"Live your best life now. Opportunities don't happen, you create them."
Michelle Richburg
Financial management means more than statistics, projections, facts, and figures. For President and C.E.O. of Richburg Enterprises Michelle Richburg, it provides an opportunity to positively impact the lives and legacies of her clients long-term. This personal approach has cemented her as one of the nation’s most sought-after business managers cited among Billboard’s 2020 and 2021 “Top Business Managers” and on its coveted 2020 and 2021 “R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players” list, among other accolades. 2021 also saw The Recording Academy invite her to join as a member.
As a trusted advisor, she represents various multiplatinum superstars and the WMG BFF Social Justice Fund. Her work as “a CFO to clients personally and professionally” ultimately holds a deep significance.
“To me, it’s never just numbers on the page,” she exclaims. “We’re very intentional about educating clients, making sure they pay their taxes, and enabling them to build wealth. Transparency is really key. We’re always open, honest, and direct.”
Growing up in New York, she learned the significance of financial independence from her grandma. Her grandmother was a domestic worker, and her grandfather was a chauffeur. However, grandma astutely saved and bought four houses in cash, strictly stressing the importance of saving and offering a proven example of its benefits to her granddaughter. Michelle initially launched her career in banking as a check processor during junior high school. She went on to graduate from Mercy College, achieving a BS in Business Administration and completing training programs in wealth management, marketing management, total quality management, and banking. At the same time, she continued to climb through the ranks of the New York banking industry, becoming a Senior Vice President at Signature Bank. Along the way, she handled finances for platinum rapper Shyne on the side.
After parting ways with Signature Bank, she spent two years at People’s Bank before an Oprah Winfrey conference inspired her to make a major move.
“She changed my life,” Michelle admits. “After that weekend, I thought, ‘Why am I settling? There are things I can do to move the dial.’ It turned a light switch on and brought me back to all of the things my grandmother embedded in me. That’s how I went from quitting my job to opening an actual office of my own.”
She launched Richburg Enterprises in 2015, representing everyone from NBA stars and entertainers to small business entrepreneurs. Early clients included Wendy Williams and multiplatinum superstar SAINt JHN. During 2018, she welcomed CPA and MST Fabian Wright as a partner, adding a tax department in-house to the firm. Now, Richburg Enterprises specializes in business and tax management services in addition to financial planning. She continues to look after a long list of clients and WMG BFF Social Justice Fund—valued at $100 million.
Along the way, Diverse Representation selected her among “The Ten To Watch in 2021,” while Black Enterprise profiled her. Not to mention, she released her first book in 2021, which she co-authored.
In the end, she consistently enables clients to financially excel.
“In order to create and sustain generational wealth, you have to plan and save,” she leaves off. “There’s a happy medium between splurging and saving. We’re here to help. It’s a long journey. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’m so blessed and grateful to be where I’m at.”
Fabian Wright, CPA, MST
Fabian Wright is the Partner in charge of tax services at The MAR Group. Fabian has over 20 years of experience in providing financial, accounting and tax services to high net worth individuals, privately held businesses and non-profits of all sizes. His areas of focus include taxation of individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit entities, and cases that involve entertainers and wealthy individuals.
Prior to joining The MAR Group, Fabian was a team leader in both public and private practice where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of accounting and tax groups, including planning, accounting, and tax compliance. His clients included high net worth individuals, privately held business, professional athletes, entertainers, and not-for-profit organizations.
Fabian graduated from Baruch College in New York City where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration cum laude, and a Master of Science in Taxation. He is also a New York State Certified Public Accountant, and a member of New York State Society of CP As.