CPAs -- Food and Wine
Who says CPAs don't have flair? Those Harley-riding number-crunchers at Stonefield Josephson, Inc. have produced an elegant, 16-page four-color cookbook, entitled "CPAs -- Food & Wine" for clients. Now that's added value!
Arguably the most marketing-savvy CPA firm in the country, this is the latest clever promotional foray by the California-based CPA and business advice firm. They are known for their advertisements showing CPAs riding motorcycles and their unique "Back Porch" section of their Web site. With 30 spunky professionals, the firm has offices in Santa Monica, Irvine, San Francisco and Walnut Creek.
Steve Martin lookalike Jeffrey M. Garrison, who is also the President of the firm, graces the cover and welcomes readers on the inside pages with a tray of martinis with two green olives, each.
The 11 recipes by firm partners include Killer Seared Tuna with Ginger and Scallions, Chicken Tarragon with Endive Leaves, Hearty Lasagna and New Orleans Style Gumbo. Yum, these CPAs know how to cook and eat! Readers can share their own recipes with the firm's online Back Porch, "where we share what's up with life inside and outside the office. We welcome your thoughts on the Back Porch or any aspect of our business."
The firm's services include accounting, auditing, tax planning for businesses, estates and individuals, and information systems consulting. CPA Bob Sullivan's gumbo includes onion, celery, garlic, green pepper, tomatoes, okra, shrimp, sugar, parsley, bay leaf and two tablespoons of Louisiana hot sauce. Sommelier Garrison offers drink suggestions to pair with the entrees.
The photo shoot was done at San Francisco's Matrix Fillmore, and the quality shows. The marketing message is thoughtfully restrained to the back cover, displaying the firm's URL, toll free number and tag line "We Pay Attention."
Congrats to Lyne Noella, Director of Corporate Strategy, lnoella@sjaccounting.com and Jill Joffrion, Marketing Coordinator, jjoffrion@sjaccounting.com for another job well done. "As accountants and professionals, we are often required to present a buttoned-up image. What happens when the real work gets done is a lot more fun . . ." Garrison says.
Nice - I like it a lot!
I'm actually a proud member of SJ alumni. My first job out of college was with Stonefield up in Walunt Creek / San Francisco. Great People - the only reason I left was - hey, Santa Barbara had nicer weather and less traffic.
I think as "professionals" we can and should learn that we should "touch" our customers in ways that make them feel good as humans, not just as an "appreciated vendor". This is a step in the right direction - and I'm proud that I learned my first lessons at SJ.
As my "rainmaker mentor" at SJ, Leon Fish said: "This business takes three types of people to run it: Finders, minders and grinders."
Judging from their growth and success, SJ has embraced the "Finders" mindset, and is well positioned to pull in a lot of business as a result.