Sixteen years ago, Tami Levin sat at her desk, wondering how she would turn things around. As a loan officer juggling long hours and life as a single mother of four, Tami Levin wondered if she was cut out for the job. Out of options, she took a risk and hired a business coach, even though she wasn’t sure how she’d afford it. “She told me, ‘I don’t know if you can afford not to,’” Tami said. Within three months, her sales soared from the bottom of her region to number one.
Her success soon caught the attention of another bank, which headhunted her for a branch manager position. That role became a turning point, revealing how leadership and accountability could change outcomes. Coaching her team raised customer service scores from 60% to 96%, demonstrating the power of effective guidance. When a friend later asked for business advice and insisted on paying her, a new path emerged. What began as a single conversation evolved into a thriving coaching practice. By April 2024, she had fully stepped into her calling as a business coach, helping entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and control over their success.
Helping Entrepreneurs See the Bigger Picture
When the Keizer Chamber of Commerce invited Tami to lead its Leadership Keizer program, she discovered how much she enjoyed facilitating group learning. So when WaFd Bank partnered with the Chamber to bring CO.STARTERS, powered by FINSYNC, to North Salem, Tami was the person they called to lead it.
“I already knew how powerful community learning could be,” she said. “CO.STARTERS gave me a structured, hands-on way to help entrepreneurs work through their ideas and find real solutions.”
Through FINSYNC’s connected platform, participants could immediately apply what they learned; track cash flow, refine their pricing, and see real results before the program even ended.
One of her favorite moments came during the session on defining a customer problem. “Many participants started with, ‘I have this thing I’m good at, and I need people to buy it.’ Watching them shift to, ‘What problem am I solving for my customer?’ was incredible. You could see the lightbulbs go off.”
Tackling Common Challenges in Business
Through both her coaching and FINSYNC CO.STARTERS facilitation, Tami has seen a familiar challenge among small business owners: financial confusion.
“The biggest issue is not knowing their numbers,” she said. “A lot of people look at their bank account balance and assume that means they’re making money.”
One client in particular stood out. After reviewing her numbers, they discovered she was only making about a couple of dollars per item sold. With guidance, she raised her prices and shifted her product mix. Within five months, her income doubled.
Stories like that fuel Tami’s work. “I want my clients to walk away with confidence, hope, and the belief that things can get better. Many come to me feeling stuck. I help them move forward and communicate their value clearly.”
Collaboration That Builds Stronger Foundations
Behind every success story is a network of support. For Tami, that included WaFd Bank, the Keizer Chamber, and FINSYNC’s CO.STARTERS team.
WaFd sponsored participants, shared financial insights during sessions, and hosted the program’s celebration night. The Chamber helped promote the program through community channels. And the FINSYNC CO.STARTERS team ensured Tami had everything she needed to guide her first cohort with confidence.
“The facilitator videos were so helpful,” Tami said. “Barb even spent 45 minutes with me brainstorming ideas for the celebration night. Shadee provided all the resources and links, so I didn’t have to search for anything. Their support made everything easier.”
Looking Ahead
Now, Tami is expanding her business coaching to serve more mid-sized companies. She has partnered with a senior accountant to offer a full-service package that combines financial clarity with leadership growth. “She helps streamline systems and reporting, and I focus on culture, communication, and management,” Tami explained. “Together, we help businesses strengthen both their numbers and their people.”
As a coach, facilitator, and community leader, Tami’s work continues to ripple outward, helping others build the same clarity and confidence that once transformed her own career.
“Entrepreneurs don’t just need information,” she said. “They need belief in their business, in their numbers, and in themselves. That’s where everything starts.”
