January 2026 Pro Highlight — Meet Laura.

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Meet Laura ( @AR2i ), a Top Pro with 98% 5-star reviews and 4 years of Top Pro badges — and a Pro Advisor on Thumbtack's Pro Advisory Board. Laura is the owner of AR2i Business Solutions in Discovery Bay, CA. We asked her about her Thumbtack experience and to share some advice for other pros. Check out what she had to say and comment below with your story or any advice you'd like to share with other Thumbtack pros.

Can you tell us a bit about your business and what inspired you to start it? I founded AR2i Business Solutions in 2021 with the goal of helping individuals and small businesses take the stress out of taxes and bookkeeping. After over 30 years of bookkeeping and more than a decade of tax preparation, I saw how many people felt overwhelmed by their finances — not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t have the time or tools to stay on top of it all. I wanted to create a service that’s approachable, accurate, and reliable — one that helps clients feel confident and organized instead of stressed out. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a business owner, and how did you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges was scaling while maintaining a personal touch. When you care deeply about every client, it’s hard to hand things off or automate processes. Over time, I built strong systems — from secure client portals to clear workflows and communication touchpoints — so my team and I could stay efficient without losing the “human” side of what we do. I also learned to be selective about the clients we take on, focusing on long-term relationships that align with our values.

How has Thumbtack contributed to your business's success? Thumbtack has been a huge part of our growth. It allowed me to reach new clients nationwide who might not have found us otherwise. The platform helps establish trust quickly through reviews, responsiveness, and transparency. Because of that, many of my Thumbtack clients have become repeat customers — and even referred their friends and family. Being recognized as a Thumbtack Top Pro four years in a row has also been a great credibility boost for my business.

What advice would you give to new business owners starting out on Thumbtack? Take the time to build genuine connections with your clients. Don’t just focus on landing the lead — focus on listening, understanding their needs, and communicating clearly. Keep your profile up to date, respond quickly, and ask happy clients to share their experience in reviews. Every review builds momentum. Most importantly, stay consistent — the more effort you put into quality service and follow-through, the more Thumbtack will work for you.

You'll also see Laura often at our CommuniTEA sessions — join us to meet Top Pros!