Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Jones.
Hi Teresa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Teresa Jones. Accountant of 20 plus years who specializes in taxation and owner of Fierce Financial Planning Services Inc and Fierce Financial Tax Solutions LLC. I hold a Master’s Degree in Accountancy. I am a mother of four. Born and raised on the north side of Chicago, but a product of awesomeness from a small town south of Chicago called Kankakee. I am a domestic violence survivor of years of various forms of abuse. It is that experience that produced the fire gem within me. I persevered and fought my way to become self-sufficent and a force to be reckoned with. I went to community college and obtained my Master’s Degree all within 6 years without break even during a hospital stay in 2010, I kept going. I was determined to make a great life for my children and I. I have a genuine love for people and humanity. I am always looking for ways to help anyone that I can. I’m very intelligent, whitty and as I’ve aged gained a good sense of humor. My background is very diverse in my work history from being a customer service rep in my younger years to managing loan companies. To being a bank teller, personal banker, senior accountant and budget manager of a multi-billion dollar company. I have worn many hats. I am a sponge for learning. But what I love the most is educating people especially the African American communities about accounting, finance and business practices. I feel we lack the education to start and keep a successful business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I look back on my life. The only obstacles and challenges I encountered were surviving domestic abuse during the most influential times that a young person is growing and developing. Outside of that, I can honestly say I did not have a lot of challenges. Any job or desire I have ever wanted, I was fortunate enough to obtain it. Starting my business was easy. Since I am service-based, it didn’t take a lot of money to start the business. Business wise I would say my challenge are reaching the targeted audience that is willing to learn about their finances. So many are so afraid of their finances. They want to hire an accountant and not worry about their books. I love the fact that I am well-trusted but I welcome and require that personal relationship with my clients. I want to teach them and show them their books so that there is that checks and balances that hold me accountable. Having this type of relationship will lessen the losses of business owners from embezzlement by their accountants. I feel another challenge or obstacle is breaking down all of the business and finance jargon in plain terms where clients can understand the message and information that you are providing. Finding trustworthy people with good work ethics and integrity has also been a challenge. Dealing with accounting, finance and taxation, there is a lot of confidential information that is being shared and finding the right person poses a challenge as times. Despite the obstacles and challenges, I have managed to be very successful in my business and it is growing quickly.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Fierce Financial Planning Services Inc.?
Fierce Financial Planning Services Inc. is your one stop shop for all of your business and personal financial and tax needs. 20 plus years of accounting and taxation experience. Over 10 years of experience dealing with legal documents and preparing bankruptcy documents. Tax preparation- individual, small business, corporate, non for profit. Refund advance loans and debit cards for those who don’t have a bank account. Tax counseling. Notary services Budgeting and financial counseling. Private bookkeeping services, Financial statement preparation, Tax preparation classes. Sales and use Ttax, payroll and employee/employee tax services. Company formation LLC, Partnership, S-Corps and Corporation. Includes Articles and IRS filings that are required to be legally acknowledge as anything outside of a sole proprietor. We now have clients in 33 states and have officially launched Fierce Financial Tax Solutions LLC. which is the franchise branch that is expanding to teach others how to run their own tax office.
What sets my business apart from others is my personal touch that I give my client. Each client, I give them the feeling of trust and transparency. I allow them to get into my business practices in order for me to get in their business. I have an open-door policy with my clients. They will always get the truth and the level of my integrity can’t be matched. I am fair. I am always looking for that teaching moment and I do not see my clients as a dollar bill. I give away a lot of services or discount many of my services. For me, it’s not about the money it is about me educating my clients to make better choices concerning their business and personal finances.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for those starting out is to complete a business plan. Place your vision on paper. Do your research. There is no need to start a business hastily. Make sure you have working capital to start your business. Do not use your personal credit to finance your business. Make sure you have all of your legal documents in order i.e Articles and bylaws based upon the structure of your company. Contact an attorney for legal advise on how to protect and operate legally within your business. Contact an accountant to get advise on financial implications concerning your business. Make sure that you protect your business with liability insurance. Please trademark and copyright all work, names and logos that represent you and your company brand.
Pricing:
- Consultation $125
- Company Formation starting at $700
- Accountant hourly rate $75
- Business/Corporate Tax returns $700/$1000
- Personal Tax Return $425
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fiercefinancialps.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FierceFinancialPlanningServicesInc/
Image Credits
Photos: Andrea Ledbetter I’d like to shout out to a few people who have helped me along the way and have been in the thick of this journey with me. Mitchell Ledbetter @broke dusty m&m multimedia group @the all in show for pushing me and holding me accountable when I wanted to make excuses that I couldn’t. But most of all for believing in me that I could do this even at my lowest moments. Thank you for being my go to when I need help with bank statements and other business needs. I adore you. I can’t thank you enough. Andrea Beverly Ledbetter @andrea bev ledbetter who stepped into my space and filled a void as a sister and a friend in a new state where I had no one. No matter what I could call her anytime and she was right there. To my children Donesha, Tyesha, Donell and Dontay without you there would be no me. You 4 are the fuel in the grind for me. I love yall beyond words. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of children to walk my journey with. To my grandchildren Jabari, Jaelah, Isaiah and Joseph I am building generational wealth that one day all 4 of you will have a comfortable life as I leave a legacy that was built for my family to be ok for generations to come.
