It was out of necessity for a flexible work arrangement that Kelly Bender decided to become an entrepreneur. As a single mom, she felt that traditional career options were too rigid, so she decided to launch her own tax and business advisory firm. Today, Total Business Solutions is a family-owned company with two locations north of Pittsburgh. Over the past ten years, Kelly has built a practice that prioritizes a hands-on, relationship-based approach with her growing list of small business clients.
Ten years ago, Kelly Bender was a single mother looking for a flexible way to continue her career in tax advising. After exploring several options, she decided that entrepreneurship was the right path for her, and she launched Total Business Solutions. Kelly eventually remarried, and her husband joined her in the practice. Over the years, several of their children have also worked in the business in various capacities. Recently, Total Business Solutions expanded with an acquisition of an accounting firm in Butler, PA, which will provide ample growth opportunities for their staff.
Kelly is an enrolled agent, which is a designation awarded by the IRS to federally authorized tax practitioners who have met the necessary qualifications. Instead of the traditional model where a tax consultant may only see a client once per year, her firm’s relationship-based approach means that they are advising clients on a more frequent basis. This high-touch, personalized service is one of the things that sets Total Business Solutions apart from the competition. In this episode, Kelly talks about the tough decisions that her clients had to make during the pandemic and why it’s important to keep things simple when starting a business.
If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton!
YOU CAN REACH ME AT:
Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano
Phone: 412-336-8247
YOU CAN REACH KELLY BENDER AT:
Website: http://www.dktbs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Total-Business-Solutions-216610258422482