Build a Business... Not Another Job
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Many people dream of working for themselves—being their own boss and having the freedom to take on only the clients and projects they love.

However, there’s a big difference between building a business and being self-employed. Let me break it down for you:

• Business owners scale their income.

• Self-employed people trade dollars for hours.

• Business owners leverage the skills and talents of others.

• Self-employed people rely solely on their own skills.

Feeling discouraged? Don’t be! Every successful business owner started out self-employed. The key is to make sure you don’t stay stuck there. These tips will help you shift from simply running a job to building a scalable, sustainable business.

1. Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself

Building a successful, sustainable business means you need to leverage others’ talents. At first, it may seem like the most cost-effective option to do everything yourself, e...

The Ultimate Guide to a Smooth Tax Season with a Tax Preparer
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Tax season can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Working with a professional tax preparer can turn what feels like a daunting task into a breeze. In this guide, I’ll walk you through each step of working with a tax preparer to ensure your tax season is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Step 1: Online Scheduling

Say goodbye to long hold times and back-and-forth calls. With online scheduling, you can easily book an appointment with your tax preparer at your convenience. Simply visit their website, choose a time that works for you, and you're all set to go!

Step 2: Pre-Appointment Questionnaire

Before your appointment, you’ll complete a pre-appointment questionnaire. This is essential for your tax preparer to understand your unique situation and gather the necessary info to prepare your return. Take your time to fill it out carefully—it’s a simple step that makes the whole process...

7 Key Tactics for New Business Owners
Written by Kimberly Fowler

Hey there, future tax moguls! It's Kimberly Fowler, your tax business coach, and I'm here to help you start, run, and grow your own independent tax business.

Starting your own business can be overwhelming—especially with the endless courses, gurus, and advice floating around. It’s easy to feel lost in all the information and make the journey longer than it needs to be. But don’t worry! With the right focus and strategy, we can turn that overwhelm into actionable steps that lead to financial and time freedom.

I want to help you get there faster. In this post, I’m sharing 7 essential marketing tactics that you can start using today to elevate your tax business and make it a success from the get-go. While this advice is tailored to tax pros, it’s applicable to any new business owner.

Let’s dive in!

1. Create a One-of-a-Kind Selling Point

To stand out in the crowded tax space, your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is ...

Awesome Ways to Kickstart Your Independent Tax Biz with ChatGPT in 2023

Jun 27
Written By Coach Kimberly Fowler

Hey Future Tax Boss, 😎

Are you ready to kickstart your independent tax biz or light a fire under the one you’ve already started?
If you said “YES!” then buckle up because 2023 is your year.

It’s time to stop doing things the old way and start using the secret sauce for success—ChatGPT! 💥

Let's ditch the outdated processes, embrace cutting-edge AI, and watch your tax biz take flight. 🚀

Unleash the Power of ChatGPT for Your Tax Biz

1. Personalize Client Connections
Now, this is where the magic happens! ✨ Imagine impressing your clients with super-fast responses, automated emails, and even having a virtual assistant that talks to you. ChatGPT is a game-changer when it comes to client communication. You’ll be providing superior service that beats your competition. And hey—who doesn’t want to be known for their killer customer service? Get ready to shine, superstar!

2. M...

Don’t Even Think About Starting Your Tax Business Until You’ve Asked Yourself These 7 Questions

Hey, Future Tax Boss! 🙌

So you're thinking about starting a tax business?
Hold up, superstar—I love that for you, but let’s make sure you’re not just chasing checks. 👀

Yes, we want the coins 💰—but we also want purpose, passion, and a business that actually means something.

Because here’s the truth:
Your story, your “why,” and the problem you solve—that’s the magic sauce that separates you from every other tax preparer out there.

Let’s make sure you’re building something that’s not only profitable but powerful.

Ready? Let’s go.

💥 Don’t Start Your Tax Biz Until You’ve Answered These 7 Questions:

1. Let’s Get Personal

What’s your story?
Did you deal with a tax mess once and figure it out the hard way? Did someone not show up for you the way they should’ve? Tell it! People don’t connect with boring businesses—they connect with people. Real ones.

2. What Have You Already Figured Out T...

Why You Don’t Need Another Assistant for Your Tax Office (Yep, I Said It)

Try ChatGPT Instead

Hey there, tax pro! 👋
If you’re running a tax office, you already know the grind is real.

The mountain of paperwork. The non-stop client calls. The emails that never end. 😩
It’s a lot — and you’re probably thinking, “I need another set of hands in here ASAP.”

But before you go hiring another assistant (and adding more to your payroll), let me let you in on a little secret...

You don’t need more staff. You need smarter systems.
And that’s where ChatGPT comes in. 💻✨

❓ Why Do Tax Pros Feel Pressured to Hire?

I get it. Business is booming, and your brain is fried. Here’s why hiring sounds like the next logical step:

• 💸 It’s Expensive
  Hiring someone means salary, insurance, benefits, paid time off… the whole nine yards. It adds up real quick.

• ⏳ You’ve Gotta Train Them
  New folks don’t magically know your workflow. You’ll spend weeks (or months) bringing them up to speed.

• 🕒 The...

So you wanna be a tax preparer? Let me give you the real scoop.

Tax season is wild—but if you play your cards right, it can also be super rewarding. If you're thinking about jumping into this fast-paced (and yes, competitive) field, here are 3 juicy tips to help you stand out, slay your goals, and build a business that actually works for you.

💡 Tip #1: Get Trained—For Real

Just because you’ve filed your own taxes doesn’t mean you’re ready to take on clients (trust me, I love a confident queen, but let’s keep it real).

If you're serious about becoming a tax preparer, proper training isn’t optional—it’s essential. Not only will it teach you the ins and outs of tax law (hello, deductions and credits!), but it’ll also help you get any licenses or certifications required in your state.

Translation: Training = your golden ticket to becoming a legit, trusted expert.

🧠 Tip #2: Build a Business Plan That Actually Works

I know, I know. “Business plan” sounds boring—but hear me out.

Y...

Let’s talk about the tax mistakes that sneak up on way too many business owners (and how to avoid them like a boss).

Look, I get it—you didn’t start your business so you could geek out over spreadsheets and tax codes. But whether you like it or not, taxes are part of the ride. And if you don’t stay ahead of them, they will trip you up.

Here are five all-too-common mistakes that can make tax season a total nightmare—and how to dodge them with grace (and maybe a little sass).

🚩 Mistake #1: Only dealing with taxes once a year

Taxes aren’t just a once-a-year panic button—they’re a year-round thing. Every decision you make in your business has potential tax consequences. So if you're only looking at your numbers during tax season, you’re already behind.

Hot tip? Get yourself a solid accountant or tax-savvy bookkeeper who can keep eyes on your financials all year. That way, you’re not caught off guard come April.

🚩 Mistake #2: Messing up business deductions

Deductions are your fri...

Let’s be real—one of the biggest things that holds aspiring tax pros back from launching their own biz isn’t the paperwork or the licenses… it’s confidence.

You know tax services are in demand. You know you’re good at what you do. But that nagging voice says, “What if no one actually books me?”

Ugh, right? The idea of spending weeks (or months!) on a website, branding, marketing, maybe even renting office space… only to hear crickets? Yeah, no thanks. That’s a fast track to burnout and self-doubt.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to throw spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks.

There are smart, simple ways to test your tax biz idea before you go all in—and I’m about to drop a few of my favorite spicy little tips:

🔥 Tip #1: Just. Freakin’. Ask.

Don’t overthink it. The easiest way to find out what your market needs? Ask them!

Whip up a quick survey (SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, whatever’s easiest) and shoot it over to your email list or post it in a Facebook group. Keep...