Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Isabel Alcala.
Hi Maria Isabel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Mexico, and my parents brought me to the United States in 1987. After finishing high school, I was unable to attend college because we were a large family, and as one of the oldest, I needed to work to help support my family and pay the bills. Another major obstacle was that I only had a work permit at the time while I was in the process of becoming a permanent resident, and I couldn’t afford college tuition.
In 1997, I moved from South Texas to Georgia and began working as a manager at a small Latin convenience store in Buford. In 2000, my boss opened a small office offering income tax preparation, money transfers to Latin America, and other services. I began helping in the office and developed a strong interest in the business. By 2003, my boss faced bankruptcy and had to close both the store and the office. That same year, I became her business partner in Gainesville, Georgia, where we opened another small store. She later offered me the opportunity to purchase the Buford office, and since 2003, I have continued running my own business, offering income tax preparation, money transfers, notary services, and more.
I always carried the dream of completing my college education, and in 2013, I decided to pursue that goal. In 2017, I proudly earned my bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Since then, my office has continued to grow, and I now provide a wide range of services, including accounting, payroll, and both personal and business income tax preparation.
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?
One of the biggest struggles I faced along the way was learning English. I have always loved learning, and in many ways, picking up the language came naturally to me. However, when I began college, it became my greatest challenge. Writing essays and completing the detailed reports that my professors required was difficult at first. I often needed someone to review my work to make sure my writing was clear and could be easily understood. Despite the obstacles, I never gave up. Over time, my writing improved, and I became more confident expressing myself in English both academically and professionally.
As you know, we’re big fans of Taxes y Servicios Alcala LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I founded Taxes y Servicios Alcala LLC with the purpose of helping the Latin American community stay informed and guided in filing their income taxes on time. Over the years, as the business has grown, I have had the privilege of serving a diverse client base from many different backgrounds. What began as a mission to support my community has expanded into a trusted firm that provides quality service and personalized attention to everyone who walks through our doors. My goal has always been to educate and empower others—not only by preparing their taxes but also by helping them open their own businesses and understand the importance of maintaining accurate financial statements to track their growth.
I specialize in income tax preparation, and I take pride in explaining to my clients how to manage their businesses in compliance with IRS regulations. At Taxes y Servicios Alcala LLC, we strive to provide services that are professional, trustworthy, and respected business that our community can depend on with confidence.
Any big plans?
Now, I am proud to see my daughter following in my footsteps. She is also studying to become an accountant, with the goal of earning her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. It brings me great joy to know that she will be able to go even further and continue building on what I started. Through her dedication and passion, I hope to pass on my legacy, ensuring that our office continues to grow, expand, and offer even more services to the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alcalataxesyservicios.com
- Facebook: Taxes y servicios alcala LLC
