Jereshia Hawk, a prolific entrepreneur and business coach known as the millionaire maker, built a seven-figure business based on helping founders move from early revenue to structured financial systems, focusing on pricing, positioning, and business strategy. With over 5.6 million businesses formed in 2025, many owners will be filing taxes for the first time. And that experience, according to Hawk, presents a common challenge: making money is only one part of the process. Preparation is required for management and compliance if they want continued success.
During our conversation, she discusses her career arc, overcoming challenges, and how TurboTax Experts for Business connects owners with tax professionals who handle preparation, filing, and ongoing guidance.
Let’s start from the beginning of your business. What made you go from engineering to starting your own successful consulting/coaching brand?
I loved my career as an engineer. I worked at a utility in the Midwest, and it was rewarding work. But at some point, I realized the American dream didn’t feel like my dream anymore. Getting the good job, the degree, and the benefits—doing what you’re supposed to do—worked for a time. But I also recognized that I had transferable skills from engineering that could apply to entrepreneurship. I started doing live videos on Facebook, sharing what was working for me, and I saw a natural progression into a different path.
I decided to give it a shot, and it felt more aligned with my long-term purpose than staying on a traditional corporate path for 30 or 40 years.
While building a lucrative business and generating over seven figures, what were the first money challenges you faced?
Taxes were a major one—not knowing how to properly prepare for them. There’s a difference between learning how to make money, managing money, and planning for taxes. That was one of the biggest learning curves early in my entrepreneurial journey: thinking about money proactively, saving appropriately, and preparing for taxes in advance.
Why did you choose to work with TurboTax experts for business?
Trust was the biggest factor for me. I value the experience level of a vetted expert, especially when you’re new to making money and not sure what to do with it. You also want to stay compliant with IRS regulations.
TurboTax experts bring years of experience — often more than a decade — and they match you with someone who understands your industry. You also get year-round access, not just a few days before filing when everything feels rushed.
That combination helped reduce the perceived risk around managing my taxes. I knew I had a trusted partner.
What advice do you have for handling taxes and finances as a small business owner?
One of the first things I recommend is setting up a separate bank account specifically for taxes. Just like you might save for a vacation or a home, you should have an account dedicated to tax savings. Every time I get paid, I automatically move a percentage into that account before it even hits my operating account.
That habit helps you distinguish between what you’ve earned, what you can spend, and what belongs to the IRS. I’ve followed that practice for nine years, and it’s one of the first financial steps I recommend to clients.
What is your favorite feature of TurboTax?
I’m excited about their in-person locations. When I first learned about TurboTax about 10 years ago, everything was virtual. Now, they’re offering physical locations where you can have face-to-face interaction while still maintaining digital flexibility. That hybrid approach stands out to me.
With so many people looking to increase their income, what is the biggest mistake they make when preparing for taxes?
One mistake is not separating the money you make from what you actually keep. As a small business owner, you always have a silent partner—Uncle Sam. Many people avoid or neglect that relationship until it becomes stressful. Recognizing it early makes a difference. Another issue is relying on social media for tax advice without verifying it. People sometimes adopt complex tax strategies or entity structures that don’t fit their situation.
Crowdsourcing tax advice without consulting an expert can lead to unnecessary complications.
How can entrepreneurs protect themselves when choosing financial or tax support?
The lower barrier to entry for offering services means business owners need a higher level of discernment. Do your due diligence. Ask better questions: How many years of experience do you have? Have you worked with businesses like mine? Can you model out different tax scenarios for me?
A qualified expert should be able to explain your tax liability in different situations and tailor advice to your specific needs. It should also feel educational. You should be able to ask questions and receive clear answers—not be told to follow instructions without understanding them. That’s something I’ve appreciated with TurboTax. The process feels collaborative and informative, which helps you protect yourself.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time and for sharing your insights on TurboTax’s business program.
Hawk: Thank you. I appreciate the conversation.
TurboTax supports small business owners with tools and expert guidance built around complex filing needs. TurboTax Experts for Business focuses on identifying deductions to reduce tax liability while pairing entrepreneurs with industry-specific tax professionals. These experts, with an average of 12 years of experience, handle preparation, signing, and filing either virtually or in person.
For more information, visit http://turbotax.com/business.
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