We recently connected with IVAN LEON and have shared our conversation below.

Hi IVAN, thanks for joining us today. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.

My love for accounting started in high school when I volunteered at Farmworker Ministry, helping underprivileged families with their tax returns. I remember seeing firsthand how confusing and overwhelming taxes were for them, and it really stuck with me. I realized that a lack of tax knowledge left people vulnerable, and that experience sparked my passion for financial literacy and helping my community.

After earning my accounting degree, I decided to start my own business. While I work with all kinds of clients, my real passion has always been helping those who typically go to tax preparers who file everything for them without explaining a thing. I wanted to change that. I wanted my clients to walk away understanding why their taxes are done a certain way, how it benefits them, and why they are (or aren’t) getting a refund.

Building my business wasn’t easy. For years, I juggled a 9-5 job at a CPA firm and later a Fortune 500 company while slowly growing my practice.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that, in the beginning, your business might be built on hopes, dreams, and a whole lot of prayer – but at some point, you have to shift from dreaming to doing. Success doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional – invest in networking, your branding, your communication skills, and most importantly, the experience your clients have from the moment they first connect with your business.

At first, I didn’t realize how much marketing mattered until I met my wife, a marketing guru. She started helping me build my brand, one step at a time: Setting up a Facebook page, getting professional headshots, and improving my scheduling system. After we got married, we decided to go all in. My wife left her corporate marketing job to help scale our business, and we rebranded from Leon Accounting Services to Leon Tax Solutions. We invested in a professional brand identity, started advertising, joined new platforms, and are now launching a new website.

If I could do anything differently, I would have been more organized from the start. I always knew I wanted to work for myself, but I didn’t realize how much my business would grow. Now that I have a solid client base, transitioning to a more structured process has been a challenge because many of my clients were used to a more informal approach.

My biggest piece of advice? Have faith. Sometimes we put a seatbelt on our faith because we want to cautiously grow our business, but that mindset can stunt the process. I’ve been working on this business for 10 years, but real growth happened when I finally took a leap of faith and fully committed. Of course, you have to be smart about your decisions, but faith is what keeps you pushing forward, even when you don’t see immediate results. Failures will happen, but they’re just tests of whether you truly believe in your vision. And if you do, you’ll keep going.

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.

From an early age, I knew numbers were my passion. While most kids dreamed of becoming astronauts or doctors, I dreamed of becoming an accountant. This dream led me on a path to help others in a way that’s meaningful and impactful.

In high school, I volunteered at Farmworker Ministry, preparing tax returns for underprivileged families. It opened my eyes to the challenges people face when they don’t understand the complexities of taxes. I saw how a lack of education left them vulnerable, and it ignited my passion for empowering my community through financial literacy.

That drive led me to the University of South Florida, where I earned my degree in accounting. Over the past decade, I’ve honed my skills—first at a CPA firm managing business accounts, then at a Fortune 500 company, specializing in income and sales tax.

My faith is the cornerstone of my life and business. God is the foundation for everything we do at Leon Tax Solutions, and all our success is owed to Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and His guidance informs every decision we make. I’ve been blessed to serve as treasurer on my church’s board, where I managed finances and helped position the church for financial stability. Our mission is rooted in faith, and we aim to glorify God in all we do.

Outside of work, I’m deeply involved in the community through soccer. As a coach for the Winter Haven Youth Soccer Association, I have the privilege of giving back to the same team I played for growing up. Coaching has taught me leadership, teamwork, and the importance of investing in the next generation. It’s a joy to see kids grow both on and off the field

I also share this journey with my wife, Alondra, whom I married in 2022. Our love story began when her father was audited. What started as a challenge later came with an incredible reward: meeting her. Alondra’s support, dedication, and shared vision have made us a powerhouse team in life and business. While I may be the face of Leon Tax Solutions, she is the engine that keeps everything running—from managing admin tasks and spearheading marketing efforts to ensuring I’m fueled and focused. Together, we thrive, building a business and a life that reflect our commitment to faith, service, and each other.

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

Building my reputation in this industry has been about bridging a major gap in the tax preparation market. On one side, you have tax preparers looking to make a quick buck without truly understanding tax laws, often putting clients at risk. On the other, you have highly experienced accountants who may not be accessible to everyday individuals or small businesses. I positioned myself right in the middle – an accountant who is both knowledgeable and approachable, committed to providing honest, up-to-date, and personalized service.

What’s helped me stand out is my commitment to education, honesty, and accessibility. I don’t just file taxes, I take the time to explain them. I want my clients to walk away feeling empowered, not confused. People appreciate that I don’t just “plug in numbers” and send them on their way; I make sure they understand why their taxes are done a certain way and how it impacts them. That level of trust has led to strong word-of-mouth and lasting relationships.

I also believe that branding matters. A lot of people see accountants as stiff and overly formal, but I wanted to create a brand that feels modern, approachable, and still professional. I keep things classy but relatable because I never want clients to feel intimidated or like they don’t belong. Everyone, no matter how big or small their return, deserves a knowledgeable accountant who truly cares.

At the end of the day, my reputation has grown because I focus on doing right by my clients: Educating them, treating them with respect, and making sure they feel valued. That’s what has set me apart.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I stay in touch with my clients year-round, I don’t just disappear after tax season. If they receive a letter from the IRS, they know they can drop it off, and I’ll walk them through it so they’re not left feeling confused or stressed.

I also make it a point to stay engaged with my clients’ businesses. If I see on Facebook that a client is launching a new service or changing their pricing, I’ll reach out to check in or make sure they’re aware of any tax implications. It’s important to me that they’re informed and prepared, not finding out about something a year later when it’s too late to adjust.

Beyond staying connected, I believe my honesty and integrity are what truly foster brand loyalty. From the moment a client meets me, they know I’m not going to manipulate numbers just to get them their “desired” results. I’ll always work to get them the best possible outcome, but never at the expense of putting them at risk with the IRS. My clients trust me because they know I’m reliable, upfront, and always looking out for their best interests in the long run.

At the end of the day, I want my clients to feel supported – not just during tax season, but throughout the year. That level of care, honesty, and accessibility is what keeps them coming back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leontaxsolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leontaxsolutions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeonTaxSolutions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leontaxsolutions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeonTaxSolutions
• Other: TikTok (@LeonTaxSolutions) – https://www.tiktok.com/@leontaxsolutions
  Google My Business Review Link: https://g.page/r/CVSH9ojByhz4EBM/review

Image Credits

Love and Covenant Photography (By Angel Guzman)
Canvas of Love Photography (By Jean Carlos Cuebas)