From Laid Off to Launched — A Real Talk on Starting Your Business and Managing Taxes.

Thinking about starting your own business? In this episode, host Terrence Hutchins sits down with co-host Tamia Kelly for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about her journey from corporate layoff to launching her own insurance agency. If you’ve wondered what really goes into starting a business — and how to handle the tax side — this episode is for you.

Key Highlights:

Why Tamia decided to start her insurance agency after being laid off — and how she knew it couldn’t just be a side hustle.
The unexpected costs and overlooked expenses every new business owner should plan for.
How the IRS treats start-up and operational expenses — and why forecasting matters.
The pitfalls of self-funding vs. taking a business loan — and how each affects your taxes.
A practical breakdown of sweat equity, capital investment, and how to plan for ROI.

Featured Tax Tip: Did you know the IRS lets you deduct up to $5,000 of qualifying start-up expenses — but only if you plan and track them correctly? Good forecasting and clear separation of business vs. personal funds can help you maximize this deduction and avoid surprises at tax time.

If you’re dreaming of starting your own business — or already in the middle of it — Tamia’s lessons learned will help you do it wisely, stay tax-smart, and avoid rookie mistakes.

Subscribe to How to Lower Your Tax Bill on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Keep More of What You Earn.

How to Lower Your Tax Bill Episode 24

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