We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yvette Best a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yvette thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Yes, I absolutely take vacations! As a business owner, I believe it’s essential to step away and recharge. One of the key ways I’ve been able to do this is through delegation. I trust my team and have trained them to manage the day-to-day operations when I’m away. If you don’t have a team yet, outsourcing tasks or hiring reliable contractors can also help maintain the flow of work while you’re gone.

Another essential tool is automation. I use technology to automate as many aspects of the business as possible, from emails to social media posts and even appointment bookings. This ensures that things keep running smoothly in my absence. It’s about working smarter, not harder, by allowing the systems you put in place to handle the routine tasks.

Planning ahead is also critical. I always make sure to plan my time off well in advance and inform my clients ahead of time, so they know what to expect. This reduces stress on both sides and helps maintain trust. Additionally, setting boundaries with both clients and my team is important. I’m clear about when I’m available and when I’m not, which helps everyone respect my time and allows me to truly disconnect during vacations.

Lastly, I’ve learned to trust the process. It’s easy to feel like things will fall apart if you’re not there, but if you’ve built a solid foundation, your business will function without you for a short period. Taking time off isn’t just about relaxation—it’s also about maintaining the energy, focus, and clarity you need to continue growing your business.

Yvette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Certainly! I’m Yvette D. Best, an Enrolled Agent and the founder of Best Tax Solutions in Fayetteville, Georgia. I’ve been in the tax industry since 1989, and recently celebrated 18 successful years in business. I’ve built a company dedicated to helping individuals and small businesses win the tax game. My journey into the tax profession began out of a passion for numbers and helping people understand their finances. I’ve always believed that proper financial education can change lives, and I wanted to be a part of that change.

At Best Tax Solutions, we offer a wide range of services including tax resolution, tax planning, tax preparation, and business consulting. Our goal is to provide clients with peace of mind, whether they’re dealing with tax debt, trying to maximize their deductions, or planning for the future. What sets us apart is our focus on personalized service. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions because every client’s financial situation is unique. We take the time to get to know our clients and tailor our services to meet their specific needs.

One of the major problems we solve for our clients is tax debt. Many individuals and small business owners come to us overwhelmed by their tax situation, not knowing where to start. We help them resolve their tax issues with the IRS and create a plan to keep them in good standing going forward.

What I believe truly sets me apart from others is my ability to connect with clients on a personal level. I live a debt-free lifestyle, having paid off my home in just five years, and I want to pass on that sense of financial freedom to others. I’ve also been running my business full-time for the past 7 years, and I recently became a net worth millionaire in 2023. These experiences allow me to speak from a place of real-world knowledge and give clients practical advice that works.

The main things I want potential clients and followers to know about me and my brand are that I’m dedicated to their success, whether they’re an individual, business owner, or tax professional. I’ve spent over three decades in this industry, and I’m constantly learning and evolving to serve my clients better. My approach is holistic— I provide strategies that help people live financially free and successful lives. My work is more than just a business to me—it’s a mission to empower others.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Several books have significantly shaped my entrepreneurial thinking and management philosophy, especially when it comes to balancing financial success with personal freedom. One of the earliest influences was “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason. This timeless classic instilled in me the importance of saving, wise investments, and living below my means. Its principles of paying yourself first and creating wealth over time became the cornerstone of my financial strategy, not only for my personal life but also for how I run my business. It reinforced my commitment to living a debt-free lifestyle, which has been a driving force behind many of my decisions.

Another game-changing book for me was “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz. This book transformed the way I manage cash flow in my business by flipping the traditional accounting formula. Instead of focusing on revenue minus expenses equals profit, Michalowicz teaches that you should take your profit first and manage expenses afterward. This approach aligns with my personal financial philosophy of discipline and prioritizing profit, and it’s been instrumental in helping me build a sustainable, profitable business that doesn’t just survive but thrives.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss had a profound impact on how I think about time and efficiency. It challenged me to look at my business differently, focusing on automation and outsourcing to create more freedom. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of designing a business that allows you to live life on your terms, and this philosophy resonated with my desire to create a balance between work and personal life. It helped me implement systems that allow my business to function effectively even when I’m not hands-on, giving me the freedom to take vacations and spend more time on strategic growth.

Lastly, every book I’ve read by Warren Buffett has deeply influenced my investment and business approach. Buffett’s focus on long-term value, patience, and understanding the fundamentals of any business has been a guiding principle for me. His advice on the importance of building a strong financial foundation and avoiding debt is something I apply not only to my personal finances but also in advising clients. Buffett’s wisdom about business and investment decision-making is something I carry with me daily, particularly his emphasis on making thoughtful, well-researched choices rather than chasing quick wins.

These resources, from old-school wisdom to modern entrepreneurial strategies, have all played a role in shaping the way I manage my business, handle finances, and approach growth. They’ve helped me create a business that supports both my financial goals and my lifestyle, allowing me to enjoy the success I’ve built while maintaining balance.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has been a combination of referrals and networking, with word-of-mouth being the most powerful driver. Over the years, I’ve found that nothing beats the trust that comes from personal recommendations. When a client is happy with the service they’ve received, they are naturally inclined to share their positive experience with friends, family, and colleagues. This creates a steady stream of warm leads who come in already trusting that I can solve their tax issues or help them with business planning.

Networking has also been invaluable. I’m part of a referral marketing group, PowerCore.net, which has provided a solid platform for building professional relationships and generating referrals. Being active in professional organizations, such as the Georgia Association of Enrolled Agents, has also helped me connect with other professionals who refer clients my way. These relationships are built on trust and credibility, so when someone in my network refers me, their confidence in my abilities already puts me in a strong position with new clients.

Social media has also been a growing source of new clients. As I’ve built my presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, and have been able to showcase my expertise, share tax tips, and offer insights into how I help clients achieve financial freedom. By consistently posting valuable information and engaging with my audience, I’ve built a community that often reaches out for help when they need tax services or business advice.

In addition, my reputation as an experienced tax practitioner and my personal story of financial independence have drawn clients to me. People are inspired by my debt-free lifestyle. This milestone lends credibility to the strategies I teach, and many clients come to me looking for guidance to achieve similar financial success.

Ultimately, the combination of word-of-mouth referrals, networking, and a strategic social media presence has been the best source of new clients for me. By building relationships, providing consistent value, and maintaining a strong reputation, I’ve been able to continuously grow my client base.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BestTaxSolutions.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yvetteknowsbest
• Facebook: https://www.facebooK.com/BSULLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvettedbest
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamyvettedbest
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yvetteknowsbest