When children get cranky, they might need a nap. When adults get cranky, it could be tax season. Wendy Thompson knows how to handle both.
Wendy Thompson watched between 18 and 20 boys who lived in her neighborhood from the time they were seven or so, until they entered junior high school. At the same time, she was cultivating a tax business of her own.
Those kids are now in their late 20s and 30s. Some now have children of their own and Thompson has Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions, which she opened two years ago.
“I feel so blessed and fortunate. I feel like I won the lottery,” she said.
Thompson has a history of success where her businesses are concerned.
Before settling on daycare, she found herself balancing several jobs while trying to be a wife and mother and decided something had to give.
“My mom did daycare when I was growing up and it would give me the opportunity to be home with my kids and provide income to my household,” she said. “I can’t even remember, but I must have run an ad and before you know it I had all the neighborhood kids, all boys and all the same age as my boys.”
She hired a couple of helpers to assist her with the boys, especially during the summer.
“I wanted the parents to go to work and know their kids were being taken care of,” she said. “They [the kids] don’t want to be cooped up in the babysitter’s house. They wanted to go outside. I had schedules of all the different events and things that were going on in the park. We would go to the movies. We hung out at Cardinals training camp all the time. So, the kids were having fun and I was having fun. They are memories now.”
But, she was having tax problems.
“I didn’t understand why I was having tax issues,” she said.
Winning a contest on the radio changed her life.
“I got a free course with H&R Block,” she said.
She took the course and finally understood her own problems. Soon, during tax season, she was working for H&R Block, doing taxes and helping others understand their own tax problems.
During tax season, she would hire help at daycare to help bridge the gap.
“She was wonderful, very caring and energetic,” said Tina Jacobs. “She was taking kids to places and my kids enjoyed going to her house.”
Jacobs has three boys now in their 30s.
“I just knew they were well taken care of. She always had activities for them to do. She was attentive to them. She is a special lady,” she said.
One of the daycare kids, Kurt Simpson, now married and living in Utah, said Thompson was always there for him from “day one.”
Even outside of daycare, she went to all his sporting events and eventually he just became part of the family.
“Her oldest son – he and I are best friends. I was best man at his wedding. I come down once a year to visit with her and the family,” he said.
When her daycare boys turned 13 and went into junior high, she felt it time to let them go.
“They were old enough to take care of themselves now and I didn’t want to take in a new group of kids.”
Besides, her tax business was taking up more of her time and she wanted to pursue that.
“I was no longer a January through April tax preparer, I was moving up in the company. I worked for H&R Block for 20 years. You know, I had a goal of having my H&R Block franchise.”
She wanted to do things a little differently, however.
Before her education in taxes, she said she would drop her information off at the CPA and accountant would call her to tell her how much to pay.
“I like to be in control of what I am doing. I can set my own goals,” she said.
That was two years ago, and her business is doing very well.
“Things are going awesome. The same clients I had with H & R Block, about 90 percent, have found me. My office is beautiful. I am grandma to two grandkids and keep active with them as much as possible.” FBN
By Patty McCormac, FBN
To learn more about Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions, call 928-440-5022.
Who inspires you?
“My business partner inspires me. She’s a Wendy too.”
What is the most important character trait you look for in business associates?
“Honesty.”
What book would you recommend to everyone?
“I am always reading IRS books.”
What is your favorite restaurant?
“The Oakmont.”
What is on your bucket list?
“Hitting every NFL stadium in the United States.”
