Week #9 Progress
This week honestly made me stop and think a lot more than I expected. Iāve started receiving inquiries and now have a few clients booked for the coming weeks, which is exciting but also made everything feel very real very quickly. At the same time, the assignment for this week challenged me in a way I didnāt see coming.
I struggled with the customer showcase more than I thought I would. It made me face the fact that tax services arenāt exciting or interesting to most people. Thereās nothing flashy about what Iām offering, and for a moment, that really threw me off. I found myself questioning how to present the business without making it sound forced or like I was trying to sell something it isnāt. It even made me pause and ask myself if this is something that can actually work long term.
After sitting with that for a bit, my thinking started to shift. I realized that even though taxes arenāt interesting, theyāre something everyone has to deal with. Thatās where the value is. Balanced Returns doesnāt need to be exciting - it needs to be reliable, approachable, and supportive during a process that a lot of people find stressful or confusing.
Something else changed for me once I started actually talking to potential clients. I had been worried that I wouldnāt know how to answer questions properly or that Iād freeze up when people asked something unexpected. But once the conversations started and I began booking appointments for next week, I realized how much of what Iāve learned over the past three years is just there when I need it. My tax courses, accounting classes, and practical assignments are all coming into play naturally.
That really boosted my confidence. I feel much more comfortable now explaining things, answering questions, and walking people through what to expect. Itās reassuring to see that the knowledge Iāve been working toward isnāt just academic - it actually applies in real situations.
From a business point of view, this week taught me that not every business needs to be exciting to be successful. Sometimes people are just looking for something dependable that does what itās supposed to do well. Being honest about what I am offering and focusing on how it helps people feels like the right approach moving forward.
One thing Iāve also become more aware of this week is the responsibility that comes with offering tax services. Even at a small scale, Iām handling personal and sensitive information, and thatās not something I take lightly. Itās made me think more carefully about accuracy, confidentiality, and doing things properly from the start. Knowing that people are trusting me with their information has reinforced how important it is to act ethically and professionally, even when the business is still small.
Looking ahead, Iām actually really looking forward to the next few weeks. Now that appointments are booked and conversations are happening, Iām excited to see how everything plays out in real time. I know there will still be things to adjust and learn along the way, but that feels like part of the process rather than something to be worried about. At this point, I feel ready to keep moving forward and see where this leads.