McKenzie Rodrigues
Age: 29
City of residence: Kingsland, GA
Current title: Business Owner
Place of business: BGE Financial Consulting, James Frazier Construction, Yankee Pie Apizza
Professional responsibilities: As someone who wears many hats, I focus on financial analysis, budgeting, project management, and coordinating suppliers and contractors for both residential and commercial projects.
These roles require a blend of strategic oversight.
The bulk of my responsibilities include creating intricate spreadsheets for all occasions, (menu costing, payroll calculations, project cost breakdowns, financial forecasting, etc.) and hands-on management to ensure the success of each business. And occasionally, you'll even find me fixing a leaky sink at the restaurant.
Accomplishments/Honors: A few months ago, I graduated with a 4.0, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology. Last year I earned a professional certificate in Google Data Analytics and two years prior, a professional certificate for Healthcare IT Technician. This October, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Most excitingly, BGE Financial Consultng was honored to receive an award for Camden County's Best Accounting Firm in 2023.
Community Involvement: Over the last year, I've provided several pro bono personal finance budgets, focusing on improving credit scores, lowering debt, and making investments to help clients achieve their retirement goals. Collectively, these clients reduced overall debt by over $500,000, averaging a +20% growth in their investments, and some were able to purchase their first homes or cars. Additionally, through Yankee Pie Apizza, we regularly host fundraisers for youth sports teams throughout the county.
Why did you go into your particular field?
Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how I got here. I just don't know how to sit still. I've been cursed with the "how hard can it be" gene, and I know at least a little bit about a lot of things, so when someone asks if I can do something, my response is usually "yes" or "not yet, but I'll probably figure it out." (Un)fortunately, I keep figuring it out.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a lawyer because I loved to argue (and sitll do). My parents called it talking back; I called it getting a head start on my future career.
What was your first job? McDonald’s
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? “No” is a complete sentence.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? Making awesome spreadsheets, building cool things, eating great pizza.
As an accountant, I love analyzing complex financial situations and providing strategic advice, watching how numbers on a paper translate into monetary growth. In construction, I get to bring projects to life, creating something lasting and impactful. I get to turn dirt into dream homes where first steps are taken, and memories are made. In the restaurant, it’s the love of community and hospitality, creating a space to bring people together. Each field is so diverse, making my work both fun and meaningful.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? The printer is out to get me.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My husband, Justin. He has consistently guided me with his wisdom, experience, and unwavering support in everything I do. When I'm met with a challenge, he always tells me, "You can do anything, but you don't have to do EVERYTHING." This advice has been invaluable, teaching me how to balance resilience and knowing my limits. His ability to listen, provide constructive feedback, and lead by example has profoundly influenced my personal and professional growth. Unrelated, but he's also super-duper funny (don’t tell him I said that), which reminds me to laugh and remember why I'm working so hard in the first place—to enjoy moments like that.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Play video games, do homework, wreak havoc with my kids, or go to Disney World. None of which is relaxing.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? I was first accepted into college when I was 15 years old.
How do you hope to grow in your career? Ultimately, I aspire to make a meaningful impact in the community, whether through continuing to help small businesses grow by providing financial insight or undertaking innovative construction projects that foster creativity and deliver tangible value. Projects that not only facilitate community growth but also inspire collaboration and drive sustainable development.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Well, I was a nuclear mechanic in the Navy before any of this, so I would probably put that experience and college degree to good use and work in the nuclear field. Either that or be a sign language interpreter.