Whether putting together a major cultural event or operating a business that helps clients navigate the intricacies of the financial forest, one must first be passionate about connecting with people.
Ask Daysi Jacobson. She was a key organizer for the recent — and very successful — Hispanic Night at the link. She is also CEO and founder of Daysi Jacobson Accounting, Tax & Financial Strategies, as well as Jacobson Wealth Builders.
And she will enthusiastically tell you what, for her, ties it all together: “The thing I most enjoy is the connection with people.”
Jacobson was born and raised in Ecuador, moving to the United States when she was 21, though at the time she didn’t speak a word of English. Because students in her home country select and prepare for a career path in high school, she began to learn accounting at the age of 14.
Once here, she enrolled in English classes and got her American citizenship. She continued her career path, attending college to major in accounting and finance, and when the opportunity arose, she accepted a job with the IRS where she worked for the next decade.
Performing audits for individuals and businesses, she saw how government rules and regulations caused anxiety among many people — and she understood the reason.
“Most of the time it is because we are afraid of the unknown,” she said.
Clearly, guidance, support and information were key to assuaging this anxiety. And, realizing that she could help people with her expert skills and work experience, she resigned her job in 2018 and founded her own business.
Accounting, taxes and more
Daysi Jacobson Accounting, Tax & Financial Strategies, 818 N. A1A Suite 304, Ponte Vedra Beach, handles a comprehensive array of financial services both for individuals and businesses. Though she enjoys all aspects of the business, one that stands out for Jacobson is personalized tax planning.
A standard practice for large businesses, tax planning is not something ordinary people have access to. But Jacobson makes that available.
“That’s what I love — bringing those services to everybody,” she said.
In addition, her background offers her insights that benefit clients outside the U.S. or Americans with foreign income, transactions and businesses. She understands how taxation works in other countries and, should something fall outside her scope, she knows the right professionals to handle it.
This year, Jacobson launched Jacobson Wealth Builders, which brings together accounting and tax services with the vast array of strategies and services offered by financial advisers. This provides a more seamless relationship between the two fields than might otherwise exist when an accounting firm and financial adviser are separate entities.
“We can help more people to build their future, their wealth,” explained Jacobson. “Even if they don’t know anything about finances or taxes, we are here to walk them through whatever it is that they want to do and make sure we can guide them and give them all the available options.”
Connecting the community
This love of connecting with people gave birth to a major cultural event on Nov. 2 at the link in Nocatee: Hispanic Night, “where art and culture shines bright.” Jacobson credits Maria Montoya, CEO of MiAddvantage, with putting it all together.
The link was transformed for the event to give it the appearance of a club in Miami. There was food from places like Argentina and Peru, rum for cocktails, music by the popular band Mandalla, Panamanian dancers, artists exhibiting their works, cultural attire from South America and more.
The community embraced the event, with more than 150 people attending.
“We wanted to do something a little extra special for the community and the people,” said Jacobson. “So, I think we did a pretty good job.”
In fact, Hispanic Night is expected to be just the first of a series of “Nights.” Plans are under way for the next one, which organizers hope will be focused on Carnival, in February.
To learn more about Jacobson’s businesses and the cultural events, go to daysijacobson.com and click on the Facebook link.
