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For commuters driving in and out of Atlanta every day, it’s easy to get stressed out by accidents and congested highways—not to mention the busy workday and the daily deadlines that come with it. One coffee shop tries to bring a little peace and joy to that frenzy with gourmet coffee on the go. What’s better than the intoxicating smell and taste of fresh-roasted espresso to soothe your nerves?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since 2013, <a class="link" href="https://www.dripthrucoffee.com/about/">Drip-Thru Coffee</a> has been bringing high-quality and convenient coffee to Atlanta area commuters. It draws on the tradition of gourmet drive-through coffee stands in the Pacific Northwest and pairs that with a commitment to the local community and a passion for hospitality amid a busy commuter culture.&nbsp;Drip-Thru Coffee came entirely from Christy Deen’s hard work and ambition. After more than 25 years working in the food and beverage industry at venues like Walt Disney World and the Atlanta airport, she decided it was time to go into business for herself.“I decided I wanted to work just as hard—actually harder—and build something of my own!” said Deen. “I truly just wanted to do something for myself.” And so she got to work sharing her passion for hospitality with Atlanta commuters.&nbsp;<h2>Commitment to Community</h2>Deen is showing drivers in Atlanta that you don’t have to choose convenience over quality when it comes to coffee. The Drip-Thru Coffee drive-through coffee stand gets people the gourmet coffee or tea they want without having to wait. And that’s not all they do, either.&nbsp;Drip-Thru Coffee is a small business rooted in the community and committed to “loving local.” Deen uses local vendors and suppliers as much as possible and sources her coffee from Cafe Campesino, a Georgia organization that imports organic, fair-trade coffee from Guatemala.&nbsp;&nbsp;Drip-Thru then offers that fresh, high-quality coffee with the convenience of a drive-through. Drivers order, pay, and pick up their coffee at the same window.&nbsp;Incredible customer service is also a crucial part of what they offer. The friendly and compassionate baristas help make the morning a little easier and a little more joyful for each customer.&nbsp;<h2>The Struggles of Starting a Small Business</h2>Deen loves being her own boss, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. One of the biggest challenges she faces is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Deen said she’d learned the importance of “making time for yourself [and your] family, and remembering that some things can simply wait.”&nbsp;Running a business will take a lot out of you, but it shouldn’t take everything. You have to be dedicated to carving out time for your other priorities when necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deen’s advice for new small business owners is to “never stop learning!” It’s so valuable for your business and for your own growth to keep learning about new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences. “Take classes, webinars, read books, attend city meetings in the prospective town you want to open up shop in, and network.”&nbsp;And Deen doesn’t get by without a bit of help sometimes, either. Her vision and passion are supported by the hardworking people at 1-800Accountant.&nbsp;“It has been a lifesaver!” said Deen. “It fits our small business budget, and I truly enjoy the availability of support when I have questions or need financial advice about the business.”&nbsp;Running a small business requires connecting with your community and investing in those relationships, both in-person and virtual. 1-800Accountant is honored to be a part of that community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Drip-Thru Coffee Spotlight Blog (2)

Christy Deen: Taking a Chance on a Dream

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Jonathan Davis has had a passion for quality, intricate woodworking ever since he was in college. But more recently he saw a chance to take that passion and turn it into a business, which he named JBD Wood Products LLC. “If you love what you do, it’s not really work,” says Davis. Davis knew, though, that if he wanted to make a living at woodworking, he was going to have to do it well and find customers who appreciated his prowess. “Woodworking is more and more of a scarcity every day,” says Davis. “Everything nowadays is made out of plastic or pressed boards, made out of sawdust. I want to show people the quality of real genuine woodworking.” While Davis clearly cares about the quality of his products, starting a woodworking business has meant some big challenges. Originally, Davis wanted to run his business from his home. That might have worked had he been doing just a little bit of it on the side. But being a reputable business meant that Davis had to conform to local zoning laws, which didn’t allow him to make and sell wood products out of his home. He had to rent a workshop, a move that has created higher overhead for his business than he’d expected. Along with overhead and profit margins come tax concerns. Davis has turned to&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a> to assist him with business and tax considerations. “1-800Accountant has been extremely helpful during this process,” says Davis. They “opened my eyes to the importance of staying compliant with the IRS and maintaining my business taxes.” Back in the shop, Davis hopes to grow a successful woodworking business while showing people across the country that, as he puts it, “Woodworking is not dead!”<a class="link" href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a>&nbsp;is happy to help Davis realize his business dreams. We’re a virtual accounting firm merging the convenience of technology with live support from experienced accounting professionals. We offer a complete suite of personalized accounting, bookkeeping, advisory, and payroll services to individuals and small businesses at an affordable price. Schedule your consultation with America’s leading small business accounting firm. 866-699-6123.

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Davis Seeks to Carve Out Profits With the Help of 1-800Accountant

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One look at John Meadows of Columbus, Ohio, and it’s pretty obvious that he’s crazy about fitness. As the sole owner of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC, it’s just a business requirement. Meadows runs www.mountaindogdiet.com out of his home office, coaching his audience with nutritional and fitness information — as well as content by affiliated, relevant businesses — and a members-only section for subscribers. Despite having run a training business for many years without formal establishment, Mountain Dog Diet became an LLC in 2011.
“I’ve been coaching people since maybe 1994 or 1995. I worked in the corporate world for 9 years before fully committing to my business. During that time, I was working two jobs and I was building a clientele base. I would go to work during the day and have to work with my clients at night. I ended up having twin boys and was spread really thin. So after long consideration, I stopped working in the corporate world and decided to do this on my own. I maintained my good relationships in the banking industry in case I ever needed to go back, but I just didn’t want to work those 70-hour weeks anymore with newborn twins,” he explains.
Meadows developed a knack for fitness and bodybuilding early in life, getting into it at 12 years old. At 13, he competed in his first bodybuilding contest – which is, as he puts it, “insane.” By high school, he was involved in a lot of sports and enjoyed working alongside other athletes. When he approached 40 and found himself overwhelmed juggling work, parenthood, and his hobby, he knew he had to make some life-changing decisions.
“When you love something and put a lot of time into something, you eventually become very good at it. I already loved what I was doing every day. I just had to give up those steady corporate paychecks. I enjoyed my work in the corporate world, but I didn’t feel like it was what I was born to do,” Meadows says.
There is no shortage of personalities in the fitness industry who use their seemingly aspirational lifestyles as a means of selling their brands. Sometimes, crazy promises are just part of the sales pitch. So how does Meadows set himself apart from the competitors saturating his industry?
“I never got into that kind of marketing. I’ve just been true to myself. I’ve been honest with people. I walked the walk. I worked really hard for many years, and people saw the example I was setting. I provided free information for magazines and websites so I could educate readers on the industry. I wasn’t just some guy in a lab coat, and I think people identified with me because I’m a hardworking guy who didn’t have everything handed to him,” he says of his secrets to success.
Meadows’ favorite aspect of small business ownership is the fun that he has staying innovative and evolving his brand. He is currently working with an affiliated company on a fresh, unprocessed protein bar. His goal was to create a protein bar with a good taste and texture. It is this diversified approach – he also has a smart phone app and clothing line — that keeps him ahead of the curve.
“I have a pretty solid educational background in addition to having competed successfully in bodybuilding competitions. A lot of people are one-sided — they’re either too scientific or not educated enough. One thing I won’t do is put on a fake persona to sell average products,” he says.
The main demographic of John Meadows’ client base is 60% male and 40% female between the ages of 20 and 55. Meadows promotes himself, Mountain Dog Diet, and his other ventures online. He has an website –&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.mountaindogdiet.com/">www.mountaindogdiet.com</a>&nbsp;– as well as pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/mountaindogdiet/?fref=ts">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://websta.me/n/mountaindog1">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/mountaindog1">Twitter</a>, and a&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mountaindog1">YouTube</a>&nbsp;channel.
<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>
Being your own boss doesn’t mean all play and no work. Meadows emphasizes time management as one of the biggest challenges small business owners face in the startup stages of success. And as many learn in the preliminary stages, working hard doesn’t always mean working smart.
“Even though you’re having fun building your business, you’re still working. People say, ‘Oh, you probably don’t feel like you’re working!’ Well, guess what? I do feel like I’m working!” he laughs.
It is important to maintain a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle despite the demands of entrepreneurism. And that means carving out time for family.
“When you start a business, you really need to be passionate. But you can’t just stay that way all the time and never pay attention to your family or anything else. For people with families, you’ve got to be careful not to spend all of your time working. Don’t let it swallow up your whole life.”
One of the fears plaguing entrepreneurs the most is the risk associated with leaving the paycheck-to-paycheck life behind in favor of the unpredictability that comes with small business ownership. Still, don’t let that deter you from taking the plunge.
“When you’re an entrepreneur, you have the risk of making no money, but you also have the potential to double what you would make at a conventional job. There is an upside to every risk. You get what you put in.”
<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to branch out into the world of small business ownership, Meadows offers some invaluable advice.
“Have a backup plan, but don’t be afraid of failure. Be extremely thorough in your planning. Create a brand identity. What do you really stand for? When people think about your company, what should come to mind? Identify your demographic. Then build your business plan around those findings,” he advises.
This narrowing of focus is essential for success.
“I think a lot of people don’t really know what they want to do. Put a lot of forward thinking into every aspect. Then go for it. If you learn lessons along the way, then that is just a part of business. You can’t just quit when something doesn’t go well. I made a lot of business mistakes even a year ago, but I learned from them and I’m not making them now.”
Meadows also suggests finding a mentor with a similar desired career trajectory.
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
John Meadows of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC has been a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant right out of the gate. Because he finds business taxes one of his biggest pain points, he has benefited tremendously from the service.
“My accountant has been excellent. We do check-ins every quarter to see how the business is doing financially. He keeps me posted with market changes or things I should do with my retirement plan and other investments. He keeps me in the know with things that the bank doesn’t even tell me,” he enthuses.
Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by John Meadows of Mountain Dog Diet, LLC and are used with permission.

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A Story of Success for the Mountain Dog in You

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Patricia Florez of Miami, Florida is not new to small business ownership. Having tried her hand in real estate, designing, as well as soap and accessory businesses, Florez picked a winner with M3LT Fitness, LLC. Formally established in January of 2015, Florez works as the sole mastermind of M3LT Fitness out of her home office. Through M3LT Fitness, the entrepreneur provides for her clients the tools they need to achieve success with their health goals.
“I work with men and women — mostly women — to provide a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and fitness. Including an exercise program in their lives will encourage them to succeed and achieve their goals faster. They can take over the world if they want to! If they exercise and eat healthy, then they can think clearly, their ideas will be better, and life will be easier to manage,” Florez says.
After discovering the benefits of doing yoga regularly, Florez became a certified instructor. She decided to combine her background in art and design with her love for healthy living to come up with her own fitness apparel line, in addition to personal training services.
“I started noticing how empty people were and noticed people having conversations that weren’t very deep. I discovered that just exercising and eating right is a necessary and essential component of existing,” she explains.
She also took an interest in the senior citizens in her life who could benefit from what she was able to provide for them.
“I see the older people around me who are wonderful and talented but have never exercised and their bodies ache. We all love our elders, but when they get sick, they wonder why. Well, maybe if they held themselves in the plank position for 10 seconds a day, they’d feel so much better,” she says.
Florez believes her artistic background will have a lot to do with her success. She has combined comfort with style through the fitness gear she has designed, using her personal style as inspiration for her products. Florez ultimately wants to create fitness gear you could wear heels with if you’re in a hurry.
“I like to be well-dressed, but if I want to throw myself on the floor and stretch my leg out, I’d like to be able to do that,” she enthuses.
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to achieve startup success themselves, Florez offers these words of advice.
“I would say to exercise and breathe! Take one step at a time, little by little. You’ll get there. Focus on your accomplishments and what you weren’t able to do before,” Florez encourages.
M3LT Fitness has a&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-are-M3lt/1022232441135691?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal">Facebook</a>&nbsp;page.
<h3>Competition in the Wellness Industry</h3>
Miami is known for its beautiful beaches and equally good-looking residents, so competition runs rampant amongst small businesses offering personal training services and apparel. Still, Florez’s friendly approach, enthusiasm, and aesthetically-pleasing apparel will set her apart from the pack.
“There is a lot of competition in Miami. There are a lot of shops that sell clothes. I think it’s in my background to be able to achieve something like that, so it is quite possible for me to compete with bigger brands. The people online can also be competitive, but I have a cool brand,” she confides.
<h3>Advantages of Small Business Ownership</h3>
“I like to be independent. I think I can control these things – my business, my life. For me, just the freedom to do anything I want to do and the freedom to travel and go wherever I want is the advantage,” she admits. “I’ve always wanted a business, so I’ve always had a business. They change because there’s always something missing, but all of those businesses that don’t exist right now have led me to this point.”
<h3>Experience As a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Patricia Florez of M3LT Fitness, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant. She is receiving assistance in the form of a business plan.
Photo credit: The photographs of Patricia Florez included in this blog post were provided by M3LT Fitness, LLC and are used with permission.

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Achieving Startup Success By Promoting Physical Health

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For the folks in Augusta, Georgia seeking the ultimate man cave, they needn’t look any further than the Men’s Refinery BarberSpa. In addition to the barbershop, the space also includes another small business. In December of 2014, Brad Pond established The Inside Drive, LLC. The Inside Drive offers a realistic golf simulator within the confines of the barbershop, making it a one-stop shop for those looking to get a more polished image and improve their golfing statistics. The game offers 50 different courses, and you can use your own golf club as a controller.
“Golf is my passion, and I wanted to make it more accessible to people,” Pond says of the partnership. “We’re creating a culture within our team that focuses on high tech, high touch, and just phenomenal customer service.”
What Pond enjoys most about small business ownership is the journey that comes with seeking startup success.
“I love the spirit of entrepreneurship — having to fix problems along the road and address new challenges daily. Although I feel I wrote a great business plan, you don’t find out what works until you put the pedal to the metal and just go for it,” he admits.
The Inside Drive is one of the only small businesses providing golf simulators in Pond’s region, so he is confident he has an edge over his competitors.
“We have the first mover principle in our area of the southeast. The model we have created would be seen more in the northeast and in Canada. There is not much competition for this style of golf simulator, especially the pairing with the men’s barber shop,” Pond says.
The Inside Drive shares a common goal and demographic with the established Men’s Refinery. This partnership lessens the risk typical of startups to attract clients, but also allows both to explore new demographics by playing off each other’s strengths. The Inside Drive has a website, as well as pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.instagram.com/insidedrivegolf">Instagram</a>, and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/insidedrivegolf">Twitter</a>.
<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>
Every small business owner will face challenges at some point, especially in the startup stage. In a partnership, those challenges can be doubled. Pond has preparedness on his side, and didn’t go full-speed ahead with the business until the time was right and the goals for both The Inside Drive and Men’s Refinery were clearly defined, and in alignment with each other.
“The challenges have been refining the business model to something where the funding made sense. I partnered up with Men’s Refinery a year ago, and we wrote a business plan to fit our model. So the biggest challenge has been getting the economy and the bank on the same sheet of music so we can go full throttle with the business,” Pond explains.
Despite the inevitable challenges, Pond insists that startup success makes jumping over the necessary hurdles worth it.
“Being an entrepreneur is a very rewarding task, so it’s a matter of understanding your own risk profile, and it’s finding people who support you and teaming up with others,” he advises.
<h2>Testimonial for 1-800Accountant</h2>
Brad Pond is a very satisfied client of 1-800Accountant and recommends the nationwide accounting firm for other small business owners looking to achieve startup success.
“I’ve been overwhelmed. I’ve been really blown away! I’ve been really nervous about the bookkeeping setup, the tax implications, and one afternoon call really addressed all of the things I was concerned about in a way that made sense. It allowed me to focus on the startup of the business and not worry so much about the accounting side. Get out there and do what you do really well. Bookkeeping will not make you money, so turn those things over to 1-800accountant,” he says. “I don’t need to be an expert on the accounting side of things – they’ve got my back!”
Photo credit: The photograph of the indoor golf simulator is used courtesy of&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.insidedrivegolf.com/">www.insidedrivegolf.com</a>. The logo was provided by The Inside Drive, LLC and is used with permission.

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Indoor Golf Simulator Makes for the Ultimate Man Cave

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Lily Grillo’s husband is serving in the military overseas. She is also the proud mother of two young boys. While many military wives in her shoes might feel overwhelmed, Grillo did not hesitate at all to pursue her dream of startup success.Grillo, who is a client of 1-800Accountant, operates her own small business known as Grillo Unlimited, LLC. She formally launched the home-based enterprise in February 2015 in Flemington, New Jersey. Through the new startup company, Grillo intends to sell leather-based products for both men and women. Her selection will include handbags, wallets, and other handy accessories. Some are even outfitted with the latest RFID blocking technology to keep customers’ credit cards protected. She is currently developing prototypes with David Hauser of <a class="link" href="http://dragonleather.net/">Dragonthorn Leatherworks</a>. Based on her early experience, Grillo shares why she thought starting a business in this particular industry was the right move for her to make on the entrepreneurial chessboard.“I used to work for my brother who owns a wallet company,” Grillo explains. “My family is full of engineers and scientists. I wanted to try something new and different.”Grillo is a former middle school science teacher and daycare operator. Her husband, Joseph, currently serves in the Middle East as a member of the Army National Guard. In her words, those around her will ultimately help in her quest for startup success.“I feel like the Julia Child of the fashion industry,” she confides. “At this point, I don’t have a huge background in this field, so I’ve spent lots of time finding the right people to work with and surround myself with.”On a related note, she says it’s these individuals with whom she gets to work that make her job as a small business owner so enjoyable and rewarding.“It’s really the people that I enjoy most about all of this,” she says. “In the past, people have used my skills to help get their businesses going, but I’ve seen a lot of unprofessionalism. Everyone I work with now is very professional, and I mesh well with them.”<h2>Competing as a Small Business Owner in the Fashion Industry</h2>Grillo explains how she is separating her small business from the rest in the very crowded fashion industry.“I don’t want to make millions. I just want to accomplish my entrepreneurial goals so that I can provide my family with financial stability and provide my customers with a good product. I think all of this will reflect in my customer service.”To make others aware of Grillo Unlimited, the entrepreneur is launching a website through which she’ll sell her leather goods. She also plans to use the crowdfunding website Kickstarter, in addition to creating social media pages for the small business.<h2>Challenges to Small Business Ownership</h2>She admits she has faced her fair share of challenging decisions and circumstances in starting a business like this.“This is a completely new industry for me. The hardest thing has been finding the right supplies and materials at the best rates out there. It’s the little details I have had to iron out that have taken up so much time.”<h2>Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h2>Thanks to what she’s been through during her entrepreneurial journey, Grillo shares some tips for entrepreneurs.“The biggest thing is making sure you really want to start a business,” she advises. “Starting a business and actually setting it up is easy, but then you have to decide what you want to do with it. Personally, I have to keep reminding myself of my end-goal. Another thing I’ve learned is that you have to be able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to certain decisions – sometimes when you’re pressured to make one. Stay true to yourself.”She adds that self-employment often comes with both advantages and disadvantages.“The advantage is that you have complete control and can do whatever you want to do or don’t want to do. The disadvantage is that you have to rely on other people and trust them.”<h2>1-800Accountant Review</h2>“Everyone has been very helpful and so easy to work with,” Grillo says. “I don’t have to worry about all of the stuff involved in business taxes and finances. I always get reminders about when certain things are due.”Photo credit: The photograph of Lily Grillo was provided by Grillo Unlimited, LLC and is used with permission.

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Military Wife Finds Startup Success with Leather Goods

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George Baer knows the roads that connect most areas of the United States like the back of his hand. That’s because he has worked as an over-the-road truck driver for the past four decades. Baer has driven in cold climates for many years, and he realized that he could offer a handy device to truckers who travel in ice and snow to help make their road trips a little easier.
Baer and his wife, Pamela, proudly run their own small business called Baer Enterprises, LLC out of their home office in Gillette, Wyoming. The couple officially established the startup venture in March 2015.
Through Baer Enterprises, George Baer designed a heating device that can attach to the external rearview mirrors of trucks.
“When truckers go through cold weather, the mirrors on their trucks will often ice up and become hard to see out of,” Baer explains. “Using a heated mirror, it will defrost despite the cold weather, and it will improve visibility on the road.”
His wife, Pamela, assists with the backend of the small business. He feels their main selling point for the product will be to improve the entire trucking experience – and to keep drivers safe.
“It’s an important safety feature for drivers,” he says. “This can be used by anyone who drives 18-wheelers and even smaller vehicles up north.”
Baer, who is a Navy veteran, travels all over the country to transport Hazmat loads, tankers, flatbeds, and oil rigs. Thanks to his experience behind the wheel, he knows there is a big need for the type of device he has invented. Because of this, he does not feel like he’ll face much competition when getting the item on the market. He plans to approach several trucking companies in hopes that they will offer it as an accessory for their trucks.
In terms of small business marketing, Baer plans to launch a website for the company. He also hopes to simply get his name out there, which he thinks shouldn’t be too challenging considering how long he’s been part of the transportation industry.
<h2>Overcoming Small Business Challenges</h2>
To ultimately achieve startup success, the Baers have been up against a variety of challenges.
“Our number-one challenge has revolved around the financial aspect of starting a business like this,” he admits. “We’ve personally funded it so far, but we’ll likely explore a small business loan in the future. Also, getting the knowledge needed for business ownership has been a challenge since we’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s definitely a learning process for both Pamela and myself.”
<h2>Advice for Entrepreneurs &amp; Aspiring Truckers</h2>
In terms of tips for entrepreneurs, George Baer says it’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people – and watching out for scams. He also offers some advice for entrepreneurs who have an interest in exploring trucking as a career.
“The first step is to get with a good instructor who is experienced. Then get all the endorsements you can hold as a truck driver to increase your value in the industry.”
<h2>Experience as Clients of 1-800Accountant</h2>
The Baers are both clients of 1-800Accountant and speak highly of how the nationwide small business accounting firm has been able to help them navigate the IRS tax code on their path toward startup success.
“We’ve absolutely been satisfied with our services from 1-800Accountant,” George Baer says. “You guys have given us outstanding knowledge and assistance on everything.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post is used with permission via the Flickr Creative Commons license.

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Navy Vet Invents Handy Device for Northern Truckers

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Tiffany Paige Lambert was a single mom working three jobs, none of which made full use of her considerable talents. But Tiffany had bigger dreams. That’s when she decided to open her own cosmetology and makeup artist business, Tiffany Paige LLC. Tiffany Paige LLC provides hair and makeup services for weddings, events and photo shoots. Although Tiffany has been in the beauty industry for six years, she’s been mastering her trade all her life. As a performer, she’s always had to do her own hair and makeup for various events. Tiffany really loves people and genuinely wants to make them feel good about themselves, and she says the joy in her customers’ eyes truly inspires her. With a new business, though, comes new challenges. Now, as a mother of two and a wife, it’s hard for Tiffany to find the time to market her services and arrange financing for the full-service salon and spa she plans to open. Fortunately, she’s been able to make amazing connections in the industry and has lots of people supporting both her business and her dream. One of those supporters is 1-800Accountant. Tiffany says that 1-800Accountant has been a huge help because, with everything she’s currently juggling, she doesn’t have to worry about her taxes and important deadlines. Trusting the experts to take care of these details frees up time she can use to focus on her business and her family. With a baby in one hand and a makeup brush in the other, she needs all the help she can get with organizing her finances! What’s in store for Tiffany? Her #1 focus right now is growing her business. In addition to opening a salon and spa, Tiffany also plans to one day travel internationally to do hair and makeup for weddings. She also hopes to guide other women like herself, who may also wish to own a business, through life coaching and motivational speaking.

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Tiffany Paige Lambert Gets Inspired with 1-800Accountant

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Kym Peck loves working out. So, in her mind, she thought that there would be no better way to share this passion with others than to start a fitness business for a population that is in dire need of physical activity.Peck established Live 2 B Healthy, a formal franchise venture in Pleasanton, California that launched in October 2016.“I provide customized fitness classes for senior communities mainly through group sessions,” Peck explains. “The people I work with are generally between 70 and 99 years of age.”The fitness activities she helps her elders partake in include yoga, zumba, water workouts, and strength and balance exercises. Not only are these activities designed to help seniors increase their strength and fitness, but also a larger goal is to help them live more independently so that they can do more things for themselves.“I have been a personal trainer for 15 years working with seniors, but I wanted to do more,” she says. “I wanted to bring my physical fitness activities to communities and larger groups.”She says the impact on her clients has been extremely rewarding.“We test with a baseline and look at flexibility, balance, and upper and lower body strength,” she says. “I have seen some amazing results in so many of my clients.”<h2>The Joys of Self-Employment</h2>Helping others makes self-employment such an enjoyable endeavor for the 53-year-old entrepreneur.“It’s incredibly rewarding,” she enthuses. “I love working with seniors. These people just add so much to my life. Ultimately, it’s all about relationships, and they are so kind to me. I just know I’m making a difference each day.”She describes how her clients respond to her.“I walk into a room and they immediately perk up. They are so happy to see someone new because their lives can be quite repetitive.<h2>Spreading The Word About A Small Business</h2>Peck utilizes a variety of both online and offline strategies to make others aware of her small business. Her franchise’s website is <a class="link" href="http://www.live2bhealthy.com/">www.live2bhealthy.com</a>, and she has a <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/L2BHSoAlameda/">Facebook business page</a> for her local franchise. Additionally, she sends out press releases, holds fun events, participates in speaking engagements, advertises in relevant publications, and attends health fairs.<h2>Entrepreneurial Challenges</h2>Admittedly, Peck is no stranger to the common hurdles entrepreneurs face early on in small business ownership – and throughout the process.“My biggest challenge has been the administrative side of the business. I am much more familiar with managerial accounting versus financial accounting. Business taxes and business accounting have been a whole new thing for me.”<h2>Advice for New Small Business Owners</h2>Based on her experience, Peck recommends that all newbies to business ownership should always outsource any tasks they aren’t comfortable doing to the pros. She adds that there are both benefits and drawbacks to self-employment.“As an employee of some gyms, I have very little control over my time, the format of the programs I offer, and various other aspects. With my company, I control all of those things. But at the same time, I can’t blame anyone else but myself for anything that goes wrong. On a positive note, it’s also a good retirement strategy, and I think it’s good for my kids to see how I operate as a business owner.”<h2>1-800Accountant Client Experience</h2>Kym Peck relies on 1-800Accountant for small business tax and accounting support so she can focus on running her business.“I have been very satisfied with 1-800Accountant,” Peck says. “They are handling all of my tax and accounting needs but are also teaching me how to do some of this myself. The sharing of information has been seamless.”

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Startup Story: How This Entrepreneur Keeps Her Clients Fit Over 50

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