When Crystal Stranger launched earlier this year, she did so with entrepreneurial experience under her belt. She led her previous company, Cleer, for four successful years, helping thousands of small businesses with their taxes and bookkeeping through that first startup. Looking for a new venture, Stranger decided to combine her expertise in small business finance with emerging AI technology to help people in the U.S. figure out how likely they are to get audited by the IRS when they file their tax returns. As Stranger describes it: “It’s like having a super-smart assistant that analyzes your tax information and gives you a heads-up if there might be any red flags.” Today, she’s continuing to scale her new venture, Optic Tax, while working remotely as she travels the world with her family.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
Our cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence to accurately assess audit risks. Unlike traditional methods, our technology provides personalized insights based on each individual’s unique tax situation. We prioritize simplicity, making this complex tax analysis accessible to everyone. And, our commitment to data security ensures that users can trust our platform with their sensitive financial information.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
I led my last company, Cleer, to the 2023 Inc 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Work/life balance, especially with two young children. My husband and I both work remotely and do World Schooling, an international online education program. This allows us to help them grow, while also killing it in the business world.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that affected your business decisions?
I left my prior company because my co-founder no longer shared the same vision. It broke my heart to have to leave the team I had built, but conflict at high levels of a company is not healthy for anyone. I realize now that this was the best thing that could have happened to me, as I have made the switch to a more tech-driven business model that will help more people than the prior company could.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Keep it simple at the beginning. Leave any concepts with a thousand moving parts for the big companies to develop.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
My children inspire me every day. I love viewing the world through their eyes, especially as we experience different cultures. When I am having a challenging day, I often go for a walk with them and try to appreciate nature – for example, by finding a tortoise or a lizard along a trail. And then it will hit me: Everyone goes through tough times, and our lives are too short to be upset about little things.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“I’m on Vacation” by the Dirty Heads.
Who is your most important role model?
My mom. She taught me to build my own world view, and to find fun in life by making challenges into games.
Website: www.optictax.com
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