April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to reflect on the importance of understanding money, managing it well, and using it as a tool for long-term success. At the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), financial literacy is not just a concept we discuss; it is a core part of how we prepare entrepreneurs to build businesses that are not only operational but profitable. Because starting a business is one step. Sustaining and growing it is another. And that is where financial clarity makes all the difference. We see this transformation clearly in the journey of WIBO alumna Shadae Reid, founder of Virtue Wise Tax Services.
Shadae came to WIBO with both experience and purpose. For over six years, she has worked in the tax preparation industry, helping individuals and families navigate their financial responsibilities. Through that work, she developed a deep understanding of how confusing and at times inaccessible financial information can be for many people in her community. Rather than accept that gap, she chose to address it. She returned to school, earning an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Her goal is not only to build a business but to serve her community through education and access. But like many entrepreneurs, she recognized that knowledge alone is not enough. Building a business requires structure, strategy, and a clear financial foundation. That is what brought her to WIBO.
Through WIBO’s program, Shadae strengthened the foundation of her business by developing a detailed and realistic business plan aligned with her long-term goals. She gained clarity on her target market and learned how to position her services to meet real community needs. More importantly, she was able to connect the dots between her expertise and how to build a sustainable business around it. She refined her approach to pricing, gained a stronger understanding of operations, and learned how to plan for growth, not just hope for it. With structured guidance, mentorship, and feedback, Shadae transformed her vision into an actionable plan, and with that plan came confidence.
Today, through Virtue Wise Tax Services, Shadae is doing exactly what she set out to do: provide clear, trustworthy financial guidance to individuals and families who need it most. Her work goes beyond preparing taxes. She is helping her clients understand their finances, educating her community on financial responsibility, and empowering others to make informed decisions that impact their futures. This is what financial literacy looks like in action.
At WIBO, our mission has always been to help aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. But growth, at its core, must include profitability, sustainability, and financial strength. Financial Literacy Month reminds us that entrepreneurs cannot build successful businesses without understanding how money flows through their businesses. Shadae’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when that understanding is paired with purpose. She did not just start a business; she built one with intention, structure, and financial clarity. And because of that, she is positioned not just to operate, but to thrive.
As we continue our work at WIBO, we remain committed to equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to build financially strong businesses.
When entrepreneurs understand their finances, they do more than generate income; they create impact.