Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Collins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 1981 my friend Roy Poulter and I worked for a bookkeeping and tax preparation chain. We became disenchanted with many company policies which, in our belief, negatively impacted our clients.
After months of unsuccessfully lobbying for some changes, we scraped together about $1000 and rented an office for $300 per month, bought furniture from Goodwill, and hooked up utilities in order to open Beach Business Service.
Then we knocked on doors every day, offering computerized bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, and Income Tax preparation at a fair price that most small businesses could afford. Our mission was to always be honest with our clients, never overcharge, and strive for accuracy.
We also wanted to provide a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere when interacting with clients. To do this we eliminated coats and ties from our dress code, provided most services on a handshake and never asked anyone to sign a contract for our services. That way we always knew that, in order to retain clients, we would need to consistently meet our goal for client satisfaction.
Here we are 36 years later with many of those same clients from back then, along with their children and, in some cases, even grandchildren!
Our longevity and growth can mostly be attributed to our loyal clients who are always referring friends and associates.
Unfortunately, Roy passed away in 2014 so a restructuring was necessary. Today we are more of a family business. My girlfriend of 16 years, Lenore Cook, is my new partner and Office Manager and her son, Ed, who is a licensed tax preparer, has taken over many of the clients who I would be unable to accommodate alone.
We are quite proud of our clients and their loyalty. I remember our second tax season being shocked and surprised that people actually came back to us! We have done our best over the years to earn it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh wow, smooth? no. The 1980’s were a constant balancing act between sales and payroll. As our client base grew we needed additional bookkeepers and account reps. The trick was not to overextend by hiring before the income was there to make payroll and yet not short changing the clients by understaffing. Usually it meant that Roy and I worked a lot of late hours completing work that we just couldn’t afford to hire someone else to do.
Then the problem of working everyday with your best friend became an issue which ultimately led to our opening a second office before we couldn’t stand one another. Our friendship was tested, as was our partnership, but eventually the offices were reunited and incorporated.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As I said, we are a bookkeeping and tax preparation service. We still provide monthly financial statements to our clients which we prepare. We don’t ask our clients to enter their transactions for us. We send a courier out to pick up the original paperwork and bank statements, etc. which are then brought to us for compilation. We also prepare all sales and payroll taxes and, of course, annual income taxes.
I am most proud of the amazing loyalty shown to us by our clients. I think that’s also what sets us apart from most of our competitors. We don’t “feel” like a business, we’re more of a family. Our clients aren’t numbers, they’re real people with real lives and families. The work we do for them affects their lives and we try to keep that in mind at all times.
In short, I think of my clients as friends.
What were you like growing up?
My heroes were Mickey Mantle and Roy Rogers.
I was very outgoing, had lots of friends and seemed to be always busy. If I had alone time I usually had a book in my hand.
My parents instilled in both my brother and I, a profound interest in learning anything and everything. I read the World Book Encyclopedia from A to Z when I was around 12. It occurred to me that, if everything was in those books, that’s all I’d need to know and High School would be a breeze! (not true of course but I still graduated very high in my class).
Joined the Marines after HS, went to Vietnam as a Mortar Gunner, then Squad Leader. Came home, used the GI Bill to buy a house and pay for college (CSU-Fullerton), Was married for 7 years then divorced. Became a stand-up comic, then a producer (where I became the first person to ever pay Will Ferrell to do comedy. $20 for a 10 minute act). Finally started my own group doing sketch and improve throughout SoCal, but mostly at the Comedy Store.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2750 S. Harbor Blvd.,
Suite E, Santa Ana, CA 92704 - Website: www.beachbusinessservice.com
- Phone: office 714-435-1040 fax 714-436-1040
- Email: [email protected]
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