Robert Cox & Liz Kirby: Careered Entrepreneurs

Robert Cox & Liz Kirby: Careered Entrepreneurs

Robert Cox and Liz Kirby, who have been business partners for nearly thirty-five years, came to MGA in 2008 as they were looking for someone to help them correct some complex accounting problems.

They are in the insurance industry. They are used to the complexity. In insurance, sure, one plus one still equals two. But the verbiage used is different and can be foreign to those who have never been exposed to it.

It didn’t take them long to learn that MGA was no ordinary accounting firm.

Paul stepped right in to help and was able to understand their books from day one without any guidance. Because MGA knows the ins and outs of the insurance industry, we were ready to dive right in and help them, truly making the complex simple.

But their story doesn’t stop there. MGA works closely with Robert and Liz, always staying one step ahead for their business.

“We look to the MGA team to tell us what’s going on. We trust them to look at the documents we give them from all angles, noticing if they shed light on other issues that should be addressed. We look to them to ask the questions we don’t even know to ask.”

Paul and the MGA team assisted Robert and Liz as they recently sold their great business, when taxes were essential. Paul led them through how the numbers would fall so they wouldn’t be hit with future tax liabilities. He also reviewed the various drafts of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and worked with the attorneys to be sure the structure of the sale minimized the tax to the shareholders.

They both told us that Paul was instrumental in that process.

“Some people don’t want to spend money for a firm like MGA, but I’m not sure why because people like them can save you money in the long run. Making the wrong mistake can cost you with the IRS, so it’s worth it to hire professional experts like Paul and his team. They are very, very good at what they do.” — Liz Kirby

Robert and Liz’s relationship with MGA is an excellent example of how we do things differently. We are their partner and trusted advisors, always offering simple solutions to their complex problems.

To read more about Robert Cox and Liz Kirby’s successful business ventures over the years, click here.

Greenberg & Company

Greenberg & Company

David Greenberg, Founder and President of Greenberg & Company, is a long-time MGA client. As David and his company are out offering the best commercial real estate services to the Houston area, MGA is in the background managing all of their properties’ accounting and finance needs.

Having MGA as a trusted partner gives David peace of mind, allowing him to focus on the things that truly matter to his business, like being there for his clients and offering them the Greenberg experience—not the back-office duties.

“The MGA team is very diligent, very efficient, and offers phenomenal advice on a variety of circumstances that best fit our needs at any given time. It’s comforting to know you’re working with people like that. I like being able to trust the people I work with and also to trust their ability to do what they say they’re going to do. And I have that with MGA.” — David Greenberg

As David’s company has grown throughout the years, we have always been right there growing with them. We continue to provide services that encompass everything they need.

“When it comes to having new things come up, if they don’t have the answers, they get the answers. They are always readily available to assist with different opportunities that come up for our industry, too, like the 1031 tax-free exchange. We are always reaching out to them for their expertise in a multitude of areas.”

Greenberg & Company has put their trust in MGA for nearly thirty years because we do what we say we are going to do, and then some more.

Click here to read more about David’s business journey, and how MGA has been of help along the way.

Nailor Industries and CFO Scott Bork

Nailor Industries and CFO Scott Bork

Scott Bork, CFO at Nailor Industries, and MGA go way back. Scott was part of MGA 15 years ago before setting out on his entrepreneurial ventures. Since then, he’s held different CFO and controller roles which led him to where he is now with Nailor Industries.

His story captures the MGA approach in a highly personal and professional perspective. Seeing MGA from all angles, his story is a testament to us practicing what we preach.

“The one thing that always impressed me with the folks at MGA is their concern about their clients. Besides the compliance, they always wanted to learn more about your business so they could try to help in other ways or save taxes in other areas. That always mattered to me.” — Scott Bork

After Scott joined Nailor Industries in 2016, he had to reevaluate their current accounting firm and get new bids to assess what type of firm would be the best fit for Nailor. MGA was the first firm to come to mind. From Scott’s first-hand experience, the MGA team always went beyond expectations.

Out of the five different firms they bid, Paul Grossbard, partner at MGA, was the only one of the prospective firms who came out to their facility to learn more about their business—not just make the bid.

During that first introductory session, Paul made recommendations that Nailor Industries should do cost segregation studies on buildings they were in the process of finishing. He also made some suggestions to look into the R&D tax credit, as they might be leaving some legitimate tax credits on the table. Even though they had not as yet engaged MGA, Paul provided value-added suggestions to the Nailor team.

This stood out to Steve Nailor, COO. Since then, MGA has been their trusted partner, working together to help the Nailor team succeed.

While many firms say that they put their clients first, we do it. All of our staff, from the partners to the auditors, accountants, and support staff, get to know our clients and their business so we can make strategic recommendations and align ourselves around common goals.

As Scott shares with us, and you, “I will continue to recommend MGA to other business professionals that I know. They are just the first firm I think of when it comes to advisory and accounting services because they practice what they preach. They show interest in your business, and they’re not content with just doing the compliance work. It’s apparent. They want to understand what the company does, so they never leave anything behind.”

Click here to read more about why CFO Scott Bork chooses MGA time and time again.

Stephen Jurgella, CEO Fountain Forward

Stephen Jurgella, CEO Fountain Forward

Stephen Jurgella created Fountain Forward in 2011 with a simple goal in mind: to help solve business owners’ real-life marketing challenges.

Fountain Forward describes themselves as, “A complete outsourced and highly trained marketing team specializing in branding and customer acquisition. Instead of you having one of everyone “in-house,” you can have an outsourced team of subject matter experts there to help whenever you need them.”

Their approach is straight-forward. Just like MGA, they want to make the complex simple for their clients.

Stephen is anything but your average entrepreneur. The energy and passion that he puts behind Fountain Forward is unmatched. His clients trust him to have their best interest at heart. They trust the Fountain Forward team to care for them and get their business to the next level.

Fountain Forward’s success is a testament to the care they have for their clients.

Stephen tells us that he wouldn’t be able to care for his clients the way he does if MGA wasn’t in the background caring for him and his business. Knowing that he has an MGA expert to call at any time of the day for sound advice lets him focus on the road ahead.

When a problem arises, Stephen's first reaction isn't to freak out or make rash decisions. His first reaction is to call MGA, and Partner Brian Miller, in particular.

“Brian took the time to listen to my problems. He took the time to listen to me say, “Hey, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Not coming from an entrepreneurial family, this venture was completely off the cuff for me. I’m good at building brands, growing businesses, and analyzing data. That’s what I do. But I don’t know how to run my books or protect myself from IRS issues. MGA does. Every time I have a need, they are right there, creatively solving my problems. They don’t just say no if they don’t have the answers. They say we’ll help you find it.”

At MGA, our goal is to be our clients’ sounding board. Stephen’s story is a perfect example of that.

Wherever you are headed, MGA is here to help.

To learn more about Fountain Forward and how MGA gives them the confidence to continue pushing forward, click here.

C&D Scrap Metal

C&D Scrap Metal

The Houston-famous C&D Scrap Metal is currently celebrating their 40th year in business. They are a long-time client of MGA, and we are proud to be their partners in success.

Dennis Laviage, owner and CEO of C&D Scrap Metal, tells us, “They are always staying up to date on the new rules and regulations that our government sets in place. At any point in time, if we have an issue of any sort, we can call, and we’re going to get a response from one of their team members.”

C&D Scrap Metal is Houston’s premiere metal recycling facility. Dennis explains to us that it’s much easier to recycle scrap than it is to get the metal out of the ore or the ground. It’s an important industry, as you can’t simply put metal out to waste. So what Dennis and his company are doing is a great way to make that waste valuable again.

As this great company has grown its reputation within the industry and the local community, MGA has been in the background providing insights and technical support. “Any time that we need them, they are there.”

“They are very up on what they do. If any new laws are going to affect us, they’re going to let us know. We have a lot of different needs that require a full-scope firm. Russ and the MGA team are just that. They take care of our business and make sure that we’re legal all the way around.” — Dennis Laviage

As a full-scope accounting and advisory firm, we are here to help you with your unique challenges and needs. Just like Dennis, we will have your back as you grow your business. You will always get a timely response from our team of experts.

Click here to read more about C&D Scrap Metal’s great history and how MGA makes the complex simple for them.

Cindy Marion: Houston Entrepreneur and Founder of MMI Agency

Cindy Marion: Houston Entrepreneur and Founder of MMI Agency

For thirty-two years, Cindy has worked to build Houston’s third-largest marketing and advertising agency, which she recently sold in 2018. While she is no longer affiliated with the firm, she laid the groundwork for this reputable and trusted agency to carry on without her.

Her story is an excellent example of how MGA can step in to help business owners make the complex simple. The MGA team has been there to support Cindy and her great company through various stages and challenges.

When she first onboarded with MGA, her agency was in a very high growth mode. There were many moving pieces and a lot of fast-paced kind of decisions that needed to be made. Cindy tells us she felt very supported through that process with Brian Miller and the MGA team.

Years later, as Cindy focused on her exit strategy and built on the technology, talent, and clients that would appeal to potential buyers, MGA was right there by her side. Selling your business comes with many complex obstacles. MGA was there to support Cindy, helping to make sure the agency was properly poised to be bought by a bigger entity.

“There were a lot of moving pieces, and MGA worked with me to help me understand the pros and cons of each deal point and what was in my best financial interest. Ultimately, some decisions had to be made, and MGA gave me the tools and insight to make the decisions that I felt were best.”

Cindy tells us that the MGA team was very instrumental in making the sales process a success. As she needed resources, support, or knowledge, they were just a call away.

“Firms like MGA are very personal and passionate about their clients, and I think that's something that can be missing in service businesses. I never felt uncomfortable admitting what I didn't know or challenging what I did know with the team. I feel very good about what MGA is doing here, related to building a firm that cares about its clients.”Cindy Marion

Just like Cindy, we are here for our clients no matter what challenges they are currently facing in their business. We are more than just Cindy’s accountants. We are her trusted resource for sophisticated business advice.

Click here to read more about Cindy’s journey as an entrepreneur and how MGA has been a part of her great success.

Robert Martinez, CEO Rockstar Capital

Robert Martinez, CEO Rockstar Capital

Robert Martinez founded Rockstar Capital in 2011 with a simple goal in mind: to create a better real estate organization delivering genuine care for tenants and those who support them. They have since grown into one of the most admired real estate firms by doing just that.

Robert has managed the underwriting, acquisition, and management of 27 apartment communities consisting of greater than 4,900 rental units. In the last eight years, they have won 15 city and state national apartment association awards and were recently ranked as the 15th fastest-growing company in Houston by the Houston Business Journal.

How does Robert make this all work? By making the complex simple.

First, Robert takes the complexity out of apartment hunting. It’s 2019, and he knows that the majority of people do most, if not all, of their research online. People are no longer spending their Saturday mornings touring ten different apartment complexes. What matters now is who stands out? The ones with the best reviews, right? However, as choices are quickly narrowed down, what comes next?

Thinking outside of the box, Robert decided to show people what it would be like to live in one of his communities.

That’s where Rockstar has set itself apart from the competition. Before ever stepping foot on one of their properties, a prospective tenant can picture exactly what it would be like to call that place their home.

Further, he wants his tenants to stay with him. His entire operation is built around that goal. And it works.

Our F.A.S.T. (Finance Accounting Support Team) program handles all of the back-office accounting responsibilities for Rockstar Capital. Our F.A.S.T. program has freed up Robert’s time to focus on the things that truly matter — like growing his business and building the “Rockstar Culture.”

“MGA’s F.A.S.T. program has been a game-changer for us, in terms of how we manage our books. We get analytical information and suggestions. They’ve taken a lot of the work off of our plate, and they’ve put it on their plate — where it belongs. This has allowed me to focus on buying more apartment deals, to focus on our residents. I am now able to spend more time on what I want to focus on.”

Since coming on board with our F.A.S.T. program, we’ve watched Robert’s company soar to new heights and become ranked as the 15th fastest-growing company in Houston. Robert was also recently featured in this Forbes article where he shared some insight on How to Stay Top of Mind and Boost Referrals in Any Business.

To learn more about Rockstar Capital and how MGA has become more than just their ordinary tax accountants, click here.

In the video below, Robert Martinez, Founding Principal and CEO of Rockstar Capital, shares a little more about his company's experience with MGA and why we are the right solution for them.

Roy Marsh: An Entrepreneur’s Success Story

Roy Marsh: An Entrepreneur's Success Story

Roy Marsh has been a successful entrepreneur for more than 20 years, and we at MGA are proud to have been his trusted partners along the way.

Roy and his business partner started using MGA as a Russ Miller client when they were in their pager and cell phone business days. Then, they transitioned to offering dial-up internet services followed by dedicated hosting. You can well imagine how they adjusted to changes in technology and how people were using that technology. Their entrepreneurial ventures took them into a mortgage company, followed by a home building business, and in 2012 they bought eSigns, an online retailer of custom printed signage, banners, and items used in tradeshow displays.

MGA is more than just their “tax guy.”

Roy served as eSigns’ CFO for four years before assuming duties as its CEO in the spring of 2016 after his brother and business partner suddenly passed away. Russ Miller was one of those first calls, and as Roy puts it, “You need folks along the way — people that can listen and digest and give you a straight answer.” That was his relationship with MGA and “his Russ.”

As a retail e-commerce entrepreneur, Roy knows all about the fast pace of change. It is not very different from the pressures he experienced with pagers and mortgages.

He sees this industry changing bit by bit every hour. As he tells us:

“The rate of change is accelerating as we move forward, and a massive new wave of technology is right around the corner. From a tax and accounting perspective, business owners don’t have the time or capacity to maintain a good handle on what’s to come. That’s why you’ve got to have folks like Russ who are staying up with that rate of change for you.”

That’s why MGA is ready when you are to “think forward,” as Russ always tells us.

At MGA, we aren’t just your tax accountants. We are the people you call to collaborate with about what’s coming next and how to anticipate it — from a tax perspective, yes, but also from a business strategy and technology perspective.

As entrepreneurs at MGA, we understand Roy and his company’s unique needs. We help him do what he does best: find innovative ways to open new markets and create real value.

Click here to read more about Roy Marsh’s entrepreneurial journey and how MGA thinks ahead with him.

John Leggett: The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur

John Leggett: The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur

John was referred to Brian and the MGA team seven years ago for simple accounting work. While MGA handles 100% of tax-related items for John and his many companies, he states, “they’re a lot more than just taxes to us.”

John is a serial entrepreneur, always setting out to do things differently, to do things better. He currently has a number of different entities and different real estate ventures that he works with MGA on. From residential homebuilding to title companies and various investment entities, he has expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio and manages a variety of businesses.

Brian is John’s go-to solution when he needs advice on putting together a partnership deal, researching different case studies, or understanding how the tax treatment may work on something he’s using for structuring.

As he told us:

“Brian is 100% a collaborator in the successes of our business. I’d say he is probably our strongest professional relationship, and we utilize his expertise constantly. We’ve referred so many people to him and are happy to do so because we know he’s going to take good care of anyone we send his way.”

John and all of his companies also use our Technology and Strategic Consulting (T.A.S.C.) services. We have helped his team implement various technologies around their businesses. Each new methodology has been instrumental in cutting down time, reducing mistakes, and creating checks and balances.

Our Technology and Strategic Consulting Services (T.A.S.C.) are taking John’s companies to new heights, freeing up his time to do what he does best.

Click here to read more about John Leggett’s successful entrepreneur journey and why we are his go-to resource for strategic business advice.

Core Legal Concepts LLC

Core Legal Concepts LLC

Core Legal Concepts went looking for a partner that they could trust. Someone who could run with their tax issues and didn’t need direction. They had years of taxes that needed to be reviewed and cleaned up. They were referred to Brian Miller and the MGA team and discovered just the right answer to their dilemma.

MGA took the reins, creating a relationship built on a high level of confidence with the Core Legal team.

The situation they were facing was very complex. Eric Pubentz, one of the four members of the Core Legal founding team, was constantly receiving letters from tax entities all over the country and the federal government saying there were penalties for this and interest for that. Mistakes were haunting them. Things were going wrong all the time. That’s when MGA stepped in, and within a few months, everything was turned around and cleared up. There has been smooth sailing, ever since.

“Our relationship with Miller Grossbard allows us to always look at our finances from 35,000 feet. I don’t have to know any of the details. They review our financials every quarter and tell us exactly how much we need to pay for our quarterly payments, and it's just so easy. They're always right on top of that. And I think that was our goal from them, to stop us from ever being surprised by tax bills again.” — Eric Pubentz

Eric has a relationship with MGA built on excellent experiences and the confidence that the information is accurate and the recommendations appropriate. The communication is understandable. Core Legal knows what they have to do, and the MGA team helps them sleep well at night.

In other words, we make the complex simple for Core Legal Concepts.

To read more about Core Legal Concepts and their remarkable journey, both as a business and their relationship with MGA, click here.