Do you have to be a geek to get on in tax? The CEO of Savvy & Suite Ltd doesn’t think so. Get the lowdown on what she thinks you need to succeed.
By the age of 18, it was clear that Yvette had a natural gift for understanding the tax code and how to optimize it, along with a passion for educating individuals and business owners on how to save their money.
She uses a combination of the science that comes with her Master’s in Accounting and the art learned from preparing over fifteen thousand tax returns. Most of Yvette’s skillset was learned on the job through real-life experience working with her father in his private practice where she first started assisting with individual tax preparation at the ripe old age of 12.
Over her two decades of experience dealing with clients in all industries and income levels, filing countless amendments and saving clients upwards of six figures in tax payments her clients have evolved as business owners and have become active participants in controlling and understanding their finances.
To offset her rigorous work schedule during the tax season months, she spends a good amount of time the rest of the year traveling with her family exploring the lesser-known parts of the world. There’s no better feeling than saving money and spending it on experiences that create lifetime memories.
Where do you see Savvy & Suite in 10 years?
Savvy and Suite is going to be a trailblazer in the finance field. In 10 years the Savvy Blog will be a go-to destination for entrepreneurs who care about their finances but also about their quality of life. We will work closely with the hospitality industry to deliver the most unique travel experiences worthy of someone who works tirelessly on their dream life. At the same time, our Accounting & Taxation department will be servicing small businesses around the country. Our goal is to customize as many tax deduction strategies as possible and help as many people as we can to save their hard-earned money.
What makes your business unique?
Savvy & Suite is a high performing bespoke tax preparation service. No two clients are exactly the same and so we cater to the unique needs of each of our clients. We care deeply about building trusting and long term relationships. But really we’re so much more than that. We aim to inspire our clients to travel and experience life with their loved ones. We value quality of life and help our clients shift focus. Money is not the end goal, quality of life is the end goal. We also value individuality. I don’t believe in that antiquated accounting office with a million certificates on the wall. We’re more of an Accounting Firm meets Google meets Travel & Leisure.
If you could go back in time and share advice with your younger self what would it be?
I would tell myself to stop caring what others think and go for your dreams now. I often wonder how far I would have come already if I didn’t let fear get in the way. I wish I had the confidence to be myself back then and be happier sooner.
Can you describe your customers?
My clients are intelligent and driven individuals from all walks of life. I learn so much from them on a personal level because I like to treat them more like friends. I love to work with them, especially the women, because it’s so inspiring to see mothers with multiple kids raking in 6 figures on their own. It’s so motivational.
Why do your customers select you over competitors?
Simple, because they know I care so much about their end result. They know I give them all of the attention they need and I educate them on how to properly run their business. I keep them involved and that elevates them as business owners. I also really like to get to know them and I open myself up for them to get to know me. I believe that level of transparency really fosters a good relationship.
How do you stay motivated?
It’s easy to stay motivated when you see your dream life as the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m working to be able to live the life I want and honestly, the life I want doesn’t traditionally exist in the accounting world. So I have to make this life for myself. It’s absolutely tiring but I can’t imagine the disappointment I’d feel if I just settled every day for a life I don’t want.
What traits do you look for when building a team?
The key factor is resourcefulness. I don’t expect anyone to know everything about anything. But when I see someone finds a way to resolve a problem, it shows me so much more than just resourcefulness. I see dedication, drive, and intellect. That’s a powerful combo.
How do you improve your financial knowledge?
Personal growth. You have to invest in yourself and that’s not just for financial knowledge, it’s for everything. You have to keep learning so I listen to podcasts, read books, follow the news, and watch other professionals speak in their area of expertise.
How do you think modern women can be more fulfilled in their lives?
I think the feeling of fulfillment comes from self-awareness. When you truly know who you are and what you want, you can live the life you want and that will innately make you feel fulfilled. I think it’s very difficult for women to do that because society is always telling us how to be and I recognize that it is difficult to get “them” out of your head. It took me a long time to stop caring what box society wanted to put me in but as soon as I did, my life began to change for the better.
What does designing your own life mean to you?
It means my dream life. I want so much out of life. I just want to be myself every day, provide the best service for my clients, and spend time with my family. I’ve been an accountant for 15 years already and it seems like it’s not quite keeping up with the times. If I want to live the life I want, I have to make it for myself and that’s what I’m working towards.
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