Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Feliciano.
Hi Linda, It’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, could you share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Chicago in 1969, the most exciting time in the world. The man was exploring outer space and walking on the moon. When I think about everything happening then, my entrance into the world was just a speck of dust. My parents were from Puerto Rico and met in Chicago while working at a box manufacturer. They did not speak much English or have an education, but they were determined to make it so they could help their parents and siblings, a total of 10 siblings on each side. Both of my grandmothers were widowed at the time, and they felt responsible for helping out.
My father finally won my mother’s heart, married her, and she gave birth to me, the first of four children. Fast forward 12 years, and my father decided to start a flooring business based solely on his experience. So he gathered as much money as possible from savings and friends who supported the dream and opened the business. He struggled with English and didn’t know how to read, but he was easygoing.
Then, one day, he came home in a panic with what looked like a ticket stub from the Department of Revenue with red letters asking me to read it and tell him what this $1200.00 was on the paper. He didn’t realize that he would have to pay taxes once he opened a business. I decided to learn more about taxes and to account to help him. We didn’t have that money, and he had yet to make many sales. I helped him waive the penalties and interest and file the necessary forms so that he could be in compliance moving forward and pay the appropriate taxes based on the actual sales. Looking back, I didn’t realize that my desire to help my dad would turn into my passion for helping other small businesses or that I would enjoy educating them on the proper protocols and operating procedures to ensure their success.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The last 13 years have been rocky at best. I started my business after the 2008 recession, which lasted for a few years. Although I had always assisted friends and family with tax problems, most of my 9-to-5 jobs were in accounting. It wasn’t until the economy took a deep dive and I found myself unemployed and supporting my family as a single parent and a member of the “sandwich generation” that I began looking for additional income sources. I learned from my parents that when times were rough, you smiled, thanked God, and continued to hustle until you made things happen. Never give up, and never let them see you cry. So, after consulting with a few mentors and while still working on my degree, I started working on a business plan for a business I would own “one day.” While developing this business plan, I put boots to the ground and started researching the cost of office space and all that would be involved in opening a business. During this research, I met a gentleman who could see my desire to succeed and help others, and he gave me the keys to my first office without one red cent exchanging hands. He said, “Linda, I believe in you and know you can do this. Here are the keys to the office. I know you like it; I will come back in 3 months, and at that time, not only will you have the place furnished and designed to your liking, but you will also have the funds to cover the deposit and first and last month of lease payments.” I was beside myself, unsure of what I would do next and wondering how I would do it as now, there was one more person I could not let down. It was only God who used that man to allow me to start. Guess what? This man was right. In 90 days, I had people donate furniture, paint, and design the office space for zero dollars, and I am still figuring out how I had the money to secure the office space and begin working on my business. When you start like this, you cannot help yourself but never give up. The last few years with COVID-19 have changed how we do business, but they have also reinforced those things taught by my parents: quitting is not an option, and you must get up and try again because you only fail at the opportunities you do not take.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Asher Business Group is a small business management consulting firm that offers accounting, payroll, and tax consultancy services. We specialize in helping small business owners and individuals maximize their profits while saving money on taxes. We have served non-profits, construction, retail, and service-based industries for over a decade. Our firm prides itself on implementing tax and wealth strategies that exceed our clients’ expectations. As a minority-owned business, we have overcome obstacles that enabled our financial success. Now, we partner with you to empower you with the necessary resources to aid you in achieving your KPIs. Our unique aptitude in GL optimization, benefits enhancement, and real-time implementation of tax strategies allows us to administer the necessary techniques that improve your bottom line, protect your assets, reduce your liabilities, and secure your legacy.
If you are looking for a blend of personal service and expertise, you have come to the right place! Linda is known for her no-nonsense approach to making the complicated seem simple regarding tax problems. She loves to teach you to maximize your deductions and save more money to live a more profitable life while securing your legacy. Our services are offered to the Spanish community, supporting the underserved communities in their language. As an Enrolled Agent, I specialize in resolving problems with the IRS. This allows us to help you calm any fears over letters received from the IRS, obtain favorable results, and achieve 100% compliance on behalf of our customers. We offer various services for business owners, executives, and independent professionals. We also have a 99% successful resolution record and serve clients in over 15 states nationwide.
Business-related services we offer include:
-Erisa Compliance
-CFO Services
-Human Resource
-Employee Benefits
-Identification of KPIs
-Implementation of SOPs
-Accounting
-Payroll
-Tax Preparation
If you are unsure if we offer a service, please do not hesitate to ask. We have a plethora of resources, and if what you need is not in our wheelhouse, we can point you in the right direction. Our rates are affordable. We are experienced and friendly. Please call us for a free initial consultation.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Integrity is the most important quality for success. There’s nothing worse than getting into a relationship, whether business or personal, to discover that you are being misled or misguided solely so that the other party can benefit.
Contact Info:
- Website: asherbusinessgroup.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsherBiz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asherbiz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AsherBG
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/asher-business-group-jacksonville
