At H&R Block, Two Certainties Are Networking and Taxes

The employees at New Lenox’s can get pretty busy, especially during the peak of tax season. That’s nothing new.

But when healthy chocolate, tips to coupon shopping and dance classes become involved, that’s a different story. And that’s what makes local branch owner Lori Thompson’s business different—it’s much more than that, giving employees and others in the community ways to network and have a little fun.

“Sometimes you just need to decompress, especially with what we do,” Thompson said. “It can be high stress.”

Events such as the zumba classes or couponing program are ways Thompson likes to network, especially with other small business owners.

“My favorite part of what I do is working with small business owners,” Thompson said. She said there’s so many things to consider when starting a small business, and “I can teach them how to do all that.”

While obtaining her master’s degree in accountancy, a professor told her to take H&R Block’s tax course. She did that and, after getting hired by the company, worked a tax season in New Lenox. Eventually, she got the opportunity to purchase the local branch.

“The main thing I thought about when buying this office was that we have the opportunity to do a lot of good in the community,” she said.

She’s done that with small business owners, by offering free workshops about the finances behind the business, and has also helped local non-profits through H&R Block’s Non-Profit Referral Program. Last year, the local branch , and Thompson also completes  free tax returns for Trinity Services’ assisted living residents, as well as their families and the staff.

Thompson moved to New Lenox from Beverly during the village’s economic boom, and she opened a home cleaning business. “It was very successful,” Thompson said. “We had 14 crews cleaning all these new homes going up. But when the housing market started to fold, the house cleaners were let go first.”

She moved on to another venture, starting her own accounting firm, Professional Accounting Services, and continues to apply her knowledge of small businesses. Last year, Thompson partnered with local business coach Renee Perry to offer that answered various questions.

Thompson also blogs on Patch’s Local Voices section with financial advise for residents and small business owners. 

After helping businesses get started, she said she tries getting them involved in the community as well and helping owners network. And she’s proud of the staff she has to help the community network.

“Our biggest strength in this office is the customer service and personal environment,” Thompson said. “We have an incredible amount of skill in this office.”

The local branch offer free 1040EZ work all year, as well as free second looks for people who do their own taxes.