Q: When did you know you would pursue a career in Tax Preparation?
LM: I started preparing taxes back in 1995 for family and friends. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers.

Q: Did your business start out as a mobile service or did that come later?
LM: When I actually opened up Mayo Tax Service, it has always been a mobile service. I had just parted ways from working with one of the big, national competitors and I was trying to keep down my overhead down. I would meet my clients at Starbucks or Panera Bread so that I would have access to wi-fi as well as it being a public place for meeting new clients that I might not have felt comfortable going to their home.

Q: Can you share with our audience about the other services you offer?
LM: I also provide Notary and Bookkeeping / Payroll services. I just got my Life Insurance license to work with Primerica.

Q: If we interviewed all your clients … what is “one” common word that comes up when they describe working with you?  
LM: Professional…dependable…reliable

Q: What is most important to you and why at this point in your life?
LM: Being able to provide quality service to my clients

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
LM: If you love what you do, it will no longer be considered a “job”. I enjoy what I do and enjoy helping people understand their taxes. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
LM: There are so many women (both national and local) that inspire me. 

Michelle Obama…she displays style and class despite the negativity that people showed her. 

My friend, Rhonda Aaron [founder of Sister Friends United, Inc.] …she has stayed steadfast in her mission to help other African American women in our community for 13 years

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?
LM: Being taken seriously. People think that when we start something, it is just “a fad” and we won’t stick with it. Being an African American woman, it has even more challenges. We are just as intelligent, if not more educated, than our fellow counterparts.

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to purse their dream and start a business? 
LM: JUST DO IT!!!! Don’t be deterred by those around you that tell you that you won’t be successful. Most of those people are just mad or jealous of you.

Five Things About LaDonna Mayo 

1. If you could talk to one famous person past or present, who would it be and why?
Too many to name…I would have to have a small forum of Black women from the past such as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Shirley Chisholm, Rosa Parks, so that I can pick their minds to see how we as Americans today can use the lessons from our past to help shape the future

2. What motivates you to work hard?
My sons, Kery and Tony

3. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Travel

4. Favorite dessert?
Anything with chocolate and nuts

5. What's your favorite type of foreign food?
Mexican and Italian