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To Learn More
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To learn more about the tax changes anticipated for 2015, please call us at 630-653-1616. Our partners and staff are ready to help you with your tax planning.
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From the Prairie Path Books Photo Album...
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Local celebrity chef Jean True shares her French recipes with PPB fans
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| The bookstore is open for book clubs and other special events |
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| Voila! Sandy and Jenny, Prairie Path Books owners, savor the essence of French cooking from the book Julia and Jacques: Cooking at Home by Julia Child and Jacques Pepin |
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Independent Bookstore Owner Turns to MMA & Co. to Launch Business
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| There's nothing Sandy Koropp loves more than curling  up with a good book. She knew that she wasn't the only one who enjoyed reading and the discussion of good books, and she yearned for a way to share that passion. So Sandy and her long-time friend Jenny Riddle decided to swim against the tide and open an independent bookstore. As a former attorney for McDonald's Corporation and a stay-at-home mom, Sandy had no idea what to do first. "One of the first calls I made was to Ron Austin," Sandy said.
Ron and the staff at Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co., LLP, helped Sandy launch Prairie Path Books, tucked away in the northeast corner of Toms-Price Home Furnishings, 303 Front Street in Wheaton. Sandy, Jenny and their team of enthusiastic staff and fans celebrate the store's one-year anniversary this month.
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| Photo credit: Beverly Horne, Daily Herald |
"Sharing ideas is a lost art," said Sandy, whose role includes taking excursions to New York on buying trips, hosting events at the store and even baking homemade bread, offering an alluring aroma that wafts through the store. Book-inspired events and documentary discussions are part of their commitment to bringing back "elegant discourse" in a world that's gone virtual.
How do they compete with Amazon? "We are not just surviving--we're thriving!" writes Sandy in her Prairie Path blog. The difference, according to Sandy, is:
- Good, old-fashioned customer service from a book-crazy, local staff
- Hand-picked and often hand-made reading- and writing-related gifts
- A great selection of greeting cards
- Reasons to gather as a community, offering space for book clubs, local author readings and special events
The bookstore has also received a raft of publicity and awards, including a 2015 "Best of Wheaton" award for retail business, sponsored by the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, and a nomination for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Dream Big" Small Business of the Year
Award.
 Highlights for this summer include a children's series called "Emma's Kids," named after Sandy's 17-year-old daughter (right) who designed the series of readings, "Wonder Camps," French Fridays and Science Saturdays. Sandy advised us to stay tuned for upcoming announcements about Prairie Path Books expanding within the Chicago area, thanks to Scott Price, the generous landlord who offered Sandy and Jenny free space for Prairie Path Books.
Sandy acknowledged Ron Austin and the team at MMA & Co. for helping get PPB off on the right foot and for continuing to help them be successful. "From the first moment I knew I needed Ron on my team," she said, adding, "He helps us make sure all the numbers are in those nice columns."
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Your Trusted Advisors
If you're like Sandy and Jenny and you're thinking of launching a business, or you know someone who wants to start a business of their own, please share our name and contact information with them. We love to help business owners keep those numbers in all those nice columns!
And thank you for your referrals.
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The Team at Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co., LLP
Jim Mathieson, CPA, Partner
Mike Moyski, CPA, Partner
Ron Austin, CPA, MST, Partner
Brett Mathieson, CPA, Partner
Brian Eisenmenger, CPA, Partner
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CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: IRS regulations require us to advise you that, unless otherwise specifically noted, any federal tax advice in this communication (including any attachments, enclosures, or other accompanying materials) was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties; furthermore, this communication was not intended or written to support the promotion or marketing of any of the transactions or matters it addresses.
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