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

Stacy, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Juneteenthsc was envisioned in November 2016, established on 06/17/2017, and registered on 06/11/2020. Juneteenthsc inspires the basics of financial consciousness to realize wealth; through the implementation of mental health, physical health, spiritual health, a support system, and consistency.

As Juneteenthsc is growing and evolving, the name itself is a constant reminder of the struggles and the challenges we faced when establishing this business; and it is a revelation that we have life; and that this life remains: Even in the darkest of places.

While growing up in a middle-class Black/African American (negro) single-parent family, we were always without. Sometimes, without money, food, electricity, a phone, toiletries, and a father. Although my mother and dad were both active duty military, we lacked the proper knowledge and resources.

The beliefs about finances shared between my parents and elders kept us under financial strains and bondage. We were not yet free from the bonds of slavery; it was evident in how we lived.

I believe these beliefs derived from a society that reinforced in its structure and administration to Blacks/African Americans (negro) that the purpose of our existence was to serve their desires. Because of this, there was a deep belief that no preparation was necessary for the upcoming generation.

The systematic racism that is comprised partly of educational barriers, opportunity barriers, home ownership barriers, income barriers, marriage barriers, institutional barriers, trade barriers, propaganda, and medical barriers; that subjugate Blacks/African Americans (negro) caused my very own family and community to perpetrate that very racism against one another.

I could not discern which was worse: the racism from those who were in the position of power to subjugate or the racism from those who looked like me and who should have been a place of refuge for me.

It was not good, and it was depressing. I did not see a way out of that world.

This burden was too heavy for me to carry. I may not be able to change it; however, I can freely give that which has helped me to sustain, to survive, and to thrive, and live.

I decided to share with anyone who asked the knowledge I gained through my experiences as a tax law specialist, revenue officer, and veteran. I not only share knowledge, but I also share the methods that have proven successful in my own life.

Lack of proper identification is a foundational element enabling us to remain in financial bondage.

Many of my family members were missing documents such as; a birth certificate, social security card, passport, and state-issued identification card. These missing items made it challenging to establish bank accounts, and travel outside the United States. I later found that this lack of proper identification was prevalent in many underserved areas. Not having these items places an invisible wall around a person and their family and prohibits them from moving forward.

Lack of proper identification also interferes with establishing trade.

The commemoration of Juneteenth as an American holiday is in itself proper identification. It allows us to be recognized globally as a member of one of the most powerful nations in the world.

Juneteenthsc reminds the community of the importance of proper identification and how to obtain it. We also affirm the need for a sufficient amount of life insurance and to begin establishing a policy for children at 11 days old (14 years of age for an independent policy).

If barriers prevent a business owner from complying with the Internal Revenue Code, we at Juneteenthsc provide business owners with the guidance to help resolve the delinquency.

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 Army brat, a Navy veteran, and an Air Force mom. I was born in Hawai’i, raised in Vicenza, Italy, and grew up in Hanau, Germany.
My story begins in Vicenza, Italy, where I learned the importance of community.

I held several positions within the Internal Revenue Service from 2004 to 2017. I worked as a tax law representative, an accounts management specialist, a taxpayer advisory specialist, and a revenue officer.
As a revenue officer, I saw firsthand how a lack of proper information contributed to financial delinquency. I began to correct the deficiencies within my own household and reach out to assist those in the community who were in need of the same. This correction is still ongoing.

I feel like a walking history book at times. I have had the honor of being present and a part of some of the most memorable historical moments of my lifetime. I am still remembering parts of myself that I have forgotten over the years and discovering the part of myself that is born in brief moments of enlightenment.

We at Juneteenthsc believe family business is the cornerstone of trade. Family business creates an environment that establishes a foundation of accountability, responsibility, problem-solving, ethics, and commerce.

What works well for our family business is that each member has an opportunity to use their own individual gifts, talents, and several abilities to facilitate growth. Each member is motivated to contribute to the family business because they feel their contribution is worthy, needed, and necessary for day-to-day operations.

What are the pitfalls of a family business?

Some of the challenges which may arise from family business are aligning one’s values in the home with that of their business.

Far too often, I have witnessed some family businesses operate their trade in opposition to how they manage their household. If honesty and integrity are a structural foundation in the home, then honesty and integrity should also be the structural foundation in their own business.

Delinquent income taxes and federal tax deposits are an issue in family businesses. Co-mingling funds and insufficient expense documentation is a leading cause of incorrectly filed income tax returns.

Another pitfall is the lack of proper identification.

Everyone who is a part of the family business should have in their possession, and readily available, a valid and current state identification card, a social security card, a birth certificate, and a passport. The names must be in the same manner and order on all forms of identification. Each member should have a bank account and whole/permanent and term life insurance.

Would we want our children to join the business? Yes

We at Juneteenthsc believe that children have a unique ability to see the world through an unfiltered lens. How to operate a business today is limitless.

Traditional face-to-face, brick-and-mortar is only one way to reach customers and participate in today’s market.

The children have garnered new and innovative ways to market to their social groups and are influencing how businesses measure success.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The Holy Bible KJV, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav, The Path Made Clear and What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith, The Power of Vulnerability by Brene’ Brown, and A Handbook To Financial Freedom During Times of Uncertainty by Juneteenthsc.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.juneteenthsc.biz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juneteenthsc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/juneteenthsc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/juneteenthsc-greenville-2

Image Credits
Juneteenthsc LLC Internal Revenue Service