Today we’d like to introduce you to Iileen Donnell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my tax preparation business in October 2018, prior to that, I was a paralegal and Office tons for 16yrs. Although I gained emulsive experience managing a law firm, I didn’t pursue entrepreneurship for myself until much later on, in July 2018, I became the co-owner of a hoarder cleaning business. My love of numbers came from my mom, a retired math teacher, who use to do taxes as a side business, and would sit at our kitchen table filling out the old tax pamphlets that people had to use before e-filing, lol not trying to age myself, lol. My love for business came from my late father, who was a true entrepreneur at heart, and had a few different businesses when I was a child and adult, So with influences of parents, and my love for helping people, opening a tax business was a no brainer for me. I became a certified Tax Preparer in 2018, I attended Universal Accounting School in 2020 and became a Certified Bookkeeper and also Completed their Color Accounting Program. I am currently studying to be an Enrolled Agent, so I will be able to represent clients in tax court. My professional skillset and people skills are what sets me my business aside from other professional tax preparation businesses out there and this is what has sustained my business for the last 7yrs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a small business owner, it is never just a smooth road, there are normally a lot of twists and turns. I have had challenges like many business owners do, such as finding working capital, figuring out who my target audience is, and how to meet their needs, and trying to keep up with the changes in marketing and strategies to continue to make myself visible to my target audience. I started my office in an extra room of my home that I turned into an office space to keep down costs, My first year I did 46 returns and made about $8000, I did not let that discourage me because I know that in business it’s a marathon and not a race. Now I complete hundreds of returns a year l, and have been in my office space for over 5yrs. I have started to expand my brand bringing in a business partner to do returns to meet the needs of as many people as we can. I have been blessed with some of the best clients in the world, who have allowed me to continue to service them, and who continue to refer me to their friends and family! I learned a long time ago from my former late boss, that “word of mouth” is the best advertising there is, treat people with respect and do the best job you can for them, and they will not forget, They also won’t forget the other end of that as well, So just always do your best. The role of an entrepreneur is not for the weak, You may have days where you surpass your earning goals and others where you make no money at all.. You have to have a love for what you do, and the people you serve, money cannot be the only driving factor. This is how I keep the drive to continue my business, I don’t let one slow day or days, or weeks for that matter, deter me in continuing to run my business and service my clients, as long as the love for what I do is still there. I also didn’t let the lack of capital or doubting myself deter me from starting my business, like a lot of people do. A lot of things you will learn along the way, don’t let the lack of funds or that doubt of being good enough, or having everything perfect stop you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are located in the heart of downtown Pontiac at 1 N. Saginaw St., Ste. 200, we offer Professional Tax Preparation Services for Individuals and Small Businesses, Small Business Services such as advisory on setting up your business, obtaining access to funding, bookkeeping and payroll services, and Notary Services. We are here to provide you with professional financial services that will help you to obtain the largest refund legally possible, and keep more of your money in your pocket as an individual owner and business owner, and to help you run your business as smooth as possible so when the time comes for you to file your return the process doesn’t seem so dreadful.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice would be find someone who is already doing you want to do successfully, and ask them can you shadow or volunteer for them. If you cannot find anyone, go online and look up successful companies, and research their practices and methods, decide if you want to adopt the same methods or how you would like to alter those methods to suit your business! You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, I have gained a lot of my knowledge from working for others, and the things they have taught me, along with my experience as a consumer, but I have also adopted practices from other successful companies in my industry as well. So my advice we be to continue to learn from others in your industry and businesses in general, and networking is key, start by getting to know people in your community, by attending community events volunteering, donating your time and resources, then branch out from there.
Pricing:
- Individual Returns $150 and up
- Business Returns $450 and up
- Business Services $100 and up
- Notary Services $10 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://totalrefundtaxservices.com/
- Instagram: @totalrefundtaxservices
- Facebook: Total Refund Tax Services
