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

Alysha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Absolutely! This was not always the case because I felt as if I could not take time away from work because I was self-employed. After working for several years without a vacation as I built the firm, I realized it was time for a change as my clients take vacations and I deserve one too. I have scheduled vacations and trips every month. I do not care if it is just 2 days a month or 1 day get away, I deserve a break and so does every business owner. I teach and advise my clients how to make trips deductible.

Alysha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a serial entrepreneur, business consultant, tax strategist, and accountant. I am best known for my accounting and tax firm, Distinct Tax Consulting Group and Distinct Financial Services. In 2013, I launched my accounting and tax firm, Distinct Tax Consulting Group. I help you reach your financial goals through expert tax planning and advisory. This includes navigating the many pitfalls that impact the viability of your financial future. I assist and take a broad view of your income and tax liabilities and make recommendations regarding the best path to build and preserve wealth. For consultants, staffing agencies, real estate professionals, professional entertainers and athletes, we I will show you how to reduce your risk, decrease your tax obligations and retain more of what you’ve earned.

I am most proud of never giving up in this industry and the will to keep pushing even in the face of challenges. Being a business owner is not always easy or fun, but the reward is worth the fight. I am big advocate for my skills and business working for me. This trait I like to share with business owners and make them understand that it is possible to live an amazing life as a business owner and you do not need to work yourself into the grave for no customer or client.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

After working with CPA firms after graduating with my Bachelors and Masters degree in Accountancy, I realized that I didn’t feel fulfilled. The work wasn’t as enjoyable as expected within the industry. It took up so much of my time that I was no longer doing the things I loved, like taking trips, being a guest speaker on business, tax, and accounting strategies, and building relationships with other business owners and influencers.

But I was terrified to quit without a plan! What would people think? Just thinking about quitting made me anxious and depressed. I spoke to my husband and he told me about the quest for perfectionism would always make me unhappy and to listen to my heart. So, I did just that and started my company that eventually led me to working for myself.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy to growing my clientele has been networking with the intention of building a relationship. I am an introvert who readily admits that I feel the same awkwardness, anxiety and uncertainty that many experience when it comes to meeting new people and intentional networking. All opportunities for impact in your life will spring from the strength of those relationships. However, if you’re like most well-adjusted people, the word “networking” strikes the feeling of discomfort with meet and greets, uninvited solicitations, and disingenuous interactions. I have found many ways to get over this feeling in order to succeed in building relationships. This has become the bread and butter to my business’ success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.distincttax.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DistinctTaxConsulting
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DistinctTaxConsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/22311119/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@taxadvizher

Image Credits
Vision Works Public Relations Firm – https://visionworkspr.co/