We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tevin Harrell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tevin , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Success when you’re the only one in the room who looks like you requires a combination of confidence, knowledge, resilience, and a commitment to creating a more inclusive environment. It’s about recognizing your worth and the value of your perspective, while also working to break down barriers for others who follow in your footsteps.
To anyone who may find themselves in the same situation, remember that you’ve earned your place in that room through your skillset and hard work. I’ve always made sure to be well-informed about the subject matter at hand, whether it’s discussing my fintech software or participating in high-level engineering discussions. This not only boosts my confidence but also earns the respect of others in the room.
Building relationships with colleagues, mentors, and investors has been instrumental in my success. Networking allows me to connect with people who can provide guidance, support, and opportunities that can sometimes be out of my personal reach. These relationships can also help create a sense of belonging even when you’re the only minority in the room.
I’ve faced my fair share of setbacks and encountered bias along the way. However, I’ve learned to persevere, remain resilient, and focus on my long-term goals. Don’t let obstacles deter you; instead, view them as opportunities for growth. After all, I’m building the next Billion dollar Software company!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
SmartWiz was founded by a team of engineers and tax professionals from Alabama, who were frustrated with their first-hand experience of the inefficient and outdated process of tax preparation. The team saw that tax professionals were spending more time on administrative tasks than on helping clients, and they were tired of having to deal with the hassle of collecting documents through email and dropbox. To address these challenges, SmartWiz developed a cloud-based tax preparation software that eliminates data entry, integrates with third-party tools, and uses artificial intelligence to automate customer service and information intake. The software is IRS-approved, and is changing the way taxes are done forever. The approval process is a complex and demanding one, and the company is proud to be among the select few companies that have been granted approval. SmartWiz is the future of tax preparation.
The company’s business model and distribution strategy is unique. It caters to both existing tax professionals and new entrants, providing a platform, educating and helping them create a new tax preparation business. They believe that they can single handedly tackle the accounting shortage with these new entrants, but also drastically change the lives of millions of families while doing so. The company provides all necessary education, training, and back-office support for these new parties as they grow and scale the business.
If you are interested in earning another source of income feel free to contact us!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, I believe that these qualities/skills, were particularly impactful in my success. Firstly, resilience has been crucial, enabling me to bounce back from setbacks and view failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Cultivating a growth mindset and seeking support from a network of mentors and ALWAYS LEARNING from YouTube University (haha). Second, technical proficiency played a pivotal role, especially in my engineering and software development career. Continuous learning, staying updated, and embracing challenging projects were essential in honing technical skills. Lastly, networking and relationship building proved instrumental; they opened doors to opportunities such as Techstars, Black Ambition and so much more!
For those starting their journey, I advise setting clear goals, seeking feedback, embracing lifelong learning, expanding comfort zones, strategic networking, balancing work and self-care, and staying inspired by the newest innovations. Remember that success is a journey, often involving setbacks, but maintaining commitment, skill development, and a strong support network can pave the way to achievement.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki has played a pivotal role in my development. This book imparted several valuable insights, such as the importance of financial education and understanding the difference between assets and liabilities. Kiyosaki’s emphasis on the significance of passive income and entrepreneurship resonated with me, as Husband and father of 3. It encouraged me to invest in my financial literacy and leverage my engineering skills to create assets like my revolutionary tax software.
Additionally, the book’s core lesson of taking control of one’s financial future and not solely relying on a traditional job deeply influenced my path, our AI enabled software will not just stop in the tax industry so stay tuned!
Contact Info:
- Website: smartwiz.io
- Instagram: @Smartwiz.io
- Facebook: Smartwiz.io
- Linkedin: Smartwiz.io
Image Credits
Tony Minifield
