Dr. Bria Harris is Transforming Tax Education and Redefining Financial Leadership for Women Entrepreneurs

W4TC
18 hours ago
4 min read

When Dr. Bria Harris launched Impress Tax Service in 2018, she wasn’t simply opening a tax preparation firm; she was reshaping what financial leadership could look like for everyday families, small business owners, and Black women navigating the complex world of entrepreneurship. With credentials that command respect (DBA, EA, CAA) and a mission grounded in integrity and education, Harris has built a national powerhouse that now serves clients across all 50 states while employing staff in Florida, Ohio, California, and more.

What makes her rise remarkable is the scale, yes, but also the mindset!

The business didn't just go global — I did.

Those words define the confidence, discipline, and vision that set Dr. Harris apart. Impress Tax Service has evolved into a trusted financial partner for thousands because she leads with transparency, education, and an unwavering commitment to community empowerment.

In this exclusive Women for the Culture interview, Dr. Harris shares the journey, the mission, and the strategy behind her rapidly growing enterprise and why women entrepreneurs can no longer afford to treat financial structure as optional.

THE MOMENT SHE REALIZED HER BUSINESS WAS GLOBAL

For Dr. Harris, the shift wasn’t a single defining moment but a series of confirmations. As clients began reaching out from states she had never visited (trusting her with their finances purely from her online presence) she saw the undeniable truth:

Her expertise transcended geography.

Word-of-mouth spread across digital platforms. Testimonials appeared in new markets. Clients referred her to friends and colleagues in different time zones. The demand was clear: people needed trustworthy, culture-conscious financial guidance, and they needed it from her.

When she recognized that her impact was limitless, the business expanded accordingly.

THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT TURNED TAX EDUCATION INTO A MISSION

Long before Impress Tax Service became a national brand, Harris witnessed a recurring pattern: people losing money simply because they didn’t know the rules.

Two people could earn the same income, but the one with knowledge walked away with a better tax outcome.

One of her earliest clients received life-changing results after Harris helped them claim credits they didn’t know existed. Their relief and gratitude sparked something deeper:

This wasn’t just paperwork — it was power.

From that moment, she made education her foundation. Not simply preparing returns, but transforming people’s understanding of money, taxes, and generational wealth.

THE INDUSTRY GAP SHE REFUSED TO IGNORE

Many tax professionals focus on transactions. Harris focuses on transformation.

She noticed the industry lacked:

✔ Transparency

✔ Strategy

✔ Communication

✔ True accessibility

✔ Year-round support

✔ Education rooted in culture and community

Clients often walked away confused, overwhelmed, or misinformed; and that wasn’t acceptable.

So she built a new model:

education over fear, strategy over guessing, communication over silence, and service with integrity instead of software and signatures.

Impress Tax Service became a place where people felt empowered, informed, and respected.

THE SMALL-BUSINESS SUPPORT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS NEED

Impress Tax Service is more than a tax firm; it’s a strategic partner for entrepreneurs.

Harris and her team help small business owners:

Understand entity structure
Build tax strategies specific to their industry
Establish bookkeeping and payroll systems
Prepare for funding and lender evaluations
Keep more of what they earn
Scale their businesses with clarity

Entrepreneurs come to us because they want more than a seasonal service — they want a partner.

And Impress Tax Service delivers just that.

THE MOST COMMON FINANCIAL MISTAKE WOMENPRENEURS MAKE

Women entrepreneurs often run their businesses with passion but without structure.

According to Harris, the biggest mistake is operating like a hobby instead of an actual company; usually due to lack of guidance, not lack of ability.

Her advice:

✔ Separate business and personal finances

✔ Choose the right entity

✔ Maintain bookkeeping year-round

✔ Learn taxes before tax season

✔ Invest in professional support

Once women treat their business like a true asset, everything changes — pricing, profit, productivity, and confidence.

A LEGACY-BUILDING SUCCESS STORY

One client came in overwhelmed, behind on filings, and repeatedly denied funding. After Harris rebuilt her financial systems, corrected past filings, and educated her on her numbers, everything shifted.

She secured her first approval, then additional funding, hired staff, expanded services — and now runs a thriving company.

“She went from ‘I hope this works’ to ‘I built this, and I know how to maintain it.’”

That transformation is the core of the Impress Tax Service mission.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY AREN’T BUZZWORDS — THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION

Harris’s team brings representation, relatability, and respect to a field where many feel intimidated or unheard. Impress Tax Service provides:

✔ Financial literacy workshops

✔ Partnerships with nonprofits, youth groups, and women’s organizations

✔ Support for first-time filers and seniors

✔ Community drives, outreach, and scholarships

✔ Year-round education for families and business owners

When people understand finances, they gain confidence — and when they gain confidence, they create generational change.

“YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR PRIORITY” — WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS

For Impress Tax Service, prioritizing a business means:

✔ Consistent communication

✔ Customized strategies

✔ Accountability and partnership

✔ Education at every step

✔ Respect for every client’s journey

They don’t disappear after tax season. They support clients all year long.

THE REALITY OF SCALING NATIONALLY AS A BLACK WOMAN CEO

Harris acknowledges the challenges; from building trust in a skeptical industry to creating opportunities not often extended to minority-owned firms.

She had to prove her credibility repeatedly. She had to build her own table when access wasn’t granted. But excellence, consistency, and results spoke louder than assumptions.

Scaling nationally is now both a milestone and a message: