Founder Interview
Pamela Ferguson
My biggest advice is to start, but understand that starting a business and building a business are two very different things! Don't get so caught up in having the perfect logo,…

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.
My name is Pamela Ferguson, and I’m a Dallas, Texas, native, born and raised! I currently reside in Mansfield, Texas, and I’m the founder of Pajako, a financial services business I've spent the last 23 years building, growing, and evolving.
My professional background includes extensive experience in finance, payroll, tax compliance, and entrepreneurship. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work in corporate America while building a business of my own, giving me a unique perspective on both sides of the financial world.
After more than two decades in business, I've learned that financial services should go far beyond preparing tax returns. Today, my practice focuses on tax resolution, helping individuals and business owners overcome tax challenges, and insurance solutions that help families protect their income, assets, and legacies.
But beyond the titles and experience, I'm a woman who believes in growth, resilience, and never allowing one chapter of life to define the entire story.
Twenty-three years in business have taught me something valuable: Success isn't always about starting something new. Sometimes it's about having the courage to transform what you've already built. I'm not starting over. I'm building on 23 years of experience, and I believe my most impactful chapter is still ahead of me!
Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.
Being born and raised in Dallas, I’ll always be a city girl at heart! But what I love most about Mansfield is the peace it gives me. Life gets busy between running a business, family, and everything else that comes with being an entrepreneur, so I appreciate coming home to a place where I can slow down and just enjoy life. I love that I'm still close enough to Dallas to enjoy everything I grew up around, but far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle when I need to. At this stage in my life, peace means a whole lot more to me than it used to, and Mansfield gives me just that!
Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?
After 23 years in business, one thing I know for sure is that life happens to all of us. Sometimes we make great financial decisions, and sometimes we find ourselves in situations we never imagined. I've experienced enough of life to understand that, and it's why the work I do means so much to me.
I want people to know that no matter where they are financially, there's always an opportunity to make a different decision and move forward. Whether you're dealing with tax challenges, looking to protect your family's future, or simply ready to create new opportunities for yourself, I'd love for Pajako to be part of that journey.
You can always connect with me at www.pajako.com.
At the end of the day, people may come to Pajako for financial services, but I want them to leave with something even more valuable: peace of mind, a little more confidence, and the reassurance that their current situation doesn't have to be their final destination.
If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?
My biggest advice is to start, but understand that starting a business and building a business are two very different things! Don't get so caught up in having the perfect logo, website, or business name that you forget to focus on what really matters: providing a service or product that people actually need.
After 23 years in business, I can tell you that entrepreneurship will teach you things about yourself that no classroom ever could. There will be seasons when business is great and seasons when you question every decision you've made. I've experienced both, and I'm still learning!
Learn your numbers, understand your taxes, protect yourself and your business, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, don't compare your journey to someone else's highlight reel. You never know what it took for them to get where they are.
And please, give yourself permission to evolve! The business you start today may look completely different five or ten years from now, and that's okay. Pajako certainly doesn't look the same as it did 23 years ago.
My biggest lesson? Don't fall so deeply in love with your original plan that you miss the opportunity to grow beyond it. Be willing to learn, make adjustments, and keep showing up. You don't have to have it all figured out to get started, but you do have to be willing to do the work to keep going.
What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?
After 23 years in business, some of the most meaningful feedback I've received has been from clients who simply appreciated that I took the time to listen, explain their options, and genuinely care about their situation.
That's what Pajako is all about! Whether I'm helping someone work through tax challenges or understand how to protect their family's financial future, I want every client to feel valued, informed, and confident in their decisions.
People may come to Pajako for financial solutions, but I want them to remember the relationship, the trust, and the fact that someone genuinely cared about helping them.
That's what makes these 23 years worth it!
Where do you see your company in the future?
I see Pajako becoming a trusted name in tax resolution, insurance, and financial education, not just here in Texas, but nationwide. After 23 years in business, I'm at a point where I'm thinking less about how much I can do myself and more about how many people I can help through what I've built.
I want to continue growing a team of professionals, creating opportunities for others to build successful businesses, and making financial services feel less intimidating for everyday people.
I also want Pajako to be a place where people feel comfortable having those difficult conversations about money, taxes, and protecting their families without feeling judged.
And personally, I want to build something that will continue making a difference long after I'm no longer running the day-to-day operations.
I've spent 23 years building Pajako into what it is today, but I don't believe I've reached its full potential. My goal isn't just to grow a successful company. It's to build a legacy that creates opportunities for others while changing lives along the way.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you only need a tax professional during tax season or an insurance agent when something goes wrong. And honestly, that's where so many people miss out on opportunities to make better financial decisions.
Taxes and insurance aren't just about meeting obligations or preparing for the worst. They're about planning, protecting what you've worked for, and understanding your options before life forces you to make a decision.
I also think people assume that if they owe the IRS, they're automatically in trouble with no way out. That's simply not true. There are resolution options available, and sometimes the hardest part is just knowing where to start.
At Pajako, I'm working to change those conversations. I want people to stop seeing tax and insurance professionals as people you call only when you have a problem and start seeing us as people who can help you prepare for a better future.
What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?
One of my biggest struggles has been learning how to keep showing up for my business when life wasn't necessarily showing up the way I wanted it to. People see the business, the accomplishments, and the 23 years, but they don't always see the sacrifices, the unpaid invoices, the financial challenges, or the moments when I've questioned whether I was doing enough.
I've had seasons where I was so busy taking care of everyone else's needs that I neglected my own, including the needs of my business. And I'll be the first to admit, I've made mistakes along the way.
How did I deal with it? I had to get honest with myself, set better boundaries, reevaluate my business model, and understand that just because something worked for years didn't mean it was still the best direction for me.
That played a big part in my decision to shift Pajako's focus toward tax resolution and insurance. I wanted to build a business that was not only valuable to my clients but also sustainable for me.
One thing entrepreneurship has taught me is that you can love what you've built and still recognize that something needs to change. I've had to learn that starting over isn't always necessary. Sometimes you just need the courage to do things differently. And after 23 years, I'm still learning, still growing, and most importantly, still here!
Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?
I can't say I had one favorite artist or athlete growing up. I've always been an R&B girl! Give me some good old-school R&B, and I'm happy. I love music that tells a story, brings back memories, and makes you feel something.
And being born and raised in Dallas, of course I have love for the Dallas Cowboys! Now, I wouldn't call myself a fanatic, but I definitely enjoy cheering for my hometown team. Win or lose, there's just something about being a Dallas girl! And trust me, being a Cowboys fan will teach you a little something about patience and loyalty! (LOL)
Any shoutouts you want to make?
Absolutely! First, I want to give a huge shoutout to my family, friends, and everyone who has supported me throughout these 23 years in business. Whether you've referred a client, shared a post, used my services, or simply encouraged me along the way, please know that I appreciate you!
I also want to thank my clients, especially those who have trusted Pajako year after year. You've allowed me to grow, learn, and evolve, and I don't take that lightly.
And I have to give a special shoutout to my fellow entrepreneurs who are out here figuring it out every single day. I see you! Building a business isn't always pretty, but we're still showing up and making it happen.
Lastly, to everyone who has supported Pajako in the past and those who will become part of our journey in the future, thank you! Twenty-three years later, I'm still here, still growing, and still excited about what's next. The best part is, I'm bringing others along with me!
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
I'd definitely encourage your readers to follow me on social media! That's where you'll get to know the real Pamela, not just the businesswoman behind Pajako. I love what I do, but I also love to laugh, travel, have a good time, and enjoy life. So be prepared to see all sides of me! One day I'm talking taxes, tax resolution, and insurance, and the next I'm sharing vacation pictures, enjoying some good music, or just being my everyday self. (LOL)
Of course, you can always visit www.pajako.com to learn more about my business and services.
I believe you can be serious about your business without being serious all the time. Life is meant to be lived, and I plan to enjoy every bit of it!


