Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiffany Jones – McGinnis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tiffany, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My mother raised me, she didn’t simply watch me grow up or just be present in my life. My mother guided me. My mother was the best mom I could ever ask for. Growing up she was very strict. My mother would not allow me to do the things my friends did. I did not have the freedom to party as a teenager, have boyfriends or sleepovers. From her strictness I stayed focus in my studies, I took all of the decisions I made seriously. I learned to love school as it gave me freedom. From this I became responsible for my actions and more focused on my education. I found joy in going to school and learning since in my youth my mother didn’t allow me to do much else. Anytime I wanted to start a new career or change employers, I would always get my mothers advice. She would guide me on what decisions I should make. My mom would always tell me to go with the job I am happy with and not the most money. She would say “its not how much you make, its how much you spend”.
Tiffany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am most proud of being a mother, I adore my daughter who is 11 years old now. I do my best to teach her and guide her financially. I want to give her the things that I did not have as a child. In 2014, my daughter was just 6 months old, I was working as an accountant for a government agency. On Feb 21, 2014 I received a call that would ultimately change my life forever. My sister Rebecca ‘Becki’ Jones had passed away. She was 31 years old and left behind a son who was 8 at the time. Until that day I had never lost anyone that close to me. I was beyond devastated. That same month I learned my mother had terminal cancer and was given less than a few months to live and my, now ex husband, was having a child with another women. I was depressed, sad, lost and lonely; my daughter was the only thing that gave me purpose. I believe God blessed me with her so that I can continue on my life journey.
At the time of my sisters death she ran a tax business. I immediately took on the role of completing outstanding returns on her behalf. My Accounting degree provided me the education and skills to successfully complete the returns. After that tax season, I opened HAPPI Taxes. The business has grown since then, I added new services and I opened a brick and mortar location in Redlands, Ca. I offer personal and business tax returns including sole proprietors, S corporations, C corporations, LLC’s, non profits and partnerships. HAPPI Taxes offers tax courses for people who are interested in becoming tax prepares, upon graduation they are offered free tax software to help start their new business. I also help clients open new businesses by providing federal and state registration. HAPPI taxes, with an “I” is in honor of my sister as she liked to be called Becki with an “I”.
HAPPI taxes is family run business. We lead with honest and integrity and not greed. I have not raised my prices since 2014. My goal is to not strike it rich but to offer honest tax preparation services in return for clients ongoing loyalty. I hope that my daughter will take over this business someday so I put honesty and clarity in everything.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I wouldn’t call it a strategy, it is my way of life. The HAPPI team is Honest, Accurate, Patient, Professional and a Integral part of the financial success of our clients. We providing free consultations in person and on social media, not allowing revenue to be the main factor. When people are treated well they others and word of mouth is the best way to grow a business. The key ingredient in making our clients HAPPI is to offer reasonably priced and honest tax preparation services. We don’t mislead clients or brag to offer the “largest refund”. Personally, I want to see my clients make the best choices, hence I have to give them clear and understandable financial guidance. I took over the tax business in 2014 and prices are the same, no price increase in 10 years. While other companies choose to charge thousands of dollars to complete simple tax returns, HAPPI taxes does not. Our fees are reasonable: $250 per tax return, for students and seniors the price ranges from $75-$150.00. The goal is to help others. With these strategies clients are HAPPI and they refer us to friends and family.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
HAPPI Taxes is open all year long, so clients are welcome to call with questions regarding W-4 changes, purchasing a home, starting a new business, getting married, etc. Being available to clients allows them to make confident financial decisions. Annually we purchase new promotional items that we offer free to our clients upon each visit. We offer free vacation packages, various price giveaways and black Friday deals through social media. HAPPI Taxes offers tax preparation courses throughout the year. Each quarter HAPPI Taxes goes host a homeless drive in our community. We have also hosted a toy drive at a local elementary school in Redlands, HAPPI taxes donating and passed out 62 toys to children. All of these things are posted to our website and on various social media pages. clients are encouraged to participate. We send holiday cards to our clients as a way to say Thank you for their support. HAPPI Taxes host various opportunities during the year for our clients to visit us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://happitaxes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happitaxes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Happitaxprep/