I’ve always wanted to create a business that helps people in some way, make everyday life a bit easier or be there when people feel there’s nowhere else to turn. It was a tall order to try to capture the essence of all three of those in one company. Like many people, I didn’t have a clear idea of “what I wanted to be when I grew up” but one thing I did know from an early age. After watching Chrysler commercials in the early 80s and hearing Lee Iacocca say one of his famous quotes – “In the automobile business, you either lead, follow, or get out of the way” my passion for building a business was ignited.
After trying out various career paths after high school and college, including becoming a licensed Realtor, I found myself in the Mortgage Industry where I stayed for 25 years. The first half of my career prior to the financial crisis of 2008, I worked for several smaller lending companies that I helped take from small mortgage broker to full-fledged lending companies. The growth challenges were exciting but then the worst happened – the mortgage market collapsed and like many who were working for smaller lenders, the jobs vanished. I had a wife and young family to support so I took anything I could find to stay afloat which included working in a large chain restaurant and quickly working my way up to Culinary Manager – noting that management skills are always transferrable.
As the financial industry slowly rebounded, I returned but I learned some hard lessons about having a back up plan and not relying on a single income source to support a family. I took a very conservative approach and took a job with a big bank. Now with a stable income and great benefits, I encouraged my wife to pursue her dreams of higher education full time while I supported our family.
After she graduated and established a solid career in the healthcare field, I decided it was my opportunity to follow my dreams. Our kids are grown and on their own, so it was just us to worry about. The time was right but how to start? That part came by surprise.
Early in my banking career, we rented a home in an HOA. I had no idea of what to expect and had a rude awakening. This particular HOA was managed by company that specifically targeted rental homes. The management company and the HOA itself didn’t even try to hide their disdain. Along with most other renters in the community, we were caught between a rental company that would not take care of the property and an HOA who was bent on making our lives miserable. The thinking was if they made it difficult to find tenants, they would sell. I felt helpless, we hated coming home worrying about what letter we would get today.
The lawn was dirt when we moved in, and the rental company refused to install sod or repair irrigation saying yard upkeep was our problem. The HOA threatened every miserable thing you could think of including fines, litigation and so on. This went on for 4 years and I swore – never again.
Not so fast, though; we ended up buying a house in an HOA and like clockwork, the letters started – but this time at least, they didn’t target rentals but did blanket letters to everyone. Part of a scheme I later found out. I swore I wouldn’t live like this so now as an owner, I got involved. I attended board meetings and then joined the board, first as Treasurer, then the following year as President.
Joining the board was an eye opener to say the least! I learned quickly that management companies are focused on their bottom line, not what’s best for the communities they serve. They literally said, “we will tell you what you need to do”. My background in finance helped me to see how management companies take full advantage of the lack of knowledge of board members.
As a board member, I have seen my full share of homeowner complaints but realized THEY WERE RIGHT! As President I quickly terminated relationships with management companies when they forgot who they worked for and who really called the shots. Funny thing happened – homeowner complaints dropped to near zero and common areas started looking better than ever.
After taking on so much of the management functions myself as a volunteer over the years, the rest of the board and attorneys for the HOA had a come to Jesus moment with me, lol. They said, you have a real talent for this. Why don’t you create a management company of your own? And so, I did, I resigned from the board – and Dowgal Community Association Services was born. The company is based on my commitment to making sure people can enjoy the place they choose to call home. The word “management” is nowhere in our name – why? Because I provide services – to HOAs AND Homeowners. We bring years of financial and operational management experience to the table for the board to help them run the operations of communities, but we don’t take their place, we don’t become the “face” rather we empower Boards to make informed choices. For homeowners, we will stand up for you. We explain everything and help to also make informed decisions. Renter, Homeowner, Board Member, we’ve been there and know what it’s like to feel helpless. DCAS is here to help, to guide, and to serve.
Last but certainly not least – why name the company after myself? I didn’t. Every man dreams of having a son to carry on the family name and my father was no different. My dad, also named Marko Dowgal, was born in Ukraine in 1925. As a teenager, he was taken prisoner away from his village and sent to Germany during World War II as a slave laborer to work in a railway station that was bombed daily – it was acceptable to them to lose prisoners, so he had to repair damage while dodging bombs. He survived through the war miraculously, ended up meeting my mom and getting married in Germany. Post war Germany was a difficult environment, so they moved to the US to start a family.
They struggled through life, working hard trying to raise us 6 kids and I was the only boy. My father died when I was just 24 years old thinking he had done his part in ensuring the survival of the family name. My wife had two kids already when we met so they already had different last names, so it didn’t work out for me to have a son with the last name Dowgal to carry on the name. It dawned on me that if I created a successful company named Dowgal, I could have a second chance at fulfilling my dad’s dream. I dedicate this company to the memory of my dad, who taught me that no matter how bad things get, don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop fighting for what’s right, and help others whenever you can.