Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivana Savany.
Hi Ivana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey has been shaped by hard work, resilience, and a passion for serving others. When I returned to the United States, I started from the ground up, working as a bilingual cashier, bank teller, and waitress. Those early experiences taught me the importance of customer service, adaptability, and building meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.
In 2015, after leaving the banking industry, I decided to pursue my insurance license. A few months later, I began learning tax preparation in North Carolina, and in 2016 I officially started preparing taxes. I quickly discovered how rewarding it was to help individuals and families better understand their finances and achieve their goals.
As my career evolved, I also began working as a Spanish-English interpreter, helping people overcome language barriers in healthcare, legal, educational, and business settings. This experience strengthened my passion for serving my community and ensuring that individuals had access to the resources and information they needed.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many others, I lost my job at an insurance company. Instead of seeing that setback as the end of my journey, I saw it as an opportunity to build something meaningful. In 2020, I founded Savany Financial Services with the mission of providing reliable, bilingual services that make financial, insurance, and business resources more accessible to my community.
In 2021, I was honored to join the Board of Directors of Latinas Network, a nonprofit organization in Roanoke, Virginia, dedicated to empowering and supporting the Hispanic community. Serving on the board has allowed me to give back through community initiatives, mentorship, and programs that create opportunities for Latino families.
Today, Savany Financial Services provides tax preparation, insurance, notary services, translations, interpreting, bookkeeping, and business consulting. I have also continued to expand my professional experience in accounting and people operations, allowing me to better serve individuals, families, and small businesses.
Looking back, every opportunity and every challenge has helped shape who I am today. My mission has always been the same: to empower others through knowledge, provide trustworthy guidance, and make a lasting, positive impact in the community I proudly serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced uncertainty, financial setbacks, and the pressure of building a business while balancing work, family, and community commitments.
One of the biggest turning points came during the COVID-19 pandemic when I lost my job at an insurance company. It was an unexpected and difficult time, but it also pushed me to take a leap of faith and build Savany Financial Services. Starting a business from scratch meant wearing many hats, learning through trial and error, and earning the trust of clients one relationship at a time.
As a Latina entrepreneur, I’ve also had to work hard to overcome language and cultural barriers while proving myself in industries where representation isn’t always common. Building credibility, expanding my knowledge, and staying current with constantly changing tax and insurance regulations has required continuous learning and dedication.
Despite those challenges, I’ve been incredibly humbled to see my work recognized by the community. In 2025, I was honored to be recognized as one of United Way’s **100 Unsung Heroes** for my service to the community, and I was invited to participate in the **Mayor’s Financial Empowerment Summit**, where I had the opportunity to share financial education and resources with local residents. Those experiences reminded me that perseverance, consistency, and a genuine desire to help others truly make a difference.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey. Every setback has strengthened my resilience and reinforced my commitment to serving my clients and my community with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Savany Financial Services LLC?
Savany Financial Services was founded with one simple mission: to make financial and business services accessible, understandable, and trustworthy for everyone. As a bilingual business serving both English- and Spanish-speaking clients, we strive to remove language barriers and provide personalized guidance that helps individuals, families, and small business owners make informed decisions.
We offer a wide range of services, including tax preparation for individuals and businesses, insurance solutions, bookkeeping, business formation and consulting, notary services, translations, and professional interpreting. Many of our clients appreciate having a single, trusted resource they can turn to for multiple financial and business needs throughout the year rather than only during tax season.
What sets us apart is our commitment to education and relationships. We don’t just complete paperwork—we take the time to explain the process, answer questions, and empower our clients with the knowledge they need to feel confident about their financial future. We believe every client deserves personalized attention, honesty, and respect, regardless of their background or financial situation.
As a woman-owned and Latina-owned business, I am especially proud that Savany Financial Services has become a trusted resource within our community. Many of our clients come through referrals from family and friends, which is the greatest compliment we can receive. It reflects the trust we’ve built through consistent service, integrity, and genuine care for the people we serve.
Looking ahead, my vision is to continue expanding our services while remaining true to our core values of integrity, education, and community. I want our readers to know that when they work with Savany Financial Services, they’re not just another client—they’re building a relationship with someone who is committed to helping them succeed, whether they’re filing their first tax return, starting a business, protecting their family with insurance, or planning for their financial future.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up was a wonderful experience. I was born in Miami, Florida, but I was raised between Honduras and the United States, which gave me the opportunity to experience two cultures and shaped who I am today. Living in both countries taught me to appreciate diversity, adapt to different environments, and value the importance of family and community.
One of my biggest inspirations was watching my parents own and operate their own businesses. Seeing their dedication, work ethic, and independence planted the dream of becoming an entrepreneur at a very young age. I always knew that one day I wanted to build something of my own that would make a positive impact on others.
Another experience that deeply influenced me was seeing my mom face language barriers after we moved to the United States. As a child, I witnessed firsthand how challenging it could be when there wasn’t someone available to interpret or explain important information. Those experiences stayed with me and eventually inspired me to become a professional Spanish-English interpreter, helping others feel understood and supported during some of the most important moments of their lives. They are also why I chose to work in complex fields such as taxes, insurance, and business consulting. I wanted to help families better understand systems that can often feel confusing or intimidating while giving them the information and confidence they need to make informed decisions.
Through my work, I also want people to know that they can continue pursuing their goals and building a better future regardless of their immigration status. To me, the American Dream is about opportunity, perseverance, and creating something meaningful for yourself and your family. My goal is to help make that dream feel more understandable, accessible, and achievable for the communities I serve.
I’ve always been curious, outgoing, and eager to learn. I enjoy meeting new people, taking on new challenges, and finding ways to help others. Looking back, the combination of growing up in two cultures, watching my parents build their businesses, and witnessing my mother’s experiences navigating a new country inspired both my entrepreneurial spirit and my passion for serving my community. Today, I feel incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to do both every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savanyfinancial.com
- Instagram: @savanyfinancial
- Facebook: @savanyfinancial
