BreezyFile builds a better tax platform and a better workplace

When BreezyFile was named a finalist in the 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, it caught the attention of startup watchers statewide. The Rhinelander-based company was co-founded by CEO Matt Campbell, a Milwaukee native and Marquette University graduate. The company’s people-first approach to growth has statewide implications for how startups can scale sustainably while staying rooted in their values.

In 2023, Campbell, along with former TaxJar teammates Melody Caron and Jonathon Hinkle, launched BreezyFile to help Shopify sellers stay compliant with sales tax filings across multiple states. But at its core, the company’s mission reaches beyond automation and filings. BreezyFile aims to build a sustainable, employee-centered business that challenges conventional startup norms.

“We’re not chasing growth for growth’s sake,” said Campbell. “We want to build a business where people love working, where customers feel cared for, and where we can all have balance.”

Campbell’s journey into tax tech began reluctantly, despite having two CPAs for parents. His entry into the field was driven by a desire to work remotely and spend more time with his young son. That early experience at TaxJar, which was later acquired by Stripe, gave him deep insight into the sales tax space and the shortcomings of existing solutions.

When layoffs hit the TaxJar team, Campbell saw an opportunity to do things differently. He gathered trusted colleagues Caron and Hinkle and pitched a new idea: focus exclusively on Shopify merchants, simplify the tech, and prioritize user experience.

“There was a clear gap in the market, and we knew we could fill it,” Campbell said. “But the bigger goal wasn’t just about building software. It was about building a company that reflects our values.”

BreezyFile is bootstrapped and currently generating revenue from customers who pay per filing and registration. With no outside investors, the team is free to grow on its own terms. That includes maintaining a four-day, 32-hour work week and staying fully remote.

Campbell hopes BreezyFile becomes an example other startups can follow.

“My personal goal is to reset the standard for how companies treat their employees and customers,” he said. “There’s too much burnout, too much always-on culture, too many workplaces that feel like mini-dictatorships. We’re trying to do something different — something better.”

The BreezyFile team is in growth mode and hopes to add additional employees in the next year. While expansion is on the horizon, Campbell says scaling will only happen if it aligns with their values and ensures the team can continue supporting customers without sacrificing quality of life.

“We’re not just trying to help people file their taxes,” he said. “We’re trying to build a company that helps people feel human again.”

To learn more about BreezyFile, connect with the company here.