We had the good fortune of connecting with Annette Campbell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annette, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Life is about risks. I think risks played a significant role in my success because ​if I didn’t take the risk and walk my 2020 faith walk, I wouldn’t even be in this article right now. Let me take you on a journey.

Three years ago, I lost everything. I ​had worked in ​the banking ​industry for five years​ when I lost my job, and the diminish​ing effect​s happened. I was unable to buy out my auto lease, leading me to ​having to walk and riding the bus again. The lease to my apartment was up, so instead of trying to find a job with little time, I made ​the tough decision to move back in with my family. I was devastated because I ​had worked so hard to achieve so much in life, and I felt like everything I worked for was stripped away from me.

M​y mom and I didn’t have the most wonderful relationship. I was the first one out of my brothers and ​I to move out, so the feeling of having to go back home was nauseating lol. I asked her and a few other close family members, ​but they ​all told me no so I ended up living with my grandma. I was able to start rebuilding my foundation b​y getting a new car and job but during that time, I also ended up going through a mini depression. I always reminded myself ​that I had to keep going. Unfortunately, moving in with my grandma didn’t end well. She was still suffering from addiction, which I wasn’t aware of. I grew up in foster care ​because it was my grandma ​who introduced my mom to drugs. My mom had also grown up in foster care, so that was a generational curse I ​just had to break.

After my grandma kicked me out, I moved in with mom, who at one point made me sleep on the floor. I manifested that I ​would have my own tax business ​and that I would continue to fight to create a better life for myself. ​After that, I was able to get a new car, apartment and ​a job working for the Department of Education. Life was going well. ​All the obstacles ​I endured, lead me to my passion for helping people financially ​because I kn​ew what it was like ​to not have good financial habits.

After three years at H&R Block, ​I took that leap of faith ​and was even able to start my tax business! Scared and all, I did it. I launched ​my business at the end of 2019. It was challenging running a business, working full time and working for Coast Professional Inc-Department of Education where you couldn’t even have your cell phone in the building. ​There were times I was at risk of losing my job because I was going over ​my break times trying to respond to as many client emails​ as I could in that time. I told myself that 2020 would be my last year working, not knowing that COVID was going to ​happen and ended up getting laid off.

For a second, I had a fear of losing everything again ​but this time around I was prepared. I had savings and a thriving extra source of income. I immediately started pouring so much more into my business. I studied and invested more into my business, telling myself “Annette, you are not going back to a job. You will expand your tax business.”. I invested in a business developer to help me put the pieces to the puzzle together. In December of 2020, I was tested to the point​ that I almost ​didn’t open up the doors to my business. ​There were contracts that I needed to pay me out that didn’t happen. I cried for a whole week trying to figure things out, but God got me through. ​With only 11 days ​away from my grand opening, things got worse, but I stayed faithful.

Jan 2nd, ​2021, I opened the doors to my tax business. I was on the news twice and ​also did a radio interview. My tax business is exploding with clients this year. I said last year ​that 2021 ​would be the year my life changes. I took the risk to bet on me because I knew my ​purpose ​was to help individuals and businesses create wealth and lead them to create a legacy. If this foster kid can do it so can you. COVID wasn’t going to stop me. I am now in control of my life​ and I want to help thousands gain control over ​their life as well.

y life. I want to help thousands gain control over there life as well.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Tax Experience is a business built on passion, integrity, and the mission to help thousands of people financially. I know that God put me on this earth to fulfill my purpose of helping millions financially. I know what sets me apart from other tax and financial firms is my passion to build and help business owners build wealth. I will develop business owners to become 6 and 7 figure business owners and to understand the steps ​to take to build strong profitable and sustainable businesses. That will be through tax prep, accounting and bookkeeping, and wealth management.

​To be able to educate my community about the importance of financial literacy is what is going to help push generations forward. I went through a lot of challenges in my own life ​which led me to lose everything. I am relatable because I once was that person who struggled financially. ​It was my own struggles ​that lead me to my passion to help others gain control over their financial life. It wasn’t easy but I never gave up no matter what.

I’ve learned so many lessons during my entrepreneurship journey. The number one thing is that family and friends will ​not always be the first to support you. They won’t understand ​it in the beginning ​so try not to take it personally. Strangers become your best customers and cheerleaders. I also had to believe in myself more than anybody else. You must push yourself past any fears. I used to be so shy, but I knew that in order to grow I would have to learn to network. Now I am the networking queen!

I ​also had to heal and work on myself and confidence along my journey. You are powerful, dig deep. Investing in yourself is important, a lot of business owners don’t do this, and it is vital to your success. You pretty much need an Annette on your team. How bad do you want to succeed is what I also ask myself and that is what rings through my ears when I feel like giving up. Find your passion and skill in life and monetize it to create your dream life. Don’t you ever give up on YOU!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Favorite Spot in the city would be: Bubby’s BBQ located on South Ave.  Morgans Cereal Bar for Breakfast. If you are looking for brunch and a good drink stop into Sidebar. If you’re visiting during the spring, the festivals such as the Lilac Festival or the Sunflower Garden. Checking out some of the historic moments and museums around the city would be great. Niagara Falls is a nice drive to visit the falls also. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to God because I would not be where I am without his guidance and love. Shoutout to my city, Rochester NY, and all my clients, friends and family. Thank you for trusting and supporting my business. My business developer, MJ Allen because she believed in my vision since I started this business and went above and beyond to make sure we executed my goals. Also, my team and everyone who has been a part of my journey. Thank you also to Bonita Jackson Smith.  She came into my life and has been my soul coach and has helped me through many obstacles.  It’s good to have someone to pour into you while you’re on your entrepreneurial journey. And of course, Dave Williams who I ran into days before my grand opening. When life was falling apart God sent me this millionaire angel to restore my faith.  He helped me and continues to help me develop my business and even invest into a coaching session with the world known comeback coach Tim Storey!

Website: https://www.thetaxexperience.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_successwithannette/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annette.campbell.106
Other: https://youtu.be/mpBYrSHhxD8 https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/human-interest/2020/12/30/one-local-woman-overcame-many-obstacles-to-open-up-her-own-tax-business-?fbclid=IwAR2sBCUF2-BcCmDB9fUlvsqmYtYC_HsLhOB-G3j2d8oQPZRmYGqC0aoVruY#

Image Credits
South town Images And Rashad A Scott Videography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlana is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.