We recently connected with Marquita Miller Joshua and have shared our conversation below.

Marquita , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

Losing a spouse while managing a business can be an overwhelming journey. Navigating the complexities of grief and maintaining business goals often prove to be an intricate balancing act. In my case, my late husband passed away in May 2017 after a 23-year marriage. His integral role in the business was undeniable, serving as the foundation upon which our business idea was built.

The abruptness of his passing left me grappling with the question of whether it’s easier to cope when you have time to prepare or when it happens suddenly. The sudden loss could have been the end for the business, as it felt like my entire world had shattered into pieces. Despite the challenge of tending to our children’s needs and managing my own grief, the daunting task of ensuring the continuity of our business lay ahead. I had employees counting on me to survive in addition to children. My WHY for survival became much larger.

In the midst of this turmoil, one decision I got right was seeking help. In addition to trusting God to help the need for me to learn to trust some close friends team and the friends who surrounded me, allowing them to help steer the ship while I learned to navigate this new normal. This process included maintaining the confidentiality standards of our firm, an aspect I was unwavering in upholding.

Marquita , 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?

In the year 2000, I embarked on the journey of establishing Five Star Tax & Business Solutions. Our firm stands as a comprehensive accounting entity, dedicated to aiding individuals in launching, expanding, and connecting within their ventures. Our distinct tagline emerged organically from the voices of our clientele who would often express, “We are more than your Accountant.” This sentiment indeed rings true. While handling Accounting and tax matters formed the foundation, we went far beyond that scope, consistently resolving challenges that extended further.

Our services catered to a range of small and medium-sized business owners, a significant number of whom, much like us, were pioneering their own endeavors as first-generation business owners. In my case, not only am I an Accountant, but you might also catch me on Fox 4 in KC, KCTV5, or the Hello Iowa Morning show. Beyond my role in accounting, I hold the distinction of being a Certified Speaking Professional, a platform where I address the problem of overcoming unproductive excuses and steering towards results.

As the leader of Five Star Tax & Business Solutions, I’ve aimed to live up to our tagline and support our clients beyond the numbers, contributing to their holistic growth and success.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

A common question that often comes my way from aspiring business owners is: “How do I secure funding?” Many times, there’s an anticipation of a solution that opens the door to grants, providing support for their for-profit business aspirations. When I started my firm, I didn’t stumble upon such a key myself. Rather, I found that the real key lay in something seemingly smaller—beginning from a super humble starting point.

For me, it meant taking on part-time employment to alleviate initial business expenses while simultaneously selling my services to potential business owners. The core of this approach was instilling belief in these entrepreneurs to either start or scale their ventures. The moment when the first customer paid for my services is forever etched in my heart,
While the allure of a grant key may linger, the true results often resides in these smaller, tangible actions that we take to fuel our dreams.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A valuable lesson that I had to rapidly unlearn was the notion that if it were offered for free, people would automatically be drawn to it. In the realm of accounting, many professionals tend to provide free consultation services, seemingly following an industry norm. However, I swiftly had to alter this perspective; otherwise, my business might not have survived past its first year.

The catalyst for this shift was my late husband. I distinctly remember facing the reality of needing to pay the childcare bill while also acknowledging the challenges of maintaining my own availability due to an influx of “free” consultations. In a moment of clarity, I recognized that being both busy and broke was an unsustainable path. These contrasting terms simply didn’t align.

This realization prompted me to transition towards a consultant fee model. Not only did this adjustment signal that a serious professional occupied the seat, but it also helped establish a sense of commitment among clients who were financially invested. Consequently, zero-revenue weeks became a thing of the past, as clients’ valued contributions transformed the landscape of my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FSTKC.com
• Instagram: @MarquitaMJioshua
• Facebook: @MarquitaMJioshua
• Linkedin: @MarquitaMJioshua
• Twitter: @MarquitaMJioshua
• Yelp: Five Star Tax & Business Solutions