have known to do this on my own. He’s saving me money – and headaches.” With the help of 1-800Accountant, it appears Mary Lee will be helping others with their business decisions for a good long time. That’s the kind of retirement you can bank on.

Read our client story, Mary Lee Decoster and 1-800Accountant: When Retirement Means the Next Great Adventure. 

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Mary Lee Decoster and 1-800Accountant: When Retirement Means the Next Great Adventure

As a licensed massage therapist, Crystal Hawthorne has been in the business of healing people for more than seven years. A graduate of the Swedish Institute of Health and Science with a degree in occupational studies, Crystal learned what it takes to mend bodies and souls. Over the years, Crystal found more ways to help people with her own special brand of healing. Eventually, she decided she wanted a business where she had the freedom to use the techniques she’d learned. In April of 2017, Crystal started her own massage therapy business, Crystal-Lization, LLC, in New York City. Like many new business owners, Crystal was unsure about business tax issues and was stressed out about having to deal with them. To make things easier, she hired 1-800Accountant to handle her taxes. Now, Crystal feels very much at ease knowing she has someone to stay on top of her taxes, freeing her to focus on what she cares most passionately about – helping people and growing her business every day. Crystal is currently working on expanding her business. She plans to continue to sell her spiritual healing products on Amazon and would like to develop her own retail website. Crystal also dreams of one day owning a storefront where she can spread knowledge to people about spiritual healing through her products and massage therapy techniques. Says Crystal, “I wake up and want to always learn new ways of helping people through different types of massage and different healing techniques.”

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Read our client story, Crystal Hawthorne and 1-800Accountant: Reducing Stress Together. 

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Crystal Hawthorne and 1-800Accountant: Reducing Stress Together

Fay Legagneur knew when she was a teenager what she wanted to do with her life. After graduating high school, she immediately started cosmetology school. From there, she began working at salons where she honed her craft. “It’s a passion!” says Fay. “Always has been.” Eventually, Fay opened a salon of her own, LondynArtistry LLC, in Princeton, New Jersey. “Londyn” is her daughter’s name, and her daughter was one reason she wanted so badly to succeed. “I’ve always wanted to start my own business,” Fay says. “I wanted to be my own boss and pursue my dream. There’s something about making people feel good about themselves that really drives me.” With opening a new business came new challenges for Fay. “The artistry and creative aspect is a set of skills I have, but being a business owner is a whole new world,” she says. She hired 1-800Accountant to help her make sure she was doing it the right way. “I’m excited to work with 1800-Accountant and have that peace of mind that’s so important to me.” Now, LondynArtistry is a beauty-on-demand agency dedicated to providing glamorous on-location hair, makeup, nails, and massage therapy services in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Fay’s business serves everyone from moms to models, some of whom are moms too. What’s in store for Fay’s future? “Grow!” she says. “Build my brand, create my own products, market and just continue to grow my business.” <a href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a> is glad to help. We’re a virtual accounting firm merging the convenience of technology with live support from real professionals. We offer personal, year-round accounting services to individuals and small businesses at an affordable price. <a href="https://1800accountant.com/get-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schedule your consultation</a> with America’s leading small business accounting firm.

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Read our client story, Fay Legagneur and 1-800Accountant: A Beautiful Marriage. 

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Fay Legagneur and 1-800Accountant: A Beautiful Marriage

Gwendolyn Taylor had been a registered nurse for most of her working life. As she neared retirement, though, she began to think about starting a business, preferably with her son Aaron. Not only would this business become her retirement plan, but it would create something to leave as a legacy for her children and grandchildren. Like many parents, she wished to give her family a better life, one they’d be able to pass on from generation to generation. So with that in mind, Taylor pursued a business in an industry that was entirely new for her – vehicle transportation. Each year, millions of new and used vehicles must be transported from one place to another by truckers, some of whom are independent. Taylor saw a chance to enter a niche industry that could benefit her family. To her surprise, Taylor realized that transporting vehicles isn’t as distant from nursing as she initially believed. Her medical background gave her the desire to serve people in every aspect of her life. She’s constantly asking herself, “Who else can I help? Taylor is a very motivated and self-driven business owner. Once she sets her mind to something, she makes sure she accomplishes it. One early challenge for Taylor was finding a large truck and trailer in good working condition that she could afford. Taylor visited a dealer and was able to obtain a significantly reduced price on a brand new truck and trailer. In return, she would do business with the dealer, transporting vehicles at a reasonable cost. It became a great opportunity for both of them. Taylor started her business venture, along with son Aaron, in May 2017. They named the business “It’s Me Again Carrier.” In the future, they hope to have multiple trucks and trailers – what they call “units” – on the road transporting vehicles. While the business has begun serving customers in Georgia, the hope is to expand it to multiple states. To keep her business running smoothly, Taylor takes advantage of accounting services provided by 1-800Accountant. “I love 1-800Accountant,” says Taylor. “They have helped me so much along this journey! They are extremely organized, easy to communicate with and very knowledgeable! I will be referring my daughter to 1-800Accountant.” <a href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant </a>is glad to help. We’re a virtual accounting firm merging the convenience of technology with live support from accounting professionals. We offer a complete suite of personalized accounting, tax, bookkeeping, advisory, and payroll services to individuals and small businesses at an affordable price. <a href="https://1800accountant.com/get-started">Schedule your consultation</a> with America’s leading small business accounting firm.

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Read our client story, Gwendolyn Taylor Keeps on Truckin’ with 1-800Accountant. 

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Taylor Keeps on Truckin’ with 1-800Accountant

Jonathan Davis has had a passion for quality, intricate woodworking ever since he was in college. But more recently he saw a chance to take that passion and turn it into a business, which he named JBD Wood Products LLC. “If you love what you do, it’s not really work,” says Davis. Davis knew, though, that if he wanted to make a living at woodworking, he was going to have to do it well and find customers who appreciated his prowess. “Woodworking is more and more of a scarcity every day,” says Davis. “Everything nowadays is made out of plastic or pressed boards, made out of sawdust. I want to show people the quality of real genuine woodworking.” While Davis clearly cares about the quality of his products, starting a woodworking business has meant some big challenges. Originally, Davis wanted to run his business from his home. That might have worked had he been doing just a little bit of it on the side. But being a reputable business meant that Davis had to conform to local zoning laws, which didn’t allow him to make and sell wood products out of his home. He had to rent a workshop, a move that has created higher overhead for his business than he’d expected. Along with overhead and profit margins come tax concerns. Davis has turned to <a href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a> to assist him with business and tax considerations. “1-800Accountant has been extremely helpful during this process,” says Davis. They “opened my eyes to the importance of staying compliant with the IRS and maintaining my business taxes.” Back in the shop, Davis hopes to grow a successful woodworking business while showing people across the country that, as he puts it, “Woodworking is not dead!” <a href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a> is happy to help Davis realize his business dreams. We’re a virtual accounting firm merging the convenience of technology with live support from experienced accounting professionals. We offer a complete suite of personalized accounting, bookkeeping, advisory, and payroll services to individuals and small businesses at an affordable price. Schedule your consultation with America’s leading small business accounting firm. 800-222-6868.

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Read our client story, Jonathan Davis Seeks to Carve Out Profits With the Help of 1-800Accountant. 

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Davis Seeks to Carve Out Profits With the Help of 1-800Accountant

Sergeant first class Al Conrad served 20 years in the U.S. Army. He says these 2 decades of experience were the most rewarding time in his life. While he has been long retired from active duty, he now fulfills his love and respect for the armed forces through a unique small business he recently launched. Conrad is the proud CEO of PIR Custom Military Figures, Gifts, &amp; Awards, LLC in Columbus, Georgia. (The PIR acronym is short for Parachute Infantry Regiment.) Formally established in December 2014, Conrad sells custom military figures, dioramas, plaques, and other cool creations related to military members and first responders through the startup venture. He maintains a brick-and-mortar location in Columbus, but he resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 51-year-old entrepreneur elaborates on what the small business can actually offer. “We produce totally custom action figures for military veterans, active duty military members, and first responders like firefighters and police officers,” Conrad explains. “Anyone can collect a plastic figure. But with us, we make figures that are very close to replicating the face of an individual who deserves recognition.” The figures are produced in 1:6 scale size and are typically about 12 inches tall. Conrad designs many of them himself through painting and woodworking, but he outsources the manufacturing process to others when necessary. “One time, I made one for a woman whose son was killed in action in Afghanistan,” he recalls. “I put him in the same uniform he wore that had his patches, equipment, and weapons he used. He was a medic, so the figure had the same medic bag he carried. Another example was a gentleman who had a bomb-sniffing dog with him, so I was able to replicate both the man and his dog.” Conrad is a world traveler who was stationed all over the globe, including in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Germany, Panama, Australia, Thailand, and Japan. Upon his retirement from the Army in the early 2000s, he worked as a high school ROTC instructor. Now his eyes are set on startup success running this small business full time. In his words, the most satisfaction he gets out of running this operation comes from the ability to serve his customers. “Being able to give back to soldiers and guys I spent good times with is the most enjoyable part,” he says. “It’s really great to see their expressions. For people who have lost loved ones in combat, there is not much I can do to make them feel better, but I can at least give them something by which they can remember someone. I’m in this business to make money like most other small business owners, but the biggest return I get from this is making soldiers and their families happy.”
<h3>Competing in the Small Business Landscape</h3>
Conrad explains how his small business differs from others. “Not many companies out there produce the items we do with the customization of facial features and expressions. We can also make each figurine part of an award or plaque as a keepsake. We’re a veteran-owned and operated business as well.” The Army vet has done a lot of work for friends, family members, military comrades, and even the National Medal of Honor Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To make others who he does not know aware of his startup venture, he maintains a company website at <a href="http://www.miniheroes.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.miniheroes.us</a>.
<h3>Challenges to Startup Success</h3>
Like so many entrepreneurs out there who have taken the plunge into starting a business for the very first time in their lives, Conrad admits he has experienced challenges throughout the process. “The first thing was figuring out the types of legal requirements and everything you have to do to get set up as a small business. Cost is obviously another challenge. I’m lucky that I started investing when I was fairly young. It’s exciting and overwhelming at the same time.”
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
He offers some valuable tips for entrepreneurs whose goal is to achieve startup success. “Consult with people you trust about what you’re going to take on as a business owner, and depend on their advice heavily,” he advises. “Find out what you need to do from a legal standpoint. Being self-employed is tough, so don’t feel like you’re the only one who has been overwhelmed by starting a business.”
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Conrad praises 1-800Accountant for the guidance he has received as a client of the national accounting and consulting firm for small business owners. “1-800Accountant is very reassuring and has been very helpful with keeping me compliant,” he says. “It’s great to have a company like this supporting me as a business owner.” Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by PIR Custom Military Figures, Gifts, &amp; Awards, LLC and are used with permission.

Read our client story, Army Vet Finds Startup Success Selling Mini Heroes. 

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Army Vet Finds Startup Success Selling Mini Heroes

Four years ago, Antonio Cala and Amanda Zeisset quit their day jobs, bought two bicycles, and took a cycling trip from Southern California all the way to Patagonia, Argentina. Little did they know this unique – and risky – adventure would one day lead them to starting a business in the travel industry. Today the married couple proudly runs The Adventure Junkies, LLC, a startup they formally established in June 2016 that is registered in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The two entrepreneurs are the only employees in the startup venture, but they have hired several freelance writers to contribute to their unique online portal. “Our website is a resource that provides information for thrill seekers and anyone else who is looking for some exciting travel adventures,” Cala explains. “We provide all kinds of content that is free to access, including articles, reviews, ideas on courses and gear for certain adventures, travel guides, and so much more. Our motto is, ‘Dream it. Learn it. Live it.’” So, how does the web-based company make money if its content is free for all users? “We make money through an affiliate program,” Cala says. “We find companies that will provide our readers with gear, courses, and other products or services, and then we’ll get paid when our visitors go to these affiliate companies’ websites. We have links to stores in lots of U.S. states and other countries depending on the type of adventure someone is interested in pursuing. Doing all of this has helped us build an important trust with our readers.” During their lengthy bike trip that led them to startup success today, the two entrepreneurs saved up lots of money from their day jobs that they used to go hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving along their journey. “Friends of ours would ask us our opinion on the best places to visit, so we decided to start a small blog about our travels. When the site was growing pretty quickly, we thought it was time to get serious about this.”
<h3>Enjoyment To Self-Employment</h3>
Cala agrees with most entrepreneurs who cite flexibility as their favorite thing about working for themselves. “I love the freedom to organize my schedule the way I want,” he says. “I can work and live wherever I choose. Plus, I can avoid the stressful commute and have breakfast with my wife every morning.” He adds that working with his wife has been truly rewarding. The two have developed a plan of tasks for each person, which has worked well so that they aren’t stepping on each other’s toes. “I’m in charge of the accounting, legal, and SEO facets of the business. My wife handles more of the content production and working with our writers. We cycled together for 3 years, getting by on $10 per day, camping, and cooking our own meals. So by now, we’re pretty set doing anything together.” When asked about the best spots in the world for adventure traveling, he immediately points to New Zealand as being at the top of his list. “I lived in New Zealand for 4 years, and it is a very unique place in the world,” he says. “Whether you’re into climbing, fishing, sailing, hiking, or anything outdoors, this is the place to go. I also think Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana are big hot spots because of the mountains.”
<h3>Handling Small Business Competition</h3>
Cala, who is originally from Spain, admits he was a bit nervous about diving into the web content space that has become oversaturated in recent years. So, he and Zeisset made it their goal to remain an independent website that users could visit as a one-stop shop for adventure travel information. “We’ve gone from competing to creating the ultimate online resource for travelers. We want to increase our users’ quality of life and make them happy by providing them with everything they need to find joy in experiencing the world.” The company’s website is <a href="http://www.theadventurejunkies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.theadventurejunkies.com</a>. It also has a presence on Facebook, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theadventurejunkies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a>Twitter</a>, and <a>Pinterest</a>. “We were pretty big on using social media early on in this venture, but we found that the traffic we got was not the quality we wanted. That’s why we have implemented SEO strategies much more, and we’ve found that our target audience tends to come from people searching on Google. We also use e-mail marketing and have created groups on social media so people can share their travel interests and experiences.”
<h3>Challenges To Starting A Business</h3>
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in so many interests when starting a business, Cala admits. “In the beginning, we started doing too much. Once we realized this, we started to focus on one main thing – providing the best quality content to our readers. Now that we’ve mastered that pretty well, we are looking to develop mobile apps and other products.” He offers some advice for entrepreneurs who may be nervous about the risks of self-employment. “First and foremost, invest in yourself,” he urges. “If you grow, your business will grow. Get all of the skills you need, and be sure you can have an intelligent conversation with anyone about any aspect of your business. Also, build a team around you and delegate tasks to free up your time.”
<h3>Experience As A 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Antonio Cala says that he and his wife have been happy with the small business accounting support they’ve received as clients of 1-800Accountant. “I like the responsiveness whenever I contact 1-800Accountant. You guys are always super-fast and quick with your helpful tax assistance. You’ve also made sure I’m working with the right accountant since my business is a little different.” Photo credit: The photograph of the Choquequirao Trek in the Peruvian Andes was provided by The Adventure Junkies, LLC and is used with permission.

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Read our client story, Riding To Startup Success: How A Bike Trip Led To a Small Business. 

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Riding To Startup Success: How A Bike Trip Led To a Small Business

Building school spirit and pride is a big part of colleges and universities. T. Nichole Phillips and her sister, LaShanta Taylor, want to start this process for youngsters as early as possible with the small business they recently launched. Phillips and Taylor are business partners at HBCU Pride &amp; Joy, LLC in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The company was formally established in the summer of 2012, and they began offering products for sale in August 2013. HBCU Pride &amp; Joy operates an online baby boutique at www.hbcupridejoy.com. The retailer specializes in selling upscale, high-quality collegiate spirit apparel for infants and toddlers sizes 0 to 5/6. This apparel is adorned with the logos and colors of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Currently, the store offers items for Florida A&amp;M University and Bethune-Cookman University, both of which are located in the Sunshine State, with plans to expand to additional schools in the near future. Phillips explains what inspired she and her sister to realize that starting a business for this purpose was the right move for them to make. “We are committed to the next generation of HBCU students,” Phillips says. “We offer t-shirts, dresses, jerseys, and related accessory items, all designed to capture the collegiate experience and pass on the HBCU legacy. This small business stems from our own experiences as graduates of Florida A&amp;M University, as well as a personal need to find apparel for infants and toddlers in our family. We soon realized that there was a void in the variety in the product selection for this market. We decided to fill the void – and HBCU Pride &amp; Joy was born.” From her perspective, the fact that this small business is targeting HBCU alumni and families of young children who may not often find the types of apparel it sells will ultimately make it successful. Plus, the company only sells officially licensed collegiate gear and offers a unique twist with the money it earns on sales. “For every purchase made, a contribution is made to each respective educational institution, thereby providing support for current students and those to come,” Phillips explains. All small business owners point to various tasks and abilities they learn and enjoy through entrepreneurship when starting a business and maintaining it over time. Phillips talks about what these are for them. “We enjoy the autonomy and ability to share the legacy of these institutions with a broader market of customers,” she says. “We hope that we are doing our part to increase awareness and promote the value of these schools.” In addition to operating HBCU Pride &amp; Joy, both Phillips and Taylor hold other jobs. As such, they share responsibility for the day to day operations. Phillips handles more of the operational duties of running the company, while Taylor manages the financial responsibilities.
<h3>Anticipating Competition In The Small Business World</h3>
Although Phillips and Taylor aren’t overwhelmed with direct competition at this point, they believe more will likely come down the road. However, they have no intentions of straying from what their true values are. “We do plan for potential competition in the future. We believe that imitation is the highest form of flattery, so we focus on our core competencies and our mission to provide the best and most creative products we can, coupled with top-notch customer service. We intend to stay true to our mission of providing high-quality products.” To make others aware of HBCU Pride &amp; Joy, the two small business partners have turned to online marketing. The company has a website – <a href="http://www.hbcupridejoy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.hbcupridejoy.com</a> – and pages on social media sites that include <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HBCUPrideJoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/hbcupridejoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://twitter.com/hbcupridejoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>. Accounting for challenges and finding ways to get through them is a large part of small business ownership. Phillips talks about the main challenge she and Taylor have encountered. “The biggest challenge we faced was coming to terms with the fact that all aspects of the business are ultimately our responsibility, and the requirement of managing it all,” Phillips says. “We’ve had to figure out which tasks to keep in-house and which to delegate to 3rd-party companies. We also hope to hire employees and grow our business in the near future.”
<h3>Advice For Entrepreneurs</h3>
Phillips gives some advice for entrepreneurs based on her experience of starting a business. “Capitalize on the knowledge and skills you currently possess. Seek help when needed, be persistent, and work smart.” She adds that there are both advantages and challenges to self-employment. “The big advantage is having the final decision-making authority of the products we produce,” she says. “We’re in control of our image in the marketplace. The biggest challenge is managing all functional and operational tasks. Staying on top of the legal aspects, making sure we’re organized, and handling everything else can be a bit overwhelming.” Phillips explains how she has been very happy with her experience as a client of 1-800Accountant, the nation’s leading accounting and consulting firm for small business owners. “1-800Accountant has been very helpful to us with the formation of our business and ensuring our LLC and related paperwork were filed properly. They helped to simplify the process. I would definitely recommend 1-800Accountant to others looking for accounting and business support.” Photo credit: The photograph of the company’s product was provided by HBCU Pride &amp; Joy, LLC and is used with permission.

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Read our client story, Building School Spirit at a Young Age with a Small Business. 

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Building School Spirit at a Young Age with a Small Business

Kym Peck loves working out. So, in her mind, she thought that there would be no better way to share this passion with others than to start a fitness business for a population that is in dire need of physical activity.
Peck established Live 2 B Healthy, a formal franchise venture in Pleasanton, California that launched in October 2016.
“I provide customized fitness classes for senior communities mainly through group sessions,” Peck explains. “The people I work with are generally between 70 and 99 years of age.”
The fitness activities she helps her elders partake in include yoga, zumba, water workouts, and strength and balance exercises. Not only are these activities designed to help seniors increase their strength and fitness, but also a larger goal is to help them live more independently so that they can do more things for themselves.
“I have been a personal trainer for 15 years working with seniors, but I wanted to do more,” she says. “I wanted to bring my physical fitness activities to communities and larger groups.”
She says the impact on her clients has been extremely rewarding.
“We test with a baseline and look at flexibility, balance, and upper and lower body strength,” she says. “I have seen some amazing results in so many of my clients.”
<h3>The Joys of Self-Employment</h3>
Helping others makes self-employment such an enjoyable endeavor for the 53-year-old entrepreneur.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” she enthuses. “I love working with seniors. These people just add so much to my life. Ultimately, it’s all about relationships, and they are so kind to me. I just know I’m making a difference each day.”
She describes how her clients respond to her.
“I walk into a room and they immediately perk up. They are so happy to see someone new because their lives can be quite repetitive.
<h3>Spreading The Word About A Small Business</h3>
Peck utilizes a variety of both online and offline strategies to make others aware of her small business. Her franchise’s website is <a href="http://www.live2bhealthy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.live2bhealthy.com</a>, and she has a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/L2BHSoAlameda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook business page</a> for her local franchise. Additionally, she sends out press releases, holds fun events, participates in speaking engagements, advertises in relevant publications, and attends health fairs.
<h3>Entrepreneurial Challenges</h3>
Admittedly, Peck is no stranger to the common hurdles entrepreneurs face early on in small business ownership – and throughout the process.
“My biggest challenge has been the administrative side of the business. I am much more familiar with managerial accounting versus financial accounting. Business taxes and business accounting have been a whole new thing for me.”
<h3>Advice for New Small Business Owners</h3>
Based on her experience, Peck recommends that all newbies to business ownership should always outsource any tasks they aren’t comfortable doing to the pros. She adds that there are both benefits and drawbacks to self-employment.
“As an employee of some gyms, I have very little control over my time, the format of the programs I offer, and various other aspects. With my company, I control all of those things. But at the same time, I can’t blame anyone else but myself for anything that goes wrong. On a positive note, it’s also a good retirement strategy, and I think it’s good for my kids to see how I operate as a business owner.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Client Experience</h3>
Kym Peck relies on 1-800Accountant for small business tax and accounting support so she can focus on running her business.
“I have been very satisfied with 1-800Accountant,” Peck says. “They are handling all of my tax and accounting needs but are also teaching me how to do some of this myself. The sharing of information has been seamless.”

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Read our client story, Startup Story: How This Entrepreneur Keeps Her Clients Fit Over 50. 

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Startup Story: How This Entrepreneur Keeps Her Clients Fit Over 50

Michael Kincannon loves driving. While working as an Uber driver for over 3 years,Kincannon discovered that life on the road was therapeutic for him. So he decided to take it to the next level and start his own transportation company with his wife, Crystal.
Serene Transportation, LLC was born in December 2015. Although the couple operates out of a home office, they really conduct business in the 2 black Chrysler 300s they bought for the company. These vehicles ensure its clients will arrive at their destinations safely and in style. Serene Transportation takes their clients anywhere from hospitals, to airports, or to sporting events.
The two are not afraid to market themselves, network, and put themselves out there. This, Kincannon thinks, will be the secret to their success.
“One of our clients is a celebrity in Detroit and known worldwide. He’s a doctor and on the news a lot. We attended a networking event and met his assistant. She came over and talked to us and the rest is history. If we can land a few more clients like him, we’ll be gold,” he explains.
When it comes to being a business owner, Kincannon is enjoying the ride.
“I like the opportunity to own something that is mine. Business ownership has always been my dream. Eventually, my wife and I are going to hire employees.”
Between classic yellow cabs and the new ride-sharing phenomenon that made Uber and Lyft household names, Kincannon admits that competition is fierce. So he and Crystal set themselves apart from the pack by offering a more luxurious, personalized experience.
“It’s a battle here. When Uber came to Detroit, the taxi and limo services had to change their strategies. We may not have the technology that Uber has, but we basically go door-to-door to get our name out. We have to provide top-notch service because Uber and Lyft are so easy. But we make sure to wow our clients once they’re in the car with us,” Kincannon confides.
<h3>Marketing a Small Business</h3>
Word-of-mouth is the most effective marketing method for small businesses, and forKincannon, it’s no different. He markets Serene Transportation by dipping into his network of people – like friends and family – and they help get the word out for him.
“We take high school kids to their proms. We take trips to and from the VA hospital. Our client base ranges from ages 7 to 70. I connect with my old classmates, friends, family members, and friends from out of town. And then we get in touch with people they know. They say we’re 6 people away from everyone in the world,” he elaborates.
Serene Transportation also has a <a href="http://www.serenetransportation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/serenetransportation/?fref=ts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> page.
<h3>Advantages &amp; Challenges of Business Ownership</h3>
One of Kincannon’s favorite aspects of business ownership revolves around the tax breaks, although the startup costs were a struggle at first. He also wasn’t used to the level of discipline required to run a business.
“You have to be disciplined because no one is going to get up and get business for you. You need to be working every single day.”
Still, he encourages any aspiring entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business to just go for it.
“Don’t think you can’t do something. Whatever your dream is, you can achieve it. Just act on it. Go ahead and try to pursue your idea,” he enthuses.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Michael Kincannon of Serene Transportation, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I’m more than satisfied. I didn’t realize how easy it was going to be for me. Starting a business was costly and I wondered, ‘do I really need this?’ But I’m just amazed by the software and the tax preparation. I’m blown away,” he raves.
Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by Serene Transportation, LLC and are used with permission.

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Read our client story, Going for a Ride with Serene Transportation. 

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Going for a Ride with Serene Transportation

Entrepreneur Anton Karbanovich knows all about web development and Internet marketing. He also knows that there are lots of children in need around the world. So, he decided to combine these two factors by taking the leap of faith to start his own small business.
Officially called Melt Candle Company, LLC, Karbanovich launched the home-based venture in October 2016. While he has a residence in Belarus, the business was registered in Oak Harbor, Washington. That’s where his mother and business partner, Larysa, resides.
“I put this business together completely from my own computer,” Karbanovich explains, noting how so many business services are now available entirely online these days. “I found a manufacturer here in Belarus to make these candles that we sell. I then have them shipped to the U.S. where Larysa is fulfilling all of the orders.”
The entrepreneurial family sells the candles on its website, eBay, and Amazon.com. There are about 70 styles of candles in its varied selection. “I’m in close contact with the manufacturer, and we come up with our own ideas on shapes, colors, designs, wicks, and other characteristics. The candles are perfect for home décor.”
Some of the larger candles have 6 wicks and weigh 4 pounds. Some are hand painted with a Christmas theme. Others are made into the shape of fruit, such as oranges and lemons. There are even outdoor candles designed to brave the breeze on a patio.
In addition to selling items that can light up a room, the company is also brightening the lives of needy children.
“We donate a percentage of our sales to a charity called Top Kids, which helps orphans and children in foster families,” Karbanovich says. “Our goal is to help as many children as we can. We want to make a profit but also want to give back.”
He says one of the reasons he decided to dive into entrepreneurship was to demonstrate what his home country can do for the world.
“I ultimately wanted to show that Belarus can manufacture something beautiful and useful for others.”
In his words, Karbanovich says the power of the Internet and the global economy are two incredible elements for small business owners that can make business ownership possible anywhere today.
“My business has no borders and no limits,” he enthuses. “You can dial my U.S. company phone number and talk to me in Belarus. You can open bank accounts, use accounting services, register a business, rent items, and connect with customers – all from a single computer with an Internet connection.”
<h3>Competition In The Candle Industry</h3>
As in most fields, Karbanovich admits he’s up against a large number of companies and individuals selling candles. However, he has illuminated his own unique niche in the candle marketplace.
“We have a few key selling points. We offer innovative designs and shapes of our candles that you probably won’t find anywhere else. These candles are also all handmade, but we can provide a competitive price for them. Plus, we have a bigger purpose than just making a profit through our charitable giving.”
<h3>Spreading The Word</h3>
To make others aware of Melt Candle Company, LLC, the firm has a <a href="http://meltcandlecompany.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> and social media pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/meltcandlecompany/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melt_candle_company/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://twitter.com/meltcandleco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>. Plus, the owners plan to send all purchases out in branded packaging.
<h3>Advice For Aspiring Small Business Owners</h3>
He offers up some valuable advice for those who have the goal of starting a business of their own someday.
“Outsource your work to the professionals as much as possible,” he advises. “Let the broker handle your paperwork. Let the accountant do your tax filings. Let the photographer take pictures for your website. While all of this does require a big investment, it will pay off in the end.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Client Experience</h3>
Anton Karbanovich is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he is very grateful for the support he has received from the national small business accounting firm. “1-800Accountant has sorted out all of our tax and accounting requirements for us,” he says. “Exporting our products from Belarus has posed a few challenges, but we’ve been very satisfied with the assistance we’ve received to be able to do what we are doing.”
IMPORTANT: Readers of this article receive a 20% discount on all orders when entering the coupon code EVERYCANDLEHELPS before checking out on the <a href="http://meltcandlecompany.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>.

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Read our client story, Startup Story: Lighting Up the World One Candle at a Time. 

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Startup Story: Lighting Up the World One Candle at a Time

At 26, Elizabeth Vazquez is far beyond her years in terms of motivation and goals. After working in the transportation industry for a few years, she quickly realized that she wanted to call herself a small business owner.
Vazquez, who hails from Dallas, Texas and is a client of 1-800Accountant, proudly operates Towing &amp; More, LLC that does business as Transport &amp; MORE Services. She formally launched the unique home-based venture in January 2017. She has one business partner, Richard Walker.
“I am starting off as a brokering company that works with other transportation firms to help individuals and businesses transport vehicles and other items nationwide and even internationally,” Vazquez explains. “We’re also going to offer repossession services, emergency roadside assistance, dealership support, and other towing services.”
The former AAA dispatcher says she’s made numerous connections in her industry. She attributes the desire to pursue entrepreneurship to the encouragement of a former supervisor.
“My previous boss filled me with knowledge and the ability to do this type of work, and he really inspired me to start this business. Most people want to keep their money-making ideas to themselves, but my old boss was the opposite and really gave me the guidance I needed to do all of this on my own.”
In addition to this encouragement, Walker has also been a tremendous support to her in helping the two entrepreneurs find startup success.
“Early on, I picked Elizabeth’s brain and helped guide her to make the right decisions for the business as far as profitability,” says Walker, 30. “I have spent a lot of time assisting my family with important financial matters and working with investors. I want our partnership to get to the point where if she can’t do something, I can step in and handle it – and vice versa.”
<h3>The Joys of Being Self-Employed</h3>
For Vazquez, it’s the people she gets to associate with who make her self-employment work so enjoyable.
“I’ve always been a people person, so having the opportunity to communicate and network with such a wide variety of people is really nice,” she explains. “And I get to work with – not for – these people.”
<h3>Small Business Competition</h3>
While many entrepreneurs have the goal of running faster than their competition, Vazquez is taking the road-less-traveled approach to how her small business fits into the transportation industry.
“I don’t want to be portrayed as having competitors,” she says. “I don’t want to undermine others. I want to work together with people so we can all accomplish big things. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
<h3>Small Business Advertising Strategies</h3>
To get the word out about Towing &amp; More, LLC, the entrepreneur has lots of strategies she has already carried out and others she’s planning. She is using the Internet by having a website, developing a social media presence by starting with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Transport-MORE-Services-1003266833139541/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Facebook page</a>, and implementing search engine optimization (SEO) keywords. She will also distribute business cards locally and may even run commercials on TV or put up billboards.
Her biggest piece of advice thus far in her career as a small business owner is to develop a support network.
“Reach out to others around you because they will probably be willing to help you. Also, if you buy into it, I recommend getting rid of this mentality of undermining others.”
<h3>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h3>
Elizabeth Vazquez is a very satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“1-800Accountant is doing my business taxes, which is a huge help to me so I can focus on my business. I love the personalization of the services. I also have a great rapport with my accounting team, and you guys have just been absolutely wonderful. I really don’t know where I would be without your help.”

Read our client story, Why Teamwork Makes the Dream Work for Two Young Entrepreneurs. 

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Why Teamwork Makes the Dream Work for Two Young Entrepreneurs

Since high school, Keith D’Angelo has always enjoyed creating things through welding and sculpting. So, when he saw people having a good time around the fire pits in their backyards, he jumped on an opportunity to create a unique version of these neat devices.
In November 2016, he and his father, Terry, formally launched Colorado Custom Fire Pits, LLC in Denver, Colorado. The two work out of a welding shop in the area and handle the business side of the venture right from home.
“We sculpt custom fire pits that are completely made out of steel,” Keith D’Angelo explains. “With these fire pits, there is no mess, no ash to clean up, and the fire danger is extremely low. Plus, we offer a superior product at a cheaper price than what you would find elsewhere.”
The fire pits are powered by either natural gas or propane. Instead of dealing with real logs for a fire, the D’Angelos create lifelike log sets, pinecones, and twigs made out of steel. But they’ve had customers who can’t even tell the difference.
In terms of customization, the company offers circular, rectangle, and square fire pits with various options on log sets and aesthetics. It takes the entrepreneurial duo at least 100 hours to handcraft a custom fire pit.
“It is a very time-consuming process, but we want it to be just what the customer wants,” he says. “Our turnaround time is only about two weeks.”
While D’Angelo labors away on steel in the shop, he is also working on earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver.
<h3>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h3>
According to D’Angelo, he and his dad get the most reward from self-employment upon seeing the reactions of their customers.
“When I see someone’s face and the smile they have when I deliver their fire pit, it really means a lot. It is also nice to see something you’ve spent so much time working on come to life in the end. But the process of creating these products is a lot of fun, even though it is a lot of work.”
He adds that the main goal behind the fire pits is to help customers make fond memories of sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and just relaxing in a rustic-inducing environment.
<h3>Competing in the Small Business Sphere</h3>
Small business owners in all fields are up against some form of competition. While there are other companies out there that create and sell fire pits, the customization that the D’Angelos offer is what sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
“We spend a lot of time on the aesthetics of each product,” he says. “They also look so real but are totally made of steel, so it’s very unique.”
In terms of demographics of their customers, they generally target families and individuals who are 40 and older.
<h3>Marketing a Small Business</h3>
The company has a website – www.coloradocustomfirepits.com. The father-and-son business partners have also used word-of-mouth strategies to simply tell others about their venture. In addition, they’ve implemented search engine optimization (SEO) techniques on their website, and they’re looking into using some third-party distributors to help them get more products into the hands of eager customers.
<h3>Challenges to Being Your Own Boss</h3>
D’Angelo admits that self-employment has its fair share of challenges. “I would say putting together the business plan is the most important and most challenging part of all this,” he says. “We have to determine how to get our products out there, narrow down our target audience, and the countless other factors involved. The product is already in place, and we know exactly how to build it. The difficult thing is everything else that goes along with having a business.”
He adds that if you have what it takes and what people want, entrepreneurship can be exciting. “Just go for it,” he advises. “If you have a product or service that you feel strongly enough about, then you should give it a shot.”
<h3>Experience as 1-800Accountant Clients</h3>
The D’Angelos are satisfied clients of 1-800Accountant.
“I really like the concept of the services, and everyone has been helpful,” Keith D’Angelo says.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Fire Pit Designers Help Customers Make Memories. 

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Startup Story: Fire Pit Designers Help Customers Make Memories

Daren Fuster says he wears about 17 hats with the two small businesses he operates and other work he’s involved in. This is probably an underestimation for the motivated entrepreneur from Los Angeles.
Fuster, who is a client of 1-800Accountant, proudly runs Fuster Artistic, LLC (based in Los Angeles and established in 2016) and Pro Art Music, LLC (based in Cincinnati and established in 2013). By day, he even works as a booking agent for a music producer.
“I offer a lot of different services in my companies,” Fuster explains.“I can provide music for weddings – everything from a string quartet, to a DJ, to a full-fledged band. I also provide music for other various events and venues. Plus, I offer contracting services to artists and presenters who need an orchestra or other accompaniment at concerts and events.”
Fuster has had the opportunity to work on behalf of many big names in music, including Nelly, Kenny G, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and Peter Cetera. He even manages a jazz band that went on tour with Jane Lynch.
It was his own musical talent that helped him get into this industry and make the waves he’s made in it already.
“By trade, I’m a professionally trained violinist and violist,” he says. “I have performed with a variety of artists and institutions around the U.S. and abroad. I’ve performed in Italy, Germany, and other countries. I did this for about 15 years, but I knew it was not something I wanted to do forever. So, I then landed some administrative jobs with symphonies.”
<h3>Why Fuster Enjoys Small Business Ownership</h3>
According to Fuster, he loves how every day of his life is different.
“I really like the diversity in what I do. We’re able to provide entertainment to so many different people in so many unique capacities. One day, I’m booking something for Nelly. The next day, I’m booking a band for a wedding happening down the street.”
<h3>A Unique Perspective On Small Business Competition</h3>
Unlike many entrepreneurs who spend time closely analyzing their competitors within a specific industry and market, Fuster approaches competition differently.
“There is competition prevalent in all markets, but I’ve never been one to focus on my competition,” he explains. “Instead, I focus on the products and services we provide, and I firmly believe in all of them and their quality. After 15-plus years, I don’t think I’d be where I am today without thinking of it like this.”
<h3>How To Market A Small Business</h3>
Some entrepreneurs focus on one specific marketing strategy, while others employ a variety of methods. Fuster falls into the latter boat. He has 3 websites for each of his brands – www.fusterartistic.com, www.musicsocal.com, and <a href="http://www.proartmusic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.proartmusic.com</a>. He advertises on online wedding portals, attends trade shows primarily on weddings, and uses both e-mail marketing and direct mail pieces. In addition, his companies are on social media with Facebook pages for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/musicsocal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Music SoCal</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pro-Art-Music-359967284086230/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pro Art Music</a> and Twitter pages for <a href="http://twitter.com/musicsocal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Music SoCal</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/proartmusic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pro Art Music</a>.
“I know my clients pretty well and have learned to target savvy buyers,” he says.
<h3>Challenges to Starting &amp; Maintaining A Business</h3>
Handling the financial side of things has been Fuster’s most noteworthy challenge as a small business owner.
The biggest challenge has been understanding my cash flow and forecasting. These obviously have a direct effect on your bottom line.”
<h3>Tips For Aspiring Business Owners</h3>
Based on his own endeavors, the musician-turned-business owner offers up some valuable tips for entrepreneurs who aspire to achieve the American dream one day.
“In 1999, I started out with $1,000,” he explains. “That built me one of the most bare-bones websites you’ve ever seen in your life. Almost immediately after that, I partnered with another company that was expanding. This really helped in marketing my company, and after 6 or 8 years, things were looking really good for me. So, I would say start with as small of an investment as necessary to get started. Then it’s really elbow grease and a lot of hard work after that.”
He adds that there are both pros and cons to being your own boss.
“You’re responsible for everything – marketing, getting clients, paying your employees and contractors, and so forth. It’s definitely not a 9-to-5 job. It’s basically like being married to another person because your business follows you wherever you go. But the beauty is that it provides a great amount of flexibility with regard to controlling your own destiny.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Client Review</h3>
Daren Fuster is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“Knowing you have the expertise of someone who understands the tax code is invaluable and can save you lots of money. That’s because you are totally responsible for your financial numbers when you are self-employed.”

Read our client story, Daren Fuster: It’s Always Showtime For This Driven Entrepreneur.

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It’s Always Showtime For This Driven Entrepreneur

Some entrepreneurs pursue small business ownership because they’d prefer not to interact with people, while others are so people-oriented that they jump at the chance to be more hands-on. Rayleen Pirnie falls into the latter category.
After 20 years of helping various industries reduce payments risk, she identified that there were limited educational resources specifically for businesses in her region. Payment processing is a critical part of a business’ infrastructure, so in April 2015, she formally established RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC to focus on education and services to help businesses strengthen their risk management posture.
Pirnie is the sole employee of her company, but she does outsource certain tasks to a network of consultants she works with because — although she’s based out of her home office in Camden, Missouri — her company’s reach is nationwide.
“In every business, there are payments to consider — whether you’re paying your employees, yourself, your vendors, or taking payments. What I do is offer education and assessments of their processes related to those payments. I help them evaluate risks and make sure they’re following the rules,” Pirnie explains.
Pirnie credits the experience she acquired over the last few decades as the not-so-secret to her success. Her wealth of knowledge makes her trustworthy to her clients — so trustworthy, in fact, that she relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals to rein in new clients. Her passion for her work is obvious to them.
“I just want to help businesses and consumers protect themselves so they don’t fall victim to fraud or risk losing money. I get a lot of feedback from clients and consumer groups saying, ‘I didn’t fall for this scam,’ or ‘We caught this before it happened.’ Those affirmations fuel me.”
Although Pirnie has some stiff competition in the form of large firms, she more than makes up for what she lacks in size when it comes to giving her clients the more nuanced attention that larger firms can’t offer.
“My clients like my one-on-one approach. I’m not a big business. I get very familiar with my clients and their operations. I’ve also been told that I’m an energetic and engaging speaker, and that helps to draw potential clients in and empower them to move forward. I provide continued support beyond the initial engagement,” she says.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Just because Pirnie didn’t have to learn the ropes of her industry before formally establishing her entity doesn’t mean she didn’t face her fair share of hurdles to overcome.
“I didn’t know what I needed to do to become a formal entity, like what type of entity I was supposed to have and what the state rules are,” she admits.
Despite her loyal client base, Pirnie does sometimes feel like a small fish in a big pond.
“When an organization is evaluating me to see if they should hire me or not, I know they’re comparing me to corporations. Sometimes I wonder if I lose business based on some people’s comfort with a large business over a small business.”
<h3>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h3>
For those looking to establish an entity, Pirnie insists passion should be at the root of it, as entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.
“Passion will get you through a lot. It will make the very long days and the odd hours worth it. Find people who can support you, like a family structure or just people externally that you can outsource tasks to. There is a lot involved in owning your own business and a lot of penalties you could face if you don’t do things right,” she elaborates.
Hard work has its perks, though. Having a schedule of her own making leaves her with additional time to pursue her hobbies and spend priceless time with her family.
“That advantage is one of the reasons I stepped out of the corporate world. If I want to, I can take my grandson to the zoo on a Tuesday.”
<h3>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h3>
Rayleen Pirnie of RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I travel a lot — at least 50% of my business year — so I can’t worry about different state filings. And it’s not simply the state filings that my accountant takes care of, but it’s knowing my numerous questions are a simple call or e-mail away from resolution and that my taxes are done on time and accurately,” she enthuses.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Pioneering the Payment Industry. 

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Startup Story: Pioneering the Payment Industry

Leah Lancaster of Chattanooga, Tennessee always dreamed about working from home. So when a gig cropped up that would allow her to do just that, she seized the opportunity. While working at her former company as a freight broker for truckers, some contract revisions were made that she wasn’t thrilled about. After seeking a new parent company to work under, Lancaster formally established Lancaster Logistics, LLC in January 2015. She’s living her dream of working remotely with her husband and business partner, Nathan.
“As freight brokers, we work in logistics. We’re basically travel agents for products. We act as go-betweens for people who need trucking companies to transport the product from point A to point B,” Lancaster says.
In a fast-paced, modern world, sometimes quality goes overlooked. Lancaster feels that the old-school approach of having honesty and integrity is just part of the tremendous responsibility of being a small business owner — and believes that’s what will get her ahead.
“My main goal is to just do things the right way in regards to my customer base. I believe in doing the job honestly so I can sleep at night. There are a lot of shady people in this industry, but that also means that I get to do things my way with my business, and I know what I want my business to be about,” she confides.
Despite working from home, Lancaster still deals with a variety of interesting characters. In fact, one of the things she enjoys most about her line of work is how surprisingly people-oriented it is. She works with both the customers and the carriers.
“You wouldn’t believe the different types of people I encounter. It’s my dream job because I get to work from home in my pajamas but also make connections with so many people,” she enthuses.
What makes Lancaster’s situation unique from other small business owners’ is that she — along with many other freight brokers — works under a parent company. Her experience is similar to someone who works in a corporate environment in the sense that she must build her name within her industry and set herself apart from other brokers working within her parent company. In order to market herself to the right prospects, she maintains a presence on websites designed for brokers and truckers.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
When asked about the challenges she faced in the infant stages of small business ownership, Lancaster admits she had no idea what she was doing.
“There’s a lot of industry knowledge that goes into doing this job well. At first, I got looked down on, especially because this is such a male-dominated industry. Sometimes they talk to me like I’m vapid, and I deal with it,” she confides.
Lancaster has also been forced to learn how to deal with rejection.
“It can be tough to pick up the phone and listen to people tell you ‘no’ 50 times before they give you a chance. But getting through it is the rewarding part.”
<h3>Tips for Aspiring Entity Owners</h3>
Although Lancaster loves being a small business owner, she admits competition is intense in her industry. Combating competitors all boils down to delivering the quality customer service to her client base that Lancaster swears by. Her advice could benefit anyone trying to make a name for themselves in their industry.
“Do everything you can to stand out and make yourself different. Part of my success just goes back to how I do business. It’s the level of service you provide. Get your foot in the door and then blow them away by going above and beyond. Give 100% every time,” she advises.
Lancaster also insists small business owners should never take “no” for an answer.
“Keep working. Don’t quit. Sometimes ‘no’ just means ‘not right now.’ Eventually, a break will happen.”
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Leah Lancaster of Lancaster Logistics, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I love 1-800Accountant. I recommend the service to everyone. I’d be lost without the help I’ve received,” she enthuses.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Lancaster Logistics, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, How This Small Business Owner Keeps on Trucking. 

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How This Small Business Owner Keeps on Trucking

Entrepreneur James McDevitt often thinks to himself, “Are my customers really paying me to do this?” In his view, if you’re asking yourself this question, you know you’ve found your startup sweet spot as an entrepreneur.
McDevitt, who handled 230 combat missions in the Vietnam War as an Army pilot, now proudly operates his own small business called Gulf Coast Flying Circus, Inc. The startup venture is based in Punta Gorda, Florida. It was formally established in December 2015. His wife, Michelle, lends a helping hand in the innovative company as well.
Following his military service in the early 1970s, McDevitt worked as a commercial airline pilot and captain for four decades. He also ran an airport on the side and started the Cape Cod Flying Circus before re-launching the adventurous concept on Florida’s sunny Gulf coast.
“I do aerobatics,” he explains. “A lot of people are unfamiliar with that term. If you go to air shows and watch the aircrafts doing their maneuvers, that’s basically what I do for individuals.”
The 65-year-old lover of the sky explains what inspired him to start this business.
“I used to do this in competitions with others,” he says. “I always wanted to just take someone off the street and see if I could put on an air show with them. It’s a lot more fun that way, and people seem to thoroughly enjoy the experience. There is skydiving, and there are rollercoasters, but nothing is quite like this.”
McDevitt always rides with the thrill-seeking individuals he calls customers. He puts a parachute, helmet, and goggles on each flying enthusiast and connects them to his intercom system for sufficient communication while doing the flying routines, which last about 20 minutes. The plane goes up to 3,000 feet into the air, which McDevitt believes is ideal to get a nice aerial view of the landscape below. Due to FAA rules, the flight can only travel 25 miles away from its original spot at the Punta Gorda Airport.
“We discuss every maneuver before we go up, and then I let the person call the ride,” he says. “I always ask the person, ‘Are you okay? Did you like that maneuver?’ Communication is critical.”
McDevitt’s plane is a 1981 Pitts S2A. The two-seater, open-cockpit aircraft is designed for competitive aerobatics and can fly upside-down or at various angles. It is made of tubular steel with wooden wings and is covered with fabric. It took him two years to rebuild it after a lengthy search since this particular model is quite rare.
“Because of its special fuel system, this airplane can do anything you can think of,” he says. “It goes from basically a negative speed to up to 200 miles per hour, but going fast is really not necessary in aerobatics. It’s all about the maneuvers of the plane.”
He describes what the most rewarding part of his small business actually is.
“My greatest love is taking people who’ve never done this and bringing them up to show them what it’s like.”
He recalls a personal story from years ago that truly touched his heart and convinced him that he was doing the right thing for others.
“I used to run an airport in Cape Cod where I also did this. One summer, a woman in her eighties rode her bike by every morning and watched what we did. She finally stopped in one day and asked my wife if she could go for a ride. My wife asked if she wanted to go on the scenic flight that is much calmer, but she said she wanted to go on the one that went upside-down. I took her up, and it was an absolute thrill for her. This lady had never flown before in her life.”
In terms of competition, McDevitt feels fortunate that he is not directly competing with many other companies that offer one-on-one aerobatic adventures for a set fee.
“There are schools out there that teach these types of aircraft maneuvers, but I honestly don’t know of anyone else who has this type of company.”
Each flight is fully customized and costs the customer $225, which includes everything from the initial safety preparation and discussions to the actual ride in the sky.
The plane can support up to 1,500 pounds, which includes the actual weight of the aircraft and the weight of both McDevitt and his rider. So, 190 pounds is roughly the maximum weight for most riders, but he can accommodate up to about 220 pounds in some cases. He screens every passenger before each flight, and he’ll take up almost anyone over the age of 12.
<h3>Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners</h3>
To market the small business, McDevitt has a website at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Gulf-Coast-Flying-Circus-436963853164059/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook page</a>. He plans to develop brochures and other marketing collateral. He also hopes to get his company listed in some local directories of things to do in Florida.
<h3>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h3>
Based on his personal entrepreneurial endeavors, he offers up some tips for entrepreneurs who aspire to work for themselves.
“Don’t listen to anybody who has a negative view of your idea,” he encourages. “If you have a dream about doing something, listen to the people who will help you achieve it. Go with your heart. If you have a love for something that you can’t live without, and you can turn a nickel with it, you should never fail.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Review</h3>
McDevitt gives 1-800Accountant high praise for how the national small business tax and accounting firm has been able to assist him as a client.
“I’ve been absolutely satisfied with the service from 1-800Accountant,” he says. “I am kind of a non-tech guy, so you guys have been great at helping me and reminding me of when my quarterly taxes are due.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Gulf Coast Flying Circus, Inc. and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Vietnam Vet Finds Startup Sweet Spot 3,000 Feet Up. 

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Vietnam Vet Finds Startup Sweet Spot 3,000 Feet Up

Nicole Buergers knew she’d be taking a risk when walking away from a guaranteed paycheck to start her own small business. But she didn’t know how sweet it could be – and in more ways than she expected.
Buergers, who is a client of 1-800Accountant, is the proud owner of Bee2Bee Honey Collective, LLC. Formally established in February 2016, the company is headquartered out of a shared workspace facility in Houston, Texas, but the entrepreneur has traveled around the country for business purposes.
Buergers says her small business is twofold.
“I offer beekeeping services in which I install and maintain beehives on property owned by individuals and businesses,” she explains. “People want bees for various purposes – typically for environmental reasons or to help maintain a garden. The second part of the business is the website. I help people sell honey online since many of these individuals are not tech-savvy and are often just selling honey on the side of the road.”
Buergers previously worked in Internet marketing for several agencies. She now uses the skills she honed on that path in her current small business. She also works as a cheese monger at a local cheese shop in Houston.
She explains what drove her to take the dive into self-employment.
“I want people to be able to get honey easily,” she says. “I love feeling like I’m making a difference by giving back to the planet to keep bees around. Plus, I sat behind a desk in the corporate world for too many years. Now, I really enjoy getting out there and putting my hands in the soil.”
Being around bees all the time certainly increases the risk of being stung by one. Buergers – or “The Queen Bee” as she likes to call herself – is always fully prepared for the job.
“Working with bees is like tai chi,” she explains. “You will get stung at times because some bees are quite aggressive. But for me, it’s no big deal. I gear up with a bee suit and gloves. Bee suits are very puffy and can be pretty hot to wear, but they really protect you.
<h3>Competing in the Beekeeping Field</h3>
According to Buergers, there are many beekeeper companies that serve most large cities around the United States. However, she found that the Houston market has been underserved in this area.
“Houston is a very green area with lots of grass, plants, and flowers. But it needed a beekeeping service. So, I saw this as a great place for an opportunity to start one myself.”
<h3>Small Business Marketing Methods</h3>
To get the word out about Bee2Bee Honey Collective, Buergers has created a marketing plan with a variety of platforms. The company has a website at <a href="http://www.bee2beehoney.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.bee2beehoney.com</a>. It also has pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bee2beehoneytx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bee2beehoneytx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/bee2beehoney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bee2beehoney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0JFnO1lVz6FjSRb8z5l2Bg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a>. The beekeeper is looking to contact local publications, magazines, websites, blogs, and other relevant outlets, in addition to running <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/houston-beekeeping-bee2bee-honey-collective#/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an Indiegogo campaign</a>.
<h3>Challenges to Owning a Business</h3>
Starting and running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart, Buergers confides.
“It’s my first time doing this, and I had no idea what I was doing at first. There are all kinds of rules on forming a business, legal issues, insurance, taxes, and paperwork. It’s all a new game for me. It has also been tough telling everyone about this pivot in my career. I think my mom has finally accepted it.”
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Thanks to her recent entrepreneurial experience, she offers some helpful advice for entrepreneurs.
“Expect a lot of doubt and a lot of uncertainty throughout the early stages. It’s a giant step, and you really just have to take it. Outsource tasks to the experts as well. Honestly, the biggest help for me has been the emotional support from family and friends. I still have days when I think I’m not doing the right thing. Reach out to others and get encouragement from them. Your passion will shine through in the end.”
<h3>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h3>
Buergers says she has been very happy with the support 1-800Accountant has provided her with business taxes, accounting, and everything else she simply doesn’t have time to do.
“Learning about business taxes has been challenging,” she says. “1-800Accountant has been so helpful at taking me by the hand and walking me through all of my business accounting needs.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Bee2Bee Honey Collective, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Why Entrepreneurship Is So Sweet For A Houston Beekeeper. 

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Why Entrepreneurship Is So Sweet For A Houston Beekeeper

One thing that small business owner Francis Zape has learned is that fashion trends may come and go, but classic timepieces never go out of style. At least that’s what he’s experienced in his line of work repairing wristwatches. In December of 2015, Zape formally established ZWatchmaker, LLC. Although Zape’s business is only newly established, he’s no stranger to the industry after having worked with his father who taught him the ins and outs. Now, the entrepreneur has settled into a store in a mall in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I work strictly on wristwatches. I fix fine timepieces. Some of my duties are replacing broken parts and batteries, restoring the look of the watch, polishing it, and making it look brand new. I only touch the watches that are out of warranty,” he explains.
Although Zape is off to a good start with his small business, he believes his work ethic and attention to detail will be what brings him continued success. In a world where everything is hurried, perfectionism pays.
“I don’t want to sound cliche, but hard work is what brings me success. I can only do so much with my hands, my eyes, and my time. The quality of the work and the consistency of the work is important to me. At the end of the day, it has to be perfect,” Zape elaborates.
It makes sense that Zape’s favorite aspect of small business ownership is working with a variety of luxury watches under the microscope.
“Most people only get to see these watches in the magazines, but I get to work with them. There’s a big science behind it.”
In modern times, it has become more fashionable for people to buy cheaper, throwaway watches instead of investing in timeless, higher-quality pieces. This reality has only benefited the growth of ZWatchmaker. Because of the old-school nature of his business, Zape isn’t really mindful of his regional competitors as they are few and far between.
“There are watchmakers outside of the region, but I have an edge because my physical presence is here, so I am easily available to them. I am the only one in town who is certified, and there aren’t even a lot of certified watchmakers in this century. So when potential clients need a watchmaker and they ask around, my name comes up,” he says.
Because he’s what he calls a “dying breed,” Zape gets by quite well through just word-of-mouth advertising, and most of his watch-wearing customers are men.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
One of the biggest challenges that Zape encounters on the job is something typical for many small business owners — which is convincing clients to pay for quality and not just convenience.
“Sometimes customers will want to pay less for the service, but they don’t know what they’re going to get if they go for the cheapest option. They don’t know if real parts are being used. If you’re investing $10,000 in a watch, you don’t want to go to the cheapest place to get it fixed. This is not just a piece of fine jewelry, but a status symbol.”
<h3>Tips for Small Business Owners</h3>
Zape insists that the foundation for a small business to build on is education. He emphasizes that the learning never stops and should grow alongside the experience gained.
“Things change every year. I am always training myself to become better at what I do. Seize any opportunity to learn,” he enthuses.
He also urges small business owners not to take advantage of their customers, particularly if they are not knowledgeable about what their needs are and are seeking a professional’s expertise.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Francis Zape of ZWatchmaker, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I like the fact that I can set up an appointment and have a meeting within that week,” he says.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Time is Money for this Watchmaker. 

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Startup Story: Time is Money for this Watchmaker

Entrepreneur Robert Rice is not afraid to call himself a geek. That’s because he found a way to share his lifelong hobby of collecting with others through his own small business. The Columbia, South Carolina resident launched Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC in March 2015. He and his family manage the operation right out of their home.
“We are a box subscription service catering to nerds and geeks like myself who love comic books, movies, games, toys, and collectibles,” Rice explains. “The whole premise for this business came about in 2014 when a coworker introduced me to a similar online service. But with that company, you only get one set of items in any box you order. With mine, you can fully customize your box by filling out a questionnaire so that you’ll get everything you actually want in your box.”
Rice’s wife, Noelle, and 11-year-old daughter, Judy, also assist in the startup business. Judy paints the cardboard boxes with special designs for each recipient and helped design the company’s logo.
Customers can purchase one box for $35 and have it shipped right to their doorstep. The service also offers a 3-month subscription in which customers receive new boxes over the course of that timeframe for a lower price per box than only buying a single box.
In addition to sending fun-filled boxes to his customers, Rice has created a large social media community of his fans who all enjoy comics and fantasy characters. They often record themselves opening the boxes and post these videos on YouTube. Or, they’ll simply start discussions about the different items.
“Everyone really converses well with each other and supports each other,” he explains. “I had one guy post on one of our pages that he wanted a box but couldn’t afford it. So, someone stepped up and bought it for him.”
<h3>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h3>
According to Rice, it’s the customers who truly make his entrepreneurial endeavor exciting.
“I really enjoy the people who are just so nice, cool, and understanding,” he says. “I manage a restaurant as my full-time job, so this business is a wonderful change of pace compared to the challenges of dealing with customers at a restaurant. I love seeing the people open their boxes and just how excited they get. This has taken off far more than I ever imagined it would.”
Rice obtains the items he ships in his boxes through various sources, including antique shops, Toys ‘R’ Us, Wal-Mart, Target, and through a wholesale distributor. As for those interested in collecting these items, he says it’s mostly men and women ages 24 to 48, but many parents buy the boxes for their young children.
<h3>Small Business Marketing Strategies</h3>
To make potential customers aware of Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC, Rice has primarily relied on Internet marketing through a website and social media. He has company pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Big-Ol-Box-Of-Stuff-438015293021329/?fref=ts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/bigolbox77" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rrice1971/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pinterest</a>. He plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign and attend comic book shows and other relevant events.
<h3>Challenges to Operating a Small Business</h3>
Like fellow entrepreneurs, Rice admits he has had a few tough challenges along the road to startup success and the long-term maintenance of a small business.
“The biggest challenge has been the fact that these boxes are fully customizable. Sometimes it’s hard to find certain items. When I do, some of them can be very expensive since they are collector’s items at this point. It’s also challenging to fit certain items in the boxes.
<h3>Tips for Small Business Owners</h3>
He offers up some handy tips for small business owners.
“One of the big things is that your business doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. If you wait until everything is perfect, it’s never going to happen. So, just be smart about how you approach everything. Put the big things in place first, and don’t get hung up on the little-bitty things because they can wait. Most entrepreneurs have OCD, so you have to be even-tempered about everything. Customers pick up on this as well.”
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Rice is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he has had a great experience with the national tax and accounting firm.
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been so nice and helpful,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Everything You Want In A Big Ol’ Box of Stuff. 

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Startup Story: Everything You Want In A Big Ol’ Box of Stuff

Michael Scott of Kettering, Ohio has been a lifelong lover of music. After paying his dues in the military, he became physically unable to work in the medical field any longer, prompting him to chase the entrepreneurial dreams he had not yet realized. So in early 2015, he and his business partner, Jaquwon, formally established Solid Kings, LLC – a small business that was already two years in the making.
Solid Kings is a music production company in which the music is recorded in different studios. The more administrative duties of small business ownership are done out of the team’s home office.
“I’m a producer and musical engineer. I manage the artists we bring on. My partner is also an artist, and he writes songs,” Scott explains of the roles he and Jaquwon play.
With the faith he and Jaquwon have invested in the group of people they have brought on to work with them, the pair is confident that they’re destined for success.
“Everybody that we’re working with put 100% of themselves into it. It’s not just one individual – it’s a team working together. If you have a group of 4 or 5 people putting their hearts into something, there’s a chance for success,” Scott expresses.
It is this teamwork aspect that Scott enjoys most about being a small business owner. That, and what the business focuses on – music.
“When I got out of the military, music is what calmed me down. It has always been a dream of mine to do something with music. Now, I enjoy meeting people I could work with and finding collaborators, and especially letting people hear the music we have been working hard to create,” he enthuses.
The music industry has changed dramatically over the years. New content is being churned out constantly, placing emphasis on singles instead of albums. Instead of being impatient, Scott and Jaquwon decided to gain an edge over their competitors by launching a cohesive album instead of a string of singles.
“We are by Cincinnati, so there are a lot of groups and artists around here. We can work faster, but we wanted to learn from each other and grow over the two years that we made our album. Through one of the people on our team, we were able to meet a lot of great people in the industry,” he explains.
Scott believes most of the listeners of their current release will be high school and college-aged males. Their music can be found on their website, www.solidkingsmusic.com.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Pursuing musical ambitions is already challenging enough, and factoring small business ownership into that can double those challenges. Scott explains how they make it work.
“Building a business is a lot like building a family. Of course there are arguments. We put the music first and business second. If we can still be very family-oriented after two years of healthy arguing, and put a finished product together, then we’re not going to fall out,” he says.
<h3>Benefits of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Being an entrepreneur isn’t all hard work and no play.
“I get to produce musical content out of studios. That is awesome. For me to be able to go to a studio to do work, that is just the greatest thing,” he enthuses.
For entrepreneurs or music artists looking to get their names out there, Scott recommends evaluating what is unique about what you have to offer so people don’t take advantage of you.
“Know your worth. You’re going to go out there and people are going to want to tell you what you’re worth. A lot of people will talk about money. But if you know how much you’re worth, you can do anything,” he insists.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Solid Kings, LLC relies on 1-800Accountant for all of their tax and accounting needs.
“We love 1-800Accountant! You guys have really helped us out a lot!”
Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by Solid Kings, LLC and are used with permission.

Read our client story, Why the Kings are Solid: A Startup Story. 

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Why the Kings are Solid: A Startup Story

Sports analytics has become a big business among sports outlets like ESPN. There are also numerous online services out there tracking every statistic imaginable across all major sports.
At just 22 years old, entrepreneur Ricky Mouser had no hesitation to jump into the sports analytics field. The recent college graduate launched Last Man Up, LLC in May 2015. He does all of his analysis right out of his house in Dallas, Texas.
“Right now, I am exclusively doing sports analytics for college basketball,” Mouser explains. “The focus is on scouting player tendencies and looking at a team’s upcoming opponents. I work with monstrous spreadsheets of data to track, analyze, and then make statements about these numbers.” Mouser talks about how he came up with the name for his small business.
“When I was in high school, the football coach asked me to track the stats for some of the games. Whenever there was a big pileup of players on the field, I’d always record the tackle for the last man up from the pile.”
While he has tracked some high school sports statistics, Mouser admits that Division I college athletics is where the real money is at for him to be successful. He recently signed a deal with Penn State University to track stats for the school’s men’s basketball team.
<h3>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h3>
Small business owners often cite all kinds of reasons for why they enjoy what they do each day. For Mouser, it’s all about flexibility and getting to watch sports for a living.
“I watch games on TV and stream them online,” he explains. “Then I collect all the stats and write up a report based on my observations of each player. I use at least 12 different categories to analyze a single shot. I really like that I can pick my own hours. I can stay up late at night, watch basketball, and get paid for it. You really can’t beat that.”
<h3>Competition in the Sports Analytics Field</h3>
Sports analytics is a vast industry, and Mouser has found it difficult to get his name out there. But he keeps plugging along and knows he can be an asset to any athletic department that wants to improve a team’s approach, which will ideally result in more wins.
“My biggest challenge is competing against ex-players who now do scouting work,” he admits. “Doing analytics is my own personal edge that sets me apart.”
<h3>Small Business Marketing Strategies</h3>
To get the word out about Last Man Up, LLC, the entrepreneur has a website that explains his services. He has also spent a lot of time sending e-mails to coaches and video coordinators at various schools nationwide. Plus, he hopes to attend some of the NCAA Tournament games in the spring to make connections with those who could benefit from analytics reporting.
<h3>Challenges to Startup Success</h3>
Like most first-time small business owners, Mouser admits he knew next to nothing about business ownership before taking the leap of faith into his current venture. That’s why he sought out legal and accounting services to ensure he stays compliant.
He also says it’s tough to get responses from potential clients, but once he does, he’s good to go.
“Getting my foot in the door is hard. But once they give me 10 minutes to pitch my analytics services, I can close the deal pretty easily.”
His biggest piece of advice for entrepreneurs interested in starting a business on their own is to maintain another source of income. He currently tutors calculus and statistics, in addition to managing Last Man Up.
<h3>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h3>
Ricky Mouser is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he has been happy with the business accounting guidance he has received from the national firm.
“I had no clue about what’s involved in business taxes,” Mouser says. “It’s actually very boring for me. I am glad I can let someone else handle all of this.”
Photo credit: The photograph of Ricky Mouser was provided by Last Man Up, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Tracking All Things Basketball. 

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Startup Story: Tracking All Things Basketball

Most people would find Jeremy Oneail’s job downright nightmarish, but for Oneail of Goffstown, New Hampshire, it’s a dream come true. In April 2015, Oneail FX Studios, LLC was formally established. The entrepreneur’s business requires him to make realistic masks that are a big hit in the Halloween industry.
“I make monsters! In a nutshell, that’s what I do. I make monster masks and other silicone masks. In addition to being popular during the Halloween season, they’re also used in theatrical and stage productions. Practical jokers seem to like them, too!” he says of Oneail FX Studios.
Like many entrepreneurs, Oneail sought out small business ownership because of the freedom it allows him to not only follow his passion, but make his own rules. He does not have any business partners or employees, and he makes his creations out of his home studio — making time for family more available than it ordinarily would be with a conventional job.
“Real work is yucky! This business is something I just kind of fell into. I’ve always been artistic. I started to make some masks for my friends, and I went and got an art degree. I also started doing movie makeup, which is a lot of fun. When I made silicone masks for some customers, things just really took off,” he explains of the business’ origins.
It is this organic development that he thinks will bring Oneail FX Studios continued success.
“I think that the product itself is what has made me successful so far, but I’m always innovating and moving forward. I try to figure out what people are looking for, and then balance between what other people want and what I want. Usually, these ‘wants’ coincide with my artistic temperament,” he jokes.
According to Oneail, the most enjoyable aspect of small business ownership is that he never feels like he’s working, and the gratifying feeling he gets when a customer purchases a piece of art.
“Whenever I sell a mask, it’s validation from my customer that my piece of art is worth their hard-earned money,” he says.
The customer base of Oneail FX Studio is mostly men in all age ranges. The small business has a website located at <a href="http://www.oneailfxstudios.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.oneailfxstudios.com</a>, as well as pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OneailFx?ref=ts&amp;fref=ts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/oneailfx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>. Oneail also interacts with customers face-to-face at conventions and trade shows. His creations even made an appearance at San Diego Comic Con in 2015.
<h3>Competition in the Halloween Industry</h3>
Oneail offers a glance of what competition within the Halloween industry looks like.
“When you’re talking about Halloween itself, it’s a multibillion-dollar industry. There actually aren’t too many businesses making masks like this, and what’s great is that we’re all friends. We see each other at trade shows and conventions, and we pass customers to each other if we think the other business is a better fit. There are always going to be people who butt heads, but it makes us look better when we don’t,” he confides.
<h3>Overcoming Challenges as Small Business Owner</h3>
Being that Oneail FX Studios is a newly-established small business, Oneail – a lifelong artist – is still getting adjusted to the title of “business owner.”
“Even though the business just kind of formed finally after laying the foundation for it, I’m still an artist. The biggest challenge is reminding myself, ‘Oh yeah, I have a business!’ It’s not just a cool hobby that I have anymore,” he admits.
<h3>Advice for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Oneail reminds aspiring entrepreneurs that startup success can be achieved in multiple ways.
“You can make a huge leap and dive right in, or you can do what I did and just let it form organically,” he says.
He encourages those who want to turn their craft into a profession to seek what he calls the “terrifying freedom” of small business ownership, and to evaluate strengths and weaknesses and outsource accordingly.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Jeremy Oneail of Oneail FX Studios is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I’ve received help with modifying my business to make sure I’m going in the right direction. It’s a lot less scary knowing I can turn to you guys with questions,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph of the masks included in this blog post was provided by Oneail FX Studios, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Every Day is Halloween for This Small Business Owner. 

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Every Day is Halloween for This Small Business Owner

Sandy Jacobs’ son, Justin, and daughter, Amanda, love music. While Justin was working as a roadie and sound technician for musicians, Amanda was working as a DJ for parties. Eventually, the family decided they wanted to branch out on their own and formally established their own DJ service. From there, Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC was born out of Saint Louis, Missouri in April 2015. The name of the business comes from Justin and Amanda’s nicknames, Jazzy and Panda.
After formally establishing the business (“to keep everything legal,” Sandy says), Justin purchased DJ equipment like soundboards and lights to prepare them for the gigs ahead. They also designed polo shirts, business cards, and magnets for their cars. The team – which includes Sandy, husband Jerry, Justin and Amanda – currently operates out of a home office.
“We’re putting ourselves out there so we can gain word-of-mouth exposure. We’ve been told that we’re good, so now we’re doing some pro bono work to get our name out there and prove that to people who don’t know us. We know it takes awhile for things to get going and move out of the startup stage,” Sandy Jacobs explains.
According to Jacobs, competition amongst other DJ services in the Saint Louis area is fierce, some of which are licensed entities and some that aren’t. Other DJ services exist under major corporations or are franchised, and others have seniority over startups.
The family has plans to put ads in bridal magazines in order to spread the word about their services.
“It’s an expensive process,” Jacobs admits.
The Panda Jazz DJ Service team is currently building a website and pages on social media. In addition to the aforementioned polos, business cards, and magnets, they’ve also utilized promotional materials like flyers. They’ve formed business relationships with local florists, limousine services, and venues that utilize DJs for parties.
<h3>Advice for DJs</h3>
For DJs looking to formally establish themselves, Jacobs offers these suggestions.
“Make sure that you get all the facts. Before you set anything up, make sure that you’ve covered all the bases. Make sure you evaluate how much competition there is and what the startup costs are going to be. Hire an accountant who understands business taxes and legalities. Also, don’t be afraid to do some things for free just to get your name out there. We have even let people borrow our equipment just so we can get kudos for it. A lot of banquet halls already have their own DJs that they work with, so it’s just a matter of getting up and getting out there and pounding the street,” she shares.
<h3>Advantages of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Despite startup costs and the fear of failure, Jacobs still insists there are advantages to small business ownership.
“You can work at the pace that is best for you. When you’re working with somebody else, you’re limited to their timeframe. As a small business owner, you can set your own hours and goals. You have the satisfaction of knowing that this belongs to you rather than just working for someone. When companies outsource work to their departments, those employees aren’t as motivated because they’re probably underpaid. As a small business owner, I’m my own boss. I work at my own pace because I know that it’s mine. Whether you succeed or fail is up to you,” she explains.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Sandy Jacobs and the rest of the Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC team are satisfied clients of 1-800Accountant.
“We would not have known where to go or what to do without 1-800Accountant. They’ve been with us every step of the way. We didn’t know how much was involved during the startup stage of small business ownership before we went into this.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Making a DJ Service a Family Affair. 

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Making a DJ Service a Family Affair

While working as a personal trainer for a commercial gym, Jason Harrison grew dissatisfied with the minimal progress he saw in his clients due to the rules that were enforced upon him. So in January of 2014, he formally established Present Tense Fitness, LLC so he could remove the limitations placed on him and give his clients the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. Harrison does business out of his home office in Dayton, Ohio, alongside his wife and business partner, Susan.
“I’m a fitness and lifestyle coach. My background is in personal training, and what I noticed in the last few years is that I started having more success with my clients when I started coaching them on things outside of the gym. With Present Tense Fitness, I take a 360 approach to people’s fitness, in which the strength component is only part of it, along with sleep, nutrition, and stress management. I have a roster of coaching clients and a roster of personal training clients, and sometimes they overlap,” he explains of his business model.
It was during his time working in a gym that Harrison discovered that both he and the gym’s personal training clients weren’t maxing out at their full potential.
“You’re not going to change someone’s body in the 2 or 3 hours you see them a week. Their lifestyles have to change when you’re not there the rest of the week. They need to learn how to use the tools they need to manage their own lives. My job is to teach them how to not need me,” he says.
According to Harrison, the keys to his success are authenticity and pragmatism. He strives to work within the confines of his clients’ boundaries and never advocate for anything unless he believes in its effectiveness. The unique set of challenges brought to him by each client means there’s never a dull day. This is what Harrison loves most about small business ownership.
“I am a naturally curious person. I find it endlessly fascinating to work with people from different professions, and I’ve formed some lasting friendships with my clients. I’m a natural introvert, so this gives me an excuse to get to know people. There’s no better feeling than when someone tells me they’ve been dealing with weight issues their entire lives and I’ve helped them overcome that. It’s a rush that I think is awesome,” he enthuses.
The husband-and-wife duo started the business in Maryland, but now that they’re located in Dayton, Ohio, competition is a bit more fierce. Harrison has what he calls a “garage band approach” to building his client base.
“Nationally, there is limitless competition. My hope is that I’ll have my local clients and eventually have a national presence as well,” he says.
Currently, the client base of Present Tense Fitness consists mostly of women in their late 20s to late 40s. Harrison hopes to bring more men on board to puncture that “know-it-all male mentality” when it comes to hitting the gym. The small business has a website – <a href="http://www.presenttensefitness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.presenttensefitness.com</a> – as well as pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Present-Tense-Fitness/267102676771005?fref=ts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/presenttensefit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>.
<h3>Challenges in the Startup Phase</h3>
The biggest challenge Harrison faced in the startup stages of small business ownership was deciphering what kind of niche he wanted to carve out for himself. He knew fitness and lifestyle was his objective, but had to find out through trial and error how he was going to communicate his message and materialize his vision.
“At first, I thought I would start a blog, but the Internet is oversaturated with blogs. I had to figure out what my public persona would be, and live that with confidence. Early on, my wife and I decided to just be ourselves publicly. You aren’t going to win everyone over, but you want to be who you are authentically and build around that. It’s a scary thing because no one knows who you are,” he admits.
<h3>Tips for Personal Trainers</h3>
For those looking to achieve success in the field of lifestyle coaching and personal training, Harrison offers the following advice.
“Look outside of just fitness for inspiration. Take your inspiration from a lot of different places. If you look at fitness blogs and profiles, you see a lot of uniformity. There are a million people out there calling themselves fitness experts. It seems like all it takes to be a fitness expert is to take a sexy Instagram shot. If you want to be different, you have to think differently. All that hocus pocus is just disingenuous,” he explains.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Jason and Susan Harrison of Present Tense Fitness, LLC are satisfied clients of 1-800Accountant. They’re receiving assistance in the form of tax preparation.
“We’ve been really happy. In fact, we should do a better job of taking advantage of the services,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Present Tense Fitness, LLC via <a href="http://chelsearochelle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chelsearochelle.com</a> and is used with permission. The logo was provided by Present Tense Fitness, LLC and is also used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Redefining Your Lifestyle in the Present Tense. 

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Startup Story: Redefining Your Lifestyle in the Present Tense

After getting married in 2014, Michelle Elson-Roza and her husband, Anthony, sat down and evaluated how they wanted to spend their time. Anthony worked in the hospitality industry and Michelle in finance. Both had inflexible schedules inopportune for newlyweds hoping to start a family. They decided they had to make some drastic changes. So in June of 2015, the couple formally established MJER Help, LLC in Chicago, Illinois — household management service for modern families.
“We constantly encounter couples and families in their 30s, and they don’t have time for each other. We wondered what we could do for modern families while still doing something together. So with our business model, we’re providing home services for modern families in a way that people can afford. We’re starting out with 2 service lines for personal chefs and concierge service,” Elson-Roza explains of MJER Help.
Elson-Roza offers some examples of the assistance their small business provides.
“If you need someone to cook a meal once a week, help making cupcakes for a school bake sale, or help creating a healthy meal program for your family, we’ve got you covered. We customize our service for each family or professional who has a lot going on.”
According to Elson-Roza, their combined passion for customer service and efficiency will bring MJER Help success. They understand the needs of their demographic and know how to work with their target clientele. They hope the combination of these factors will help to exceed their customers’ expectations.
“It’s really rewarding to talk to our clients and understand the pain points in their lives. Once we identify those, we set a program in place that helps to reduce stress so they have more time to spend with their families,” she says.
What makes Elson-Roza’s business model unique is that – regionally — there isn’t another small business providing a suite of services.
“There are a lot of different services for each category, but nothing for people who want convenience and low costs. It’s uncharted territory. Our goal is to modernize the way people think about their household duties,” she rationalizes.
The couple knows that the home is a private and sacred space, which is why establishing trust is a high priority for them. The target demographic for MJER Help is people in their 30s and 40s, both families and professionals.
“The people that our services will align with the best are people who are climbing the corporate ladder and the expectations on them are extremely high, so they appreciate an incredibly professional service that helps free up their time. For example, if a husband is trying to become a partner at a law firm and his wife just had their second baby and they’re trying to sell their condo, then there might be a 6-month period where they need help,” she emphasizes.
While the newlyweds-turned-entrepreneurs build their website, they’re getting the word out about MJER Help through their network, which includes childhood friends, college friends, and past coworkers.
“We really want to build a trusted network organically, and eventually we’ll do more formal marketing. Right now, it’s just the two of us, so we want to walk before we start running.”
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Elson-Roza confides that the hardest part of starting up a small business is to know when to stop researching and actually apply the research one learns along the way, which can be a lot harder than it sounds.
“I’m a person who used to do research for a living in the finance world. There has to be a point where you stop researching and stop trying to make everything perfect and just start doing. That’s been a really big challenge. It is so different going from a big corporate environment to having a small business. It’s a much bigger undertaking than most would appreciate,” Elson-Roza says.
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Elson-Roza urges aspiring entrepreneurs working toward startup success to take the plunge into small business ownership only under the condition that they’re ready to devote a significant amount of time to it.
“Talk about your idea to as many people as possible because you might get some great perspective from people who want to help you. Learn to trust yourself because you’ll be making big changes even when you’re in the initial stages, and you’re going to be constantly refining your business concept,” she advises.
Despite how daunting it can feel to become a small business owner, Elson-Roza insists it’s worth it.
“It’s incredibly exhilarating – after working for 10 years – being able to apply everything I learned into our own business. It shows me how much I’ve learned along the way. It’s incredibly exciting when our idea resonates with people. We want to help people live healthier, better lives. Being able to make money doing that is gratifying,” she enthuses.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Michelle Elson-Roza of MJER Help, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I think it’s a great solution for small businesses in the startup phase. I love being able to schedule 30-minute calls as frequently as I need. Not only is the service great, but having someone hold me accountable helps me get my work done in a timely manner. If you hire a private accountant, you pay hundreds of dollars an hour, so it’s a great service that I would highly recommend.”
Photo credit: The logo included in this blog post was provided by MJER Help, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Providing Families with Peace-of-Mind through a Small Business. 

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Providing Families with Peace-of-Mind through a Small Business

Karen Donley-Hayes of Garrettsville, Ohio has been a lifelong, self-proclaimed “horse person.” One horse in particular – Indigo, her horse of 19 years – even inspired Donley-Hayes to become a business owner. In June of 2015, Donley-Hayes formally established Little Indigo Arts, LLC. The small business specializes in jewelry and mementos made from braided horsehair and unique stones. Donley-Hayes operates Little Indigo Arts out of her home office, selling her handmade items online and at state fairs and trade shows.
“Right now, my inventory mostly consists of jewelry made out of braided horsehair, which is where Indigo comes in because she’s the donor. It was a surprisingly steep learning curve. I’m fascinated by the artistry of eclectic jewelry makers. When I put together my pieces, no two are alike. I didn’t want to put ‘jewelry’ in the title of my business because I want to expand. Making my items by hand gives me a personal connection to my work,” she explains.
Donley-Hayes was inspired to start up a small business of her own while attending a writing conference in the Bahamas in October 2014. While there, she discovered a kiosk on the island containing wire-wrapped sea glass, each item one-of-a-kind.
“I’m an artist and come from a family of artists. I liked the idea of repurposing. Recently, we experienced a flood and lost everything. Our basement contained these old crystals, and even though they were wrecked, I couldn’t stand the thought of throwing them out. Then it occurred to me to give them new life and turn them into something artful. It was hard for me to put a hammer to those crystals! But it has been really wonderful to take these little personal treasures that were wrecked in the flood and be able to make them beautiful again,” she says of the origins of the business.
Donley-Hayes thinks Little Indigo Arts will be a hit because there is already a niche market carved out for it. Most of the attention the business receives will be from the horse people who she describes as a “crazy and committed” bunch — and the unique, personalized quality of each individual piece will make good potential for customized memorial pieces for horses that have passed on. Catering to this demographic is her core focus and what she thinks will bring her success in the long run.
It is the creative outlet that small business ownership offers that Donley-Hayes finds the most rewarding.
“When we think of artists, we think of someone sitting there painting and drawing, but designing and coming up with something that looks interesting and has a unique appeal is also an art form.”
In fact, the creative process turned out to be a bit more difficult than she had originally anticipated.
“The learning curve surprised me. The finished product feels almost like nylon when it’s tightly braided. I think it holds up pretty well, but like any natural product, you need to be careful not to snag it. It has been an interesting and fun process. We find interesting and pretty rocks and stones on the ground and find ways to incorporate them into the designs as well, and they’re all found locally,” she shares.
Although she operates her business independently, she’s still in the habit of saying “we” instead of “me” when discussing her business because the inspiration from her horse and the support of her family make it feel like a team effort.
Donley-Hayes hopes that positive word-of-mouth will be her biggest marketing component to drum up interest in the business. She aims to provide great customer service by working with her customers in order to ensure that they’re getting exactly what they want. She also has plans to advertise her business in local equine publications and pass out business cards at craft shows. To find out more about Little Indigo Arts check out her store on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/littleindigoarts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Etsy</a>.
<h3>Competing With Other Handmade Jewelry Makers</h3>
Despite having a core demographic in place, competition is inevitable for any small business in the startup stages of success.
“From the horsehair standpoint, there are more little companies out there than I realized. Obviously, there are plenty of people who design their own jewelry. What I want to bring to all of it – from the braided horsehair aspect – is a focus on the wants of the individual clients, and work back and forth on customs. I want them to be satisfied and be able to get something they can wear, use, and love at a reasonable price,” she explains.
<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>
Among the many challenges that crop up in the startup stages of small business ownership, Donley-Hayes agrees that fear of failure is perhaps the most daunting one.
“I’m my own worst critic. I don’t want to pour my heart and soul into something and not have it work out. I was doing this before I made it into a business, so I don’t want to do something solely for the sake of making money. I’d ask myself, ‘Am I really going to jump in and do this?’ It’s like wanting to go to the school dance and not knowing if anyone is going to ask you.”
<h3>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h3>
For those looking to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, Donley-Hayes suggests putting together a business plan — and look into all the legalities required of small business owners before formally establishing the company.
“Ask yourself, ‘Do I want to ramp the business up quickly or slowly? Do I want to do this as a side business?’ It’s easy to talk about it and dream about it, but it’s a whole other thing to go out and do it. Any business person should have a healthy respect for the fear involved,” she advises.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Karen Donley-Hayes of Little Indigo Arts, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I watched the webinar and was impressed with that, and I was impressed by my conversations with my account manager. It really gave me confidence because I knew I had people supporting me, and I knew I didn’t have to worry about the tax stuff. I feel like I’m in good hands, and I feel like they’ve gotten to know about me and my little business. They’re also dealing with the other factors that are included into my tax picture – big and small – like my husband’s income. I’m a skeptical and dubious person, but I’m comfortable with this component that I’m not skilled in. It’s been a positive experience from the get-go,” she enthuses.
Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by Little Indigo Arts, LLC and are used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Jewelry & Mementos for the Horse Person in You. 

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Startup Story: Jewelry & Mementos for the Horse Person in You

Entrepreneur Steve Wellman fell in love with motorcycles at age 7 and hopped on his first bike when he was 16. The power and speed of these snazzy vehicles immediately swept him off his feet. Little did he know he’d be starting a business with the goal of creating one of the world’s fastest production motorcycles.
In February 2015, Wellman formally established Wellmann Motorcycles, LLC in his hometown of Wenatchee, Washington. (He added the extra “n” to the name of the small business in honor of how his German ancestors used to spell it.)
Wellman is in the early stages of developing a prototype for the “super bike” he intends to make come to life, hopefully within the next year. He is teaming up with a bike designer and parts maker in the motorcycle industry in Southern California who is producing an incredible V4 MotoGP engine and frame himself.
“When he offered me the motor for use with my bike, it immediately elevated my bike into the stratosphere,” Wellman confides. “I intend to make a new classification of motorcycles that takes their inspiration from supercars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, <cite>Koenigsegg, and </cite>Pagani. The <cite>Koenigsegg and </cite>Pagani models are my favorite because they incorporate the highest-quality design, materials, and production techniques to make a car that has no compromise on quality.”
According to Wellman, the biggest key in designing any vehicle that can be driven at very high speeds comes down to perfecting the power-to-weight ratio. He is attempting to design a bike with a 1:1 horsepower-per-pound ratio with over 300 horsepower in total.
“I’m pursuing every kind of technological advantage I can get to reduce weight and increase strength,” he explains. “I am using carbon fiber materials from the aerospace industry. It’s a special kind of pre-preg carbon fiber that is cured inside an autoclave, which is a high-pressured oven. Pound for pound, this material is stronger than steel.”
He is teaming up with South African manufacturer BlackStone Tek, a premier authority in carbon prepreg autoclave motorcycle parts. The wheels of his bike will be less than half the weight of a motorcycle wheel and are up to 3 times stronger.
His eventual goal is to make 2 prototypes – one to show others and one for testing. His dream is to take the testable prototype to the famous Nürburgring in German and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
He’s clearly a bike enthusiast at heart and points to the historical perspective he has gained on the industry through his own research. He talks about the old Vincent Motorcycles brand from generations ago, which set a world land record for speed at 150 mph back in the 1950s.
“I want to achieve over 200mph myself and let others go for the 240mph speed that I think is achievable,” he says. Wellman, 65, is a retired teacher who taught high school art for 21 years. He says it was a former student who got him interested in road racing. He finally got his racing license at age 60 at Portland International Raceway in Oregon and is now proudly starting a business to achieve his lifelong dream.
“It’s my belief that people who design super cars make them to see how far we can take human nature and how far vehicle design can be taken, and I am fascinated by that idea,” he says. “I love seeing people push the limits.”
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs of All Ages</h3>
Wellman offers up some tips for entrepreneurs of any age – and at any stage in their lives.
“Everyone should be encouraged to follow their stars,” he advises. “Even if you’re retired, which isn’t my favorite word in the world, go for your dreams. Follow the dreams of a 7-year-old, no matter how old you are. My dad gave me a little plaque that says, ‘Dreams can’t come true if you don’t have any.’ One of my friends told me I have 10 lives’ worth of dreams.”
<h3>Small Business Funding Options</h3>
Thus far, Wellman has used personal money to start his research and development (R&amp;D). However, he plans to delve into crowdfunding and hopes to find some investors in the near future who will back his idea financially.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
As a client of 1-800Accountant, Wellman says he has been extremely satisfied with the small business accounting support he has received from the national firm.
“Business taxes and dealing with the IRS used to scare me so much,” he admits. “Working with 1-800Accountant, I know this will be a piece of cake. I couldn’t be happier.”
Photo credit: The photograph of Steve Wellman on a 1972 Triumph Tiger 650 bike was provided by Wellmann Motorcycles, LLC and is used with permission.

Read our client story, Startup Story: Riding His Way to Small Business Success. 

Startup Story: Riding His Way to Small Business Success

Client Spotlight

A great thing about working with so many small businesses is watching as they flourish and grow. The unique paths they’ve taken to succeed are insightful, and we’re proud to share some of those inspiring stories with you.

Our clients are the reason we do what we do. Read their stories, all in one place.

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