Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Contreras.
Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” This is one quote that has always resonated with me every time I felt like quitting. Starting my own business wasn’t easy, but here I am five years later still thriving, still succeeding, still growing.
Now, let me start from the beginning and allow me to be vulnerable. I was born and raised in Ft Worth, Texas to two immigrant parents that migrated from Mexico to Texas in hopes of coming to this country to provide their family a better future than the one they had.
At the age of seven years old, my dad passed away leaving my mom to raise three kids on her own. I learned from a very early age what hard work, sacrifice, and dedication in accomplishing your goals looked like. I witnessed the strength of my mother’s will, her tenacity, and faith in God would get us through anything. At the time my mother worked three jobs just to keep a roof over our heads, leaving us little time to see her, let alone spend time with her. I remember then I used to say I would one day, own my own business so that I could have the freedom and the time to dedicate to my kids. Not knowing that I was calling it into existence.
Fast forward to 2006, I was graduating from L.D. Bell High School, I had plans to go to Florida State University but little did I know, that I was expecting my first child. I was 18 years old when I had my daughter. I remember thinking my dreams of going to college would-be put-on hold. I worked dead-end jobs in my early twenties until I finally decided to make a change and work for Wells Fargo as a Teller. I had a goal that I would work hard to move up the corporate ladder, and within six months with the company, I had gotten promoted three different times.
It wasn’t until 2010 when I got my 4th promotion to become a Personal Banker where I learned to build relationships with my clients and became one of the top bankers in my District. In 2012, I advanced myself to a Business Advocate Banker this is when I got introduced to Tax Preparation. One of my business clients happened to be an owner of a tax company and I was offered a part-time tax preparer position. When I was introduced to Umbrella Financial Services, I simply wanted to earn extra income so that my daughter wouldn’t go without. I remember in those days I was a single mom living paycheck to paycheck; working two jobs just to make ends meet. I remember praying for the life I live now. In 2014, I took the leap of faith and started my own business as a Tax office owner. I had a staff of 15 tax preparers and my office did over 400 tax returns that year. Within that first year of being an owner, I had made more than double what I made at Wells Fargo. That same year, I left my corporate job. I never imagined at the age of 26, I would become a full- time entrepreneur let alone that a young girl who became a teen mom, who didn’t graduate college would have the opportunity to own a successful business of five years.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve all been taught to aspire to be employed and earn a steady paycheck. Most people plan for earning a living is trading valuable time and hours in a salary job or a traditional 9-5. Society tells us to go to college, get a salary job, have a 401k and retire at 65. What I discovered by leaving my 9-5 job and taking a leap of faith is not to let fear stop you from accomplishing your dreams. Let go of your comfort zone, the opinions of others, and most importantly, the fear of failure. Otherwise, you will never see your true potential. My passion for helping people kept me from quitting, from giving up on myself, or my daughter. My advice to young women is to find your passion, a good mentor, and never stop learning.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I own a Tax and Financial Services business where we specialize in helping families and individuals live a financially healthier life by providing high-quality resources and tools to help them get out of debt and save money. We offer Tax preparation services, bookkeeping, financial planning, credit repair, and ownership opportunities. My goal is to inspire others and to spark that entrepreneurship spirit in everyone I meet. I am passionate about providing opportunities like the ones that were given to me and help bring women out of a bad situation into a better life.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Yes, I was a young mom who stayed in a toxic relationship for years until I realized there was more to life than living in those circumstances and regardless of what I went through in life, I overcame everything. Leaving an abusive relationship and being a single mom played a huge role in my success. I was determined to break generational cycles to change my circumstances, to provide my daughter a better future. I quickly learned the importance of My Why which was to show other girls like myself that it was possible that regardless of what you face you could overcome adversity and continue to succeed. I wanted to show my daughter that you can beat the odds and continue to strive for greatness because it’s not what happens to us that makes us who we are it’s what we do after that builds our character.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2000 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006
- Website: https://www.itrtaxmarketing.com/acontrerasstartnow
- Phone: 682-503-9279
- Email: amy@ufstsgsales.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_amyjanette_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integritytaxdfw/
- Other: https://www.uigtaxandfinancialservices.com/amy2019
Image Credit:
Amy Contreras
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