Business Reflections Podcast Episode #40 - Business Tax Debt Tips with D. Hart Accounting
Episode Transcript
Welcome to business reflections with your host Meredith Matics and we are here to reflect on the business topics that are affecting you today and how you can better run your business.
Meredith Matics: Today I have Alicia Ponce, founder, and principal of AP Monarch with me. Hi Alicia.
Alicia Ponce: Hi, how are you?
Meredith Matics: Good. How are you?
Alicia Ponce: I'm great. I am you know, enjoying this Seattle weather in Chicago.
Meredith Matics: Well, Alicia I was wondering if you could tell me more about your career path that led you to getting involved in the design and architecture industry?
Alicia Ponce: Yes. I love to share that with you. The architecture dream began when I was six years old I didn't necessarily know the path to get there, but you know, my journey just took me through this.
You know, at six years old, I came across a construction site and that's what did it for me was watching the yellow machines and smelling, the freshly poured [00:01:00] concrete. I said, I wanted to do that.
Meredith Matics: I was thinking it was going to be like playing with Legos. And you built like some kind of really deluxe complex with like, you know, multilevels and windows and doors?
Alicia Ponce: No, not at all. I mean, I always liked to put things together. And you kind of threw away the instructions and said, I can figure this out.
So. I had this connection with nature and this love of, constructing buildings. After, going to school, I knew that I wanted to marry the two. And, you know, I became this architect who focuses and designing healthy environments, healthy buildings.
Meredith Matics: Well, so then what led you to starting your own company?
Alicia Ponce: Well, a couple of reasons, in 2007. I was working in a small firm doing large residential homes and I was hired at that firm to start sustainability initiatives, but that opportunity never [00:02:00] came because, little did we know that the residential bubble was about to burst?
And I was one of the first architects that was laid off and yeah. And so. That's when I said, you know what, I'm going to start my ownbusiness, this is the time to do it.
But it was the, passion that I had for architecture and sustainability that really helped me go into that direction .
Meredith Matics: Well, that's beautiful. So we're having you on the podcast today to talk about something that's really important in that is building a team, which I think a lot of us entrepreneurs have found pretty challenging because I think in a way we kind of started on our own and are used to being on our own. And so building a team is it's a big, scary deal. So in your industry in particular teams are so important. Can you talk to us about the importance of having a team?
Alicia Ponce: Yes. I mean, you know, you said it's scary and it is scary because for a while, it was [00:03:00] just me. And that means that, I held myself accountable. But building a team means that I think if you really connect to your mission, why you started the business in the first place and people understand that mission and vision, then your team will come and others that can connect with that mission and that can identify with that mission. They will come.
Meredith Matics: So when you think of building a team, what is the first thing you look for?
Alicia Ponce: I look for somebody say that just connects with that, that vision that understands the mission. When they call me, they do their research. They know exactly what AP Monarch stands for and the types of projects that we strive to build.
So I look for people who are self-starters, who are innovative, who are also driven by designing transformative [00:04:00] architecture.
Meredith Matics: So when you talk about having team members that recognize your vision, and I know you said personally for you, they find your vision or your goal from your website, but how does one identify or really portray their vision or their, mission for what and why they started when building a team?
Alicia Ponce: anyone starting a business you know, as a small business owner should really r eflect on why they're starting it, whether it's, you know, to make money or to change people's lives you know, whatever that is.
One thing that really helps is to write it down and really think about it, you know, when you're going to make a major decision. And so by doing that, you have to reflect on why Why did you start your business? And I think that's what connects, your not only the entrepreneur, but the team will also recognize that.
Meredith Matics: I found personally that keeping our mission or our mission statement, very front and center on you know, [00:05:00] not only just in the marketing and materials, but reiterating it within, the company has been very helpful in keeping our mission known and making sure that our team members are constantly aware of it.
Our mission is to help with the barriers to mental health care, through insurance billing, which is probably the biggest barrier and what people always think of as a pain in the butt. But having that a s the forefront and, putting it on our website and putting it on marketing materials and talking about it, that's been really helpful in making sure that people are aware of our mission.
So, it sounds like you've done something similar with like your website and letting people know and finding team members that have reached out to you who have similar interests. It brings up a good point about making sure that your mission is not forgotten.
Alicia Ponce: Right. I mean, it's, it has to do a lot with messaging and branding. And I think social media helps a lot with that too, I mean, it's at our finger, literally at our fingertips all the time. Right. So we can, again, help relay that message through [00:06:00] all of our social media channels and just have that.
Our values, our core values you know, relate out into the social media world.
Meredith Matics: So once you have someone approach you, or you start to get into that mode of building a team, what are some of the challenges that you've faced building a really solid team.
Alicia Ponce: Well, I'll tell you right now, it's, working remotely, right? What I'm looking at bringing more people on, but remotely, which is very, very different. How do you interview somebody virtually? Right? How do you onboard them virtually? So your question could not be more relevant then, then now, and once you do onboard someone it's like, okay, well, how do you start building rapport when you've actually have not seen this person in person. Right. So It's being able to provide them with the right equipment and [00:07:00] that training. It's a little challenging right now, and it's interesting, but we're figuring it out.
But I think our technology helps us a lot in that. I mean, there are so many platforms that are available that I think a lot of us are familiar with that help us do that.
Meredith Matics: So let's break down some of those things. What have you done in the interview process to help build a team during the pandemic, but still, as you mentioned build that rapport get the right vibe from them to make sure that they're a good fit.
Alicia Ponce: It starts with them becoming familiar knowing the website, and you know, they say, well, i visited your website. I love your mission.
And then, you know, you know, we take it to the next step and we have our virtual platforms where we can see each other. And we've been like this for over a year now. And I think, we're kind of used to it, right. Where this is how we're doing business. And then we have an employee handbook that breaks everything down.
So we [00:08:00] review all of the processes of the business, of how we run, of what's in it for the employee, what's in it for all of us as a team. And so we have these systems in place that will help us, you know, iron out the creases We're actually going through the process right now.
But it, it it's feeling, like it's running pretty smooth.
Meredith Matics: Yeah. I definitely felt like when interviewing on zoom, it's different than before you would like want to see, did they show up on time? Did they sit there and text the whole time before?
It's just so different. The things that you get in person. Well, this time around when interviewing over zoom, I was noticing, you know, too, they prepare themselves in a way that they seem to be in a different room that may have distractions. How did they deal with the distractions? I had one interview where like, it was a mom at home and her kids were clearly playing in the background.
And I really liked the way she handled this. One of them like threw a ball, like at the screen while she's interviewing, she just grabs it out of the air.. [00:09:00] I was talking and I was like, I liked her focus. But we see a whole different side of people now with this, and you were invited to a different place part of their lives, almost with virtual interviews, but at the same time, I do miss that connection of being able to tell, are they going to vibe with us at the office?
Alicia Ponce: Yeah, I agree with you. I, think we all miss that human connection, but we do see, this virtual world that we're living in does let us in, to see a different perspective. And I was going to say the human side of us, right. Because we do have families.. We do have kids in the background or pets in the background and, we get to see those interactions where we may normally not, see.
Meredith Matics: As you brought it up that we need to have kind of our HR books in order having the manuals or, you know, the protocols laid out for new employees to make sure that they feel a part of the team, but understand everything that's going on.
That's a big part. And it's also a big it's a [00:10:00] big to do when you have to write a manual. If you haven't written one before.
Alicia Ponce: I think it's important to have, especially for small businesses, we're already doing so many things. We wear so many hats, but that is one that you want to prepare for so that it'll just make your life easier.
Meredith Matics: So we talked about some of the challenges with building a team. What have been some of your big positives or some of the most exciting things that have happened with building the team?
Alicia Ponce: Well, again, I'm gonna use this pandemic as an example, because it's happening, during this time, you know, I'm building a team during a pandemic. I mean, I just, I have to go back to the technology and really ensuring your company with that resource because you just don't know. I'm so amazed at the technological advances that we've had up until this point. and I feel like that is what's made it easier and more [00:11:00] successful where we're figuring it out.
Right. I, one of the things I did was hire an IT consultant because I'm, you know, I'm not an IT person at all.
Meredith Matics: I'm the same. I outsource my IT, cause I mean, I can play IT specialists to my parents with like how to change the channel from input one to input two, but that's about it.
Were there any resources that you utilized or found when trying to learn and adapt into building a team that you found useful.
Alicia Ponce: I found a ton of resources. I found that there are so many organizations out there who are supporting small businesses. Small businesses who are women owned and who are minority owned. They are just like the heroes of, of the year, right. Who have really given us hope when it's been so difficult.
Women Entrepreneurship Institute we have here in [00:12:00] Chicago, like through your universities and you know, wherever you're at, I would say, look to your university as a small business owner, look at their MBA programs and they have tons of small business programs.
I have really been thankful for that. I have so much gratitude to all of the universities, to all of these larger corporations that are supporting small businesses. .
Meredith Matics: I mean, I heard the stats on how many women lost jobs during the pandemic. And it was just heartbreaking because so many of us just are underrepresented again and got to kind of start all over. but there's a lot of good resources out there and you're absolutely right on that one.
Alicia Ponce: I mean, I thought I was going to be one of them, to leave the workforce.
I have two young kids. And we didn't know what we were doing at least for the first six, eight months, and so the thought ran through my mind, but [00:13:00] again, it's all of the resources that have been out there that have provided, I guess the fuel to keep us going.
Meredith Matics: Yeah. I mean, when we're talking about that aspect, a lot of the burden of the household fells still statistically on women, not entirely, but a lot of it still does, especially for childcare and things of that nature. We still are the u sual jump in and complete that task.
Not saying men don't help, but just statistically speaking, we tend to bear that.
And so there's definitely been a lot of really good resources out there. Do you have any other comments for our listeners on building a team that you want to share with them?
Alicia Ponce: You know, really repeat what I already said. I think it's really important to, to reflect on why you started your business because wow.
I mean, this has really been a challenging time and it's very easy to just throw in the towel, [00:14:00] butI would s eek out the chambers of commerce, I would seek out the universities and you will find the resources that will help you. And you do have to put in the work, you know, you, you get what you put into it, that's for sure.
So I guess that's what I would say. You get what you put into it, because there are many people who are searching. And it depends on, on what you put into it, then you, you will get it back.
Meredith Matics: Yeah. So where can our listeners learn more about AP Monarch and you know, your missions and your, your goal of your architecture?
Alicia Ponce: Well, AP Monarch you can find us on our website, AP monarch.com and we are on LinkedIn. We are Instagram and Facebook, and we also do these live talks and you can find our library and [00:15:00] YouTube and the AP Monarch channel. And we give informal talks about how to design healthy environments.
And we have invited so many subject matter experts for designing green buildings and we've invited engineers. We've invited policy makers. We've invited, you know, governmental agencies. We just want to be able to give people information into. You know, to let them know that we can design, responsible buildings healthier for you and healthier for, for our planets.
Meredith Matics: Yes. I like that. I don't know if you had a moment to listen to the podcast, but we have a lot of businesses with the goal of being sustainable on. And I really appreciate everybody's effort that they make to make any change that they can to keep our earth healthy and strong and for it to be there when we're we're done with it.
Alicia Ponce: Yep.
We have, we have the [00:16:00] tools and the resources to, to be able to build a healthy future.
Meredith Matics: Well, thank you so much for coming on. It was wonderful to you.
Alicia Ponce: Yes. Thank you so much for having me. And anytime. You know, you can reach out any questions you may have, you know, I I'm here. Thank you so much.
Thank you. That's our podcast.
Please note that these are thoughts and opinions alone. For tax advice, please see your CPA or tax advisor, tax professional. For business advice and legal entities. Please see your local, business, lawyer, or attorney for advice. And if you'd like to reach out to us for any topics or questions about any subject, any episode, you can reach us @podcastatmaticsbilling.com that's podcast.
podcast@maticsbilling.com. Thank you for show notes. Visit maticsbilling.com/podcast. If you liked this episode, we want to hear from you. [00:17:00] Please hit subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with your friends, family. And on your social media pages, see you next time.
Business Reflections Closing: Please note that these are thoughts and opinions alone. For tax advice, please see your CPA or tax advisor, tax professional for business advice and legal entities. Please see your local business, lawyer, or attorney for advice. And if you'd like to reach out to us for any topics or questions about. Any subject, any episode you can reach us podcast@maticsbilling.com. That's podcast@maticsbilling.com.
For show notes, visit Maticsbilling.com/podcast. If you liked this episode, we want to hear from you. Please hit subscribe. Leave a review and share this episode with your friends, family, and on your social media pages. See you next time!