We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Myra Harris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Myra below.
Myra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
The Prestige Solution was birthed from a place of a learning experience for me, that turned into an impact for others. It’s not just “business” its purpose. Before my business, years ago I was in business with my spouse, and there were simply some things we were getting wrong. I knew we either had to get it right or get off the pot. As a mother of 4 and a long time elementary educator at the time, it was hard, but I took the time to do the work. I began researching and attending classes to understand business better. During that time people began reaching out to me for help. I knew very quickly that what I was doing was necessary. I had found a new passion in helping new and struggling small business owners to understand how business works, along with compliance and tax liability. The relief on their faces and new confidence that they had, was a light bulb for me. Regardless of where you are in life or in business, I believe we all can relate to wanting to having a fair chance at life, having the proper tools and knowledge to be able to advance in our careers or in our businesses. Unfortunately, there are so many talented and skilled individuals who are hidden and not thriving in the business world, simply because of what they don’t know. They don’t realize the resources that are right at their fingertips, the classes that can get them certified as women owned, or a minority business that can help to almost guarantee them contracts with the government, They may not realize the work that needs to be done to obtain and maintain certain grants. They don’t know about what is means to have business credibility before business credit. The idea in all things, is to be able to move forward and GROW in your business. My greatest passion in business at this moment is helping small business owners to go from feeling stuck to finding their fire again. I want to help them be confident as they move in business and having a sense of peace knowing that they have their business in order. Even my clients who are tax only individuals, its important for me that they are compliant and have the best tax results based on their specific situation. It’s all about impacting people for their better, having them to leave our office knowing that they have accomplished something more regardless if its business and/or tax related.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As mentioned prior, I had been a teacher my entire career prior to The Prestige Solution. Life many others, I had done some small things on the side of entrepreneurship such as operate an organization called Girls of Essence, and became an author, but my key career at the time was teaching. I was also a wife and a mom. Although I had always wore many hats, I never saw myself as a 100% full time entrepreneur. However, when something aligns in purpose, the unexpected will always find you. As life when on, my spouse had a thriving catering company and food truck. Soon enough it was obvious that it was no longer something that we were doing every now and then. It was consistent, but as the word says, to much is given much is required. I knew that we needed to pause to get some things together on the business side of things if we wanted to continue to grow. There were things that we thought we knew, but in research and learning the back end of business compliance, we needed to make some changes. I guess the educator side of me fell in love with learning all over again. The more I learned, other business owners began to ask for my help. It would make me so happy to be able to help others. However, when I recognized a consistency in the work I was doing for others, I knew I had found a new passion outside of the classroom, and I needed to create a business of my own. From there, I joined a group of other experienced women in the business and tax world to continue my knowledge in the business. After doing the necessary work, I launched The Prestige Solution LLC. I continued to work as a teacher my first year. However, my clientele and the demand of the tasks grew. This was all happening while I of course was still a mom, wife and had recently earned my specialist degree in education. After much prayer and consideration I knew it was time to step out full time on my own. This allowed me the space to focus more on my clients and my clients needs. It created the opportunity to grow my availability and to align with leaders in my industry. I understood that the more I grew I can help my clients to grow. You know, in almost every industry in can become over saturated, especially in today’s world online. Everyone is doing everything. However, I never focused on what everyone else was doing. I kept my eyes on the impact and the purpose behind my work. Consistency creates credibility. I do this work because it matters, it impacts, and changes lives ultimately. I am proud to see clients that I’ve worked with relieved from over paying in taxes and/or having a better understanding of their tax situation. I’m proud when I see my clients thriving in business and not allowing the back end work to still their dream or their purpose. I am here to work with my clients to see them obtain the best results. I also partner with other specialist and provide my clients resources beyond myself. My partners are credible and consistent. I’m happy to be able to provide the best for all of my clients regardless if their help is with my directly or through a referral. It’s about helping them to accomplish their goals.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy is in growing clientele had been, to be consistent in a particular niche in my industry. In the world of taxes and business, it seems general. However, there are many areas to specialize in. Although I service all individuals for personal and business tax returns, most of my clients have small businesses and are able to be serviced year round. This way my business services benefit my tax clients and my tax clients have the benefit of my business services. It works full circle. I’ve learned to BUILD GOOD RELATIONSHIPS. I purposely network with bankers, financial advisors, insurance companies, small business organizations etc to help target potential clients. This also provides me the ability to have extra credible resources for my clients when they are needing certain agendas to be completed. No one person doesn’t all. You have to step outside of your shell. You can have the best products and services but if no one knows about you, they don’t have the option to choose you. The best method is to create quality products and/or services, market what you offer, create an easy way for others to learn about what you do and steps become your customer or client. Continue to learn, and outsource certain parts of your business task when needed. When it comes to clientele, you don’t need 1,000 clients, you need the RIGHT clients. Lastly, but certainly, under promise and over deliver. Your clients will love that you did more than you promised and they will tell others. Referrals are the best.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
When it comes to clients, it’s not all about who you meet, it’s more of who you keep. I always have a system that will allow clients to connect with me in a way that provides me their contact info. A good CRM helps to keep client data for follow up. Throughout the year I like to send emails or text about special events, promotions, or general services. I also believe social media consistency helps. It’s also good to find sources where your target market of clients are easily found, and place yourself or your material there to be accessible. Have easy ways for clients to not just contact you, but provide reviews and tell others about you. I often run special promos, as well as offer current clients additional discounts or referral fees if they continue additional services or refer a friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theprestigesolution.com
- Instagram: theprestigesolution
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theprestigesolution
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-prestige-solution-baton-rouge