We were lucky to catch up with Shauna Wekherlien recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shauna, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea for Tax Goddess because I saw a massive gap between what the tax code allows and what the average business owner actually receives from their accountant. My mother was a resolute business owner with an indomitable spirit, but like many entrepreneurs, she faced the bewildering world of tax jargon and complex financial puzzles every year. I realized early on that I had a natural gift for deciphering these puzzles, and I wanted to use that skill to help people like her.

While working at major firms like KPMG and American Express, I noticed that most high-performing entrepreneurs were essentially “tipping” the government. They were being served by accountants who only looked at the past and spoke in a language that no one else understood. I knew there was a better way. I wanted to create a firm that combined top 1 percent technical expertise with a “plain language” approach that makes taxes engaging and even fun.

In 2004, I took the leap and founded Tax Goddess Business Services, PC. I did not want to just file forms. I wanted to be a financial virtuoso who charts the labyrinthine terrain of tax laws to find every possible legal saving. Today, my team and I have turned that initial idea into a global operation that has saved our clients over $2.05 billion. For me, it has always been about taking the nightmare out of tax season and turning it into a vibrant strategy for wealth.

Shauna, 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?

I am Shauna A. Wekherlien, CPA, MTax, CTC, CTP, CTS, though most people in the business world simply know me as the Tax Goddess. My mission is to take the stress out of tax season and replace it with a strategic plan that actually builds wealth.
How I Became the Tax Goddess
My journey into the tax world was seeded very early by my mother. She was a resolute business owner with an indomitable spirit, and watching her navigate the complexities of the business world was the greatest education I could have received. She showed me how to find genuine joy in deciphering the financial puzzles that usually overwhelm most people. Because of her influence, I never saw tax codes as obstacles. Instead, I saw them as opportunities to be mastered.
I spent the early part of my career sharpening my skills at major firms like KPMG and American Express, focusing on high-wealth financial management and small business strategy. While I loved the technical challenge, I realized that many business owners were struggling to understand the complex jargon coming from their advisors. In 2004, I founded Tax Goddess Business Services, PC, to change that. I wanted to create a firm that combined top 1 percent technical expertise with a plain language approach that makes taxes engaging and even fun.
What I Provide: Strategic Tax Coaching
Today, I lead a global team of specialists dedicated to helping successful business owners, investors, and high-wage earners avoid taxes legally. Our core offering is the proprietary Strategic Tax Coaching (STC) program. We create comprehensive blueprints that cover advanced tax structures, cash flow management, and real estate transactions. My goal is to ensure your bottom line is as high as possible by moving money between entities for the minimum tax owed.
Solving the “Tax Leak”
The primary problem I solve is the heavy tax burden that often penalizes success. Many of my clients are high achievers who feel like they are “tipping” the government because they lack a proactive plan. I help them legally reduce their tax liability and manage risk so they can reinvest that capital into their businesses and families. Currently, my STC program boasts a client average tax rate of just 6.92%. I bridge the gap between knowing the rules and using the rules to your advantage.
What Sets Me Apart
I’d say it’s the combination of aggressive strategy and clear communication. I have been ranked in the top 1% of tax strategists in the country because I do not just follow the code: I master it. I am also known for my energy and enthusiasm. I have been told I am a “pure joy” to work with because I genuinely love what I do. To date, my team and I have written over 4,700 tax plans and saved our clients over $2.05 billion.
What I Am Most Proud Of
I am incredibly proud of the massive financial impact we have had on thousands of families. Seeing a business owner go from a 6-figure tax bill to a manageable 6.92% rate is life-changing. It allows them to hire more people, innovate, and secure their family’s future.
On a personal note, I am a dedicated educator and a lover of travel. When I am not finding new ways to save you money, I am likely spending time with my four favorite “monsters,” my dogs: Shade, Eos, Thor, and Cato.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation was built on a very specific cocktail of high-level technical mastery, a refusal to play it safe, and the ability to explain complex laws without making people’s eyes glaze over.
In a market full of “historical” accountants who focus on what already happened, I carved out a space as a strategist who focuses on what is possible. Here are the core pillars that I believe truly solidified my standing in the industry.

The Power of the Proof
Numbers are the ultimate truth in the tax world. To date, my team and I have saved our clients over $2 billion. When you can point to a figure like that, people stop looking at you as just another CPA and start seeing you as a vital asset to their wealth.

Translating “Tax Speak” into Human Language
One of the biggest complaints I heard from business owners was that they didn’t understand a word their accountant was saying. I made it my mission to “demystify” the code. By using plain language instead of quoting endless sections of the Internal Revenue Code, I built trust. Clients feel empowered when they actually understand the strategy behind their savings. My reputation grew because I became the “translator” for the high-performing entrepreneur.

Top 1% Credibility
You cannot be aggressive without being technically sound. I didn’t just stop at being a CPA. I earned my Master’s in Taxation and pushed myself to become a Certified Tax Strategist (CTS). At the time I achieved that, I was ranked in the top 3 of only 15 professionals nationwide to hold that designation. That level of specialized education allowed me to play in a league that most CPAs don’t even know exists. It gave me the “street cred” to back up my bold claims.
The “Tax Goddess” Energy
Let’s be honest: most people think tax is boring. I decided to lean into the opposite. By bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a bit of wit to the table, I changed the experience of tax planning. Being featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and on networks like CNN and NBC helped, but it was the “vibe check” on hundreds of podcasts that really scaled my reputation. I showed the market that you can be the smartest person in the room without being the most boring person in the room.
Unapologetic Advocacy for the Business Owner
I built a reputation for being an advocate, not a government record-keeper. My clients know that I am looking for every legal, “out of the box” way to keep their money in their pockets. I don’t settle for the “standard” deduction. That commitment to being aggressive but audit-proof is why business owners and entrepreneurs seek me out.

Any advice for managing a team?

My best advice is to hire people who are smarter than you and then give them the space to do their best work. I believe giving talented people the platform to shine keeps motivation high.
Another key thing is clear communication. We use “plain language” internally, so there is zero confusion about our goals. When everyone knows exactly how their work contributed to the $2.05 billion we have saved for our clients, the morale stays high. For me, leadership is about shared wins and total transparency.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taxgoddess.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taxgoddess
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaxGoddess

Image Credits

Image credit:: Tax Goddess