Stephen Jurgella, CEO Fountain Forward

Posted on October 14, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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

Posted on October 2, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

The Houston-famous C&D Scrap Metal is currently celebrating their 40^th 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

Posted on October 1, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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

Posted on April 2, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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

Posted on March 20, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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

Posted on March 19, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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

Posted on March 19, 2019January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

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.

Lasco Enterprises and Laura and Jerry Lasco

Posted on October 11, 2017January 2, 2024 by Jennifer Carroll

Laura and Jerry Lasco are in the restaurant business — not one but nine very successful restaurants and growing. Lasco Enterprises came to life after 9/11 when Jerry, a former airline pilot, knew he wanted to do something different with his life. He and Laura loved wine, so the business started with a wine tasting restaurant and expanded from there, as they tested different concepts.

As successful entrepreneurs, they knew they were on their way to someplace exciting. Jerry focused on the food and wine. Laura, an attorney, takes care of, as she says “a little of everything else.”

They knew they needed the right partners to help support their business in the major areas, particularly in the financial and accounting support area. While they tried to be very selective about whom they hired, they found some of the first companies they used provided tactical services not strategic support. Growing their business needed someone who thought like they did and partnered with them.

Then they went searching for the right teammate. A trusted colleague suggested they meet with Brian and the MGA team. Oh my — what a difference.

MGA just didn’t continue doing compliance work the way others had done it in the past. “They took the time to evaluate our business and structure and found mistakes and opportunities that saved us tens of thousands of dollars.”

MGA considered the long-term goals and helped structure a new venture in a way that would provide the most flexibility and provided the best planning for their long-term estate — and, as Laura admits, “that is something we hadn’t even considered. Brian is always ready to meet with us and has become a wonderful friend, a partner in our success together.”

Most important for Laura and Jerry is that feeling that MGA is a partner that they can bounce ideas off of and get honest, accurate feedback about plans, allowing them to think forward.

To learn more about Lasco Enterprises, click here.