In the world of finance, numbers rarely tell the full story on their own. Behind every balance sheet and tax return sits a business owner trying to make sense of decisions that will shape their future, their family, and their legacy. Laini Phelps and Natalia Atchley understand this better than most. As partners in Omaha, Nebraska, the two women have built careers, and now a shared practice, around a simple belief: that financial guidance works best when it is personal, proactive, and rooted in genuine relationships.
Laini Phelps and Natalia Atchley | Owner | Elite Business Solutions and Elite Business Strategies
EliteX proudly features Laini Phelps and Natalia Atchleyin this edition, celebrating their achievements, leadership, and valuable impact.
Laini is the Founder and Owner of Elite Business Solutions and Elite Business Strategies. She is a Certified Tax Advisor with more than fourteen years of experience in accounting, tax planning, and business advisory services. Her days are spent leading her team, overseeing client services, and helping business owners make informed financial decisions. She describes her role as one built on developing proactive tax strategies that help clients build and preserve wealth, and she remains passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand their numbers and use them as tools for growth rather than sources of stress.
Perseverance and passion can open doors you never imagined possible.
Natalia brings a complementary set of strengths to the partnership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Nebraska Omaha and completed her graduate studies at Bellevue University. With more than sixteen years of experience providing tax and accounting services, she works closely with individuals and businesses on tax planning, tax preparation, accounting, and financial guidance. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows her to serve a wide range of clients and make financial information more accessible to communities that are often underserved by traditional advisory firms.
Both women were drawn to finance for reasons that go beyond spreadsheets and formulas. Laini was pulled toward accounting after realizing that behind every successful business is a strong financial foundation. She saw hardworking business owners struggle not because they lacked talent or ambition, but because they lacked access to quality financial guidance, and she wanted to become someone who could help close that gap. Natalia found her own path through a lifelong passion for numbers and problem-solving, but what truly inspired her was the chance to help people. For her, accounting became a way to combine analytical thinking with meaningful client relationships, guiding individuals and businesses toward informed decisions and stronger financial futures.
Their professional journeys, while distinct, reflect a shared pattern of steady growth built on dedication and continuous learning. For Laini, one of the most significant milestones was starting her own firm. After years of working in accounting for others, she wanted to build a practice that focused on proactive planning rather than simply preparing tax returns.
Building Elite Business Solutions from the ground up has been an incredible journey, and along the way she earned her Certified Tax Advisor designation, grew her client base to serve hundreds of individuals and businesses, expanded her team, and launched Elite Business Strategies to provide more comprehensive tax and wealth-building services.
Natalia’s milestones tell a story of long-term commitment and consistency. Earning her degree in accounting and finance, and later continuing her education through graduate studies, laid the foundation for a career built on trust. Over sixteen years, she has developed lasting relationships with clients who continue to rely on her for their businesses and personal finances year after year, something she values deeply and considers one of her greatest professional achievements.
Ask either woman what they have learned along the way, and the answers overlap in meaningful ways. Laini has come to believe that relationships matter more than almost anything else. Technical knowledge is critical, she says, but trust is what truly creates long-term success. She has also learned the importance of adaptability, since tax laws, technology, and business environments are constantly evolving, and she has found that consistency often matters more than perfection, with small, intentional actions taken over time producing meaningful results. Natalia echoes this sentiment, noting that communication and trust are just as important as technical expertise. Every client’s situation is unique, she explains, and taking the time to truly understand their needs leads to better outcomes. She, too, points to continuous learning as essential, given how constantly tax laws and financial regulations evolve.
Investing in people ultimately leads to better service and stronger organizations.
Staying current in a fast-changing industry is something both partners take seriously. Laini prioritizes continuing education, regularly attending industry conferences, participating in advanced tax training, and staying informed on legislative changes that affect her clients. She also collaborates with attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals to gain different perspectives, and she works to embrace new technology without losing the personal relationships her clients value. Natalia follows a similar approach, participating in continuing education, attending professional seminars and training, monitoring legislative and tax law changes, and collaborating with other professionals in the industry so that she can provide clients with timely and accurate advice.
Leadership, for both women, is grounded in character as much as competence. Laini points to authenticity, resilience, and empathy as essential to her leadership style, explaining that people perform their best when they feel supported, valued, and trusted. She strives to lead by example, maintain high standards, and create an environment where clients and team members alike feel comfortable asking questions and growing professionally. Natalia identifies integrity, accountability, and strong communication as the qualities that have helped her succeed, along with a focus on being approachable and responsive so that clients feel comfortable making informed financial decisions.
Like many women in professional services, both have faced moments where they needed to work harder to establish credibility. Laini recalls feeling, at times, that she had to prove herself before earning full trust. Rather than letting that discourage her, she focused on continually strengthening her knowledge, delivering exceptional service, and letting her work speak for itself. Over time, consistency, professionalism, and confidence helped her build a reputation that clients and colleagues trust. Natalia faced similar situations and overcame them the same way, by consistently delivering quality work, maintaining professionalism, and letting her knowledge, work ethic, and results speak for themselves.
When asked about the achievements they are most proud of, both women point to something deeper than financial metrics. Laini is most proud of building a successful business while remaining present for her family. Entrepreneurship often requires sacrifice, but one of the reasons she started her firm was to create flexibility and build a life aligned with her values. Being able to help clients achieve their goals while also being actively involved in her three daughters’ lives is something she considers a tremendous success. Natalia, too, measures her proudest achievement in relationships rather than numbers. She is most proud of the long-term connections she has built with her clients over the years. Knowing that families and business owners continue to trust her with important financial decisions year after year is incredibly rewarding, and helping clients solve problems and achieve financial success is what motivates her every day.
Success is not measured solely by revenue, but by the impact you have on others.
Balancing innovation with sound judgment is a theme that runs through both of their approaches to work. Laini believes innovation is important because it allows her team to serve clients more efficiently and effectively, but she is careful to balance it with strong internal controls, compliance, and sound business practices. By focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains, she and her team are able to make decisions that support steady growth while protecting both clients and the organization. Natalia takes a similar view, believing innovation should always be paired with careful planning and compliance. She looks for opportunities to improve efficiency through technology, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence, while making sure clients remain compliant with tax laws and regulations.
Looking ahead, both partners see technology reshaping their profession in significant ways. Laini expects artificial intelligence and automation to continue transforming accounting by reducing time spent on routine tasks and improving access to real-time financial data. As compliance becomes more automated, she believes advisory services will become increasingly valuable, with business owners continuing to seek trusted professionals who can provide strategic guidance and insights that technology alone cannot deliver. Natalia shares this outlook, expecting technology and automation, particularly artificial intelligence and cloud-based financial systems, to keep transforming the profession. At the same time, she believes tax laws are becoming increasingly complex, which makes personalized advisory services more valuable than ever, and she sees accountants continuing to evolve from compliance professionals into trusted business advisors.
Fostering an inclusive, supportive environment is a shared priority within their organization. Laini believes every individual brings unique experiences and perspectives that strengthen a team, and she works to create a supportive environment where people feel respected, encouraged, and empowered to grow. Ongoing education, mentoring, open communication, and opportunities for professional development are all important parts of the culture she has built. Natalia brings her own perspective to this effort, drawing on her fluency in English and Spanish to serve clients from diverse backgrounds and make financial information more accessible. She believes everyone deserves to feel respected, heard, and supported, and she encourages continuous learning and professional development because investing in people ultimately leads to better service and stronger organizations.
Every client’s situation is unique, and understanding it leads to better outcomes.
For young women considering a career in finance, both partners offer encouragement rooted in their own experiences. Laini urges them to believe in their abilities and never stop learning, noting that the accounting profession offers incredible opportunities for growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She encourages young women to seek mentors, ask questions, and not be afraid to challenge themselves, since confidence often develops through experience rather than before it. Natalia offers similar advice, reminding young women that the finance industry is constantly evolving, so staying curious and investing in education is essential. She encourages them not to be afraid to ask questions, to seek out mentors, and to embrace new opportunities, adding that confidence in one’s own knowledge, integrity, and dedication will earn the respect and trust of clients and colleagues.
Success, for both women, is defined by more than professional achievement. Laini describes success as something that has evolved for her over the years. Professionally, it means helping clients achieve their goals, creating opportunities for her team, and building a business that makes a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Personally, success is being able to be present for her three daughters while pursuing a career she loves. It is not measured solely by revenue, growth, or professional achievements, but by building a life that aligns with her values and showing her daughters that it is possible to build a successful career while still prioritizing family. Natalia defines success in much the same spirit. Professionally, she measures it by the positive impact she has on her clients and the long-term relationships she has built throughout her career. Personally, success means maintaining a healthy balance between her career and her family, and being present for her two boys while continuing to grow professionally is something she values deeply.
Looking to the future, both women remain focused on growth, both for their clients and their organization. Laini is focused on expanding advisory and tax planning services to provide even greater value to business owners, while also developing her team, enhancing operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to improve the client experience. Long term, she wants to continue building a firm that empowers both clients and employees to achieve their goals. Natalia shares similar ambitions, aiming to grow her practice while expanding the advisory services she provides to clients. As technology and artificial intelligence continue to transform the profession, she wants to use these tools to improve efficiency and deliver even greater value, all while remaining committed to personalized service.
Small, intentional actions taken over time create meaningful results.
Their closing messages to readers reflect the values that have guided their careers from the beginning. Laini encourages readers to remember that success is not just about numbers, titles, or achievements, but about the impact one has on the people around them. Throughout her career, she has learned that the most rewarding part of her work is not preparing tax returns or reviewing financial statements, but helping business owners gain confidence, reduce stress, and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. She encourages others not to be afraid to take chances, ask questions, or pursue opportunities that push them outside their comfort zone, noting that some of the best moments in her life, including starting her own firm, came from taking a leap of faith before she felt completely ready. Natalia’s message carries a similar spirit. She reminds readers that success is not measured solely by numbers or titles, but by the lives touched along the way. She encourages readers to stay committed to continuous learning, lead with integrity, and never underestimate the value of building genuine relationships. As women in finance, she believes they have the opportunity to inspire confidence, create meaningful change, and empower others through knowledge and leadership, and she encourages every woman pursuing this profession to believe in herself and remember that perseverance and passion can open doors once thought impossible.
Together, Laini Phelps and Natalia Atchley represent a partnership built on shared values as much as complementary skills. Their combined decades of experience, their commitment to proactive planning, and their dedication to genuine client relationships continue to shape the way business owners and families across Omaha approach their financial futures. As the finance industry continues to evolve, their story stands as a reminder that the most lasting success is built not just on numbers, but on trust.
Trust is what truly creates long-term success.
