WBC Client Expands to Second Location after completing Entrepreneurial “Boot Camp”

Christopher Wycoco is the sole owner of WYCOTAX Free E$timax, a local tax preparation and payroll company with locations in Harlingen and Brownsville, Texas. WYCOTAX Free E$timax opened in 2014 and offers free maximum estimates for personal and business income tax, in addition to providing payroll, notary, and other business services.  Due to Christopher Wycoco’s marketing efforts and appetite for business, acumen WYCOTAX Free E$timax has experienced exceptional growth!  He relied on the U.S. Small Business Administration and partners for guidance and assistance in managing growth.

Wycoco first heard about the Women’s Business Center of Cameron County (WBC-CC) by attending various workshops organized at the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, the host organization for WBC-CC.  At the training, he was invited to participate in one of WBC-CC’s signature training programs, the Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp.  He bravely enrolled as the only male participant at the 2017 boot camp. In addition to the boot camp, Wycoco requested counseling to learn more about his current market position and guidance in updating his business plan to include an expansion.

In early 2018, WYCOTAX Free E$timax opened a facility in Brownsville, Texas—the second location for the company. In fact, since the company’s expansion sales have increased 31% and the number of employees has grown 400 percent from two to 10 in order to accommodate the increase in business.  In May 2018, Wycoco was recognized with a District Director award during National Small Business Week for the Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year nominated by the Women’s Business Center of Cameron County.  Wycoco is an inspiration and an example to local minority entrepreneurs by demonstrating the ability to overcome difficulties in business through differentiated tools and resources available via community outreach programs.  Not only does he encourage businesses to expand their limits, he also provides assistance to other minority- owned businesses. He does this through mentorship, cross-promotion, and encouraging them to attend programs such as the Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp and the Kaufmann Fastrac Program.  Christopher Wycoco came to the United States from the Philippines working in the health care industry. Despite his success, Christopher continues to pursue opportunities in advancing his skills and knowledge by attending various workshops, seminars, and conferences provided throughout the region by the U.S. Small Business Administration, UTRGV Small Business Development Center, WBC-CC, and local Chambers of Commerce. In the future, WYCOTAX envisions an expansion strategy that allows for franchising and ultimately becoming the “Uber” of tax consulting providing accessibility, reliability, and peace of mind to its clients. He is currently working on this strategic plan through his current utilization of a downloadable mobile app that allows clients to submit documents, access their tax returns and make appointments through their cell phone. From the owner: Wycoco’s advice to others considering going into business is “don’t limit yourself; everyone has an unlimited amount of skills. Passion is just an ingredient—not the recipe!”