Austin Tax and Financial: A Testament to Faith, Family, and Financial Wisdom

In St. Joseph, Michigan, Tom Austin, the founder of Austin Tax and Financial, embodies entrepreneurial success through his unwavering faith and family values. His journey from a traveling financial planner across Michigan and Indiana to the proud owner of a trusted local business highlights his resilience and dedication to community engagement.

The Road Less Traveled: Challenges and Transformation

Tom did not take a direct path in his career.  He’s held many jobs over the years, from firefighter to bricklayer.  It wasn’t until he was nearing 40 that he found his way into the financial world.  He began his financial career by traveling across the Michiana area to people’s homes to offer his services.  10 years later, he took a leap of faith and established a brick-and-mortar business.

This decision carried risks, especially at the start of the 2008 financial collapse. Suddenly, he had overhead and expenses that he didn’t have when he was traveling. He also had to spend money to market his business which significantly cut into his income. Tom never gave up, and he found his place in the community and established a local presence. This gave him the ability to grow his business more than before. His emphasis on community engagement made Austin Tax and Financial a fixture of the St. Joe, Michigan area.

Faith and Family: The Core of Success

His rediscovery of faith significantly influenced Tom’s journey, which he credits for his success in life and business. Equally pivotal to the success of Austin Tax and Financial, is the involvement of his wife, who has been instrumental in the business.  She supported Tom when he was traveling by doing paperwork and setting appointments, and when they opened the office, she took a hands-on role in running the day-to-day activities of the office.  She also taught herself how to do taxes so that she could take on clients as well.  Recently, Tom’s son joined the team, further cementing the business as a family legacy.

Building Relationships: Beyond Business Transactions

Tom Austin Prioritizes personal relationships over transactions. As an independent business owner, he can focus on what each customer needs.  This is a flexibility he wouldn’t have had in a larger firm setting. Austin Tax and Financial have been able to thrive during challenging times because he fostered a sense of community and trust. While many businesses struggled during the economic turmoil of the 2009 financial crisis and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, he saw growth, proving the importance of connection and community during hard times.

Eleni Owens 

Storytelling is more than a skill, it’s my passion. I dive into the heart of Michiana, seeking out the rich, often overlooked tales of small businesses and the people behind them. My goal is to craft stories that not only inform but resonate deeply, connecting readers with the diverse and heartfelt narratives that define our community. Each article I craft is a tribute to the diverse and vibrant stories that make Michiana unique.