The Founders.

The Entrepreneur Lounge was formed in 2024 by 3 entrepreneurs who were ready to move on from traditional networking and build a network of their own.

Co-Founder & CEO, The Jones Group CPA & Advisory

Garrett Paul

Garrett spent his early career in the metal industry, building commercial stainless steel equipment for kitchens up and down the West Coast. Along the way he worked with some of the biggest names in business, including Starbucks, Nike, and Intel, and learned what it takes to deliver for demanding, world-class clients.

When the pandemic upended the kitchen industry, he refused to slow down. Instead, he and Matt Jones launched The Jones Group in Houston, Texas, offering tax, accounting, CFO, and business advisory services to companies from their first $100,000 in revenue all the way to $10,000,000 and beyond.

Today he serves as CEO of The Jones Group CPA & Advisory, and as a co-founder of The Entrepreneur Lounge he brings that same operator mindset, practical guidance, and relentless drive for growth to every member at the table.

Connect with Garrett on LinkedIn

Financial Advisor, Western & Southern Financial Group

Cody Chrest

Cody reached the NFL and quickly learned a truth few outsiders ever see. Behind every professional contract there is rarely the elite financial team people imagine. Teammates constantly turned to him with questions about money, taxes, and long-term planning, and he watched how endless options often produced confusion instead of confidence.

That experience became his mission. Today, at Western & Southern Financial, Cody helps college and professional athletes take control of their financial lives, especially in the fast-moving NIL era where life-changing money arrives early and the earning window is short.

His focus is simple: turn short-term earnings into lasting security and generational wealth, with guidance built around each athlete’s own goals. Whether protecting the years after the game or building a legacy for the next generation, Cody gives athletes a clear plan and the confidence to follow it.

Connect with Cody on LinkedIn

Managing Principal, The Jones Group CPA & Advisory

Matt Jones, CPA

Matt built his foundation at one of the top CPA firms in the United States, where he spent years sharpening his craft in audits, tax planning, and advisory work for businesses and individuals alike. That experience taught him something important: great numbers mean little without great relationships.

So he co-founded The Jones Group, pairing true CFO-level insight with a client-first approach built on trust, accessibility, and long-term partnership. Whether a business is navigating its first hundred thousand dollars in revenue or scaling toward ten million, Matt brings clarity to the numbers and strategy to the decisions.

As a co-founder of The Entrepreneur Lounge, he is the quiet force behind the financial confidence of the room, helping owners understand exactly where they stand and exactly where they are going.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn