Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Edwards.
Hi Devon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story started way before I became an entrepreneur. When I worked in retail, food industry, and school system I always inspired to be the best version of myself. I was going to climb whatever latter was available to me because growing up in a Caribbean household, you worked, and you did your job well. It didn’t matter how big or small the role was; you always put forth maximum effort. I was raised on “your name is everything, and even if you left your job for a better one, the higher-ups would know that you stood on respect and integrity”. I started my entrepreneur journey like many others, during COVID-19. When COVID hit, I was working for the school system as a Trainer for Bus Drivers. As a father, working for the school system made sense because I was off when my kids were, and I had all summer to spend time with them and watch them grow and achieve many things. When COVID started, I had a landscaping business on the side that quickly became full-time almost overnight. We were able to survive COVID, but there were months during the winter when the budget had to become very strict to make it through the holidays.
In 2022, there was a black-owned tax company that was approved by the IRS, Smartwiz.io, that advertised making some extra income during Tax Season. Since I was now a business owner taxes had become more complex since all my current income was through my business. I took the opportunity to learn about taxes, and if I made any money doing tax preparation, it was going to be a plus. I went to their conference and was inspired and motivated by the information I attained and made a personal goal to attempt to prepare at least 25 Tax returns for that upcoming tax season. At the end of my first year, I prepared over 100 tax returns and made over 15k. I told myself that if I really put in the effort and took it seriously each year, I should double, if not triple, my clientele. I spent all last year gaining knowledge and teaching others the same skills I learned to run a successful Tax business of their own. Now I can confidently walk into any room and hold my chest out proud that I have two successful businesses, I can provide for my family, and with the help of SmartWiz put others in the position to do the same.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest hurdle was myself. I had a really bad case of imposter syndrome. Being the first in the family to go outside the normal 9-5 route, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be successful in my first year of entrepreneurship.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about D’s Tax Services?
We are a Family-owned and operated business that specializes in small businesses in getting maximum return through education and strategic planning. What sets us apart from everyone else is our transparency with our clients to share as much information so they can make the best decision possible. I’m proud that I have the knowledge to share it with people like me to put them in better positions than I was starting out. If someone came to me with everything I share now, I promise that I would be a lot farther ahead in life than I would be right now.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite memory as a child was me catching my first fish at my grandparents’ house in NY. They had a pond/lake in the backyard, and that is where I learned how to fish. I still have that picture of that catch.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: BklynsBassLine
- Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/devon-edwards-9252bb2aO
