As part of our new Member Spotlight series, we’re happy to highlight a Chamber member who’s not only been a great supporter but an inspirational leader who has a loyal client following and growing business.

It’s our pleasure to recognize Miguel Angel Cuevas, Founder of IT Systems Solutions Pro as our Member of the Month for May 2018. On his experience being a member of the LA Latino Chamber, Miguel says he’s “enjoyed making new connections and widening my net of possible clients.” This June, he will have been in business for 11 years. Here is his story:

After having been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Mexico, Miguel decided to take an entrepreneurial risk and journeyed to the States where he would add additional skills to his career. The journey led him to explore marketing, office management, sales, music entertainment, real estate, and investments. Only then, did he come to realize his love for and understanding of technology.

Miguel’s first steps into technology started when he founded and trained a team for Bookkeepers Pro. After becoming a Certified Network Administrator, he launched IT Systems Solutions Pro, Miguel says that “I had a big interest in technology. I was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), but wanted to help entrepreneurs leverage technology to become more efficient, free up time and increase their profits; plus, computer and internet connections make me happy.” IT Systems Solutions Pro specializes in development and maintenance of computer, data backup, networking administration, and accounting systems for the small business environment.

Miguel has developed years of entrepreneurial wisdom over his career but when someone asks for the best advice he’d offer to fledgling business owners and entrepreneurs, he keeps it simple—“Listen to your heart and follow it.”

Miguel can be reached via miguel@itsspro.com or http://www.itsspro.com

There are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States, making up a whopping 99.7 percent of all U.S. businesses, according to the Small Business Administration. When you consider some of the most popular reasons to start a business, including having a unique business idea, designing a career that has the flexibility to grow with you, working toward financial independence, and investing in yourself — it's no wonder that small businesses are everywhere.

Allow us to introduce you to Ralph, who is from Lima, Peru, and Caroline from Paris, France. Both have more than 10 years working in the restaurant and hospitality business and are very excited to give life to this professional endeavor and adventure. 

Their company, Beaurin Walde Hospitality Consulting, LLC, offers comprehensive consulting services to international and local clients on all aspects of the restaurant business and hospitality establishments with an emphasis on Latin American, European and American cuisine. They provide consulting services in English, French and Spanish.

Congratulations and much success to them both -- and to all the risk-takers, go-getters and deal-makers in Los Angeles. We are here to cheer you on and help you when needed!

1. Take Advantage of Expiring Deductions
Currently, sole proprietors and home-based businesses are allowed to deduct business expenses if they total more than 2% of their adjusted gross income. In some instances, employees can also deduct unreimbursed expenses.

Such expenses include a home office, depreciation on a personal computer required for the job, membership dues to professional organizations and subscriptions to trade magazines.

All of those deductions disappear from 2018 through 2025 under the new tax bill, so you probably want to move as many of those expenses as you can to 2017, such as by becoming a member of the LA Latino Chamber of Commerce before December 31st.

2. Pay Your Vendors Now
If you have the money in the bank, pay for purchases you made or services you used in 2017, before 2018. This provides you with additional deductions, and you’ll start 2018 with less debt. Here’s what Xero, the accounting software company, recommends: “Pay your vendors and contractors in full by year end. For vendors this is straightforward. For contractors, you may have to submit a W-9 form — check with your accountant. You will also need to give each contractor a 1099-MISC form by 31 January.”

Xero also reminds small businesses that before year-end they should: “Decide on employee bonus payments and withhold the required tax. If you decide to reward your employees with bonuses, don't forget about tax. Bonuses are subject to income tax withholding, FICA and FUTA taxes — just like regular pay.”

3. Put Off Or Accelerate Income
A long-standing rule of year-end tax planning is to “accelerate deductions, delay income.” Why? It reduces your 2017 taxes. This year that’s particularly important, with the possibility of a new tax bill that alleges to reduce taxes on pass-through income (the kind most small businesses have).

According to Quickbooks: “If your business income is higher than normal, you may want to think about sending out invoices for December projects in January. In addition, you may want to make equipment purchases or other business expenses this year if it will keep you from reaching a higher tax bracket."

Consult a tax professional before making any decision, but keep in mind that you have less than a week to sort out which moves to make.