Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Whitley.
Joi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida. I moved to Phoenix at the age of 14 and my life has not been the same since. I was able to graduate a year early by taking college level courses at the community college while attending high school. I started ASU as a pre-med major at age 17 in 2007. I joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. in 2008 and this taught me the power of networking. I gave birth to my first daughter in 2010. After being told that it would be difficult to continue in science as a new and young mother, after finishing my Interdisciplinary Studies degree I started the MBA program at Grand Canyon University in 2012. My first job after earning my bachelor’s degree was at Healthways in September 2012, as a customer service agent making $12 an hour. I soon learned that I needed the MBA to make more money. I left Healthways and went to Wells Fargo as a banker for less than a year. While working for Wells Fargo I learned about many of my coworkers needing help preparing their taxes. I usually did my own because my mother did taxes and taught me how to do them as a teenager. I had thought about doing taxes as a side hustle and even created my business on 4/3/12. I took this chance to tell my coworkers that I could help with their taxes. These coworkers then referred me to others. By March 2014 I had used proceeds from my side job for a down payment on my first home. By October 2014 I had quit Wells Fargo and was working as a Loan Specialist for Nationstar Mortgage. This gave me another opportunity to meet others and tell them that I did taxes. Less than a year later, I finished the MBA and was speaking to my Advisor. She wanted to congratulate me and tell me that GCU was hiring. A month later I started a career in higher education. I worked as a Student Services Advisor for a little less than 4 years, allowing me to meet more coworkers and students. I was able to handle students’ finances for their education and refer them to my business for their taxes. While at GCU, I became a mother for the second time in 2016 to another daughter. I took a leap of faith in January 2018 and finally left GCU. I went back to my roots and began working for ASU’s WP Carey School of Business as a Program Coordinator. I finally married my kids’ father and longtime boyfriend of 10 years in August 2018. But by June 2019 we were separated and living in separate homes. August 2019, I filed for divorce and took another leap of faith when I decided to go full-time with only working for myself. This would work better for me as a newly single parent and provide me with more time to support my daughters during this transition. My divorce was finalized November 2019, sold my house in December 2019, and I was ready for a successful tax season beginning January 2020. One stop to AZ House of Fadez Barbershop (formerly Fade Tite Barbershop) to pass out business cards and this led to success. I was able to connect with the entire South Phoenix community, going into most of the businesses on the Southside, handing out my business cards. South Phoenix is a close-knit community and I’m happy that I was able to find this community. 80% of my new clients for 2020 are from the South Phoenix area. I was able to dominate the area with business cards and using the post offices to send flyers about my business to various zip codes. Sometimes I am amazed that I’ve hit this much growth without an actual tax office. My mobile abilities are what led clients to me, the fact that I can set up anywhere and complete an efficient and reliable return.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In the beginning, I didn’t have my own tax software. I was using other platforms, such as Turbo Tax. I would use these other platforms as a paid preparer, meaning I couldn’t deduct my tax preparation fees out of my clients’ tax refunds. I ran into challenges of trusting clients and preparing taxes without being paid first. Clients were supposed to pay me after receiving their refunds. Many times, I did not get paid. I realized that there were people who did not care about doing the right thing.
In 2016 I teamed up with Focus 9 Enterprises, an accounting firm based in Orange City, Florida. They provided me with my first software. This relationship has continued and led to more education, more resources, and more efficiency in my tax preparation techniques because I have a firm over me that will ensure general accounting principles are followed.
The best way to learn is to make mistakes. I had made mistakes in the past and did not know, but with their help I was able to become fully educated and have a resource for the things that I didn’t know.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Anointed Hands Tax Preparation – what should we know?
Number one specialty is tax preparation. We prepare individual and corporate returns. I also offer other financial services, such as credit restoration through a partnership with United Credit Education Services. Small Business startup and education is also offered.
I’m most proud that I am an educated Black woman who is able to provide a resource for the community. I have learned that so many Blacks and minorities are affected by taxes because they do not know much about taxes. I get an opportunity to be a life coach and financial coach for my clients through their taxes. I’m also talking to them about all other things that I have knowledge about, such as credit, home ownership, student loans, financial aid, budgeting, financial planning, bankruptcy, child support, and divorce. Taxes has helped me reach and help the minority communities that need the most help.
What sets me apart is that I am more than a business, I am a resource and I strive on creating lifelong partnerships with my clients.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My uncle, Rico Williams, he’s my mentor and plays an important role in my success. My uncle is a successful entrepreneur who has always motivated me to shoot for the stars and always made sure I knew that nothing was out of my reach. He would always plant the seed and I would make sure it bloomed.
Pricing:
- Individual Tax Return Preparation $250+
- Corporate Tax Return Preparation- prices vary based on the business needs.
- Credit Restoration $89 a month
- Small Business Start Up $400+ state filing fee
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anointedhandstax.com
- Phone: 9048031938
- Email: anointedhandsjw@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/anointedhandstax
- Facebook: Facebook.com/joiwhitleyanointedhands
Image Credit:
Kemetic Eye Entertainment
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