Korea RPSV Marjorie Bloem enjoys being her own boss
Marjorie Bloem: 'One-woman show'
By DENNIS J. WRIGHT
dwright@phoenixvillenews.com
PHOENIXVILLE - A self-described "one-woman show," Marjorie Bloem enjoys being her own boss, making her own decisions, and the Schedule C tax form.
Her tax business, located at 167 Bridge Street, has been busy during this tax season, and that brings a smile to Bloem's face.
"I enjoy being busy this time of year," said Bloem. "Having my own business is something I've considered for a long time. Every year has been getting a little stronger - and this year looks like the one to where we'll really take off here. It's been hectic getting the word out and some publicity for the business. I get a lot of clients via word of mouth from my repeat customers."
A native of Western Michigan, Bloem said she's been on quite a journey before making her way to Phoenixville.
"Before accounting, I went to grad school at Northwestern University for anthropology," she said. "I then joined the Peace Corps and went to South Korea to teach English. I made my way to Boston where I did double duty - teaching English to foreign students while studying accounting at Babson College in Waltham, Mass."
After getting her degree in accounting, Bloem found herself in New York for six years.
"I worked in the same building above Radio City Music Hall," she said. "I never went downstairs to see any of the shows - none of them - not even the Rockettes. The coolest thing I saw was Liberace playing the piano in Rockefeller Center."
Following an 8-year hitch in the Olney section of Northeast Philadelphia, Bloem moved to Phoenixville in 1995.
"I was still working for International Mill Service (IMS) when I arrived in town," she said. "I found out about Phoenixville because Phoenix Steel was a client of IMS. After leaving IMS, I took a position as controller for The Phoenix. I was there until 2000 and I started my own tax business from there."
The first thing Bloem wanted for her business was a prominent Phoenixville location, right along Bridge Street.
"I wanted an office on Bridge Street," she said. "It was important for me to have my business right in town I could've had a storefront location further down the street, but I preferred an office setting. Unfortunately, being on the second floor isn't very accessible for some of my senior clients."
Being her own boss for the first time, Bloem said she enjoys the flexibility of her schedule.
"The best part of working on my own is the flexibility and the ability to make my own decisions," she said. "My deadlines and constraints are self-imposed. I relish being a one-woman show, but I will hire more employees once the business continues to grow. I'd love to help out the local economy."
During non-tax season, Bloem said she spends time with her husband, Warren Campbell, and daughter, Anna Campbell, as well as seeking more payroll business.
"I've been trying to get more businesses to come in for quarterly and monthly payroll taxes," she said. "If they aren't done right, a business can easily get shut down. Some owners would prefer to sell their product and not deal with the taxes part of the business. However, they need to know if they are making a profit or not. This can be discovered by having their taxes done properly and on a timely basis. Some think they can't afford an accountant. Well, I have news for them. They can't afford not to have an accountant - especially one that knows what they're doing. Some owners tend to overestimate the potential cost while underestimate the eventual penalty."
Always up for a challenge, Bloem spoke of her favorite tax form.
"Quite a few of my clients are self-employed," she said. "The Schedule C tax form is fun to work with, the challenge is paying the government exactly what they owe them and that's absolutely it - nothing more."
Editor's Note: The Phoenix Profile is a weekly feature focusing on people of local interest from the Phoenixville area. If you would like to nominate someone to be the Phoenix Profile e-mail editor@phoenixvillenews.com or call 610-933-8926.
©The Phoenix 2004
