Samona Pheils

I attribute my success to my clients and the relationships I have with them. I literally have a friend hat and a professional hat, so I tell them when I'm putting my friend hat on or my business hat on. I want to say 90% of my clients are family to me - they would do anything for me. One client sends me on a trip every year, and we're actually going to England, France, and Spain this September and October. Another client gave me a $$$ tip. My clients love me and they won't go away. I treat my clients like family because I don't have family around me, so all my clients are family. I tell them I will never yell, scream, cuss, or be disrespectful to them, and I expect the same. If they have a problem with me, they have to tell me, because you can't change what you don't acknowledge. They all do it - they tell me when something's wrong, or I can feel the tension, and I de-escalate it pretty quickly just because I listen. That's mainly what they want - they don't want a solution, they want to vent. So I just listen and then give my suggestions to help de-escalate situations. Money is secondary - the relationship I have with my clients is more important.

The most valuable career advice I have ever received is as follows: When engaging in conversation with an individual who poses a question, it is prudent not to provide an immediate answer. Instead, respond by stating, "I can assist you with that." This approach ensures that I preserve the potential for financial gain. Previously, I would readily divulge answers to inquiries; however, I now communicate my willingness to assist. This strategy often facilitates a more meaningful dialogue regarding how I may provide my services, while the individual does not receive a direct answer until an engagement letter is signed.

Furthermore, the second most significant piece of advice I have received is that it requires one year of networking for individuals to form a judgment about you. During this period, it is advisable to refrain from discussing business matters; instead, focus on presenting yourself as the brand. By sharing aspects of your personal and professional life, you will attract business owners to you..

I'm not in politics, but I am about women's rights and women's power. That's why with Scott and I, I'm the majority owner. I find it sad that in the 50s, we were awarded some rights but didn't get them all, and here we are almost 100 years later, still fighting for our rights. So I tell women: if you're in the corporate world, you have to prove yourself. If you own your own business, you're the brand. Make sure that you know who you are and what clientele you want, and then go brand yourself. And then it takes a full year, once you start your business, for people to like you, love you, or hate you. So don't push trying to get that client right away. Make sure everybody knows you. Once they know you, then that's when the referrals come and the money comes.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is finding the right client. Finding the right client is more important to me than the money, so I'm being very picky. The reason I am is because I don't want to onboard somebody who cannot afford my services after 3 months and quit, because that's not going to help anybody. If I'm sitting with you every month and showing you where your cash is, how you're spending it, and what we need to do to change it, and then you quit after 3 months, it takes 90 to 120 days to see any kind of difference. So I'm very picky because I need to match my personality. I'm not your typical bean counter - I do things very differently. Like when I do taxes, I don't just take your information and do them. I take it, I call, and I walk them through the process as I'm doing their taxes so they understand, and not just go sign a piece of paper.

The values most important to me are treating my clients like family and service above self. I'm an avid bowler and I do nationals in Vegas, so my clients all know my schedule and when to bug me and when not. To me, my clients are family. I don't have family around me, so all my clients are family. I tell them I will never yell, scream, cuss, or be disrespectful to them, and I expect the same. If they have a problem with me, they have to tell me because you can't change what you don't acknowledge. I believe service above self is more important than trying to just make money. I tell my clients that money is secondary - the relationship I have with them is more important. I work with strategic partners so that when an issue comes up that I'm not qualified for or don't have a good understanding of, my clients are in the best hands possible.