Meet Michelle Calhoun | Tax Professional & Real Estate Developer

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

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Being an entrepreneur taught me that if you’re scared to take risks, you won’t reach your full potential. It’s not just about spending money on a location, inventory, or business cards – I had to invest in my mindset, education, and my team, to grow my business. Unlike a regular 9-5 job where you know what you’ll get for your time, chasing dreams is different. Sometimes it takes a while to see results, and they might be less than expected. But I knew that to achieve the life I wanted, I had to take risks.

The journey had its ups and downs, twists and turns – it wasn’t a straight line. Going off the beaten path is tough. There’s no set route; you have to go into the jungle with your torch and determination and make your own way. Most people follow handed-down maps and expectations, no guesswork involved. But what sets a go-getter apart from a dreamer is taking action and embracing the risk. You have to back up your words with money, time, and focus.

I remember getting into real estate investing. It cost me over $50,000 in one wire transfer – I was terrified, but I didn’t hesitate. In the end, I built a home that sold for over $700,000. It was my first real estate project. I could have kept dreaming and researching, waiting for the perfect moment, but taking that risk made it happen.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of a financial services firm based out of Atlanta, GA. At EZ Tax Co. we specialize in expert tax preparation for individuals and small businesses, ensuring maximum returns and compliance. Our dedicated team goes beyond tax filing, offering comprehensive services like business startup assistance, meticulous bookkeeping, and efficient payroll solutions. Our commitment to our clients doesn’t stop there – we serve as a vital liaison between the local community and available resources, fostering connections that empower growth. As a company deeply rooted in community values, we take pride in giving back. EZ Tax Co. organizes charitable events, supporting causes that matter to our clients and neighbors. Additionally, we prioritize financial literacy education, ensuring that our community is well-equipped with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. In 2024 we will be hosting free financial literacy events for the local community. We are going to be teaching about the power of credit, home ownership and so much more.

I built my business from the ground up with pure grit and determination. You know, there’s this common notion of a boss just chilling in their office, calling the shots while everyone else does the heavy lifting. But let me tell you, that’s far from reality. A real boss is out there in the field, setting the path for others to follow.

Even today, you’ll catch me hitting the streets, networking, and hustling for my own clients. I’m not afraid to hand out flyers, strike up conversations in the grocery store, and pitch my services whenever an opportunity arises. Being hands-on is what it’s all about, and I love staying connected with the heartbeat of my business.

Building my business was not easy. Being that the majority of my business is conducted 120 calendar days out the year its an extreme amount of work and preparation. I had to sacrifice a work life balance and go into “beast mode”. There was times when I couldn’t make PTA meetings or I would be leaving the house before my son got up and not getting home until after he was sleep.

I have learned that you have to have tunnel vision on your goals and tune our your distractions. You can’t be a party girl, gossip girl, city girl and try to be a business woman. You have to surround yourself with like minded people who are on what you are on. You have to cultivate a circle of business friends that you share resources with, inspire and learn with. You are only going to be as successful as the people you surround yourself with.

I post my wins and my losses. I never want to promote on social media that my journey has been a “crystal stair” because it was far from that. People these days get so caught up in the glitz and glam of social media and the emphasis on material success. Stop focusing on the clothes and cars and focus on the sacrifices it took for that person to get to where they are. I will post vacations and material items but I will also post where I came from and the struggles I face to this day. My success doesn’t make me any better than the next person and my goal is to be relatable so that I can show the next woman what’s possible with determination.

I share both my victories and setbacks on social media. I never want to give the impression that my journey has been a walk in the park because it’s been anything but that. In today’s world, it’s easy to get swept up in the glitz and glam of social media, with everyone highlighting their material successes. But let’s shift the focus from the flashy clothes and cars to the real stories—the sacrifices that paved the way.

Sure, I’ll post about vacations and cool stuff, but I’ll also share where I started and the challenges I’m still tackling today. My success doesn’t elevate me above anyone else, and my aim is to stay relatable. I want to show the next woman that with determination, she can achieve anything. It’s about real talk and inspiring others with the genuine journey, not just the highlight reel.

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.
I love Atlanta. I have lived here for 16 years so this is home. I love that we have a huge thriving black community so I buy black as much as possible. I love the soul food. Binkys is my favorite! Shout out to Chef Baul and Daniella. If I feel like Caribbean I will either go to Spice House in Lithonia or a food truck on Campbellton Road called Scotch Bonnet. Breakfast and brunch will be either Roc South or Toast on Lennox. All black owned btw.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Big shoutout to the School of Hard Knocks – haha, but on a serious note, those tough experiences in life have been my greatest teachers. The doubters, the days when money was tight, and the lack of support only fueled my determination and made me stronger. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve got an amazing family and friend base, but they struggled to see where I was headed. It’s tough for someone who’s always played it safe to grasp the vision of a risk-taker. They had their own idea of success – get a stable job or go back to school. To them, that’s the path.

Despite their well-meaning advice, I pursued my dreams. Their doubt lit a fire under me, pushing me to prove that success doesn’t always follow a conventional route. Along my journey, I’ve encountered some incredible people who inspired me. Cherisa Saunders, my ex-boss, mentor, friend, and business partner, played a pivotal role in honing my skills in the tax industry and even offered me my first shot at real estate investment.

Successful people are like beacons in your journey to success. The aim is to reach forward and get a hand up from someone more successful, but that creates a responsibility to reach back and pull someone else up too. It’s all about that continuous cycle of support and growth.

Website: www.fileeztaxco.com

Instagram: @sitwithshells @eztaxco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ez-tax-co/

Twitter: @eztaxco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eztaxco

Image Credits
Hassan Richardson @rarifilmz