Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Pinzon.
Hi Maria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am one of the founders of OfficeKEY, a dba of 1st Advantage Business Solutions. I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1998, working in business administration and management for multiple companies and industries. Our mission at OfficeKEY is to help owners and entrepreneurs run successful and profitable operations by supporting them in all of their back-office needs. I am currently the Chief Financial Officer overseeing the profitability of all areas of the firm and of each one of our clients. My specialty is the attention to detail that is needed for each project. My analytical skill provides for the true essence of each problem to be exposed, allowing me to create an action plan to resolve each issue. However, I am also in charge of the day-to-day operations at our company, providing the guidance that the team needs to meet every deadline and complete every project to each client’s satisfaction and unique specification. My skill set includes extensive customer service, time management, and database management. I just completed my educational journey at the #UniversityofPhoenix on a full scholarship. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a special certification for small businesses and entrepreneurship. My academic efforts have earned me a spot in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars since 2014. However, my greatest accomplishment is my family; I am a mother of three beautiful children, one son-in-law, and my first grandchild. I’ve been married for 26 years and counting.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Before 1st Advantage Business Solutions, I was a tax preparer for 14 years, also providing my client’s accounting and payroll services during the off-season. During that time, I got the opportunity to learn about multiple types of industries in the business world. I also learned about the great need there is for business operations and management, which are the foundation of every business. With this new observation, I decided to change gears, go back to school, and start a different type of business, and OfficeKEY was born. My job became a calling, and I felt a sense of responsibility to my community and fellow business owners. Yes, there were sacrifices and many sleepless nights while I tried to start a new business and go to school at the same time. But this new business became my passion. As a business owner myself and having made countless mistakes that cost me so much time and money, I strongly felt that I had made enough mistakes to help other entrepreneurs not make the same mistakes I had made. I wanted to make sure that no one else ended up the way I did, losing all my financial stability to the point of being homeless. I, therefore, developed a business management program that allows business owners to run their businesses in the most successful possible way and not worry about the back-office work that slows down their productivity while keeping them compliant with the law and in good standing in their community, providing jobs for years to come.
Those who say having a business is easy are in for a big surprise, and I strongly disagree with those who say they are self-made. No one gets to the top without help from the people around them. However, starting your own business is the best way to satiate that craving if you like a great challenge. One of the biggest mistakes I made in the early stages of my career was to be spontaneous with my business. There are a handful of people who were spontaneous, survived the difficult years of a business, and now have a thriving, prosperous corporation; however, this is a rare outcome. To have a successful operation, I learned that you must be strategic; planning is the key to success. You need to be real about the road you are about to embark on; obstacles and challenges are part of the journey, and it’s best to embrace and learn from them. As I mentioned before, my first business was a tax preparation office, and although I liked what I was doing, it was not fulfilling because I felt that I should be doing something more to help my clients. I, therefore, started my second company offering business management services. I made a lot of mistakes that cost me a lot of money. However, they were the best lessons that prepared me for my second business, where I feel that I am fulfilling my calling in the business world. The best advice I can give aspiring entrepreneurs is to be patient and strategic. Don’t wing it unless you want to fail. On the contrary, make a plan, and although you will not follow it entirely, this plan will serve as your accountability partner, reminding you that while it hasn’t been easy, you are reaching the milestones and goals you set for yourself. As a business manager, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and speak to many owners and CEOs, and they all share the same idea of having your own business; freedom but at a price worth paying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
You can consider us a one-stop shop for business owners. We offer accounting, payroll processing, HR support, invoicing, form processing, budget creation, financial reviews, etc. Our website has all our services listed: https://officekey.co/services/. I believe that our platforms which have been strategically created to provide affordable services with the utmost quality are what sets us apart from all our competition. We care about our customers; we welcome complaints as they have made us who we are today. Our program is easy to budget, and it can evolve as our client’s company grows. I am most proud of how we were able to navigate through the pandemic, and we only had 1% casualties due to COVID circumstances that were out of our control. We volunteered over 2000 hours as a company to our clients who were in dire need of guidance during what is considered the most difficult time for business owners. I feel proud of what we accomplished during this time in our community and in the business world.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I know for a fact and from experience that success is not the outcome that people see in the end. Success is all the one thousand and one steps you took and the countless of people that helped along the way who got you to your outcome. I have said this before, and I will say it time and time again, there is no such thing as a self-made person or a one-woman or one-man show. We’ve all needed people and resources to help us reach our goals and be the successful people we strive to be. Therefore, if I had to define success in one word, that would be “grateful.” When you get to that place where you are living a life of gratitude, you know you’ve made it.
Pricing:
- Our platforms start with a minimum of 3 services which start at $615.00 a month
- Our one-time onboarding costs start at $450.00
- For the construction industry, we offer certified payroll services in relation to prevailing wage projects and we bill $39.00 per employee.
- Our invoicing services start at 1% per invoice for the full AR cycle.
- We are a registered agent with the secretary of state and we charge an annual fee of $150.00 to process SOIs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://officekey.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officekey_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officekey.co
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@officekeyco
