We were lucky to catch up with Farrell Parker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Farrell , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I was so angry at my parents when I got my first 9-5 job — working as a finance intern at a large hotel chain. Why? Because my parents never modeled the 9-5 life! They both had “regular” jobs in my early childhood, however my mom stopped working at an office after my younger sister was born. My father was hit by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel when I was 4 years old. He sustained a traumatic brain injury which left him unable to work his previous 9-5 in insurance copywriting. This was devastating to the family in many ways, HOWEVER, he has since been able to work as a professor in his original creative fields (he has an MFA in Creative Writing). Post accident, he has achieved a doctoral degree and teaches composition, humanities, and creative thinking at a college level. My mother was always very busy as a parent, editor, writer, and ministry leader, but never tied to an office. I was so angry at them because, to be honest, I thought the job sucked! I thought the commuter traffic sucked, the windowless office, the corporate vibes, the lack of freedom. And I felt disillusioned about “the real world.” Luckily, my parents really did teach me creative thinking and problem solving and modeled a non traditional lifestyle. I pretty quickly realized I was not trapped by conventional work life, and I could make my own way as a creative entrepreneur. Once I graduated college, I never worked in an office.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an actor/singer/comedian who started a tax preparation business for other artists: Artist Tax Prep. Most people don’t *like* filing their taxes, but artists especially hate it. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and the IRS has a scary reputation. Theres also a bit of a vibe from traditional accountants that artists are not serious about their work, or aren’t able to file taxes as a business. I got into taxes by preparing my own, so I know what artists and freelancers need in a tax preparer: someone they can trust with the numbers who also understands their way of life. Tax Law isn’t written for artists; but Artist Tax Prep is built for them. Our mission at Artist Tax Prep is to eliminate the panic and shame that many artists, creatives, and freelancers experience as part of the tax filing process. I’m very proud of the growth the business has experienced. This year, I’ve brought on two new tax preparers who are also artists! Not only do I think our clients feel more understood when their preparer is also a working creative, it’s also important to me to help provide secondary sources of income for the artists who work as preparers with Artist Tax Prep. I’m also incredibly proud to provide service for and be a known safe space for queer folks and sex workers.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Word-of-mouth has been the biggest source of growth for Artist Tax Prep. Most tax preparation companies don’t have a “face.” I built my brand using myself as the face of the company, but also by using a brand name that’s super, super clear!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I started Artist Tax Prep, I was managing 7 different part-time or freelance gigs. It was out of hand. AND it wasn’t serving my needs as an artist. I had to be so many different places during the week. And too many other people were controlling my time in a way that didn’t allow me the space to do the work I needed to achieve my creative goals. Starting a remote business – we have no brick-and-mortar – has given me the flexibility I need to focus on my goals as a performing artist, make my own schedule, and not be in a panic state about getting work as an artist. It’s also increased my personal brand recognition amongst the artist community which is never a bad thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.farrellparker.com / www.artisttaxprep.com
• Instagram: @localasfarrell / @artisttaxprep
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artisttaxprep
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrell-parker-7a0aa3119/