Podcasts about cfo

Peter Schiff examines gold's historic surge past $4,000, critiques the dollar's decline, and warns of looming economic crises and fiscal irresponsibility.This episode is sponsored by NetSuite. Download the free “CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning” at https://netsuite.com/goldIn this episode of The Peter Schiff Show, host Peter Schiff delves into the alarming rise of gold prices, which recently surpassed $4,000, signaling a potential dollar crisis. He explores the historical context of gold's surge, drawing parallels to the economic turmoil of the 1970s when the United States abandoned the gold standard. Schiff emphasizes the implications of central banks diversifying away from the dollar and warns of the impending economic collapse as the U.S. grapples with unsustainable fiscal policies. With personal anecdotes and keen insights, Schiff articulates the urgency for investors to reconsider their strategies in light of these developments, positioning gold as a crucial safe haven amid rising inflation and currency devaluation. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of the global economy and the significance of gold in these turbulent times.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:56 Gold's Historic Surge04:57 The 1970s Gold Standard and Its Impact10:06 The Dollar's Decline and Global Implications17:24 Personal Anecdote and Upcoming Events18:43 The Shift from Dollar to Gold Standard20:15 Central Banks and Fiscal Policies26:39 The Looming Dollar Crisis31:37 Gold's Rising Significance on Wall Street32:19 Personal Experiences with Gold Predictions34:03 Gold vs. Bitcoin: A Media Bias36:32 Gold as the Canary in the Coal Mine38:27 Kudlow's Dismissal of Gold's Warning41:24 The Looming Economic Crisis43:52 Investment Strategies Amidst Economic Uncertainty47:44 The Global Economic Shift59:57 Final Thoughts and Upcoming EventsFollow @peterschiffX: https://twitter.com/peterschiffInstagram: https://instagram.com/peterschiffTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@peterschiffofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/peterschiffSign up for Peter's most valuable insights at https://schiffsovereign.comSchiff Gold News: https://www.schiffgold.com/newsFree Reports & Market Updates: https://www.europac.comBook Store: https://schiffradio.com/books#gold #dollarcrisis #economiccollapseOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Boll & Branch: https://boilandbranch.com/SCHIFF* Check out Justin Wine and use my code SCHIFF20 for a great deal: https://www.justinwine.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kiera shares specific tips for how practice owners can gain consistency, confidence, and calm in their day-to-day unsteady of chaos and surprise at the unknown.  Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:01) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today's a fun day. ⁓ think how to get more stability and predictability in your dental practice. I think this is a zone where people don't know how to have stability, predictability, growth, and how to do that in a consistent way. so ⁓ some practices feel like it's like a freaking rollercoaster. Like your systems are wild and it's like, what?   flavor of the day should I be choosing? I fix my system? Should I go for a new patient? Should I be working on my P &L? And I think that that's just like what people do. And they're like, how do I get this stability? How do get this predictability? Now I heard this quote and then I tried to find this quote. So I'm just going to tell you, because I love it. I don't know if it's real or not, but I'm just going to say it's real. They said that Walt Disney said, and I love Walt Disney and I'm obsessed with Disney, but they were able to create predictable magic with systems behind the scenes.   And I think about that for practices of like, can I help you create predictable magic, predictable cashflow, predictable, ⁓ profitability, predictable, like new patients. Well, it's through the systems behind the scenes and the team that's in place. so today really working on that of like how we can go from chaos and like whack them all of like, and I feel like I do this too in my company. just so you know, I don't think anybody's ever perfect at this, but I think we can actually cut out a lot of these pieces for you to create less chaos.   more predictability, more predictable magic in your practice ⁓ to give you that consistency, confidence, and calm in an owner's life rather than the chaos and the surprise and the unknown of will I be able to make it next month? Will I be able to make it in six months? I think for me as a business owner, is the hardest part of being a business owner is that unpredictability. so trying to give you more, ⁓ more predictability and stability. So if you're tired of   the revenue swings, you're tired of the no show surprises, you're tired of the last minute team drama, like you're just tired and exhausted of that. This episode's for you. This is where today we're gonna really go into our mission of positively impacting the world of dentistry with tactical advice ⁓ from experts who do dentists and team consulting. We've been there, we've done it, we've done it multiple times, we've run it in our own practices. ⁓ Every single consultant on our team has had to have a proven track record of going through exactly what you go through.   coming out on the other side with ease and grace. So that's what we're here for and so I'm gonna just break it down into a couple quick steps for you today of just some different things that can probably help you create some more predictability in your practice to create more stability and to get you out of that, like I said, the revenue swings and no-show surprises. Now, this isn't something that's going to come easy. This isn't something that happens overnight. ⁓ I have a sign up in my kitchen that says discipline equals freedom. This is a disciplined act.   This is what the high achievers do. These are not the small practices that are doing this. And it's the, like, I feel like it's investing. Someone once told me investing is like vanilla ice cream. It's not sexy and nobody gets really excited over vanilla ice cream, but it's predictable and it's always good. And that's what I feel this is like, let's create your practice into the vanilla ice cream practice where it's not sexy. It's not flashy, but it is predictable and it's stable for you. And then from there, like add the sprinkles, add the toppings, add the chocolate. Like you can make vanilla ice cream awesome. It's a great base and a great foundation.   So today I wanna help you create that in your practice. So step one is a daily and weekly rhythm. ⁓ I found that structure is something that's so paramount. Even my mom, like there were seven kids in my family and my mom had to create structure. Like I remember summertime, a lot of parents hate summertime because their kids have no structure. They enjoy school time, there's structure, there's a rhythm, there's something that they can count on. Kids go to school at this time, kids come home at this time, there's predictability in there. And so for you within your practice, let's kind of take what we do.   in parenting and in growing up. And let's apply that to your practice because the same principles apply. And so having these different pieces ⁓ in place of how teams communicate, of how we review performances. So it's a cadence. Like I hate remembering things and I love cadences. just a couple key strategies on this daily and weekly rhythm would be morning huddle. And in morning huddle, morning huddle is one of my fastest ways that I'm able to create stability and structure within a practice if it's a good one. So we're looking at patient.   patients, goals and priorities. And we're doing it consistently and we're looking for opportunities. So a great morning huddle, Kristy and I were talking the other day and she said, I can add 10 to 15 grand to most practices just with a great daily huddle. And I love that because I agree with you. If you use a huddle strategically, it's like, why do team members like in basketball or football, why do they huddle? They huddle to win the game and that's what your huddle should be. So we have our daily morning huddle to look for opportunities to prioritize, to align, to make sure our goals are actually where we want them to go.   Then after that, we have a weekly leadership and team meetings. We're looking at our numbers, resolving obstacles. We literally teach our teams traction style ⁓ L10 meetings so that way you can run it. So we're talking about our data, any of our numbers that are off-track or an immediate issue. We teach you how to solve issues. We teach you how to rate a meeting. So they're very effective and efficient meetings using data. So we're not just sitting here like vomiting our problems. You vomit the problems, yes, but we're also going to have a strategic way of how we solve them.   And then this way we're able to catch our problems earlier. So between those two things of a daily and a weekly, so we're having a daily huddle that's focused on strategy. It's focused on winning. It's focused on opportunities. And then we have a weekly leadership. So your leadership team gets together and departments. And I know you might be like, that's so many meetings. It's fine. You're welcome to do that. But I'm like, if you want to know how the big players are hitting, like I'm talking the practices I work with that are 20, 30 million annually. This is what they're doing. And at a small level on a big level, this works.   When I had one team member, did leadership meetings every single week because I figured we need to start, like that's a big practices to do. That's a big organization to do. So why am I thinking I'm so small not to implement that? When you do this, you typically will see a 10 to 20 % increase in revenue and decrease in overhead. You'll increase your schedule. Like just doing this, you'll look for opportunities. Your schedule will start to get hit more consistently because we're tracking it. We're tracking it every single day. And people like don't love to talk about this, but I'm like,   I also don't love working out, but I want the six pack abs. So it's choose your heart. Like would we rather sit there and like hope and pray and want to have it? Or are we going to start to put in some of these daily practices and weekly practices that work for other ones? So that way you can have more predictability. I promise you what, where your focus is, like where energy goes, focus flow, like where focus goes, energy flows. Let me get that one right. Where focus goes, energy flows. So if I'm focused on the numbers, I'm focused on the things we should be doing. I'm focused on solving problems sooner.   That's where my energy is gonna go. So we're gonna start to like, if you read the book essentialism, they talk about like, don't spin your wheels on a million things, spin your wheels on the most important things and laser focus on it and get everybody rowing in the same direction, you're ultimately gonna grow so much faster. So when we're doing these little pieces, this is what it is. So I would, if I was you, add these meetings into it, but I would make sure my meetings are powerful and impactful. I wouldn't just do meetings for meeting's sake, meetings need to be done with intentionality. Number two is tracking.   Leading metrics, not just lagging ones. So a leading and a lagging, I really hate these, they're really hard for me, but it's leading ones are things we have control over, lagging is the outcome at the end. So for example, like pre-appointment, how pre-appointed are our books? What's our unscheduled treatment? What's our AR aging? What's our same day conversions? What's our diagnosis rate? Like all those things are leading measures that will help us know if our outcome is going to actually get met. So if we're looking at pre-appointment, like,   how many patients in our database are pre-appointed for appointments versus how much re-care and reactivation do we need to do? So it's these two things like, if I wanna schedule full, I can pre-appoint, I can reappoint, I can look at all those different pieces to make sure my schedule's full. Schedule full is the outcome, the pre-appointment, the reappointment, all of that is a leading measure that's going to help me get to my outcome. And then we wanna actually look at those. So, ⁓ and a lot of times it's like, we want to hire somebody.   Well, let's think about the leading metrics that would help us. It's how many ads did we place and how many interviews did we perform? Those are things we have control over. I don't have control over if I hire somebody or not. I don't have control over the candidates that come to me, but I do have control over how many ads I place and how many interviews I perform. So let's track that versus tracking somebody being hired. Let's track how many reappointments we have and pre-appointments we have. Those are things we can control versus as our schedule full.   I still want to track both. Those are still important, but we have, your team can influence the leading measures. They can't necessarily influence the lagging ones. And if we have great leading measures that we're tracking, our lagging outcomes should actually be hit. Then we look at those in our weekly meetings, not just at the end of the month. And then this way, like it's a KPI scorecard that the whole team's looking at and they're watching. So when we do this, what you find is our reappointment. Like, so in office, when they start tracking their reappointments,   And we started doing it consistently. go from 80 % to 85 to 98. And people are like, but Kiera, I already do this. We're already doing it. And I'm like, great, then let's just make sure that the data proves what you're already doing and you're getting the gold stars for what you're already doing. What's crazy is when you start tracking these little things, your practice, that's gonna get a lot better. And it's crazy to how quickly it does. So if I was in your shoes, I would look at where are my gaps and where are the things that I felt, like I said, the...   the schedule gaps. So what could I do if I've got gaps in my schedule that would be leading? Well, it'd be how many outbound calls did we make and how many patients did we get scheduled off those outbound calls? Those are things I can control. So this is on my re-care. Tiffanie, she used to make her practices call 50 patients a day. I am not exaggerating that. I think it was actually a hundred. Like it was so many, cause she's like the more I have to have so many outbound calls cause she had tracked it. I have have this many outbound calls in order to have my schedule stay consistently full.   I can't just call when I need an opening. I need to be constantly putting those phone calls out there so patients are calling me back and I keep my schedule full. That's something. So when you're looking at like, well, I'm so tired of the cashflow dips. I'm so tired of the schedule gaps. My question is, what are you doing proactively? Like those are the systems behind the scene that create the predictable magic. I guarantee you Walt Disney's not like, you know, we should have fireworks. Well, no, there's all these systems in play before they even get to firework show.   to make sure the firework show is a success. So for you looking at what are the predictable things I should be doing. So the way you break this down is what are the three big stressors I have? And then what are leading measures that I could add into place to prevent that? So instead of me looking at the end of my PNL and be like, well, shoot, I don't have money. Could you look at your bank account every single day? Could you look at your PNL every single day?   could you look at your diagnosis and your production? If you want to produce a hundred grand, you've got to be diagnosing 300,000. That's something within your control. You could start to say, am I diagnosing $300,000 a month? I break that down to how many dollars I need to do a day. I watch my daily production diagnosis. I work with my hygiene team. I integrate Overjet or Pearl as AI solutions to it. That's how you can start to move this one forward for you exponentially rather than hoping and praying that we're hitting our cashflow at end of the month.   That's how you start to be a more strategic, getting out of that chaos into consistency and predictability. And then step three would be like building capacity plans. when I look at this, sometimes we like, so back at the beginning, I mentioned to you, said, are you tired of the revenue swings, the no show surprises, the last minute team drama? Well, cool, this is around like the team culture and all that. So.   People and time are gonna be a big piece for that. So based on our production goals and where we want to go, based on where we are currently and in the future, I need to start planning and projecting out how many team members do I need for the production? How do I have block scheduling to make sure that I'm not having like up and down months? How can I forecast out on my schedule to see when are my down months? When are my up months? When are people taking vacations? How can I proactively plan for this?   And then we're going to plan PTO and hiring proactively. So when I'm projecting out with a practice, we're literally at like September. ⁓ So convenient timing of this podcast to release for you. I'm looking ahead to say, okay, let's plan out our entire year time off. When are we having meetings? What are the highs and lows? What are the peaks and valleys within our production? And how can I stabilize that? So I'm not having these huge swings in a practice. How can I either plan for providers to be there, not have as many providers off? I'm looking at past history.   How can I prevent sucked timber and have slammed dunk timber? Like what are the different things when I know I've got those lows? What could I do two months earlier to make sure that I'm not having these like high and low months and then I'm proactively doing these pieces. So if I need to hire or I need to do these different, I need to have a different schedule. Like a lot of you are out two weeks in December. So why are we setting our September goal the same as our say October goal? They're not, they shouldn't be the same. You should figure out what is my goal. So if I'm trying to produce   let's say 3 million, well, I'm not gonna do 3 million divided by 12 months. It's gonna set me up for massive failure. I'm also not gonna do it by 52 weeks. What I'm gonna do is I'm literally gonna look to see, let's say there's only 45 weeks that we're going to have, and let's say I'm gonna then do that by 12 months. Well, now what I've gotta do for there is if that's the case, I need to be producing every single month, okay? So what I did is I did 3 million, and I'm gonna do that by about 45 weeks, okay? Then I'm gonna divide that by 12.   And I'm gonna say, all right, this is what I need to do. So my 3 million divide that by 45 weeks, that gives me 66,666 per week. Now I'm gonna divide that by four days. I need to be producing about 17,000 a day for 45 weeks. Notice I took out some of our low weeks. We have 52 weeks in a month. So I just gave you seven weeks where that's gonna hit your December holidays, it's gonna hit your November holidays, it's gonna hit your ice days in February, that's gonna hit it.   And instead of just doing it haphazardly like that, you actually can proactively plan this out. We have a tool for this where you can plan this. When are people out? What do I need to do? And then based on the growth that I'm also gonna project for our business, based on my diagnosing, all these leading measures, how many team members do I need to have and when do I need to hire them? How you doing? Because that was so many words and I hope you took it and I hope you took notes on it.   because what this will do is it's actually going to create a roadmap for you for next year. It's going to create a way for you to have predictability. This is going to prevent those revenue dips. We've helped you already with scheduling gaps by being with leading measures and then with your team, like staffing issues, making sure we have enough team members. If we know we are always down an assistant, rock on, let me project that out. Let me figure out what I need to produce for that. That way I can hire an additional assistant without having it be chaos on me. These types of things, if I know I've got maternity leave coming out.   How can I proactively do it? What if I hired another hygienist? But I actually build this whole plan out as best as I can. Usually I do mine in September, August, September, October is when I start working on mine to have it ready to go for the next year. I always want to throw up when I look at how much it's going to be. And then I like go to work and figure out how we're going to make this happen. But that helps you be more proactive. So I would look to see these three things. One, do I have a daily and a weekly rhythm? That was the easiest thing and making sure that those have opportunities.   and looking for that and strategizing with that. Then having leading indicators, not just outcomes. And we're tracking that collectively as a team and in every department. And then we're creating this strategic plan and forecasting and projecting out. So that way that's in place. Those three little things right there are going to help you have so much more stability and capacity within your practice that you will just be able to sleep better at night. Like as a business owner who's done this, as a consultant who's done this for offices, as consultants who do this for offices, these are things.   that are so helpful for you. Like this is not just luck. I say create your own luck, create your own magic and do it through the systems behind the scenes. But the discipline there is required. The accountability to yourself and to your team is required. Sometimes when I listen to podcasts or I have coaches come in, I'm like, that feels hard. Well, it doesn't have to be hard. You don't have to do this on your own. Buying a practice did not mean you had to be a CEO and an operations specialist and a CFO. You don't have to do all these things.   What you do need to do is hire people that are smarter than you that know how to do this. And if you don't know how to do it, it is your opportunity and in my opinion, obligation as a CEO to either figure it out or I love the book, Who Not How, who knows how to do this that can help me and my team. And then I vet them, I interview them, and then I execute and I hire them. That way you're able to grow. So if this is something that I think resonates, like you're like, I want predictable and profitable practices.   I want to get rid of the stress and the chaos. want to get rid of the highs and the lows. Reach out. This is what we do. We build systems to scale and sustain. We create the predictable magic with the systems and the team behind the scenes. We teach you how to have the disciplines. We teach you how to have an effective morning huddle. You don't have to do this alone. People are always like, dentistry feels like an island. And I'm like, only if you want it to be. It doesn't have to be. You can be with all the other doctors. You can be with all the other people. We have a community of doctors that get together.   We have teams that get together. We have trainings across the board. We work with your practice individually and connect you with other people so you can learn from other people. You don't have to do it. So stop guessing, start growing predictably, start having more predictability and less chaos. This is what we do. So if this feels fun for you, reach out. Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. If it feels terrifying and intimidating because you're like, feel like I should know this, drop the ego and realize it's okay. None of us know what we're doing. Everyone's in your same boat.   Everyone doesn't know how to figure this out. Some choose to get help and some choose to swim it out and figure it out on their own. Both are correct methods. It's just what's method, Beth, for you. And if I was you, I would at least book the call, see what people could do and see if you could help me get more predictable, predictability in my practice. Because the biggest thing as a business owner that creates the most amount of stress are those upswings, those downswings. And when I have more stability, when I know more consistently, when I know what it's going to be,   I'm able to navigate those highs and lows a lot better because I know the long-term outcome. It's not like a shotgun, like, like scatter. It's like, my gosh. It's like, all right, got it. I can weather this. And I also have somebody who can keep me stable. I have coaches and they help me keep my stability there. So reach out. I'd love to help you. Hello@TheDentalATeam.com as always. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time on The Dental A Team podcast.  

Are you still unsure how to reduce your PPO dependence without sacrificing financial stability? In this episode, Lester De Alwis sits down with Brandon Parkhurst of Parkhurst Consulting to explore how outsourced CFO services can give you clarity, control, and confidence in your practice. Brandon introduces his BOSS model and shares how real-time data, budgeting, and smarter decisions can help you work less, earn more, and build a team-driven, patient-centered practice. If you're looking for practical steps toward private practice freedom, this one's packed with value. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/   If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/  

What is the real reason 90% of businesses fail? What are some bookkeeping or CFO mistakes most business owners make that can tank your business? On this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, George and Shawn talk to Emily Handren, owner and founder of Besty Bookkeepers (www.BestyBookkeepers.com).  For over two decades, Emily has helped individuals and businesses improve their financial situations through banking, investing, lending, and insurance guidance. She has owned both life/health and P&C agencies, and has plenty of real-world stories about helping people reduce costs and increase their net worth. Emily recently wrote a book "The Real Reason 90% of Businesses Fail: 101 Bookkeeping and CFO Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make"  that hit #1 in three categories: Small Business Bookkeeping, Entrepreneurship Management, and Business Planning & Forecasting. It focuses on practical money management strategies for businesses that could tie perfectly into debt reduction discussions. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out: https://a.co/d/2JDV3So In this episode, we talk about: Fractional CFO Bookkeepers v. Accountants Tech stacking Financial Forecasting Some of the 101 Mistakes, like: Exponential growth without a plan or foundation Improperty business structure knowing your expenses and your numbers using an outdated accounting system not paying yourself. You can reach Emily at her website www.BestyBookkeepers.com or Emily@BestyBookkeepers.com. Make sure you take the "Need a Better Bookkeeper" quiz on her website! Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt   To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach   To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com. And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026 

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Mel: Passion for raising good kids.Building resilient, compassionate children is no small feat, especially in today's fast-paced, diverse world. That's why Mel Sauder, Founder and President of MVP Kids, is inspiring others with his dedication to helping kids develop critical “living skills” through immersive storytelling and multimedia resources.MVP Kids is a mission-driven company that creates award-winning books, puppets, and now, a groundbreaking animated series. “We founded MVP Kids 10 years ago because we have a passion for kids. Our kids, your kids, all kids,” Mel explained. “How do kids learn living skills? How do they learn what their emotions are and how to manage them? How do they build their character?” These are the questions that drive their work.At the heart of MVP Kids are 16 diverse characters carefully designed to help children see themselves and others in an inclusive, inspiring way. “We developed 16 unique kids where every child can see themselves and kids who are different from themselves,” Mel said. “We celebrate differences—not just skin color, but hair, size, family structure, and personality.” By creating relatable, trusted friends, MVP Kids teaches essential values like kindness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.The next big step for MVP Kids is bringing these characters to life through animation. Working with legendary children's storyteller John Semper, whose credits include “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” and “Fraggle Rock,” MVP Kids is developing an adventure-filled series aimed at teaching kids while entertaining them. The company has already secured a $2.5 million matching commitment from animation studio Toonz and is raising the rest through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on NetCapital.Mel's passion for this work stems from personal experience. As the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, he's witnessed firsthand the importance of building character from a young age. “Kids' character isn't developed overnight—it's built day by day,” he noted. MVP Kids creates tools for parents and educators to foster those daily lessons in fun, meaningful ways.What stands out most about MVP Kids is its commitment to leaving no child behind. Whether it's a puppet helping a boy work through anger issues or an animated hero teaching resilience, Mel and his team are creating life-changing resources for families.You can support this inspiring mission by exploring their crowdfunding campaign at NetCapital. Everyone deserves the chance to invest in a brighter future for kids.tl;dr:MVP Kids helps children build character and resilience through multimedia tools like books and animation.Mel Sauder's passion for kids inspired him to create 16 diverse characters kids can relate to.The company's animated series is being developed with storytelling legend John Semper.MVP Kids is raising capital via NetCapital, with a $2.5M match from animation studio Toonz.Mel's mission is to empower parents and educators to raise compassionate, high-character children.How to Develop Passion for Raising Good Kids As a SuperpowerMel Sauder's superpower is his deep passion for helping children grow into resilient, high-character individuals. “Our superpower is just our passion for kids, for raising what we call real MVPs,” he explained. This relentless commitment has driven Mel and his wife to dedicate over a decade to creating tools that empower parents and educators to build strong, compassionate children. By focusing on universal virtues and avoiding divisive topics, Mel ensures that every child can benefit from their resources.Illustrative Story:Mel's passion stems from personal experience. When he married into a family with two teenagers, he faced the challenges of blended family dynamics and realized how much support parents need. His efforts to build a strong, loving family inspired his mission to help other parents. Now, MVP Kids provides tools like books, puppets, and animated stories to ensure every child has trusted friends and mentors to guide their growth.Tips for Developing This Superpower:Take ownership of your role in shaping children's futures.Commit to spending daily interactive time with kids, even before birth.Use creative tools like stories and laughter to teach character and life skills.Collaborate with experts in fields like child psychology to enrich your efforts.Focus on empowering kids to be their unique selves rather than pushing specific agendas.By following Mel's example and advice, you can make passion for raising good kids a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileMel Sauder (he/him):Founder and President, MVP KidsAbout MVP Kids: MVP Kids® is an immersive entertainment ecosystem combining fun storytelling with our sixteen trusted friends—relatable MVP Kids characters who celebrate differences and grow alongside the audience. Our vision is that every child has a trusted friend in MVP Kids. Through our proprietary Learning Universal Virtues™ (LUV™) Framework, we inspire friendship, conflict resolution, resilience, unity, and emotional intelligence across streaming series, mobile apps & games, curriculum, books, puppets, music, merchandising, and short-form video.Website: mvpkids.comCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/realMVPkidsInstagram Handle: @realmvpkidsOther URL: netcapital.com/companies/mvp-kidsBiographical Information: Mel Sauder is the Founder and President of MVP Kids, an immersive children's media brand integrating animation, books, games, and curriculum to help families and educators instill virtues and life skills in children. With nearly four decades of executive leadership experience, Mel has served as Chairman, CEO, President, and CFO across start-ups, pre-IPO ventures, and Fortune 200 companies, including Fuji Photo Film and AmerisourceBergen. A Certified Public Accountant and graduate of The Ohio State University, he has led the launch of multiple disruptive innovations in consumer products, technology, and education.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/melsauderSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, and Rancho Affordable Housing (Proactive). Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Brian Christie, Brainsy | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.SuperCrowdHour, October 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “The Perfect Pitch: Creating an Irresistible Offering.” As a former investment banker and author, Devin will guide entrepreneurs through the process of crafting a regulated investment crowdfunding offering that aligns with investor expectations and captures attention. In this session, he'll share what makes a pitch compelling, how to structure terms that attract capital, and practical strategies for presenting your company's story in a way that resonates with investors. Whether you're launching your first community raise or refining a current campaign, this SuperCrowdHour will equip you with the tools to stand out and secure investor support. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to transform your vision into a pitch investors can't resist.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on October 28, 2025, at 1:30 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperGreen Live, January 22–24, 2026, livestreaming globally. Organized by Green2Gold and The Super Crowd, Inc., this three-day event will spotlight the intersection of impact crowdfunding, sustainable innovation, and climate solutions. Featuring expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and live pitch sessions, SuperGreen Live brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and activists to explore how capital and climate action can work hand in hand. With global livestreaming, VIP networking opportunities, and exclusive content, this event will empower participants to turn bold ideas into real impact. Don't miss your chance to join tens of thousands of changemakers at the largest virtual sustainability event of the year.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington, DC, October 21-22, 2025.Impact Accelerator Summit is a live, in-person event taking place in Austin, Texas, from October 23–25, 2025. This exclusive gathering brings together 100 heart-centered, conscious entrepreneurs generating $1M+ in revenue with 20–30 family offices and venture funds actively seeking to invest in world-changing businesses. Referred by Michael Dash, participants can expect an inspiring, high-impact experience focused on capital connection, growth, and global impact.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Most of us want to “move on” or “let go,” but we skip the one phase that makes surrender possible. In this episode, I sit down with transformational teacher and bestselling author Kute Blackson to break down what surrender really means and why it's the opposite of weakness. We talk about how to let go without giving up, recognize the ego's survival patterns that keep you in control mode, and the step-by-step “anatomy of surrender” process. Tune in and discover the practices that will help you release control, grieve what's past, and open yourself to bigger opportunities and a life that feels more aligned and alive. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why SURRENDER is not weakness but the PASSWORD to FREEDOM. Why GRIEVING is the missing step before surrender can happen. How CONTROL is the ego's master addiction and keeps you stuck. How to tell yourself the TRUTH and stop negotiating your life away. Why PAIN is feedback that you're out of alignment. Ways to ALIGN with your soul's deeper vision and act from authenticity. Why LETTING GO of what's not for you creates space for greater blessings. Resources + Links Learn more about ⁠kuteblackson.com⁠  Read ⁠You Are The One⁠ & ⁠Magic of Surrender ⁠ FREE ⁠Reinvent Online Seminar⁠   Attend ⁠The Boundless Bliss⁠ event  Listen to ⁠Soul Talk⁠  Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at NetSuite.com/MONAHAN. Want to do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic? Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/MONAHAN. Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Get 15% off your first order when you use code CONFIDENCE15 at checkout at jennikayne.com. Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn Kute on Facebook X & ⁠Instagram Kute on ⁠Youtube & LinkedIn

Today, Shannon dives into the crucial differences between a bookkeeper and a fractional CFO, revealing why scaling businesses should consider the latter. Shannon explains how fractional CFO services provide deeper insights, strategic decision-making, and future-focused projections that surpass what a bookkeeper or an in-house accountant can offer. With compelling arguments and real-world examples, Shannon highlights the value and cost-effectiveness of hiring a fractional CFO to drive business growth.   What you'll hear in this episode: [0:45] The Value of a Fractional CFO [01:20] Comparing Bookkeepers and CFOs [05:15] The Role of a Controller [07:00] Why Fractional CFOs Are Cost-Effective   If you like this episode, check out: Ways to Maximize Customer Value I Hired My Husband - Here's Why Your Finance Hire - Dos and Don'ts   Learn more about our CFO firm and services: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/   Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ Follow along on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/   The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. We love enthusiastic action, but please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.Fractional CFO vs. Bookkeeper - What Do I Need?

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you really implementing AI in your agency the right way? Adding a random tool just to say you “use AI” isn't the game changer many agency owners hope it will be. In fact, chasing shiny AI solutions can waste time, drain resources, and create tools your team never actually uses. Many agency leaders, especially those aiming to build a sellable business, assume any form of AI integration will automatically boost their agency's value. But today's featured guest strongly disagrees. He's seen firsthand how agencies fall into the trap of building solutions first and searching for problems later, a costly mistake that does more harm than good. Instead, he's here to share how to approach AI adoption strategically, in ways that actually stick and drive real results. Ken McLoud is the CEO of Laconic Technologies, a business that aims to help agencies figure out how to make AI actually useful. His specialty is finding high-leverage spots in your agency where AI can unlock growth without bloating your headcount. Ken helps owners avoid wasted tools and instead roll out AI that gives their teams real superpowers. In this episode we'll discuss: How agency owners are forcing AI integration the wrong way. When to use custom code. A case study of real world wins and misses. The future of AI in agencies. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. Stop Forcing AI Where It Doesn't Belong Ken specializes in helping agency owners start to think strategically about AI. One of the first things he warns about is the “solution in search of a problem” trap. Too many agency owners decide, “We need to be using AI somewhere,” and then jam it into the wrong part of the business. That usually leads to tools that sound cool but don't move the needle, or worse, meet resistance from the very team that's supposed to use them. Instead, Ken suggests starting with the business itself. Are you demand-constrained (needing more leads) or supply-constrained (too much work, not enough capacity)? His litmus test is simple: if a fairy godmother doubled your clients overnight, would you cheer or panic? That answer tells you where the bottleneck really is, and that's the exact spot where AI should be applied. Case Study: Smarter Finance Insights with AskQuick.ai Ken worked to build AskQuick.ai with Nate Jenson, a fractional CFO who worked with tons of agencies. Nate had deep financial expertise but needed a way to scale his brain. Together, they built AskQuick.ai, a chatbot trained on Nate's own textbook of agency finance. The result was a tool that taps into a client's QuickBooks data to deliver specific insights, like spotting which clients are actually losing money. After a rebrand, he is now marketing the product as a simple, agency-friendly tool rather than a complex back-end. No-Code Tools vs. Custom Code: Where's the Breaking Point? Every agency owner has been tempted by tools like N8N, Zapier, or Make.com. According to Ken, these tools are perfect for simple workflows and stuff you could explain in one or two sentences. These tools are often pitched as something anyone with a computer and no experience ca n use, but once your automation starts piling up with dozens of nodes, things break constantly, and you spend more time fixing than benefiting. That's when it's smarter to build custom code. Ken compares it to driving stick shift: more control, less frustration, and often a way faster solution. AI As a Superpower Not a Replacement For Ken, the real promise of AI isn't replacing people, but rather upgrading them. He calls it “giving your team superpowers.” By offloading the repetitive, low-value work to AI, you free up your people to focus on strategy, creativity, and client impact. Instead of fearing AI, most teams welcome it. Nobody loves repetitive tasks, and when you use AI to clear that away, your staff gets to spend more time on what actually lights them up. Real-World Wins (and Misses) If you're wondering how some agencies are using AI right, Ken has seen quite a few examples. For instance, an Australian medical agency built a custom chatbot trained on years of proprietary medical content. The tool now helps their writers quickly draft accurate, technical marketing content; something that would have taken hours of research before. Huge win. On the other hand, this agency built a classic example of a solution in search of a problem. Basically, the owner wanted an elaborate folder system to organize AI chats. It sounded clever, but the writers never actually needed it. Why? Because new AI queries were faster than digging through folders. A perfect example of chasing a solution before identifying a real problem. The Future of AI in Agencies in Plain English Looking ahead, Ken sees AI becoming a tool to replace code and processes. Many things we used to hardwire with messy “if-this-then-that” logic can now be handled with prompts. That means non-technical agency owners can adjust systems in plain English instead of hiring a developer every time they need a change. These tools can make all the difference for agencies that get hundreds of deals come through every day and need a quick way to sort through the ones that can be most profitable from those that likely won't. In these cases speed is everything and AI can deliver in a way that human response cannot. However, Ken is also clear that not every problem should be handed to AI. High-value, low-risk areas, like grading prospects or filtering opportunities, are perfect testing grounds. Mission-critical, high-risk functions will probably still need human oversight for a while. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

What does recurring giving look like through a CFO's eyes, vs. relying on grants and one-time gifts? It isn't just good for cash flow – it's the foundation for smarter, calmer leadership.Fractional CFO Stephen Newland is here to make the financial case for monthly giving. With over 15 years of experience guiding nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 500s, he breaks down how recurring gifts build stability, reduce burnout, and give leaders the space to think beyond survival mode.Stephen shares why forecasting is the single most underutilized financial tool in the sector, and walks through a simple, must-try exercise: take 50% of your year-end gifts and spread them evenly across 12 months. You'll see your bank balance (and your confidence!) climb instantly. If you've ever wondered what percentage of your nonprofit's budget should be recurring, how to reduce decision fatigue, or when to bring in a fractional CFO, you'll find clear and actionable insights you can start applying today. Resources & LinksConnect with Stephen on LinkedIn and learn more about MoneyPath, Stephen's fractional CFO services for nonprofits.This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good. This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit's campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same. Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others! Let's Connect! Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show! My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good. Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

Tired of hearing “value-based pricing” and still not sure how to price without working 80–hour weeks?In this episode, I cut through the hype and show you how to pick the right pricing tool for the problem you actually have.I walk through the October Pivot, share a simple one-price, two-payment option you can deploy fast, and how to batch-test prices to find your price ceiling.Fewer clients, saner workflow, same revenue – on purpose.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/367…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they're short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn't want to do it alone. You'll make progress faster and with more confidence. …

In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg cover the transformation of global manufacturing, the rise of the electric tech stack, the landscape of jobs and economic policy, and the state of today's online discourse.–SPONSORS: NetSuite More than 42,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠–FOLLOW on X:https://x.com/eriktorenberghttps://x.com/Noahpinion–Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details, please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How many times have you been told “no” when your gut was screaming “yes”? In this episode, I'm bringing back a conversation with my friend and inspiration, Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics. Jamie shares how she went from building a company in her living room to selling it to L'Oréal for $1.2 billion, becoming the first female CEO in L'Oréal's 100+ year history. We talk about how to stop letting other people's opinions drown out your own intuition, how to keep moving forward when the doors keep slamming shut, and how to root for yourself even when no one else does.  In This Episode, You Will Learn Why you must turn down the volume on critics and tune into your intuition. The “microphone” tool to protect your energy and choose whose voice you amplify. Why setbacks are often your setup for something bigger. The visualization practice Jamie used before her life-changing QVC pitch. Why rejection can be “God's protection” and how to trust it. How to believe in yourself even when the world tells you no. Resources + Links Visit Jamie's website: ⁠https://jamiekernlima.com/⁠  Get your copy of Jamie's ⁠Believe It⁠ HERE! Get your FREE 95 PG Action Plan HERE! Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at NetSuite.com/MONAHAN. Want to do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic? Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/MONAHAN. Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Get 15% off your first order when you use code CONFIDENCE15 at checkout at jennikayne.com. Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn Jamie on Facebook & Instagram

He started small, swiping cards, buying gift cards, and cashing out. It spiraled into a full‑blown criminal enterprise. Dozens of co‑conspirators, stacks of stolen plastic, and a lifestyle built on chaos.Meet Nathan Michael, leader of Oak Cliff Swipers.SponsorsSupport for this show comes from ThreatLocker®. ThreatLocker® is a Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform that strengthens your infrastructure from the ground up. With ThreatLocker® Allowlisting and Ringfencing™, you gain a more secure approach to blocking exploits of known and unknown vulnerabilities. ThreatLocker® provides Zero Trust control at the kernel level that enables you to allow everything you need and block everything else, including ransomware! Learn more at www.threatlocker.com.Support for this show comes from Pantheon. Pantheon keeps your site fast, secure, and always on. That means better SEO, more conversions, and no lost sales from downtime. But this isn't just a business win; it's a developer win too. Your team gets automated workflows, isolated test environments, and zero-downtime deployments. Visit Pantheon.io, and make your website your unfair advantage.Support for this show comes from Adaptive Security. Deepfake voices on a Zoom call. AI-written phishing emails that sound exactly like your CFO. Synthetic job applicants walking through the front door. Adaptive is built to stop these attacks. They run real-time simulations, exposing your teams to what these attacks look like to test and improve your defences. Learn more at adaptivesecurity.com.

On this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, the brothers break down another chaotic day under Donald Trump's government shutdown as the president and Republicans face growing backlash from Americans demanding they reopen the government and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. They also discuss Trump's troubling admission about Ghislaine Maxwell. We examine Trump's escalating attempt to deploy the National Guard into Democratic-led cities, with multiple court battles erupting over his authority to do so, and the mounting economic damage caused by his reckless tariffs that continue to hammer U.S. manufacturing and consumer prices. Plus, we cover the latest political and legal fallout as Trump's desperate power plays push the country deeper into crisis. Ben, Brett, and Jordy break it all down. Subscribe to Meidas+ at https://meidasplus.com Get Meidas Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Deals from our sponsors!  Chapter: For free and unbiased Medicare help*, dial 82-MEDICARE (826-334-2273) to speak with our trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/mtn ZBiotics: Head to https://zbiotics.com/MEIDAS to get 15% off your first order when you use MEIDAS at checkout. Oracle NetSuite: Download the CFO's guide to Al and Machine Learning at https://Netsuite.com/meidas PrizePicks: Download the PrizePicks app today and use code MEIDAS to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Link: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/MEIDAS Manukora: Head to https://manukora.com/meidas to receive $25 off your starter kit today! *Disclaimer: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine (47) and Thad (57) have been together for more than six years, but instead of building wealth, they're buried under nearly $340,000 of debt. Christine, the self-appointed “CFO,” is exhausted from tracking every bill, while Thad avoids the details and spends freely. Their conflicting money mindsets (Christine craving stability, Thad living for the moment) have stalled their big dreams like buying a home or taking Rich Life vacations that Christine longs for. With almost no savings and retirement looming, Christine fears she's approaching 50 with nothing to show for her hard work, while Thad insists a single plan will solve everything. Can Ramit help them break the cycle of avoidance and control, align their priorities, and finally start acting like teammates? In this episode we uncover: • Why Christine feels she's approaching 50 with “nothing to show” for her life • Thad's $17,000 student loan that ballooned up to $125,000 • How Christine became the household “CFO” while Thad continues to avoid responsibility • Their real numbers—and why Christine feels so stressed • Christine's frustration over micromanaging bills • Thad's upbringing in poverty • The invisible power of shame and fear, and why they can't see what's right in front of them financially • Christine's childhood lessons from parents who bought an unaffordable home • Thad's stark admission: if nothing changes, he'll be homeless Chapters: (00:00:00) When a worrier and an avoider meet… (00:02:59) “We have a plan… don't we?” (00:15:52) “Where is all the money going?” (00:19:54) Ramit breaks down their numbers (00:33:46) “I never expected to live past 30” (00:48:30) “I wish my dad was able to say no” (00:56:33) “I don't believe he'll follow through” (01:05:11) “We need to be playing way bigger” (01:22:38) “I don't feel like I have the power” (01:36:54) Where are they now? Christine and Thad's follow-ups This episode is brought to you by: Doola | Go to https://doola.com.ramit and use code RAMIT for 10% off LLC formation and bookkeeping. Gelt | Book a tax consultation with Gelt at https://joingelt.com/ramit. As a member of my community, you can skip the waitlist. DeleteMe | If you want to get your personal information removed from the web, go to https://joindeleteme.com/ramit for 20% off. Masterclass | For unlimited access to every class and 15% off an annual membership, go to https://masterclass.com/ramit Netsuite | Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://netsuite.com/ramit Connect with Ramit • Get my new book, Money For Couples • Get Money Coaching with Ramit • Download the Conscious Spending Plan • Listen to my book—now on Audible • Get my New York Times best-selling book • Get my no-numbers journal • Other episodes • Instagram • Twitter • YouTube If you and your partner have a money issue and you want my help, I occasionally select a couple to work with, free of charge. Apply for my help here.

ON THIS EPISODE ➤ Why IT presentations lose executives in 30 seconds—and the backward storytelling framework that changes everything ➤ How a CFO cut AWS costs 20% in three weeks through daily DevOps partnership sessions ➤ The Five Boss Model: Why your CFO wants to fund IT projects but can’t understand your proposals ➤ Innovation...

“What we're seeing is, as the new carbon economy moves forward – and this is critical to businesses to operate in the future, in the next five, 10 years – it's colliding with the digital transformation and financial transformation. And so, I think one of the essential things our customers are asking is. ‘how do we bring together the Chief Sustainability Officer, the CIO and the CFO and the new market, digital and carbon economy as we go forward?' Because you need all three lenses to make a holistic decision for both the growth and resiliency of your company.” Mandi McReynolds on Electric Ladies Podcast Artificial Intelligence, A.I., is transforming sustainability work, from data collection to analysis to reporting. It's a tool to help assess risks and see opportunities, but humans bring the superpower. How? Listen to Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workiva in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.   You'll hear about: ●        How Workiva is leveraging A.I. to serve its clients across the board – from assessing materiality, to financial reporting and sustainability reporting, ●        How to use A.I. to minimize boring work and free up people to be more strategic and creative – in a few unique ways. ●        How to ensure the integrity of the data you're accessing with A.I. – and how to reduce the risk of your data being contaminated by A.I. hallucinations, etc. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:  “Your job isn't to know the answer. Your job is to ask all the right questions of where the business is going and think about your lens is adding value because you're going to ask a different question….Don't be afraid….(Align) with people who could see the possibility of (your) experience. And… take that stretch job and just remember you're in the room to ask different questions, and that's perfectly fine. So, take the stretch and then lean into your experience that allows you to have a different lens and a different perspective.” Mandi McReynolds on Electric Ladies Podcast   Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: ·       Business Leaders Bridging The Gap – Women business leaders from The Earth Day Women's Summit on the unique role of business in addressing the climate crisis. ·       The Power Of Buildings – with Katie McGinty, VP and Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer at Johnson Controls. ·       How GM Is Going All Electric – with General Motors Chief Sustainability Officer Kristen Siemen. ·       Reducing IT's Carbon Footprint – with HPE Chief Sustainability Officer Monica Batchelder. ·       How Businesses Unlock Value With Sustainability – with Kristen Sullivan, Audit Partner and head of Deloitte's Sustainability practice   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

Guest: Waseem Daher – Founder & Executive Chairman of Pilot LinkedIn: Waseem Daher Pilot: pilot.com | Founder Salary Report 2025   Bio Waseem Daher is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Pilot, a modern finance team offering bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for startups, e-commerce businesses, and professional services firms. Backed by Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Pilot has become the go-to back office solution for growing companies. An engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, Waseem previously co-founded Ksplice (acquired by Oracle) and Zulip (acquired by Dropbox). He now combines his experience as a three-time founder with insights into startup finance, scaling, and leadership. Beyond Pilot, Waseem writes regularly about building startups on LinkedIn and in his newsletter, Startup Real Talk. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why founder salaries dropped 43% in 2025 and what this means for early-stage companies How founders should think about compensation when talking to investors Risks startups face when founders underpay themselves How company stage, funding, and geography influence salary decisions The role of boards and investors in shaping compensation What lessons Waseem carried from Ksplice and Zulip into Pilot Insights into bootstrapping vs. venture-backed founder pay How founders can use Pilot's salary data to benchmark and negotiate effectively Why the number of AI startups surged by 287%, yet founder salaries declined What the rise in bootstrapped startups (up 77%) says about today's funding environment Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.  

In this special episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles sits down with Alex Schultz, Meta's Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Analytics, to unpack the future of digital marketing, and why the fundamentals still matter more than ever. Alex shares lessons from his remarkable journey: from running the world's top paper airplane website to leading growth at Meta, managing multi-billion dollar ad campaigns, and now authoring the industry-defining book Click Here. With high-profile endorsements from Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Daniel Ek, and Matthew Vaughn, the book has already gettimg rave reviews, and Daniel is putting it straight onto the reading list for his students at Imperial College. Together, Daniel and Alex dig into the core principles of great marketing: how to set meaningful goals, measure true impact, build high-performance teams, and embrace AI without losing your strategic edge. In This Episode: Why Alex wrote Click Here and why the industry desperately needed a book that gets back to fundamentals, marketing measurement, and pride in the profession. The power of incrementality: How to run meaningful tests, avoid vanity metrics, and prove real value to your CEO and CFO. Why goals are not the same as metrics and how mixing them up can derail your marketing efforts. The importance of awareness:  Why most businesses fail because people simply don't know they exist. Marketing mix matters: How one newspaper mention outperformed every digital channel—and why the basics still beat the buzz. Mediocre marketing + great conversion = success: Why broken funnels kill campaigns, no matter how brilliant your creative is. How Meta builds defensible growth : What sets their marketing apart, from deep integration with product and engineering, to AI-powered insights. AI's real impact on marketing jobs: A breakdown of the three kinds of disruption AI will bring, and why the marketers who embrace it will thrive. Paper planes, transparency, and unexpected beginnings: Hear how Alex's nerdy hobby turned into a viral website, and why he publicly shares his university grades to inspire others. Key Takeaways: Get back to basics: Clear goals, good data, and fundamental models (like the funnel) still win. Measure what matters: Metrics are not goals - incrementality is everything. Focus on defensibility and scale in your marketing channels, don't waste time on things that can't grow. AI won't replace marketers - marketers who use AI will replace those who don't. Be transparent and human: Success doesn't require perfection, it requires clarity, curiosity, and continuous learning.

I talk a lot about profitability on these episodes because, of course, we do this for a living. But today, I invited someone to talk with more authority about our finances in general. And I understand it is not always easy to look at our finances, especially if they aren't where we want them to be. But Carla Titus has over 17 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis strategy, and online businesses experience. She works with interior designers and she understands and provides fractional CFO services and consulting to business owners like us who are looking to grow their business profitability, which is what we all want. Her mission with Wealth and Worth Within is to empower business owners like you to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind so that they can get back to what they enjoy.  In today's episode, you'll learn how designers can master their money mindset, set profitable margins, and think like a CEO—so your business grows with confidence and sustainability. Find out more about Carla here: Website: www.wealthworthwithin.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/wealthworthwithin  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthworthwithin   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthworthwithin/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wealthworthwithin  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wealthandworthwithin   Mentioned in this episode: Join the wait list for my revamped course, The Designers Edge: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance  Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/interior-designers-guide-to-growth   

Buckle up, y'all, because we're getting into one of the most critical (and most avoided!) topics in private practice ownership … paying yourself an actual salary.I'm talking with the brilliant Carla Titus, a fractional CFO who helps mental health group practices and healthcare providers get financially healthy. Carla works with everyone from solo practitioners to seven-figure practices, and she's the kind of person who speaks truth to us in a way that we need to hear it. :)Because here's the thing … You're not running a charity. You're running a business. And CEOs don't work for free – so why should you?In this episode, you'll learn:What's really going on when you don't pay yourself a salary. (Hint: it's not because you don't have the cash.)When debt could be a GOOD thing.

Feeling like you're never going to get resources to support your legal function? Kathy Zhu has been there. Facing an endless demand for her time and limited resources to meet the business need at DoorDash, Kathy as head of Commercial Contracting, built relationships with her key customers and a process to help her team manage and communicate priorities within the company. She was so successful in showing her team's value (and their resource needs), her clients actually donated their own headcount to the legal department so she could serve them better. Seeing the value of process, tools and relationships, Kathy and her co-founder built a tool (Streamline AI) to help in-house legal departments manage their workload and generate metrics to make the case for more resources. In this episode, Kathy shares how she managed "the bottomless pit of need" using Google forms as a bush fix before Streamline AI was born. She shares:Why transparency and vulnerability are a superpower for building relationships with your key clientsHow using metrics can help you "speak CFO" and tell the story of your legal departmentWhy understanding the stage of the company and what's needed can help lawyers deliver better services

The violent streak among top-tier Democrats continues; President Trump deploys federal forces to Chicago; and Trump moves closer to forging an end to the Gaza War and the freeing of Israeli hostages. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3WDjgHE Ep.2293 - - - Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings - - - DailyWire+: Go to https://dailywireplus.com to join and get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout. Mark your calendars — Friendly Fire premieres October 16th at 7 p.m. Eastern, exclusively on DailyWire+. Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://bit.ly/3TAu2cw - - - Today's Sponsors: Perplexity - Ask anything at https://pplx.ai/benshapiro and try out their new AI-powered web browser Comet at https://comet.perplexity.ai/. PureTalk - Switch to PureTalk and start saving today! Visit https://PureTalk.com/SHAPIRO ZipRecruiter - Go to this exclusive web address to try ZipRecruiter FOR FREE: https://ZipRecruiter.com/DAILYWIRE NetSuite - Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for FREE at https://NetSuite.com/SHAPIRO Prize Picks - Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/BEN and use code BEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! American Financing - Call 866-574-2500 or visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Shapiro for details about credit costs and terms. NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3cXUn53  Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QtuibJ  Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TTirqd  Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPyBiB - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attention Hanover, MD! Tommy Buns is coming to The Hall At Live! Casino, Sunday, October 19. Get tickets now at https://tomsegura.com/tour SPONSORS: - As always, get your first month of BlueChew FREE Just use promo code BEARS at checkout and pay five bucks for shipping. https://bluechew.com -Sponsored by BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/bears - Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for FREE at https://NetSuite.com/BEARS. This week, Bert and Tom dive headfirst into the weirdest brain rot rabbit holes yet — from testing out VR porn ("you can see her fillings!") to auditioning more OnlyFans submissions, one of which that includes… a unique Por Osos bottle cameo. The Bears also pitch a business idea for a grown-man “locker room,” debate how Bert's woke daughters compare to Tom's redneck sons, and discover the world's wildest dogs and cats. Plus: Jelly Roll's 5K transformation, Savannah cats that look like mini-lions, and Bert's desperate plan to sneak another puppy past Leanne. It's sex robots, freeze porn, fat-to-fit inspiration, and pet chaos all rolled into one classic 2 Bears, 1 Cave mess. 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 309 https://tomsegura.com/tour https://www.bertbertbert.com/tour https://store.ymhstudios.com Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:22 - Jimmy Kimmel and Tylenol 00:08:17 - New Interest 00:15:54 - What The Kids Are Into 00:27:48 - The Bears Draft A Prospect 00:38:32 - The Locker Room Experience 00:46:18 - Jelly Roll 00:52:10 - Cane Corso vs. Dogo Argentino vs. Savannah Cat 01:01:14 - Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, investor, community builder and co-host of A and E's top-performing show, Triple Digit Flip, Pace Morby has acquired over 500 million dollars in assets without cash, credit or previous credentials of his own through creative financing and now teaches and inspires entrepreneurs all over the world to make an impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Surround yourself with people who elevate you, even if it means spending less time with family or friends who hold you back. 2. Creative finance lets you acquire assets without cash, credit, or credentials if you know how to structure the deal. 3. The fastest way to learn is to be in the room (or car) with someone doing the thing you want to master. Check out Pace's website to see tour dates and join live events where Pace will house 100 people in 100 days across 50 states - Where is Pace Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. NetSuite - Over 43,000 businesses have future-proofed their business with NetSuite, by Oracle - the number one AI cloud E.R.P. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning today at NetSuite.com/fire.

Today, Shannon guides entrepreneurs and business owners through the challenges of financial overwhelm and decision fatigue. Shannon shares tactical and actionable advice on identifying the biggest constraints in your business, specifically focusing on cash flow management.   Tune in to learn how to map out your cash flow, prioritize impactful financial issues, and make confident decisions that will help you scale your business. Don't miss Shannon's insights on how to stop masking core financial problems and start accelerating your business growth.   What you'll hear in this episode: [0:45] Overcoming Financial Overwhelm [2:10] Finding Clarity Through Action [3:25] Identifying and Solving Key Financial Issues [4:55] Cash Flow Management Strategies [7:00] Deep Dive into Cash Flow Analysis   If you like this episode, check out: How to Ensure Your Core Offer is Scalable Fine-Tuning Your Core Offer for Growth Is My Business Doing Okay?   Learn more about our CFO firm and services: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/   Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ Follow along on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/

Dr. Chris Smiley offers a contrarian—but experience-backed—perspective on one of the most divisive topics in optometry today: vision plans. While many private practice ODs are dropping them entirely, Dr. Smiley makes the case that with the right strategy, vision plans can actually be a powerful engine for growth, profitability, and sustainability. He challenges the myths around reimbursement, explains how to leverage Coordination of Benefits (COB), and breaks down how most high-volume practices still rely on vision plans to scale. This episode is for any OD who's felt bullied by plans—but still wants to build a thriving private practice without burning bridges, burning themselves out, or missing hidden revenue.   As a reminder, you can get all the information discussed in today's conversation by visiting our website at integratedpwm.com and clicking on the Learning Center. While there, be sure to subscribe to our monthly “planning life on purpose” newsletter that's filled with tips and ideas to help you plan your best life, on purpose. You can also set up a Triage conversation to learn a little bit more about how we serve in the capacity of a personal and professional CFO: helping OD practice owners around the country reduce their tax bill, proactively manage cash flow, and make prudent investment decisions both in and out of their practice to ultimately help them live their best life on purpose. If you're interested in learning more about how OD Masterminds creates space for real conversations, real accountability, and real growth, please check out the link in the show notes of this episode to learn more.   And with that introduction, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Chris Smiley, OD.   Resources: 20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass OD Mastermind Interest Form 20/20 Money Episode #223: How one OD used fear and the unknown to positively uplevel himself and his practice into a multi-location practice; a convo with Dr. Chris Smiley OD Evaluating VCPs in your practice to determine which ones to cut with Dr. Adam Ramsey, OD https://pumpkinplan.com/    ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms Apple Podcasts Spotify ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!

Lauren Livak Gilbert has been trying to get a CFO on the podcast for over a YEAR. It's one of the most pivotal relationships you need to have to drive success and manage in tough times, and she finally found one who was ready to talk omnichannel turkey. Matt Putra, CEO at fractional CFO firm Eightx, joined the podcast with tough advice and a passion for building a bridge between finance and the business to make the P&L shine.

What happens when your hands-on hustle stops working? In this episode, growth strategist Chad Cannon reveals why the skills that got you to $3 million won't get you to $10 million—and what needs to change.Chad breaks down the critical mindset shifts founder-led businesses must make to scale sustainably: accepting 70-80% quality from your team, transitioning from seller to sales leader, and learning when to hire your second-in-command (hint: probably later than you think). He shares real numbers from clients growing from $3M to $7M revenue, including how to allocate your marketing budget across channels, why Reddit matters for AI-driven discovery, and which metrics actually move the needle.You'll learn why vision "leaks" without constant reinforcement, how to avoid drowning in data by focusing on just three KPIs, and why tracking lead measures beats obsessing over revenue numbers. Plus: the Slack rule that stopped execution chaos and why your next hire should probably come from within.If you're a founder feeling the friction between doing the work and leading the company, this conversation will show you exactly what needs to shift—and how to make it happen.Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we're just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we've got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that's what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow....

This episode of CFO at Home is Part 2 of Vince·s conversation with Bart Merrill, entrepreneur and author of "Monetize Your Mindset." This time around Bart shares his journey through various ventures, from bungee jumping to dog training to poker, illustrating the importance of evaluating choices and knowing when to pivot. They also discuss the value of creating dual lists of what you enjoy and what comes easy to you as a tool to use in evaluating side hustle choices, and the value of mentorship and how it can guide decision-making. Bart also introduces his resource, "25 for 25," a guide to successful side hustles, aimed at inspiring budding entrepreneurs looking to make their first step. For more information about Bart and Monetize Your Mindset, visit BartMerrell.com Key Topics: Evaluating Your Choices in Entrepreneurship The Importance of Passion vs. Practicality Mentorship in Business Decisions When to Pivot: Knowing When to Move On Introduction to 25 for 25: Successful Side Hustles The Role of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship Key Links BartMerrell.com https://offer1.bartmerrell.com/25for25 Bart Merrell Facebook https://www.youtube.com/@BartMerrell https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-merrell-2440148/ Contact the Host - vince@thecfoathome.com Want to be a guest on CFO at Home? Send Vince a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628643039567x840793309030672500  

This episode explains the C-Suite in plain language for new leaders. Learn the roles of the CEO, CFO, COO, CRO, CMO, CHRO, CIO/CTO, and CPO, and how their decisions impact you.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, DiscordFree Leadership Resources: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yOfficial 7 Minute Leadership MerchGrab exclusive gear and more: linktr.ee/paulfalavolitoPartners & DiscountsFlying Eyes Optics – Best aviator sunglasses on the marketGet 10% off with code: PFAVShop now: flyingeyesoptics.comGatsby Shoes – Dress sneakers built for leaders on the moveUse my affiliate link for 10% off: Gatsby ShoesSubscribe & Listen to My Podcasts:The 7 Minute Leadership Podcast1 PAPA FOXTROT – General Aviation PodcastThe DailyPfav

Rama Katkar has helped steer some of the most iconic companies in tech through moments of scale and transformation. Now CFO at Notion and formerly a finance leader at Instacart and Credit Karma, she joins CJ to unpack what it means to build a modern finance function inside a product-led growth company. They discuss how to design finance for velocity without losing discipline, the art of forecasting when virality drives your business, and why Notion's path to profitability looks different from its peers. Rama also shares lessons from scaling Credit Karma through its $8.1B acquisition by Intuit, what she learned about IPO readiness at Instacart, and how finance leaders can balance ambition with realism in uncertain markets.—LINKS:Rama Katkar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramakatkar/Notion: https://www.notion.so/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:“Let's Just See What Breaks” — Intuit's CFO on Being a Disruptor When You're Already the Incumbent— —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview – Credit Karma, Instacart, and the Road to Notion(00:01:14) Welcome & Episode Overview – Rama Katkar, CFO of Notion(00:02:22) Sponsor – Fidelity Private Shares | Mercury | RightRev(00:06:10) Interview Begins – From Dinner Conversations to Notion's Pricing Evolution(00:09:20) Early Launch of Notion AI and Add-On Pricing(00:12:40) Community-Led Growth and Notion's Viral Flywheel(00:14:38) Sponsor – Tipalti | Aleph | Rillet(00:18:39) Who Adopts Notion First? Product, Design, and Engineering(00:20:32) Turning Free Users Into Paid Teams(00:22:09) Why Notion Added an Enterprise Sales Motion(00:26:29) The CFO's Long Game: Balancing Free Users and Cost(00:30:44) How Notion Experiments With AI Pricing(00:32:42) Rama's Three-Part Framework for Forecasting(00:36:38) Why Notion Plans on a Six-Month Cadence(00:40:56) Transition – From Forecasting to M&A: Credit Karma's Wild Ride(00:41:31) Selling Credit Karma During the Pandemic and DOJ Review(00:44:04) Closing the Deal With Intuit(00:49:47) Why the Org Chart Is the Most Important M&A Slide(00:52:08) The Long-Ass Lightning Round(00:56:45) Career Advice to Her Younger Self – Context Over Calculation—SPONSORS:Fidelity Private Shares is the all-in-one equity management platform that keeps your cap table clean, your data room organized, and your equity story clear—so you never risk losing a fundraising round over messy records. Schedule a demo at https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com and mention Mostly Metrics to get 20% off.Mercury is business banking built for builders, giving founders and finance pros a financial stack that actually works together. From sending wires to tracking balances and approving payments, Mercury makes it simple to scale without friction. Join the 200,000+ entrepreneurs who trust Mercury and apply online in minutes at https://www.mercury.comRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. For RevRec that auditors actually trust, visit https://www.rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Tipalti automates the entire payables process—from onboarding suppliers to executing global payouts—helping finance teams save time, eliminate costly errors, and scale confidently across 200+ countries and 120 currencies. More than 5,000 businesses already trust Tipalti to manage payments with built-in security and tax compliance. Visit https://www.tipalti.com/runthenumbers to learn more.Aleph automates 90% of manual, error-prone busywork, so you can focus on the strategic work you were hired to do. Minimize busywork and maximize impact with the power of a web app, the flexibility of spreadsheets, and the magic of AI. Get a personalised demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runRillet is the AI-native ERP modern finance teams are switching to because it's faster, simpler, and 100% built for how teams operate today. See how fast your team can move. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/metrics#CFOInsights #StartupFinance #NotionHQ #ProductLedGrowth #RunTheNumbersPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Most agencies don't make it 25 years but Bill Swanston's has. From surviving 9/11 to leading a 30-person team through COVID, Bill shares how Bosun (formerly Frederick Swanston) adapted, learned to love KPIs, empowered their team, and even pulled off a successful rebrand. His story proves you can survive the toughest agency seasons and come out stronger—if you track the right numbers, avoid “superclient” risk, and learn to truly let go. What You'll Learn Why resilience (not just growth hacks) is the real agency survival skill How ignoring KPIs almost cost the agency big—and how to avoid that mistake Why letting go of control is the only way to grow past founder-dependence What a rebrand really signals about an agency's maturity and leadership shift The hidden dangers of relying on a “superclient” Key Takeaways Keep overhead light in uncertain times—it gives you room to maneuver when crises hit. Track your KPIs like a client project: salaries as % of AGI, AGI per employee, revenue per client. Don't rely on a single client for survival—client concentration is a silent killer. Empower your team early—you can't scale if you're reviewing every deliverable yourself. Rebrands work when they reflect a cultural shift—not just a new logo. What does it really take to keep an agency alive through market crashes, pandemics, and the endless grind without burning out or losing your edge? Today's featured guest will unpack his journey from starting in a basement with a couple of clients to leading a 30-person team through some of the toughest seasons an agency can face. From navigating financial blind spots to learning how to actually let go and trust his team, and the reason the agency's 25th anniversary actually marked a big shift with a new rebrand. Bill Swanston is the president and founder of Bosun, an Atlanta-based agency that just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Formerly known as Frederick Swanston, the agency has weathered market crashes, client shakeups, and a pandemic while building a powerhouse team with deep creative and digital chops. In this episode, we'll discuss: The challenges that really tested the agency's resilience. How learning to love KPIs saved the business. Why rebrand after 25 years? Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Building Through Adversity and Surviving 9/11 After moving back to Atlanta from New York, Bill was freelancing at BBDO and thinking about switching to smaller agency. As he saw it, it was better to be a big fish in a smaller pond. Unfortunately, his gig at the smaller agency was short lived, since the agency shut down for good. Instead of packing it in, Bill and his partner Scott Frederick grabbed a few clients, set up shop in a basement, and got to work. Built-in revenue gave them a smoother start than most scrappy entrepreneurs, but reality set in quickly. By the early 2000s, they were hit hard by 9/11 and its ripple effect on corporate events. It was a reminder that whether you're at a big holding company or running your own small shop, stability is often an illusion. Surviving those first waves meant keeping overhead light, grinding it out, and learning how to adapt before the word “pivot” became a business cliché. The Challenge that Really Tested the Agency's Resilience Partnerships can make or break an agency and Bill admits the early years with his partner had their rough patches, not as creatives, but as business owners learning how to disagree productively. Over time, their different strengths meshed into what became a powerful leadership duo. But nothing tested the agency quite like COVID. With a staff of 30 suddenly looking to them for answers, the partners had to act fast. They slashed salaries, cut their own pay completely, and relied on federal relief programs like PPP loans to keep the team intact. That lifeline, combined with quick adjustments, got them back on track. As Bill put it, “It was the absolute worst period of time for the agency. But we came out stronger because we had no choice but to figure it out fast.” From Gut Instinct to KPIs That Saved the Business Like a lot of creative-led shops, Bill and his partner weren't exactly obsessed with financial metrics at first. According to Bill, they mostly leaned on QuickBooks, check-writing, and gut instincts. That worked until it didn't. By the time they realized improprieties had slipped under the radar, they knew it was time to upgrade. Today, they track everything from salaries as a percentage of adjusted gross income to AGI per employee to recurring revenue versus project-based work. They also look at revenue per client to ensure there isn't any one account that is overwhelming the team. Like many agencies, they had this happen at one point, with a client that accounted for 50% of their billing. He remembers being scared once this client started to dwindle as a result of the ‘08 crisis, which taught him the danger of relying on superclients that can walk away and take half your revenue with them. Bill stresses that KPIs aren't about being a math whiz, but about having clarity. Knowing your true profitability by client or department means you stop guessing and start making better decisions. “We do it for our clients,” he said, “so we've got to do it for ourselves too.” Nowadays, he works with an external CPA and an internal comptroller who help him keep an eye on the agency's finances. Pro tip: If you're not yet at the point where you can have a CFO but don't know where to start to assess your agency's financials, use askquick.ai. It's a tool developed by Jason and his team that'll help you figure out your most profitable clients, assess your financial red flags, measure your KPIs, and more. Learning to Let Go and Empower the Team For the first decade, Bill and Scott were deep in the weeds, reviewing every creative output, managing every account, carrying the business on their backs. Eventually, the workload became too much and they had to learn how to trust others. Empowering team members to make real decisions wasn't easy. It started organically as new hires took over account management, media, and digital responsibilities. Over time, Bill realized the work improved when people felt ownership and felt empowered to shape the agency. “The ability to let go and trust others is essential to grow your agency,” he says. This trust not only gave the agency room to grow but also gave Bill and Scott the freedom to step back from being prisoners of their own business. Why Would a 25 Year Old Agency Rebrand Now? After two and a half decades as Frederick Swanston, the founders made the bold move to rebrand as Bosun to better reflect what they'd become. The decision was about more than a new logo. According to Bill, keeping their surnames in the brand felt too self-centered and didn't reflect the agency's culture. The rebrand signaled a shift: it's not about Bill or Scott anymore. It's about the team, the clients, and the relationships that actually fuel the work. While rebrands often make clients nervous, Bill said the transition was seamless. In fact, many partners celebrated alongside them, proving that strong relationships matter more than the name on the door. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Lisa Haynes had climbed to the top of the corporate ladder as a CFO, but when God began stirring her heart toward something new, she made the bold decision to walk away from success as the world defines it. In this conversation, Lisa shares how she transitioned from corporate leadership to becoming a certified retirement coach and author of two powerful books: "Retired and Killin' It" and "The Storm: For Your Good and For His Glory."   Lisa offers a fresh perspective on retirement that goes far beyond financial planning. She discusses how to combat feelings of invisibility and uselessness that many face in their later years, emphasizing that decades of accumulated wisdom and experience are exactly what younger generations need. Her "Killin' It" framework helps people design holistic retirement plans that address not just finances, but the social, psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of this significant life transition. She also opens up about writing "The Storm" during one of her family's most difficult seasons, offering hope and practical wisdom for anyone navigating trials, grief, or uncertainty about God's purposes in hardship.   WEBLINKS Haynes Executive Services Retired and Killin' It Facebook Lisa on Instagram Lisa on LinkedIn

In this episode, Bradley Hamner explores a critical distinction that many entrepreneurs miss: being excellent at your craft doesn't automatically make you a great business owner. He argues that the reverse is true—becoming a great business owner will naturally lead to excellence in your specific industry.Thinking Time: What business owner skills do you currently possess?Where are you deficient and need development?Consider areas like team leadership, financial management, or marketing and sales where you might need growth.Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we're just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we've got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that's what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here's an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They'll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they'll waive all setup fees.

What happens when the communications function stops being about messaging and starts being about business transformation? When your stakeholders include 10,000 employees, 94,000 students, 350,000 alumni, plus investors, policymakers, and healthcare partners? In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle reconnects with Megan Noel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Adtalem Global Education, to explore why the CCAO role is a fundamental reimagining of what communications does. Megan leads government relations, investor relations, public affairs, impact and sustainability, and alumni relations under one reputation-focused banner. From managing the fallout of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" over July 4th weekend to navigating AI search optimization and Wikipedia's importance in reputation management, Megan and Dan dig into the practical realities of corporate affairs at scale. They explore how business acumen has become a hard skill, why curiosity beats credentials, and how communicators can avoid becoming "negative Nancy" while still providing strategic counsel. Listen in and hear about... Why corporate affairs unifies storytelling across all stakeholder groups under a reputation banner How business acumen requires being "dangerous enough" in finance, law, and HR without becoming an expert The surprising importance of Wikipedia and specific media outlets in AI search and GEO optimization Why saying "yes, how" beats saying "no, but" when working with business leaders How curiosity and innovation mindset separate entry-level candidates who get jobs from those who don't The challenge of maintaining unbiased reputation when AI search platforms pull from potentially compromised sources Notable Quotes On Corporate Affairs Evolution: "The corporate affairs model is just the next step in that evolution. We used to just communicate what the business wanted. Now we're more than just a channel strategy to push things to different audiences." - Megan Noel [07:30] On Business Acumen: "I certainly don't need to be as sophisticated in our numbers as our CFO. But I need to be dangerous enough in all of them to be able to sit down at a very senior level and have a thoughtful conversation." - Megan Noel [20:29] On Strategic Counsel: "Instead of saying no, but—offer alternatives or other options so that we could potentially get to yes. When you do have to say the no, it feels like you're using that really thoughtfully and people will take you seriously." - Megan Noel [23:39] On AI Search Reality: "There is a perception that whatever question you ask AI is unbiased, when in fact it's pulling information through just a different algorithm. It could be just as biased with other bad data." - Megan Noel [46:56] On Innovation Mindset: "The hiring manager said it was because she showed an appetite to push and to learn and to innovate. That skill, even at the very entry level, matters." - Megan Noel [59:35] Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Megan Noel Adtalem Global Education | Website Megan Noel | LinkedIn Timestamps 0:00 Intro: Change in PR and marketing 5:47 Evolution of Chief Corporate Affairs Officer role 13:06 Reputation as unifying banner for corporate affairs 19:40 Importance of business acumen for leaders 24:39 Communications as a critical business skill 27:46 Relationship between corporate affairs and marketing 31:28 Fostering disagreement and diverse perspectives 35:41 Impact of AI on search and reputation management 41:24 Proactively managing reputation in AI era 49:28 Balancing content creation and stakeholder engagement 53:43 Innovation as key leadership trait 57:41 Cultivating curiosity and innovation across teams 1:03:31 Closing remarks and contact information (Notes co-created by Human Dan, Claude, and  Flowsend.ai ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troy dela Cruz is Co-Owner at Camino Restaurant. Cris Fe Tuballa is Manager at Camino Restaurant. Camino Restaurant is one of the OG restaurants in Zamboanga serving Filipino food. They're also serving Ilonggo dishes and recently, ZamPen Native Chicken dishes. Try their ZamPen Native Chicken Inasal for only Php 200 (with unli rice!). What's exciting with the ZamPen Native Chicken dishes of Camino Restaurant is that this is in collaboration with researchers from Western Mindanao State University. They found a way to make ZamPen Native Chicken very scrumptious and mouthwatering while retaining the chickens being free roaming with that level of protein that we want. This is also part of Region IX's efforts to have food sustainability in Zamboanga Peninsula. This episode is recorded live at WMSU ATBI, agri-aqua technology business incubator of Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City.In this episode:00:00 Introduction01:02 Ano ang Camino Restaurant?06:04 What problem is being solved? 12:12 What solution is being provided? 18:06 What are stories behind the startup? 45:38 What is the vision? 48:20 How can listeners find more information?CAMINO RESTAURANTFacebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567343264683WMSU ATBIFacebook: https://facebook.com/wmsuatbiTHIS EPISODE IS CO-PRODUCED BY:Yspaces: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://knowyourspaceph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Apeiron: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apeirongrp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Twala: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twala.io⁠⁠⁠⁠Symph: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://symph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠Secuna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secuna.io⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Circle Global: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://redcircleglobal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠MaroonStudios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maroonstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠AIMHI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aimhi.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Ask Lex PH Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://asklexph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on e-learning courses! Code: ALPHAXSUP)Argum AI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://argum.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠PIXEL by Eplayment: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/auth/sign-up?r=PIXELXSUP1⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Sign up using Code: PIXELXSUP1)School of Profits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://schoolofprofits.academy⁠⁠⁠⁠Founders Launchpad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://founderslaunchpad.vc⁠⁠⁠⁠Hier Business Solutions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hierpayroll.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Agile Data Solutions (Hustle PH): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://agiledatasolutions.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠Smile Checks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://getsmilechecks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠CloudCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloudcfo.ph⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Free financial assessment, process onboarding, and 6-month QuickBooks subscription! Mention: Start Up Podcast PH)Cloverly: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cloverly.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠BuddyBetes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buddybetes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠HKB Digital Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://contakt-ph.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on RFID Business Cards! Code: CONTAKTXSUP)Hyperstacks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyperstacksinc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠OneCFO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://onecfoph.co⁠⁠⁠⁠ (10% discount on CFO services! Code: ONECFOXSUP)UNAWA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unawa.asia⁠⁠⁠⁠SkoolTek: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skooltek.co⁠⁠⁠⁠Better Support: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bettersupport.io⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Referral fee for anyone who can bring in new BPO clients!)Britana: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://britanaerp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Wunderbrand: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wunderbrand.com⁠⁠⁠⁠EastPoint Business Outsourcing Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/eastpointoutsourcing⁠⁠⁠⁠DVCode Technologies Inc: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dvcode.tech⁠⁠⁠⁠NutriCoach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nutricoach.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Uplift Code Camp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://upliftcodecamp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ (5% discount on bootcamps and courses! Code: UPLIFTSTARTUPPH)START UP PODCAST PHYouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6BObuPvMfoZzdlJeb1XXVa⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-up-podcast/id1576462394⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/StartUpPodcastPH⁠⁠⁠⁠PIXEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixel.eplayment.co/dl/startuppodcastph⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phstartup.online⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode is edited by the team at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tasharivera.com⁠

Send us a textUnlock Proven Strategies for a Lucrative Business Exit—Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast TodayHave Questions About Growing Profits And Maximizing Your Business Exit? Submit Them Here, and We'll Answer Them on the Podcast!“ Always walk in someone else's shoes before making judgments.” - Karl MaierExclusive Insights from This Week's EpisodesIn this explosive episode, Founder and CFO Karl Maier pulls back the curtain on why most entrepreneurs hit a ceiling and how to break through it. With over three decades of experience scaling companies, Karl reveals his $10 Million Growth Map and the playbook for transforming chaos into clarity. Top Episode Highlights:00:06 Karl Maier's journey from corporate CFO to serial entrepreneur00:09 What a fractional CFO really does for fast-scaling companies00:14 The repeatable process every company needs to unlock rapid growth00:17 Why entrepreneurs must “fire themselves” to scale successfully00:23 The leadership habits sabotaging most founders00:27 What to look for—and avoid—in a fractional CFO00:29 The leadership bottlenecks killing growth potential00:36 Building scalable leadership teams that thrive under pressure00:38 Karl's biggest lesson on cash flow every entrepreneur must learnClick here for full show notes, transcript, and resources:https://podcast.deepwealth.com/478Essential Resources to Maximize Your Business ExitLearn More About Deep Wealth MasteryFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Unlock Your Lucrative Exit and Secure Your Legacy

The IPO market may be slowing down, but the discipline of operating like a public company has never been more important. In this episode, CJ is joined by Chad Gold, CFO of FullStory and veteran operator with previous stints at G2, SalesLoft, and Rubicon, to discuss how capital markets and financing strategies are shifting in real time. Chad explains why more companies are staying private longer, how the rise of private credit is changing the CFO toolkit, and why building IPO-ready discipline matters even if you never go public. The conversation also dives into one of his specialties—pricing models and sales incentives—covering how seat-based, usage, and blended structures influence rep behavior, comp plans, and long-term revenue quality, as well as how the wrong incentives can quietly derail a business. Finally, Chad reflects on lessons from his early career at Home Depot and how fundamentals from retail operations still inform his instincts in SaaS today.—LINKS: Chad Gold on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadgold/Fullstory: https://www.fullstory.com/CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222 Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:G2 CFO Chad Gold on Building A Durable Career as a Venture Backed Exec:Big Systems Thinking for Building a Finance Org: Advice From a Zoom Hypergrowth Survivor:—TIMESTAMPS:(02:14) Sponsors – Mercury | RightRev | Tipalti(06:10) What's New at FullStory(09:22) Hypotheses, Data, and Unlocking Use Cases(10:13) Early CFO Career and the Evolution of Data(11:09) From Deterministic Models to Analytics-Driven Forecasting(12:17) Cohorts, Segmentation, and Revenue Quality(13:17) Why Companies Stay Private Longer(15:28) Sponsors – Aleph | Rillet | Fidelity P.S.(19:01) Capital Flows Into Hot Sectors Like AI and Cybersecurity(20:20) More Companies Going Private Than Public(21:41) Costs and Tradeoffs of Being Public(22:46) Secondary Markets and Access to Top Companies(24:14) Staying Private Longer and CFO Planning(25:29) Keeping the Org Exit-Ready(26:10) The Rise of Private Credit(27:37) Banks vs. Venture Debt After SVB(30:47) Pricing Models Across Chad's CFO Roles(35:47) How to Incentivize Sales Reps Across Pricing Models(43:26) Lessons From Home Depot + Lightning Round—SPONSORS:Mercury is business banking built for builders, giving founders and finance pros a financial stack that actually works together. From sending wires to tracking balances and approving payments, Mercury makes it simple to scale without friction. Join the 200,000+ entrepreneurs who trust Mercury and apply online in minutes at https://www.mercury.comRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. For RevRec that auditors actually trust, visit https://www.rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Tipalti automates the entire payables process—from onboarding suppliers to executing global payouts—helping finance teams save time, eliminate costly errors, and scale confidently across 200+ countries and 120 currencies. More than 5,000 businesses already trust Tipalti to manage payments with built-in security and tax compliance. Visit https://www.tipalti.com/runthenumbers to learn more.Aleph automates 90% of manual, error-prone busywork, so you can focus on the strategic work you were hired to do. Minimize busywork and maximize impact with the power of a web app, the flexibility of spreadsheets, and the magic of AI. Get a personalised demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runRillet is the AI-native ERP modern finance teams are switching to because it's faster, simpler, and 100% built for how teams operate today. See how fast your team can move. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/metricsFidelity Private Shares is the all-in-one equity management platform that keeps your cap table clean, your data room organized, and your equity story clear—so you never risk losing a fundraising round over messy records. Schedule a demo at https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com and mention Mostly Metrics to get 20% off.#CFOInsights #SaaSFinance #CapitalMarkets #IPOReady #RevenueStrategy #GrowthStageCFO This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

Christopher Greiner, CFO of Zeta Global (ZETA), returns to Schwab Network at the NYSE to discuss the latest developments around the data cloud company. Among the latest drivers: its acquisition of Marigold. Christopher points to the company as a strong way to expand Zeta's business abroad.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Share your thoughts with us!At Eight Sleep, product innovation isn't just about comfort—it's about performance, health, and personalization at scale. And behind the numbers powering that mission is CFO Nick Chammas.On this episode of Ventured Growth, Catherine Jhung sits down with Nick to discuss how Eight Sleep evolved from a niche product for athletes into a sleep fitness brand with global momentum. From raising $100M to expanding manufacturing across continents, Nick has helped steer the company through pivotal growth milestones.He shares insights into their new AI-powered sleep agent, how digital twins are driving personalized rest, and why the best product feedback comes straight from the customer.Topics include:Applying AI to sleep and biometric dataFrom product-market fit to global expansionHow Eight Sleep is solving for menopause, snoring, and temperature regulationLeading a capital-efficient team of 100Nick's personal journey from banking to scaling a hardware brandAnd more…Nick Chammas is the CFO of Eight Sleep, the world's first sleep fitness company. With experience across finance, operations, and strategy, he brings a holistic view to driving growth in a competitive consumer tech landscape.

Confidence isn't something you're born with, but something you build. In this episode, I share why confidence is always the by-product of action, not a feeling you wait for. I talk about my experience in the C-suite, the fears I carried that turned out to be wasted energy, and how bold moves in Q4 can set you up for massive success next year. I also share how a near-canceled Dubai trip led to interviewing billionaire Peter Jones, who taught me to go BIGGER, and why being called ‘delusional' might be the best compliment you'll receive. Get ready to stop overthinking and start showing up as the most confident version of yourself. In This Episode You Will Learn Why CONFIDENCE is a by-product of ACTION, not a feeling. How to ACT confident before you actually feel it. The BODY LANGUAGE shift that lowers stress and boosts power. Why Q4 is the BEST TIME to pitch raises, promotions, and clients. How to LEVERAGE your personal brand for global opportunities. SALES CLOSING STRATEGIES you can apply to clients, sponsors, or pitches. The POWER of testimonials, identity, and silence in closing deals. Resources + Links October Group Ladies Only: https://heather-monahan.myshopify.com/products/seminar-registration Mastermind Team - 3 spots left! Apply here: https://heathermonahan.com/the-elite-mastermind/ Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at NetSuite.com/MONAHAN. Want to do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic? Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/MONAHAN. Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Get 15% off your first order when you use code CONFIDENCE15 at checkout at jennikayne.com. Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn

Shannon is joined by Ricky Shockley, owner of Med Spa Magic Marketing and a digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience. Ricky shares valuable insights on the importance of using data-driven strategies over gut-based marketing, the challenges of local vs. national marketing, and the critical metrics every business owner should track.   The discussion covers the significance of understanding customer acquisition costs, the role of organic content marketing, and the benefits of specific targeting in paid ads. Ricky also addresses common blocks entrepreneurs face regarding discounting and promotions, emphasizing the importance of seeing marketing as an investment. Tune in for tactical and actionable marketing strategies to elevate your business!   What you'll hear in this episode: [0:45] Meet Ricky Shockley: Digital Marketing Expert [1:15] The Importance of Data-Driven Marketing [6:05] Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs [14:25] Organic vs. Paid Marketing Strategies [19:55] Understanding Local Intent in Content Creation [20:30] Building a Local Audience Through Community Engagement [27:00] Effective Use of Promotions and Discounts [34:30] Specialized Marketing Strategies for Med Spas   Check out the Medspa Success Strategies Podcast: https://medspamagicmarketing.com/podcast/ Learn more about Ricky's services: https://medspamagicmarketing.com/   Learn more about our CFO firm and services: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/   Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ Follow along on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/   The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. We love enthusiastic action, but please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.

Last week, I hosted a webinar on creating the 2026 tax season you actually want. More than 100 CPAs tuned in live or on replay. In this podcast episode, I share the exact system: deciding your hours, doing the math, raising prices, scheduling clients, and communicating clearly. ICYMI, you can catch the full replay here: geraldinecarter.com/free.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/366…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they're short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn't want to do it alone. You'll make progress faster and with more confidence. …

In 2008, Beth Gaspich stood on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, ringing the bell as RiskMetrics went public. What made the moment extraordinary was its timing—amid one of the most volatile markets in decades. The IPO decision, she tells us, came “down to the wire.” After months of preparing the S-1, long roadshows, and weekend work with auditors, leadership had to choose: delay indefinitely or seize a fleeting opening. They chose action, and the listing became a defining milestone in her career.That experience shaped her conviction that preparation and clear communication are indispensable when markets are uncertain. It also foreshadowed the way she would later lead NICE through its own transformation. When she became CFO in 2016, NICE was largely an on-premise software company with roughly $1 billion in revenue. Today, she tells us, the firm is approaching $3 billion, with $2.2 billion in cloud revenue. “We don't put boxes around people,” she notes, describing a culture where finance leaders are expected to help drive strategy, not just report results.Her approach to AI investment echoes that belief. She explains that NICE's AI and self-service ARR reached $238 million, growing 42% year-over-year. Rather than measure ROI only through headcount reduction, she emphasizes redeploying people to more strategic work. Internally, AI “champions” in each function track outcomes with KPIs. From ringing the NYSE bell to scaling a global AI platform, Gaspich's journey illustrates how finance leaders can balance precision with boldness when transformation is on the line.

What if the greatest challenges of your life were actually the foundation for your biggest wins? In this episode, I sit down with Ben Newman, performance coach to Fortune 500 leaders, Super Bowl champions, and championship football teams like the Alabama Crimson Tide. We talk about how to keep showing up on the days you want to quit, why purpose must be stronger than pain, and how investing in yourself (through coaches, mentors, or even accountability partners) is the fastest way to unlock your next level. Ben also shares practical tools from his work with world-class athletes and business leaders that you can apply right now to your own life. Tune in and learn how to push through adversity, find your fire, and create unstoppable momentum in your life and business. In This Episode, You Will Learn Meet Ben Newman, performance coach, author, and former mental conditioning coach for Alabama Crimson Tide. The PRAYER that gave Ben clarity and purpose every day. The UNEXPECTED “sign” that confirmed Ben's spiritual path. Why COACHING and ACCOUNTABILITY are essential for growth. The PRIZEFIGHTER DAY framework to win personally and professionally. Why CHAMPIONS never stop investing in coaching and mentorship. Resources + Links Learn more about Ben Newman at ⁠bennewman.net⁠  Get your copy of Ben Newman's ⁠Uncommon Leadership⁠ HERE!  Enroll in  ⁠Ben Newman's Uncommon Coaching Program⁠ Listen to Ben Newman's ⁠The Burn Podcast  ⁠Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at NetSuite.com/MONAHAN. Want to do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic? Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/MONAHAN. Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Get 15% off your first order when you use code CONFIDENCE15 at checkout at jennikayne.com. Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn Ben on Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, & X

Bigfoot Attack Then Five Months in a ComaJonathan awoke from a 19-month coma with fragmented memories, aware only of his identity, family, and a vague sense of a catastrophic event. Trapped in darkness, unable to move or see, he struggled to piece together his past, haunted by fleeting sensations of fear and being thrown through the air. As he regained consciousness, he heard voices, including his wife Madison's, and slowly began to recognize his surroundings and family, who had aged significantly. Learning he had been comatose for over five years due to brain trauma, Jonathan grappled with the loss of time, his job, and their homes, as well as the amputation of his leg, while his family filled him in on their new life in North Carolina. As Jonathan's recovery progressed through therapy, he pieced together more of his life as a former CFO and Harvard graduate, but the cause of his injuries remained elusive until a visit from his brother-in-law, Jeremy, triggered memories of a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Alone after Jeremy left due to a family emergency, Jonathan was stalked and attacked by an unknown entity that tore apart his tent and threw him against a tree, causing his injuries. A Bigfoot documentary later triggered a full recollection of the terrifying encounter with a non-human creature. Now, in the safety of his new home, Jonathan is haunted by the clear memory of that night, realizing his long recovery is only the beginning of coping with the trauma.Join my Supporters Club for $4.99 per month for exclusive stories:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-if-it-s-true-podcast--5445587/support

Forrest Galante is a wildlife biologist, adventurer, and TV host known for his shows “Animals on Drugs” and “Extinct or Alive”, along with his multiple Shark Week specials. Forrest joins Theo to talk about growing up a bush-kid under political turmoil in Zimbabwe, his multiple near-death experiences in the wild, and how to make an animal “de-extinct”. Forrest Galante: https://www.instagram.com/forrest.galante/  ------------------------------------------------ Tour Dates! https://theovon.com/tour New Merch: https://www.theovonstore.com ------------------------------------------------- Sponsored By: Celsius: Go to the Celsius Amazon store to check out all of their flavors. #CELSIUSBrandPartner #CELSIUSLiveFit https://amzn.to/3HbAtPJ  Armra: Go to https://tryarmra.com/THEO  or enter THEO to get 15% off your first order. Netsuite: Download the free CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at https://NetSuite.com/THEO.  Valor Recovery: To learn more about Valor Recovery please visit them at https://valorrecoverycoaching.com/  or email them at admin@valorrecoverycoaching.com Perplexity AI: Ask anything at https://pplx.ai/theo and download their new web browser Comet at https://comet.perplexity.ai/ ------------------------------------------------- Music: “Shine” by Bishop Gunn Bishop Gunn - Shine ------------------------------------------------ Submit your funny videos, TikToks, questions and topics you'd like to hear on the podcast to: tpwproducer@gmail.com Hit the Hotline: 985-664-9503 Video Hotline for Theo Upload here: https://www.theovon.com/fan-upload Send mail to: This Past Weekend 1906 Glen Echo Rd PO Box #159359 Nashville, TN 37215 ------------------------------------------------ Find Theo: Website: https://theovon.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/theovon Facebook: https://facebook.com/theovon Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thispastweekend Twitter: https://twitter.com/theovon YouTube: https://youtube.com/theovon Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoVonClips Shorts Channel: https://bit.ly/3ClUj8z ------------------------------------------------ Producer: Zach https://www.instagram.com/zachdpowers Producer: Trevyn https://www.instagram.com/trevyn.s/  Producer: Nick https://www.instagram.com/realnickdavis/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted on two federal counts; President Trump takes action to crack down on Antifa as the Left promotes permission structures for further violence; and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calls a mysterious meeting. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3WDjgHE Ep.2287 - - - Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings - - - DailyWire+: Join millions of people who still believe in truth, courage, and common sense at https://DailyWirePlus.com Go to https://dailywireplus.com to join and get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout. Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://bit.ly/3TAu2cw - - - Today's Sponsors: Perplexity - Ask anything at https://pplx.ai/benshapiro and try out their new AI-powered web browser Comet at https://comet.perplexity.ai/. Birch Gold - Text BEN to 989898 for your free information kit. Shopify - Sign up for your $1-per-month trial and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/shapiro NetSuite - Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at https://NetSuite.com/SHAPIRO BAU, Artist of War - BAU, Artist at War, opens only in theaters, for a limited run beginning September 26th. Go to https://BAUmovie.com to watch the trailer, read about Josef's real-life journey, and find showtimes near you. Boll & Branch - Get 20% off Bed Bundles at https://BollAndBranch.com/ben Policygenius - Head to https://policygenius.com/SHAPIRO to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3cXUn53  Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QtuibJ  Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TTirqd  Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPyBiB - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meredith Olson is president of Vela, a nonprofit that funds everyday entrepreneurs who are ditching the traditional school model in favor of something a little more… flexible. Vela doesn't run schools—it supports people creating their own. From homeschool co-ops to microschools in living rooms and libraries, Vela empowers parents, students, and entrepreneurs to reimagine education outside of traditional systems. With more than 4,200 schools being supported, Vela is quietly fueling one of the most important grassroots education revolutions of our time. Today's episode is sponsored by NetSuite.com/Mike Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for FREE. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE to get $40 off plus free meat for life with new subscription. PrizePicks.com/mike Use code MIKE to get $50 in lineups after placing your first $5 lineup. SkillsUSA.org/mike Join the skilled trade movement!