Podcasts about cfo

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tim Mercer. Author of Bootstrap Millionaire and CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.:

The Agents #007: Our AI Agent Negotiated a Vendor Renewal, Became a CFO and a Better SDR .. But Does He Have Too Many Guardrails? Episode 7 of The Agents, SaaStr's weekly show on the trials and tribulations of running a company with 21 AI agents, 3 humans, and a dog. This week Jason and Amelia debrief life after SaaStr AI Annual and discover that the agents didn't slow down just because the event ended. 10K is already planning SaaStr 2027, negotiating vendor renewals on his own terms, and somehow became a CFO while nobody was looking. Meanwhile, a guardrail problem quietly broke one of SaaStr's most-used apps for weeks, and the website agent is now outperforming every AISDR in the stack. This week: 14 guardrails pushed the VC pitch deck analyzer into rejecting everything, and the lesson is that over-guardrailing is just as dangerous as under-guardrailing. 10K got hooked up to Bill.com and found 8 years of collections automation that nobody had turned on. The AI VP of Marketing is now also running finance because convergence is real and agents do not care about org charts. And 10K sent a vendor a list of API demands before agreeing to renew, which the vendor did not love. Also: why losing your FDE might make you churn the vendor entirely, why Annie the website agent is writing better outbound than the actual outbound tools, and how 442,000 chats turned into 614 meetings with zero humans in the loop.

Are your prices too low because raising them feels unnerving?Most CPAs don't have a pricing problem. They have a confidence problem. In this episode, we dig into why pricing isn't math - it's psychology - and how underpricing steals your time, energy, and freedom. You'll hear practical ways to test higher prices, simplify your services, stop saying yes to everything, and build a firm that feels lighter, calmer, and far more profitable without grinding harder.Link to video replay:https://www.crowdcast.io/c/price-with-confidence…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/394…Want the skinny on pricing?If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, it's not because of the work – it's how you've priced the work. Too many accountants are stuck in undercharging, overdelivering, and people-pleasing cycles. Break the pattern with my short PDF guide: 7 Pricing Essentials »It's free, and you can read it in 5 minutes.I want to help you get your prices up without losing loyal clients.  …Want to hear what works, from 57+ clients?Check out the Client Success Stories podcast: LISTEN »

Money talks (and so should your P&L). This week, the guys are getting fiscal. Conrad and Gyi bring in two heavy hitters. First up, Leah Miller, fractional CFO and Founder of Firmly Profits, sits down with Conrad and Gyi at the PILMMA Super Summit and breaks down what your finances actually say about your marketing. The big (and predictable) surprise? Most firms are undercapitalized and under-measured. She and the guys dig into the real benchmarks: what healthy marketing spend looks like (you're probably low), what KPIs a CFO actually cares about, and why doubling your intake means nothing if your average case value is tanking. Consider this Chapter One. Then, Josh Porte from Holland & Knight demystifies the MSO model in plain English in a conversation recorded at Vista Consulting Team's A Seat at the Table event. If you've been nodding along to private equity conversations while secretly Googling "what is Rule 5.4," it's time to get schooled. Josh walks through how money flows between a law firm and an MSO, where the ethical guardrails actually live, what rollover equity means for sellers, and why the management services agreement you sign today might be with you for the next 20 years. Minimum. Advanced material, but we believe in you. Whether you're running a tight PI shop or eyeing an acquisition, this episode is a masterclass in treating your law firm like the business it actually is. No yellow book required.-Want to hear more from our guests? They're on LinkedIn (and they're real people, not AI!): Connect with Leah Miller; Connect with Josh Porte. -We learned so much at A Seat at theTable that we created a page on our website dedicated to it. Listen to all the interviews, and enjoy the enlightening conversations as much as we did: https://lunchhourlegalmarketing.com/private-equity-law-firms-the-mso-guide/ -We are now less than two months away from The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit! Check out our speakers, agenda, and register on our website.-A roaring ‘thank you' to our incomparable sponsors: Juvo Leads, Lawmatics, CallRail, and ALPS Legal Malpractice and Law Firm Insurance! Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:23 Leah Miller: How Much Should You Spend on Marketing? 06:27 KPIs & Metrics CFOs Actually Care About 08:19 Financial Benchmarks for Law Firms 11:13 Brand vs. Non-Brand Spend & Regional Variability 12:08 Borrowing to Grow: Acquisition Financing 14:58 AI, Offshore Staffing & the Impact on Labor Costs 15:55 Modeling Finances Around Big Outlier Cases 17:06 What to Look for in a Fractional CFO 19:00 Josh Porte: Rule 5.4 & the MSO Structure Explained 21:12 Josh's Role at Holland & Knight 21:58 What Makes a Great MSO Transaction 23:24 The Gray Areas: Intake, Case Acceptance & Rule 5.3 25:50 How Money Flows: Fixed Fees vs. Cost Plus (No Revenue Splits) 27:56 Where AI Software Lives in the MSO Structure 29:44  Growth Through Acquisition: The Buy-and-Build Playbook 32:29 Operating Agreements, Non-Competes & Rollover Equity 35:58 Management Services Agreements: Terms & Lock-In 37:05 EBITDA Multiples, Multiple Arbitrage & Equity Value Creation 40:17 PE Fund Timelines & Exit Horizons

Patient financing has become increasingly popular in medical aesthetics, especially during economic slowdowns and seasonal dips in demand. The problem is that many practices treat financing as a solution to slow sales when it should be treated as a financial tool.  In this episode, I talk about where financing fits into a healthy med spa growth strategy, when it makes sense to offer financing options, and how to avoid the margin erosion that often comes with poorly structured financing programs.  Financing Should Support Value—Not Replace It  One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the belief that financing creates demand. However, offering payment plans won't solve the underlying problem of a potential patient misunderstanding the value of or not seeing the value in a treatment.  Financing works best when the value proposition is already clear and the patient simply needs more flexibility around affordability. When teams lead with financing too early, they often skip the more important conversation around outcomes, results, and treatment benefits. Over time, that can weaken pricing power and train patients to focus on monthly payments instead of value.  The Right Way to Offer Financing in Your Med Spa  Financing can be a useful tool when it's applied selectively and supported by clear policies.  • Reserve financing options for high-ticket services with healthy margins • Set minimum spend thresholds before financing becomes available • Use financing for treatments like body contouring, laser packages, hair restoration, skin tightening, and surgery financing • Avoid financing low-ticket services or already discounted treatments • Understand financing fees and how they impact practice margins • Train staff to sell value first and financing second • Monitor financing usage as part of regular executive financial reviews  The goal is to use financing to accelerate a demand that already exists—not to compensate for weak sales strategy or pricing issues.  Protecting Margins While Improving Affordability  Every financing option comes with a cost. Depending on the provider, financing fees can significantly reduce profitability, especially on treatments with tighter margins.  Before implementing a financing policy, understand exactly how those fees affect cash flow, treatment profitability, and overall financial performance. If financing is reducing margins more than it's increasing revenue, it's working against the business.  As Your Practice Grows, Financing Offers Require Clear Boundaries  The most successful practices use financing selectively. They understand which services can support financing costs, train their teams consistently, and monitor financing usage as part of regular financial reviews.   When financing is aligned with profitability goals, it can improve affordability and support growth. When it becomes the default answer to every price objection, it often creates more financial and operational challenges than it solves.  Follow Shannon & Keep What You Earn:   Shannon Weinstein is the founder of a fractional CFO firm specializing in helping 7-figure aesthetics and wellness practices scale with clarity, cash flow, and confidence.  Shannon is committed to helping med spa owners understand, fix, and maximize their business's enterprise value, offering actionable advice and resources, including a popular free video series specifically for aesthetics practice owners.   Fractional CFO Services and Executive Financial Review: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/  Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein  Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepWhatYouEarn  Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1580071347  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/  The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not individualized financial advice. Aesthetics practice owners should consult a qualified professional before implementing financial strategies discussed here. 

Most entrepreneurs don't realize how much money they're losing through poor tax strategy. The problem isn't always revenue. It's what happens after the money comes in. In this episode, Rachel sits down with Peter Holtz, founder of one of the fastest-growing accounting firms in the country. With experience spanning Big 4 accounting, CFO leadership, and building a $10M-plus firm from the ground up, Peter shares why traditional accounting models are failing entrepreneurs and what founders should be doing instead. Peter explains how proactive tax planning, financial organization, and smarter business structures can dramatically improve profitability and help business owners build real long-term wealth. He also breaks down how entrepreneurs can legally reduce their tax burden, improve financial clarity, and turn accounting into one of the highest ROI investments in their business. Why Reactive Accounting Is Costing Founders Thousands Peter explains that most accountants operate as "box fillers," focused only on filing returns instead of helping business owners strategically reduce taxes year-round. He shares why accuracy, organization, and the right business structure are foundational to keeping more of what you earn. From separating business and personal expenses to optimizing entity structure, small changes can create a massive financial impact. Peter also dives into overlooked strategies many entrepreneurs miss, including the Augusta Rule, paying children through the business, vehicle deductions, and structuring travel expenses correctly. Building Wealth Through Financial Clarity Beyond taxes, this conversation explores the deeper connection between financial awareness and leadership. Peter reflects on building his firm from a small operation into an Inc. 5000 company by embracing cloud accounting, systems, and long-term thinking early. He also shares why he believes entrepreneurs are modern-day pioneers and why supporting business owners is central to his mission. Rachel and Peter also discuss personal branding, scaling a service-based business, and the evolution of authority in today's digital landscape. Enjoy this episode with Peter Holtz… Soundbytes 17:53–18:14 "The Augusta Rule lets you rent out your house at fair market value. You have to determine fair market value. You've got to create a lease between yourself and your business, and there's a lot of details you have to live with. But it could easily be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 in tax-free income, depending on how you use it." 20:39–21:04 "I've said, you know, you should pay your kids, and I've heard, 'Well, we talked to our tax preparer, and they said it's a red flag.' It's not. I've been around for 40 years. I've been through audits. I've helped people that have come to me to get help with audits. The tax law is very clear that any child above age 7 can be paid a reasonable wage to help you in your business." Quotes "Most entrepreneurs are overpaying in taxes because no one ever showed them a better strategy." "A CPA should not be a cost center. They should be one of the highest ROI partners in your business." "When you don't commingle business and personal expenses, you're already telling the IRS you're organized." "The ultimate resource you can never get more of is time." "There's not a business problem that I can't solve anymore because after a while, you understand how businesses really work." Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: https://www.peterholtzcpa.com/ Free Resource and Consultation: https://go.peterholtzcpa.com/rachel Connect with Peter Holtz on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/peterholtzcpa Follow Peter Holtz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterholtzcpa Connect with brandiD Find out how top leaders are increasing their authority, impact, and income online. Listen to our private podcast, The Professional Presence Podcast: https://thebrandid.com/professional-presence-podcast Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/

Your dashboard is full of green arrows—and your CFO still isn't impressed. That's because most of what we measure flatters us instead of informing us, and the numbers that actually matter in 2026 are the ones almost nobody is tracking yet.  In this episode, Gini Dietrich walks through the four metrics that survive the budget meeting—LLM visibility, citation frequency, narrative share of voice, and credibility loop close rate—and why you can't bolt them onto a system that isn't running as a system. If you've ever been proud of a report that couldn't answer "did this move the business?", this one's for you. Take the PESO Model® Diagnostic: https://spinsucks.com/self-peso-diagnostic/  Explore the PESO Model® Certification: https://spinsucks.com/peso-model-certification/  Read the full article: https://spinsucks.com/communication/pr-marketing-metrics-ai-visibility

On the second part of my conversation with Youssef Salem, we're talking about AI, energy security and the future of the region. Youssef also tells me why the younger generation needs to prepare for greater competition in the AI age and how he's working to inspire them.Youssef Salem is the CFO of ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC is the UAE's primary oil company and 12th largest in the world in terms of production. You can also watch the first part of our conversation where we talk about his personal and professional pivots in your podcast app or our website.This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!(00:00) - Coming up... (05:06) - War and energy security (09:30) - Crisis management (12:27) - Building impact (14:16) - Can we integrate the Middle East (15:43) - Podcasting on faith and finance Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

What if the way your business accepts payments is quietly hurting your cash flow?In this episode of B2B Vault, Alan Kopelman sits down with a payments expert to discuss the hidden costs of B2B payment terms, why many businesses unknowingly act as lenders to their customers, and how smarter payment strategies can improve profitability.Learn how payment automation, virtual cards, ACH, rules-based payment acceptance, and modern invoicing tools are helping businesses get paid faster, reduce processing costs, and improve working capital. Whether you're a business owner, CFO, controller, or finance professional, this conversation offers practical insights you can implement immediately.Tune in to discover how a well-defined payment policy can strengthen cash flow, reduce risk, and create a better payment experience for both buyers and suppliers.#B2BPayments #CashFlowManagement #PaymentAutomation #VirtualCards #BusinessFinance #AccountsReceivable #Fintech #B2BVault #NationwidePaymentSystems #WorkingCapital #BusinessGrowth #PaymentStrategyThanks for watching! Go ahead and like, comment, subscribe, and turn on post notifications!

Nearly every marketing leader has been told to "do more with AI" — and many of them are now sitting on a pile of pilots, a growing bill, and not much to show their CFO. So why is it that adoption of AI in marketing is so high, while the number of organizations actually getting predictable returns from it is so low?Agility requires the discipline to reimagine how work gets done before automating it — because pointing AI at a broken process just produces a faster broken process.Today, we're going to talk about:- Why so many enterprise AI initiatives stall between ambition and production, and what separates the organizations that succeed from the ones that quietly cancel their projects- How marketing and CX teams can move from disconnected experiments to a governed, agent-powered operating model that turns a brief into live 1:1 engagement- How to make the economics of AI predictable — so the people approving these investments can actually forecast both outcomes and costTo help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO & Head of Marketing at Pega. About Don Schuerman As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations. My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..." At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/ ---------- Resources ---------- : https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world's most influential organizations trust Pega's technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega's scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fDon't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Katrina Fitten. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate entrepreneurs—especially women business owners—on how to secure funding responsibly, avoid scams, and develop a strategic financial plan. It also highlights Katrina Fitten’s expertise as CEO/CFO of New Day for You Financial and her mission to help startups and small businesses access capital. Key Takeaways Funding Opportunities & Qualifications Katrina helps women business owners secure up to $100,000 in 100 days or less, with same-day approval and next-day funding. Basic qualifications include: Credit score of 680+ Existing credit lines (at least $10,000) A clear business mission and low-risk profile. Avoiding Scams Beware of unsolicited emails/texts promising easy money. Do your homework: Check companies on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Look for testimonials and partnerships with reputable banks (e.g., Chase, American Express). Never share sensitive information without verifying legitimacy. Importance of a Business Plan Funding is not free money—you need a strategic plan. Katrina calls it a “money mission”: know exactly how funds will be deployed. Without a plan, money disappears quickly, leading to debt and bad credit. Family & Friends Lending Treat personal loans like business loans: Have written agreements with terms, repayment schedule, and penalties. Decide upfront if it’s a gift or a loan. Services Offered by New Day for You Financial SBA loans, equipment loans, purchase order financing. Lines of credit and 0% interest credit cards (18–21 months). Credit card stacking for higher funding amounts. Credit restoration referrals for those with poor credit. Success Story Example: A tax accountant secured $160,000 in less than a week due to strong credit, revenue history, and a solid business plan. Notable Quotes “If you don’t have a plan for your money, your money will have a plan—and you’ll look up and it’s gone.” “We don’t want to be out here racking up good debt and then you’re not going to be responsible.” “You have to vet companies. Go to BBB, Google them, and check their credibility.” “If I give you money, I decide—is it a gift or a loan? There are rules to borrowing money.” “We say if you don’t get anything, we don’t get paid.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Katrina Fitten. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate entrepreneurs—especially women business owners—on how to secure funding responsibly, avoid scams, and develop a strategic financial plan. It also highlights Katrina Fitten’s expertise as CEO/CFO of New Day for You Financial and her mission to help startups and small businesses access capital. Key Takeaways Funding Opportunities & Qualifications Katrina helps women business owners secure up to $100,000 in 100 days or less, with same-day approval and next-day funding. Basic qualifications include: Credit score of 680+ Existing credit lines (at least $10,000) A clear business mission and low-risk profile. Avoiding Scams Beware of unsolicited emails/texts promising easy money. Do your homework: Check companies on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Look for testimonials and partnerships with reputable banks (e.g., Chase, American Express). Never share sensitive information without verifying legitimacy. Importance of a Business Plan Funding is not free money—you need a strategic plan. Katrina calls it a “money mission”: know exactly how funds will be deployed. Without a plan, money disappears quickly, leading to debt and bad credit. Family & Friends Lending Treat personal loans like business loans: Have written agreements with terms, repayment schedule, and penalties. Decide upfront if it’s a gift or a loan. Services Offered by New Day for You Financial SBA loans, equipment loans, purchase order financing. Lines of credit and 0% interest credit cards (18–21 months). Credit card stacking for higher funding amounts. Credit restoration referrals for those with poor credit. Success Story Example: A tax accountant secured $160,000 in less than a week due to strong credit, revenue history, and a solid business plan. Notable Quotes “If you don’t have a plan for your money, your money will have a plan—and you’ll look up and it’s gone.” “We don’t want to be out here racking up good debt and then you’re not going to be responsible.” “You have to vet companies. Go to BBB, Google them, and check their credibility.” “If I give you money, I decide—is it a gift or a loan? There are rules to borrowing money.” “We say if you don’t get anything, we don’t get paid.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Nathan and Guy Adami break down a historic market week, headlined by SpaceX's blockbuster IPO and Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Fed Chair. Elon priced the deal himself at $135, and the stock popped to a ~$2.2 trillion valuation—instantly the 6th most valuable company in the world. The guys dig into whether the numbers actually add up, walking through Morningstar's $63 fair value, Jim Chanos's bearish note on xAI's financials, and what a 110x sales multiple means for anyone buying the pop. They also preview Warsh's "less is more" approach to Fed communication and what a quieter central bank means for volatility ahead. Then Dan is joined by VC Ann Bordetsky, for an "Okay, Computer." segment on the private-market side of the story: the looming Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs, OpenAI's rumored token price war, the compute crunch constraining AI demand, and why the CFO may now be the most powerful seat at any AI company. Articles Referenced OpenAI Considers Drastic Price Cuts, Anticipating War for Users With Anthropic (WSJ) Everyone hates frontier AI labs, says Palantir boss (The Register) "VCs behaving badly" (Axios) —FOLLOW USYouTube: @RiskReversalMediaInstagram: @riskreversalmediaTwitter: @RiskReversalLinkedIn: RiskReversal MediaThe financial opinions expressed in Risk Reversal content are for information purposes only. The opinions expressed by the hosts and participants are not an attempt to influence specific trading behavior, investments, or strategies. Past performance does not necessarily predict future outcomes. No specific results or profits are assured when relying on Risk Reversal.Before making any investment or trade, evaluate its suitability for your circumstances and consider consulting your own financial or investment advisor. The financial products discussed in Risk Reversal carry a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for many investors. If you have uncertainties, it's advisable to seek professional advice. Remember that trading involves a risk to your capital, so only invest money that you can afford to lose.Derivatives are not suitable for all investors and involve the risk of losing more than the amount originally deposited and any profit you might have made. This communication is not a recommendation or offer to buy, sell or retain any specific investment or service.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Katrina Fitten. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate entrepreneurs—especially women business owners—on how to secure funding responsibly, avoid scams, and develop a strategic financial plan. It also highlights Katrina Fitten’s expertise as CEO/CFO of New Day for You Financial and her mission to help startups and small businesses access capital. Key Takeaways Funding Opportunities & Qualifications Katrina helps women business owners secure up to $100,000 in 100 days or less, with same-day approval and next-day funding. Basic qualifications include: Credit score of 680+ Existing credit lines (at least $10,000) A clear business mission and low-risk profile. Avoiding Scams Beware of unsolicited emails/texts promising easy money. Do your homework: Check companies on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Look for testimonials and partnerships with reputable banks (e.g., Chase, American Express). Never share sensitive information without verifying legitimacy. Importance of a Business Plan Funding is not free money—you need a strategic plan. Katrina calls it a “money mission”: know exactly how funds will be deployed. Without a plan, money disappears quickly, leading to debt and bad credit. Family & Friends Lending Treat personal loans like business loans: Have written agreements with terms, repayment schedule, and penalties. Decide upfront if it’s a gift or a loan. Services Offered by New Day for You Financial SBA loans, equipment loans, purchase order financing. Lines of credit and 0% interest credit cards (18–21 months). Credit card stacking for higher funding amounts. Credit restoration referrals for those with poor credit. Success Story Example: A tax accountant secured $160,000 in less than a week due to strong credit, revenue history, and a solid business plan. Notable Quotes “If you don’t have a plan for your money, your money will have a plan—and you’ll look up and it’s gone.” “We don’t want to be out here racking up good debt and then you’re not going to be responsible.” “You have to vet companies. Go to BBB, Google them, and check their credibility.” “If I give you money, I decide—is it a gift or a loan? There are rules to borrowing money.” “We say if you don’t get anything, we don’t get paid.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailLEARN THE CAPITAL RAISING STRATEGIES AND FRAMEWORKS used by alternative asset professionals: https://go.fundraisecapital.co/apply This episode is brought to you by Reef Pass | Serial Acquisition Investors: Reef Pass Investors has spent the last 10 years focused on partnering with founders to launch and build long-term holding companies, and has a proven track record doing exactly that.To reach out to Reef Pass Investors, email holdcofounders@reefpassinvestors.comIn this episode of Making Billions with Ryan Miller, special guest Eric Wiklendt breaks down his proprietary PortCo Value Creation System—a framework utilized to close over 38 deals across metals, specialty chemicals, and industrial manufacturing, and secure a $300 million hard cap on Fund II.Whether you are underwriting distressed assets, navigating complex corporate carve-outs, or structuring executive incentives, this masterclass reveals how to replace standard financial engineering with an unassailable operational playbook.  [THE HOST]: Ryan Miller is a fund manager, capital strategist, and former CFO turned angel investor in technology and energy. He is the founder of Fund Raise Capital and Aequor Capital Partners, and has mentored over 1,000 fund managers across private equity, private credit, venture capital, real estate, and alternative assets globally.[THE GUEST]: Eric Wiklendt is a Managing Director at Speyside Equity, where he spearheads the full lifecycle of investments, sourcing, executing, managing, and exiting control positions in middle‑market businesses. Eric brings an operator's mindset to private equity—combining deep industrial experience with deal execution expertise.Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTOe79EXLDsROQ0z3YLnu1QQConnect with Ryan Miller:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcmiller1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmilleroffical/X: https://x.com/_MakingBillionsWebsite: https://making-billions.com/Support the showDISCLAIMER: This podcast is for entertainment and general informational purposes only — not legal, financial, tax, or investment advice. Nothing herein constitutes a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security or investment product. Past performance does not indicate future results. Always consult qualified legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any investment decision. NAME NOTICE: "Making Billions with Ryan Miller" reflects the profile and aspirations of guests featured — it is not a promise, projection, guarantee, or representation of any financial result, income, or outcome for any listener, viewer, or reader. Most individuals who consume this content do not raise any particular amount of capital, and many achieve no financial result whatsoever. "Fund Raise Capital" is a brand identifier only — it is not a promise, guarantee, or representation that any member, subscriber, or listener will raise capital, attract investors, or achieve any financial or professional outcome. This show does not constitute a business opportunity, franchise, investment program, or offer of any product or service of any kind. No part of this show should be construed as a solicitation for investment in any way. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show or host. Host and/or guests may hold positions in assets discussed. This episode may contain paid sponsorships, advertisements, or endorsements. Sponsored content is identified where...

Rick Chess, attorney, real estate strategist, capital-raising expert, and trusted advisor, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners navigate complex decisions that can dramatically impact enterprise value and long-term success. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, Rick has raised over $100 million for multiple organizations, guided companies through acquisitions, governance challenges, and strategic growth, and helped owners prepare for successful exits. We explore The Capital Raising Framework — Focus on Individuals, Not “the Market”; Be Ready to Sell; Start With Who You Know; Connect on Emotion; and Find a Problem to Solve. Rick explains why raising capital is ultimately about understanding people, not pitching ideas, why investors care more about their needs than your opportunity, and how trust-based relationships create opportunities that compound over time. He also shares lessons from raising capital, building influential networks, serving on boards, and helping entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes when pursuing funding, growth, and exit strategies. — How to be a Trusted Advisor with Rick Chess  Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint Podcast. And my guest today is Rick Chess, who is a real estate and exit strategist. He helps business and real estate owners, and the trusted advisors who guide them, turn complex decisions into strategic moves that grow enterprise value and maximize sale outcomes. Rick, welcome to the show.  Thank you. Appreciate it, Steve.  Well, it’s great to have you. And I’m going to ask you my favorite question, which I always ask: What is your personal ‘Why’, and what are you doing to manifest it in your practice?  When you go back in my career, 50-some years, where I’ve been most happy is either growing an organization. That can be a community, that can be a business, it can be an association. And then, at some point, individuals in that association want to move on, whether that’s to retire, to go someplace else, or whatever. And I find that in that world, there are certain things where they might have a Steve Preda who helps them with how to manage day to day. But they get to certain big issues that they’ve never done before, and maybe they’ll never do again. That’s where I like to come in because I know I’m critically important to them. So you’re a trusted advisor. You like to grapple with the big challenges people have in their lives, whether it’s a big real estate transaction, getting ready for an exit, an acquisition, or something like that.  Yeah.  Yeah.  So, I mean, the things that would be—for instance, most folks, if they’re talking about real estate, they have some idea how to fix a toilet. They have some idea how to buy a property. But when they get to a certain point, it’s like, “We need to raise $10,000. We need to raise $100 million,” whatever the amount is, because there’s either a great opportunity or they want to keep moving upward. And they have, again, a Steve Preda who can help them through the process. How they get that capital often is what trips people up. So that’s where I kind of first got into this.  I was an acquisition guy. I knew how to spend other people’s money, but I didn’t know at that time how to raise the money. And I’ve done it several times. I’ve raised $100 million for three different companies. And like everything in life, like with Summit, there is a process that you go through. And I love doing it. I just love doing that kind of stuff.  Okay. So when you are doing capital raising, fundraising, M&A deals, or real estate transactions, is there a framework that has helped you, that you figured out along the way? And think about something that is three to five steps. Maybe it’s a mental model of how you look at things, or maybe it’s a process. How would you describe that framework that you have, or that has helped you, so that the listeners would also benefit from it?  The listeners are best served if they step back from their preconceived notions of, A, how they think capital is attracted, because they usually are wrong. And they step back from how wonderful they are. And those two things are difficult. Because the reality is, no one is waiting to give you money. That’s foolish. You’ve got to sell the concept like you have to sell everything else. And what you sell is not what you think is wonderful. It’s what the market is going to think is wonderful. It’s like with any other product you’re making. “Hey, I made this great widget.” And the population looks at it and says, “I don’t need it. I don’t want it. I don’t know what it does.”  And depending on whether you’re trying to raise $100,000 from friends and family or $100 million on Wall Street, you look at who it is that you know. Because people that you know might at least return your phone call. So if you don’t know Bill Gates, thinking that you’re going to go to Bill Gates and get a billion dollars is, well, stup*d. But if you’re just trying to raise money from friends and family, and you have an aunt who lives three states away that you don’t see very often, and she has some money, okay, then you start with who you know. So, for instance, thinking about one of the many ways that you can raise money, there’s something called intrastate. And it is something that’s allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. If all of your money is raised within your own state, there are certain allowances for that.  But if you do one transaction outside the state, it all collapses. So like everything else on the business side, where there are certain rules that you can’t violate without getting into trouble, it’s the same thing when raising money. And I get so many people saying, “I’m going to list this on Wall Street, and I’m going to make…” It’s like, “No, you don’t. You better be prepared. If you’re going to list something on Wall Street, you’d better have $25 million that you can risk just to get it out there. And nine times out of ten you’re going to fail.” Not because there’s anything wrong with you.  It’s just that if you’re going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a pair of Keds, a T-shirt, and some shorts, you’re not prepared to climb that mountain. It’s no different when raising capital. And also think about when you were a kid. At a certain age, your parents let you cross the street to see your buddy. Then ten years later, they’ll let you get in the car and drive, but you’ve got to get home by midnight. It’s the same thing with raising money. And there aren’t a lot of folks who have done what I’ve done. So talking to your local lawyer or accountant—who may be wonderful people—but if they’ve never raised money, they’re not the people to talk to.  One of the ways people get taken advantage of on a regular basis is they’ll go to a securities attorney. The securities attorney will charge them $100,000 and write this great offering document, and no one ever gives them a penny. Because lawyers generally have no clue what’s happening in the marketplace. I own my own securities broker-dealer. I’ve also raised money for three different companies. It’s not easy. But like having read your book, Steve, if you follow certain paths, there’s at least a chance for success. Same thing here. Fascinating. So what I’m taking away in terms of a framework: Be aware that people are not out there waiting to give you money. You have to sell them. So that’s the first step. The second one is: start with who you know. Don’t start on Wall Street. Start with the people you know, where you have some trust, the people you understand, and where you have a chance to get there. And then look at some special circumstance that’s going to give you a leg up. For example—  Absolutely. Again, this is coming right out of your book on the business side. You create a widget. So what? But you create a widget that solves a problem. Ah. Then you have something. So it’s the same thing. When you get over onto the money-raising side, it’s: who do you know? Where do they live? How much money do they have? How do I approach them? But then, in the end, it’s not what’s in it for you, it’s what’s in it for them. And for them, if it’s friends and family, your mama may give you some money because she thinks you’re cute.  Your aunt might give you some money because she’s related to your mama. But at some point, you’re going to people who really have a checkbook. They have money in the checkbook. They’re not going to give this up just because you’re cute or you have a great idea. You’re either going to get them because you have something they’ve never heard of, or you have something that really feels like it could solve one of their needs. And their needs are not always what you think. Some people think, “Well, what they need is high cash flow.” What if they don’t need cash flow, but they’re really interested in a cure for cancer?  What if you think, “Well, it’s really going to go up in value”? Well, they have all the money they need. They’re not looking for that. But is this something that is going to allow their nephew to come work for you? Yeah. When you start thinking that you know what other people are thinking, that’s when you’re going to fail. When you can step back and just ask them, “Well, what’s important to you?” If you can’t have a conversation, one, you’re never going to date anybody, and you’re never going to raise any money.  And don’t be slick. You can be slick for three sentences, and at that point they’re going to reject everything you say thereafter. So don’t talk about how much money you’re going to make and all the rest of it. No. Talk about them. Talk about them. Talk about them. Your document should talk about them. Your questions should talk about them. Now, does that mean there are certain people who won’t put money into your deal? Yes, because it doesn’t fit. If you sell high-heeled shoes and a runner comes in, they’re generally not going to buy your high-heeled shoes. They’re not going to invest money in high-heeled shoes.  But if that high-heeled shoe actually is a running shoe, and you can break off the heel and then… I mean, I don’t know. You could come up with something there. And the folks that say no are sometimes your biggest advocates. What? The folks that… Yes. Because you’ve been able to get into their head, and they’ve shaken it around, and they’ve looked at it and said, “No, that’s probably not right for me. I’m not into high-heeled shoes, but I have a friend.” If you’ve done a sincere job, a thoughtful job, you’ve really asked them questions, and you’ve connected on an emotional level, they’ll open the next door. And that’s what it’s about. It’s often a lot of the same things that you teach people about how to sell their company. It’s how they sell—  Rick, this is fascinating. So how do you connect with people on an emotional level? What’s the trick there?  First thing is: why are they going to take a meeting with you? Why they take a meeting with you answers almost everything that we’ve just asked. If they’re taking a meeting with you because you’re related, okay, that’s the emotional connection. If they take a meeting with you because some friend of yours called them and said, “This is a great way to make money,” that’s another reason. If you found them in an article in the paper—yes, there are things called newspapers. They print them. There are words in them. And there’s somebody in there who has shown an interest in something you do.  Then you’re talking to them about that interest. You want to try to avoid cold calls. Really, it’s a waste of your time and a waste of their time. It’s a random thing. It’s like asking every girl who walks by in college, “Do you want to go out on a date?” Sometimes it works. You get slapped a lot, get arrested, and what have you. There’s this thing called the internet, Steve. And what shocks me is how few people—not just my age, but young pups—say, “Well, that’s for watching YouTube videos.” No.  Through the internet, you have so much information. So maybe I can’t find anything about Johnny Jones, but his kids are on there and what sports they play. Huh. Okay, so I used to do judo. I did three years of judo in high school. If somebody’s doing karate or whatever, I have an opening. I have something to talk about. Now, it’s great if what you have to talk about then connects to something else that they want. It’s a linking process of connecting various things together. It’s what I did… I told you I was a member of the General Assembly in Pennsylvania way back in the ’70s.  And I learned there that if I could get people talking about themselves, or their next-door neighbor, or some relative… What’s funny is people are much more likely to tell you about somebody else. So when I go into a company—this is just a side note—when I’m doing due diligence and I really want to know their financial condition, I’m not going to get it from the CFO. I’m going to get it from somebody over in property management. Why? Because the property management person knows not to tell me anything secret about property management, but they’ll talk about finances all the time. And it’s the same thing. If I’m in a family and I want to know about Daddy, I talk to the daughter.  If I want to know about a neighbor, I talk to a neighbor. I can go to the post office. Everything you ever need to position yourself to sell is out there waiting for you. But you’ve got to get out of your head what you think the market is about and start thinking about individuals within the market. And accept that when I’ve raised money, 70% to 80% of the people I call on don’t do a deal with me. But of that 70%, half of them lead me to somebody else. And I keep up with them. They become my support group. They become my unofficial advisors. Because I’m a decent guy, they want me to succeed. And once they know I’m not bugging them anymore, I say, “Hey, you told me I should go talk to such-and-such.  Here’s what I heard.” And then the network just expands. And occasionally, that person who said no has somebody new come into their life and says, “You need to go talk to Rick Chess.” And sometimes the next time I’m raising money, their situation is different. So the person who told me no originally has seen me work the market and close the deal. It’s amazing how attractive an opportunity is once you can’t put any more money into it. And so you let them know, “I know it wasn’t the right time for you to come into my deal, but we did buy this company. We’ve doubled their…” Whatever it is. You continue to work with them. If somebody is willing to give you time on the phone, on Zoom, at a coffee shop, or wherever, they’re your friend for life. They don’t know that yet, but you’re going to make them your friend for life. It’s the old six degrees of separation—the Kevin Bacon game.  Everybody’s related to somebody somewhere. And it’s what makes this fun for me. You were talking before about growing an exit. I love the process of putting together the network and feeding the network. There are people I’ve known for 50 years that I still talk with.  You’re very good at connecting people and making them look good with other people that you connect them to. It’s very gratifying. So this is a long game, right? Absolutely.  It’s a long game because you’re being decent. You listen to people. You find something that helps them. You learn what they need, what is the itch that needs to be scratched, and then you connect people who can help them scratch that itch. And then they will reciprocate, and it becomes a self-perpetuating process.  Well, I mean, an example is the work that I do in North Carolina with a family that owns 44 hotels. A woman who was my CPA left the CPA firm and became the family officer for a large family here in Richmond. A friend of hers who does advisory work with family offices was giving up on a client. So she told my friend, who used to be a CPA. She introduced me to them and said, “Would you be willing to serve on the board of a private company?” I said, “Well, do they pay?” I used to be on the board of a public company, and after a certain age, you’re not attractive anymore.  After a certain age, they want you off the board because the institutions say, “We want a mix on the board. So I got introduced to these people, and I’ve had a great time. Members of the family have hired me for other work, and it just goes on and on. But I’ve learned that you’ve got to pay it forward. So I have students of mine from VCU who I’ve helped place in jobs. I keep up with them. I give them ideas. And they’re often shocked to find that I’m still in touch with them. I’m not asking them for anything. I’m just saying, “Look, I paid it forward to you. Now it’s your turn to pay it forward to somebody else.” And some of them are doing it. Some of them haven’t caught on yet.  But it is the circle of life, and it’s all tied together. And there are skills you have that I don’t have. There are skills I have that you don’t have. We both have folks that work with business brokers because they have a different drive. But it’s also self-selecting. There are a lot of people you’ve met that you don’t do business with. There are a lot of people I’ve met that I don’t do business with. If you’re going to get into raising money, doing governance, or doing exit planning, whatever it may be, one of the most important things is saying no. Or, “No, I don’t want to work with this person.” You can always be friendly with them. Yeah. But I try to fire a client every month. Somebody that just doesn’t fit for me ethically. Yeah. Or I don’t think there’s anything more I can do for them.  I pass off legal work to other attorneys in Virginia. I’m the chair of the Real Property Section of the state bar. There are 1,550 attorneys. I have plenty of attorneys that I can pass things on to, and they’re happy to get the business, and I’m happy. I’ve got somebody that I’ve referred that’s happy that I’ve referred them. My biggest challenge, my wife would say, my son would say, is that I’m a squirrel chaser. Something new and interesting comes along, and I want to get involved with it. And I’ve wasted so much time. So I’m working with this hotel group down in North Carolina. The last time I had worked with a hotel company was 30 years earlier. Two owners couldn’t agree on a direction.  I worked with them for six months. We made a decision. It was great work. I learned a lot about hotels. But I then went 30 years without applying the same skills. And that’s one thing that, with age, I’ve realized. I am better off saying: “I’ll help you with capital, I’ll help you with governance, and when you’re ready, I’ll help you exit.” That’s it.  Yeah.  If it’s not one of those three, I’ll talk about it.  Yeah.  I’ll listen to you. You don’t want to engage me.  Yeah. I mean, people want deep expertise. They don’t want generalists. They want someone who knows what they’re talking about and who can link them to other resources who also know what they’re talking about. And in today’s age, I think this is becoming more important again. Because of the internet, there was a disintermediation going on, but now there is a reintermediation, I believe. Because there’s so much noise out there, you don’t know what is true and what is fake. AI is creating a lot of fake stuff.  The only people you can really trust are the people who are in front of you, or someone recommends them whom you trust. It’s a transparency thing. So I think what you’re doing is very valuable. It’s going to become even more valuable. And knowledge is ubiquitous. You can ask ChatGPT, and it will give you an answer. But how do you get the trust? How do you get the emotion? How do you get the relationships? That’s all human stuff. And if you still have that, then you’ve got what is valuable.  Well, I have a friend of mine who wrote a book, and he wrote it as a fable. What I love about it is that I know the true story behind the fable. And what comes across in every single chapter is that, with that trust, people who were afraid took a step. And often that is the hardest thing. So I go to the gym six days a week, and the gym is hard. Getting in the car to drive there is the hard part. Once I’m there, I’m around friends, I work hard, I sweat, I get better. Getting in that car and driving down the drive…  So in your fable, in your book, and in most of where I’ve had success, I would love to say it was because I was brilliant. Eh, sometimes I will say I was brilliant. But let me give you an example. United Dominion Realty Trust, now based in Denver and originally based here in Richmond, has been around for 35 years. It was one of the original five REITs in the country—real estate investment trusts. I came in as acquisitions director. They hadn’t closed a deal in a year. I closed three in the first three months. I grew the firm tenfold in 10 years, and I had great people. Buddy Scott as an analyst. Catherine Surface as an attorney.  But what I did was look at it and say, “Does anybody know what we’re trying to buy?” Because they had no acquisition criteria. So I wrote a one-page acquisition criteria document and put it out to everybody who had ever submitted a deal. Oh, and we weren’t responding to the submissions. So a submission would come in, they would look at it and say, “Okay, that doesn’t work.” But they never told anybody no. So one of my rules was that anything that came in would get a response within 48 hours.  And it should be specific. “We don’t like this because of the city.” “We don’t like this because of the roof.” Something specific, because I knew they’d pay attention. And by responding within 48 hours, we went from struggling to get submissions to doubling our submissions within a year. Because people were like, “Oh, we know what they want. We know they will respond.” And then—and this probably sounds outrageous—we celebrated. We put out a newsletter every month. This is back when you mailed things, so we’re going way back into the dinosaur era. But anytime a broker brought us something that we bought, we would do a full-page spread on the broker. We were marketing him or her.  People loved us. And they would tell others about us. So owners would know that if they came to us, we’d make a fair offer and we’d move on. So I would love to say that’s because I was a great attorney. I would love to say that’s because I was insightful. It was just like, “Well, damn, this is obvious.” And reading some of your stuff, I’ve seen you point that out to people time and time again.  You give me too much credit. But yeah, I mean, if you’re there, they say that if you work hard for 25 years, you can become an overnight success. So yeah, it does get obvious when you’ve been studying it long and hard. Well, listen, Rick, that’s been wonderful. So what is your final thought for an entrepreneur, a young entrepreneur or founder who’s coming up? Maybe he’s in real estate. Maybe he’s trying to be successful. What’s the most important mindset for an entrepreneur to become successful?  Well, I mean, you’ve got to know something. I mean, you either need to really know construction, or you’ve got to really know how to lease a space. If you’re going into it like they do on HDTV, like, “Oh, we’re going to find this property and it’s going to be…” You’re going to fail. So get good at something. Accept the fact that you’re not going to be good at everything. Find people who fill in the spots where you aren’t good. In the old days, you might have had to hire them. In today’s world, there are fractional CFOs.  And then when you get down to picking your experts—your attorneys, your accountants, the people that cost you real money—ask them a simple question: When was the last time they did whatever it is that you’re trying to do? Not when was the last time they prepared a securities document. When was the last time they prepared a securities document that succeeded? And that’ll knock out two-thirds of them right there.  Love it. That’s fantastic. Well, if you’re listening to this and you want to be successful in business, or you have a business and maybe you’re getting close to retirement and want to figure out how to transition it, how to exit right, and how to structure it… Or maybe you have a family company and you’re trying to put together a board, and you need someone who really understands governance. Or if you’re trying to do a transaction, a merger, or an acquisition, and you need a trusted advisor who will connect you to the right people and help you make it happen, then call Rick Chess. Rick Chess is here in Richmond. He is on LinkedIn. And you have a website as well, Rick, right?  Yep, yep.  What’s your domain?  It’s chesslawfirm.com.  Chesslawfirm.com. So you can go there, and Rick is going to respond because he always does within 24 hours, or 48 hours max, and he’ll help you. So Rick, thank you very much for coming on the show and sharing your wisdom with us. And if you’re listening to this and you like this show, please follow us on YouTube and Apple Podcasts. Give us a review, and make sure you listen to every episode because we have very exciting entrepreneurs and subject matter experts sharing their knowledge. So thank you for coming, and thank you for listening. Important Links: Rick's LinkedIn Rick's website

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 162: You May Be Making Decisions in the Dark — Jacques Santucci on Financially Preparing Your Business for the Future   In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker sits down with Jacques Santucci, President of Opus Consulting, for a grounded, practical conversation about one of the most underutilized levers in family business: financial leadership. Jacques brings a rare combination of international business experience — from Ernst & Young in France to CFO roles in the US — and 17 years of consulting to privately held and family-owned businesses across New England and beyond. Together, Chris and Jacques break down the critical differences between a bookkeeper, controller, and CFO; why so many family businesses are making major decisions with months-old data; what the early warning signs of financial trouble actually look like before an owner recognizes them; and why the fractional CFO model has become one of the most accessible and high-impact resources available to growing family firms. They also explore what a meaningful financial education pathway looks like for the rising generation — not to make them accountants, but to ensure they can read a P&L, understand a balance sheet, talk to a banker, and make decisions grounded in fact rather than gut feeling. Episode Chapters ·       4:10   Meet Jacques Santucci ·       7:12   From France to Maine: A CFO's Unlikely Journey ·       11:04  Bookkeeper, Controller, CFO — What's the Difference and Why It Matters ·       17:12  The CFO's Real Job: Looking at the Future, Not the Past ·       19:25  When Is It Time to Bring In a CFO? ·       21:33  Financial Reporting: What to Measure, How Often, and Why ·       25:31  Early Warning Signs Your Business Is Heading for Trouble ·       29:16  Customer Mix, Profit Margins, and Strategic Decision-Making ·       30:16  A Real-World Case Study: Seasonal Business, Six-Week-Old Data, and What Changed ·       31:47  Clean Data: Why Accuracy Is the Foundation of Every Good Decision ·       35:20  Developing the Rising Generation's Financial Acumen ·       40:08  What Every Next-Gen Leader Needs to Understand About the Numbers ·       42:16  The Fractional CFO Model: Full Expertise at a Fraction of the Cost ·       46:05  Resources and Farewell   Websites ·       opuscg.com ·       chrisyonker.com   About Jacques Santucci Jacques Santucci is the President and Founder of Opus Consulting, a nationally recognized full-service business advisory firm supporting companies from start-up to turnaround, and offering management and fractional C-suite services to unlock performance. Jacques is particularly skilled in helping businesses navigate complex inflection points and difficult industries, with over 20 years of experience in turnarounds and restructurings. He frequently serves as a restructuring officer, court-appointed receiver, or turnaround advisor — bringing disciplined execution and a practical, hands-on approach to each engagement. In his capacity as a fractional CFO, Jacques utilizes his strategic and financial expertise to help companies improve fiscal controls, cash flow, and align financial operations with long-term goals. From his frontline perspective in restructuring and turnarounds, he is keenly aware of the financial decisions and factors that lead companies into distress — and works with business leaders to avoid those pitfalls earlier in the business lifecycle. Jacques built his career as a strategic finance leader, holding senior roles at Ernst & Young and Universal Pictures in Paris, France, before bringing his expertise to privately held and family-owned businesses across the United States.

On this episode of CFO at Home, Vince·s guest is Dr. Danica Cicmil, a PhD in finance and financial educator, who helps beginners overcome fear of investing through basic education on subjects such as compound interest, and understanding inflation risk. Dani discusses starting your investing journey by taking a ·money snapshot,· using personal goals (travel, buying a home, or building a trust fund for children) to motivate investing without extreme deprivation, and how knowing fundamentals helps consumers evaluate financial advisors. Dani also explains the basics of investing through the use of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and discusses her financial coaching which focuses on beginners·especially women. Check out Dani work on YouTube and Instagram, links are in the show notes. Key Topics: 01:06 Compound Interest and Inflation 02:37 Money Snapshot and 20% Rule 03:47 Emergency Fund Then Invest 05:21 Why Investing Matters 07:03 Too Late to Start? 10:27 Start Small and Automate 12:26 Balanced Money Mindset 14:51 50 30 20 Revisited 17:35 Job Security and Divorce 19:19 How Much to Know 24:39 ETFs Explained Simply 29:09 Bonds Costs and Inflation 30:31 Where to Follow Dani   Key Links: https://www.danicacicmil.com https://www.youtube.com/@dr.danicacicmil https://www.instagram.com/dr.danicacicmil/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danica-cicmil-b672882a6/ https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.danica.cicmil 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  

In this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ sits down with Dan Bettes, CFO of SoundCloud, at the New York Stock Exchange. Dan breaks down how SoundCloud operates as a two-sided music marketplace, how he thinks about liquidity between fans and creators, and why great finance leaders need to make forecasting feel owned by the business—SPONSORS:Aleph is a modern FP&A platform built for teams that want more than another planning tool. By connecting your ERP, CRM, and other systems into one trusted data layer with AI workflows, Aleph helps you move faster with real-time insights. Get a personalized demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runRightRev is an automated revenue recognition platform that lets your product team ship new pricing without asking finance for permission, and your sales team close deals without creating downstream chaos. Check out their free tool at calculator.rightrev.com It scores your rev rec process, shows what's exposing you to risk, and tells you exactly where to focus before it bites you in the rear end. Check it out at https://calculator.rightrev.comRillet is an AI-native ERP built for modern finance teams that want to replace NetSuite and close faster. With revenue recognition, close management, multi-entity support, and native Stripe and Salesforce integrations, Rillet helps scaling companies run their finance stack in one place. Hundreds of teams, including Windsurf and Mercor, use Rillet to make the zero-day close real. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/cjEY has been part of Silicon Valley since it was just a valley, helping the most successful names in tech go from startup to exit to megacap. With teams across strategy, tax, audit, and transactions, EY helps you get your financials right early, long before your investors start asking for it. You build the next big thing, and EY will help you build it right. Learn more at https://www.ey.com/techstartupsSpendHound cuts your SaaS and AI spend by up to 30% using real pricing benchmarks across 10,000 vendors, so you always know what fair pricing looks like before your next renewal. Rated #1 on G2 in SaaS spend management, it's free forever for teams up to 1,000 employees. Sign up by June 12th and get $500 just for getting started. Go to https://www.spendhound.com/cjBrex is an intelligent finance platform with AI-powered agents that capture expenses automatically, enforce policy before the spend happens, and close your books in minutes instead of weeks. 35,000+ companies like OpenAI, Coinbase, Anthropic, and DoorDash already run on Brex. It's time to get Brex AF. Learn more at https://www.brex.com/metrics—LINKS: Mostly Talent: https://mostlymetrics.typeform.com/to/cLTxtAsNGuest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbettes/Company: https://soundcloud.com/CJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Preview and Intro2:17 First stock: a Vanguard index fund3:13 Most memorable IPO: Groupon4:54 Benefits of going public have changed5:47 SoundCloud and the music industry7:21 Three eras: physical, streaming, creator platform8:49 Streaming unbundled the album10:03 Artists don't need labels anymore11:40 Sponsors — Aleph | RightRev | Rillet15:00 SoundCloud's two-sided business model16:23 Touring replaced the album17:17 First metric every morning: net adds18:31 DAU vs. MAU: it's a funnel19:14 Viral moments and exogenous pops20:10 LTV and the subscription funnel21:38 Sponsors — EY | SpendHound | Brex24:35 Tops-down vs. bottoms-up: reconcile both26:21 Revenue is an output27:45 Handling forecast deviation29:24 How often to reforecast30:23 The final boss: indirect cash flow statement33:09 Cash vs. EBITDA fluency35:04 Plain English and the power of reps36:52 Tailor the message to the audience37:45 Lightning round37:45 Screwed up: miscounted corn at a banquet38:41 Lean into discomfort39:55 Craziest expense: a post-flight massage40:17 Credits

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit 

 --
 This week on The Exit, host Steve McGarry sits down with entrepreneur, CPA, and wealth strategist Cecilia “CeCe” Leung for a candid conversation about one of the most overlooked parts of selling a business: what happens after the deal closes. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience in finance, Wall Street, and advising founders through complex transactions, CeCe shares why so many entrepreneurs focus on valuation and due diligence while overlooking the emotional, personal, and identity shifts that often follow an exit.
 CeCe breaks down common mistakes founders make when preparing for a sale, from failing to think through post deal dynamics with private equity partners to overlooking succession planning and negotiating leverage. She also explores the deeper side of entrepreneurship, including founder burnout, setting boundaries, defining personal success, and why understanding why you want to sell may be just as important as the sale itself. Whether you are preparing for an exit or simply building toward one, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on creating both financial freedom and a meaningful life beyond business.
 
 Cecilia “CeCe” Leung is a CPA, entrepreneur, and founder of Rich & Sassy Wealth Strategies, where she helps founders and executives navigate high stakes moments including exits, IPOs, and major financial transitions. With more than 20 years of experience spanning Big Four firms, investment banking, and CFO leadership roles, CeCe combines financial strategy with a human centered approach to help leaders build wealth, make smarter decisions, and create success that lasts beyond the business.

 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cscfo/ 

 Website - https://richandsassy.com/ 
 Key Timestamps:
 [00:01] Intro & Show Overview
 [02:58] CeCe's Journey to Entrepreneurship
 [07:06] Preparing a Business to Exit
 [11:14] Post Deal Realities & Leverage
 [14:06] Purpose, Identity & Philosophical Counseling
 [21:13] Founder Mistakes & People Problems
 [23:31] Knowing Your Value & Boundaries
 [25:28] Rich and Sassy Vision & Close

 -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

Join our champion program: mark@themomentumcompany.comAttend a Thriving Leader event: https://thriving-leader-2026.lovable.app/Instagram: @the.momentum.companyLinkedIn: /momentum-companyIn this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader, Mark sits down with Todd Churchill—social entrepreneur, consulting CFO, and founder of multiple agriculture and food businesses—for a deep conversation about land, nutrition, human history, and the systems shaping modern agriculture.Todd defines intentional leadership through one foundational idea:Understand why we do what we do.Not just operationally.Historically.Todd believes intentionality requires curiosity—digging beneath assumptions to understand how systems, incentives, and human behavior evolved over time. Whether it's farming, food production, land ownership, or nutrition, the deeper question is always:Why did humanity build it this way?That mindset has shaped Todd's entire career.Raised on a family farm in Illinois, Todd grew up around cattle, land management, entrepreneurship, and long-term thinking. One of the most powerful lessons passed down through generations was this:Land is not primarily how you make wealth.It's how you preserve it.Throughout history, land—alongside gold and silver—has remained one of the few assets capable of retaining value across inflationary cycles, economic shifts, and changing currencies.But Todd also explains the emotional side of land ownership.People don't connect to land rationally.They connect to it emotionally.And that emotional connection has shaped agriculture for generations.The conversation also explores the evolution of Todd's work in the cattle industry.After years in finance and fractional CFO consulting, Todd became involved in specialty meat processing and eventually launched one of the first national grass-fed beef brands in the United States: Thousand Hills Cattle Company.What began as a business opportunity quickly became an obsession with one central question:What creates the best possible eating experience?Not just selling “grass-fed.”Not just selling beef.Creating food that people genuinely wanted to eat—and that their bodies recognized as deeply nourishing.A major theme throughout the episode is this:The real problem is often different than the one people think they're solving.Todd explains how businesses frequently optimize for the wrong thing:Selling more product instead of creating a better experienceMaximizing industrial efficiency at the expense of long-term healthPursuing scale without balance or sustainabilityThe conversation also dives into one of agriculture's biggest structural challenges:The separation of livestock and crop production.Todd explains how integrating cattle and grain production historically created natural nutrient cycles—where manure restored soil fertility and livestock added value to crops. As modern agriculture became more specialized, those systems became disconnected, increasing dependency on purchased inputs and reducing long-term resilience.That challenge is part of the work Todd is now involved in through Progena Systems, where the focus is creating more efficient, sustainable, closed-loop systems that improve both productivity and ecological outcomes.The episode also touches on nutrition, food systems, and the future of beef production.Todd makes a clear distinction:The conversation shouldn't be about making beef more exclusive or expensive.It should be about making high-quality, nutrient-dense beef:More efficient to produceMore affordableMore sustainableAnd more accessible to more peopleBecause feeding people well matters.The episode closes with one of the most important questions leaders can ask themselves:Am I actually solving the right problem?Because intentional leadership doesn't start with better tactics.It starts with better questions.Listen if you are:Interested in the future of food and agricultureThinking about land ownership and long-term wealthExploring regenerative or integrated ag systemsLeading a business and trying to solve deeper root problemsCurious about nutrition, beef production, and sustainability

What happens when you run the numbers on the Airbnb you're staying in and realize it beats every turnkey rental you toured that day? For Tim Hubbard, it meant walking away from the long term rental deal he flew to Tennessee to find, buying a historic eight-unit apartment building instead, and converting it to short term rentals. That single property went on to earn roughly eight times what it produced as a long term rental, and it set him free.In this episode, host David Richter sits down with Tim to trace the whole journey: discovering Rich Dad Poor Dad nearly 20 years ago, fighting through loan denials as a 1099 contractor to buy a foreclosure fourplex in downtown Sacramento in 2010, house hacking one unit while the other three covered the bills, and 1031 exchanging his way into bigger buildings and better markets.Today Tim runs roughly 65 units, 45 of them short term rentals, from South America, where he's lived for nearly a decade, first in Colombia and now in Brazil. He's also weeks away from opening the first phase of a boutique resort in Colombia and leads Corzly, a core operating center that handles revenue management, 24/7 guest communication, and marketing for short term rental owners and property managers in more than 40 cities.Tim doesn't sugarcoat the 2026 short term rental market: it's more competitive, guest expectations are higher, and owners still pricing like it's two years ago aren't getting booked. This conversation is a masterclass in reading supply and demand, finding the luxury edge, and building operations that let the profit actually reach you.Episode Highlights[1:01] – David welcomes Tim Hubbard, short term rental investor and host of Short Term Rental Riches[1:50] – Discovering Rich Dad Poor Dad young and buying a first property within about two years[3:50] – The 2010 foreclosure fourplex in downtown Sacramento: FHA loan, 1099 income, and repeated denials[5:16] – House hacking one unit, renting out three, and cash flowing from day one[6:25] – 1031 exchanging four units into nine in a better appreciating out-of-state market[6:59] – The Tennessee light bulb: the Airbnb he rented penciled far better than the turnkey rentals he toured[7:43] – Buying a historic eight-unit building and spending a year converting it to short term rentals[9:12] – The eight unit that earned eight times more and funded a move to South America[10:19] – Tim's 2026 portfolio: 65 units, 45 short term rentals, and a boutique resort under construction in Colombia[11:58] – How managing properties virtually from abroad grew into Corzly, now operating in over 40 cities[13:21] – Why centralized revenue management and 24/7 guest teams beat hiring locally for small portfolios[17:13] – The seasonal hybrid play: nightly rates in high season, monthly rentals in the off season[18:14] – Tim's biggest lessons: leave for better returns, and think twice before long-timeline projects[20:43] – Advice for new investors: verify supply and demand with a tool like AirDNA before buying anything[22:25] – Why unique luxury properties now have more upside and more recession resistance than commodity rentals[24:31] – Reviews, visibility, and dynamic pricing: the operational levers that can double revenue5 Key TakeawaysThe same property can earn dramatically more under a different strategy; Tim's eight-unit building produced roughly eight times more as short term rentals than it did with long term tenants.Invest where the numbers make sense, not where you happen to live; leaving California for out-of-state returns is the decision Tim credits with setting him free.Before buying a short term rental in 2026, study supply and demand with a tool like AirDNA, and avoid markets where average revenue is falling while purchase prices stay high.The market is inefficient enough that two identical properties next door to each other can have double the revenue gap; strong reviews drive visibility, and dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs or Wheelhouse are now mandatory to compete.Core operations like revenue management and around-the-clock guest communication don't belong in-house for small portfolios; centralizing them is the same logic as hiring a fractional CFO instead of a full-time one.Links & ResourcesShort Term Rental Riches podcast — https://strriches.comCorzly, Tim's short term rental operations company — https://www.facebook.com/corzlyRich Dad Poor Dad by Robert KiyosakiAirDNA market research tool — https://www.airdna.coPriceLabs and Wheelhouse dynamic pricing toolsBook your free discovery call with Simple CFO — https://simplecfo.comClosing RemarkTim Hubbard built the kind of business most investors say they want: a portfolio that runs without him in the room, from another continent, with profit that funds the life he actually chose. But as David points out, Tim didn't just make that money, he knew how to keep it, and he knew what every property was earning. If you're closing deals but still feeling broke, that's the gap Simple CFO exists to close. Subscribe, review, and share this episode, and if you're serious about financial systems and keeping more of your profit, visit https://simplecfo.com to take your free discovery call today.

AI can write website copy that outperforms 80% of what is online today. You just have to teach it who it is writing for. In this episode of Intended Consequences, Conversion Sciences founder Brian Massey shows you how to use AI to generate website copy that actually converts. The secret is not a better prompt. It is writing for the four ways people make buying decisions. You will learn the Modes of Research framework, first published in "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark," and how to map it onto Myers-Briggs types so any language model speaks your language. Then you will watch live rewrites that turn flat, jargon-filled copy into messaging built for Competitive, Methodical, Spontaneous, and Humanist visitors. By the end you can build your own AI messaging agent in ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and let it do the rewriting for you. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Why most B2B copy sounds the same and caps your conversion rate The four research modes and the buyer behind each one How to use Myers-Briggs as a shared vocabulary with any AI The simple prompt that teaches your chatbot to rewrite by mode How to generate personas straight from a URL How to A/B test copy that is finally different enough to win How to build a reusable AI messaging agent for your brand CHAPTERS 00:00 Why AI copy beats 80% of website copy 01:30 Styrofoam copy and the conversion ceiling 02:40 How our own biases sabotage copywriting 04:10 ICPs and the four-persona problem 05:40 Corner cases: copy big enough to A/B test 06:00 The 4 Modes of Research framework 06:50 Competitive and Methodical buyers 08:00 Spontaneous and Humanist buyers 09:30 Placing copy on the page by buyer mode 10:30 Why language models beat humans at this 11:20 Myers-Briggs as a shared language with AI 14:00 The simple prompt to train your chatbot 15:00 Generating personas from a URL (Calm.com) 17:40 Rewriting copy for each mode, live 24:00 B2B example: HR services, CHRO vs CFO 29:50 Laying out multiple voices on one page 31:00 Q&A: getting your team to trust AI copy 33:20 Building your own AI messaging agent 38:00 What is next: ad and landing page alignment 38:50 Q&A: CTAs, ad frequency, and brand salience RESOURCES Messaging skills and full prompts: https://conversion.science/msg-skills Conversion Sciences: https://conversionsciences.com Book: "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark" by Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg: https://conversci.com/catbark Roy H. Williams and the Wizard Academy: https://www.wizardacademy.org Subscribe for more on conversion optimization, AI, and the experiments behind what actually works. #AICopywriting #ConversionOptimization #CRO

Patrick Moorhead and Daniel Newman cover Tim Cook's final WWDC as CEO and Apple's Gemini-powered Siri strategy, the $35 billion Apollo and Blackstone deal backing Anthropic's capacity expansion, Intel's packaging wins with Google and NVIDIA, SpaceX's IPO at a $1.77 trillion valuation, Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 launch across every major cloud, and earnings reactions from Oracle, Micron, and Adobe. The handpicked topics for this week are: Apple's Siri AI Will Run on Gemini, Closing Out Tim Cook's Final WWDC as CEO: At WWDC, Apple confirmed Siri AI will run on Gemini through a new billion-dollar per year, multi-year deal, while Apple's Foundation Model Cloud Pro runs on NVIDIA GPUs inside Google Cloud. The announcement marks Tim Cook's last WWDC as CEO before John Ternus takes over on September 1. Apple isn't building its own AI cluster or competing on CapEx. They're betting that by owning the consumption layer, backed by access to health data and private messaging through iMessage, Apple will have a moat that compute spending can't replicate. (The Decode) Apollo and Blackstone Close the Largest Private Credit Deal Ever Backing Anthropic's Capacity Expansion: A $35 billion deal, the largest private credit transaction on record, will fund Google TPU capacity tied to Anthropic's compute needs, with Broadcom backstopping senior debt tranches and Google backstopping lease payments. The structure treats compute as a lendable asset class and signals more than 20 gigawatts of demand still being built out through 2028. Circular financing between chipmakers, cloud providers, and AI labs has moved from controversial to standard practice. (The Decode) Intel's Foundry Wins Packaging Work on Google's TPUs, Not a Full Fab Deal: Reports that Intel landed a deal tied to Google and NVIDIA reframe what's actually being handed off. Intel gets the packaging work on over 3 million TPUs, the compute die stays with TSMC, and the I/O die is being negotiated with Samsung at 2nm. INTC rose 12% Monday. The deal represents a low-risk path for Intel to augment, not replace, TSMC, while raising questions about anti-competitive dynamics in the foundry market. (The Decode) SpaceX Becomes an AI Infrastructure Company With a $1.77 Trillion IPO: SpaceX's IPO priced amid oversubscribed demand, with its valuation now reflecting not just Starlink connectivity and launch dominance but a newly material AI business, including AI1 orbital data center tests planned for late 2027 and a $920 million per month Google compute contract running through 2029. A sum-of-the-parts breakdown of the connectivity, launch, and AI segments lands well short of the trading price, with the gap largely explained by confidence in Elon Musk's track record of execution. (The Decode) Anthropic Launches Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 Across Every Major Cloud: Anthropic shipped Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 with same-day availability across Snowflake, AWS Bedrock, Vertex AI, and Microsoft Foundry, pricing at $10 and $50 per million tokens. The hyperscaler-neutral distribution strategy lands ahead of Anthropic's anticipated IPO. The models represent a real step up in research capability over Opus 4.8, but they come with a significant change. Users no longer have the option to opt out of data sharing with Anthropic, a shift some enterprises, including Microsoft, are already responding to. (The Decode) Is SpaceX a Once-in-a-Generation Entry or the Top of the Market? One side argues SpaceX represents a generational opportunity on par with early Amazon or Netflix, with interplanetary travel and off-world resource extraction as the long-term payoff that justifies looking past current valuation math. The other side argues this is peak euphoria: a company trading at roughly 95 times sales, propped up in part by circular investment from Google into both SpaceX and its AI segment, with a steep drawdown likely before any sustained climb. (The Flip) The Chip and Security Trade Reverses From Broken to Bifurcated: The semiconductor sector posted its biggest single-day gain since 2020, with the SOX up 5% on Monday, June 8, as a prior selloff in names like Broadcom, CrowdStrike, and Palo Alto Networks fully reversed. Intel rose 12%, Marvell 10%, and Corning 7%. The rebound reframes the AI trade narrative from a broad breakdown to a split between winners and laggards within the same sector. (Bulls & Bears) Oracle Posts a Record Quarter, But the Market Focuses on a $50 Billion Funding Plan: Oracle delivered record revenue of $19.2 billion, up 21 %, with EPS of $2.11, beating estimates of $1.89. IaaS grew 93 %, the fastest pace among hyperscalers, and RPO hit $638 billion, up $85 billion quarter over quarter, including $75 billion in AI contracts. FY27 guidance of $90 billion was maintained, and EPS guidance was raised, yet the stock fell 5% after hours amid concerns about Oracle's capital spending plans. Oracle's AI cloud backlog now exceeds those of AWS, Google, and Microsoft, built heavily on commitments from Anthropic and OpenAI. (Bulls & Bears) Micron's Profit Trajectory Puts It in Google's Earnings Tier: Micron is projected to generate nearly as much profit in 2027 as Google, with Q2 revenue of $23.86 billion, up 22 % and beating estimates, and Q3 guidance of $33.5 billion in revenue, $19.15 EPS, and 81 % gross margin. The stock is up 776%, with Wall Street firms, including UBS, raising price targets. The open question is whether memory has broken its historically cyclical pattern given sustained AI demand. (Bulls & Bears) Adobe Beats Across the Board, But the Stock Drops on CEO Departure and Freemium Pivot: Adobe posted record revenue of $6.62 billion, up 13 % and beating consensus of $6.45 billion, with non-GAAP EPS of $5.96, topping estimates of $5.81. AI first ARR tripled year over year to over $500 million, with total ARR reaching $27.1 billion, and FY26 guidance was raised. The stock still fell 5.5 % after hours, driven by the CFO's departure to Marvell and market concern over a strategic shift toward freemium pricing that delays near-term profitability. (Bulls & Bears) Watch the full video at sixfivemedia.com, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode. The Decode Apple WWDC- Apple Caves to Google AND NVIDIA — Siri AI Runs on Gemini ($1B/yr) + Apple Foundation Model Cloud Pro Runs on NVIDIA GPUs in Google Cloud; Tim Cook's Final WWDC as CEO Before John Ternus Succeeds Him Sept 1 https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/08/apple-wwdc-2026-live-updates.html Google's $35B Infra Deal — Apollo + Blackstone Close the Largest Private Credit Deal Ever; Broadcom Backstops Senior Tranches; Google Backstops Lease Payments https://www.reuters.com/business/apollo-blackstone-back-anthropics-35-billion-capacity-expansion-new-broadcom-tie-2026-06-09/ Intel's Foundry Reportedly Wins Google Packaging (Not Full Fab) — The Information Reframed: 3M+ TPU Packaging by Intel, Compute Die Still TSMC, I/O Die Being Negotiated With Samsung 2nm; INTC +12% Monday; Pat Calls Out TSMC Anti-Competitive Risk https://www.trendforce.com/news/2026/06/09/news-intel-foundry-gains-momentum-as-google-reportedly-orders-3m-tpus-nvidia-evaluates-18a-for-multi-die-gpu-design/ SpaceX Becomes an AI Infrastructure Company — Friday IPO at $1.77T; AI1 Orbital Data Center Tests Late 2027; Google $920M/mo Compute Contract Through 2029 https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/spacex-poised-history-record-75-100000402.html Anthropic Ships Claude Fable 5 + Mythos 5 — Same-Day Distribution Across Snowflake, AWS Bedrock, Vertex AI, Microsoft Foundry; Hyperscaler-Neutral by Design Ahead of IPO; $10/$50 per M Tokens https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-fable-5-mythos-5 The Flip FOR: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/11/spacex-billionaire-investing.html AGAINST: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/technology/elon-musk-spacex-ipo.html Bulls & Bears The Chip + Security Tape Recovery — SOX +5% Monday June 8 (Biggest Day Since 2020); AVGO/CRWD/PANW Selloff Reversed; Intel +12%, Marvell +10%, Corning +7%; the AI Trade Pivots From "Broken" to "Bifurcated" https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-06082026-11992852 Oracle (ORCL) Q4 FY26 ACTUALS — Record $19.2B Rev (+21%), EPS $2.11 Beat ($1.89); IaaS +93%; RPO HITS $638B (+$85B QoQ, $75B AI Contracts); FY27 $90B Guide Maintained, EPS Guide Raised; Stock −5% AH on Massive Capex Plan https://www.tradingkey.com/analysis/stocks/us-stocks/261959450-oracle-record-q4-2026-earnings-report-cloud-data-center-stock-tradingkey "$MU Will Generate Almost As Much Profit in 2027 as $GOOGL"; Q2 Rev $23.86B (+22% Beat), Q3 Guide $33.50B / $19.15 EPS / 81% GM; MU Stock +776%; UBS Among Wall Street Raising Targets https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/06/11/wall-street-just-put-a-monster-target-on-micron-is-the-stock-still-too-cheap/ Adobe (ADBE) Q2 FY26 ACTUALS — Record $6.62B Rev (+13%) Beats Consensus $6.45B; Non-GAAP EPS $5.96 Beats $5.81; AI-First ARR Triples YoY to $500M+; Total ARR $27.10B; FY26 Guide RAISED; Stock −5.5% AH Despite Beat-and-Raise https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611677110/en/Adobe-Reports-Record-Q2-Results    

Step into Episode 216 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Roland Wood III — a Phoenix-born, west-side-raised finance veteran who went from staff accountant to CFO across some of Arizona's most recognized restaurant concepts, including Grimaldi's and Square One. Roland pulls back the curtain on what a CFO actually does, why the best ones never win a popularity contest, and how "if the math doesn't math" sometimes the answer just has to be no.From navigating 50 Grimaldi's locations during a financial restructuring and securing $6–7M in COVID relief programs for Square One, to breaking down food cost management, inventory tech, marketing ROI, and the real value of fractional CFO services for growing hospitality groups — this conversation is packed with honest, practical perspective that operators, owners, and industry professionals rarely get to hear. Roland also unpacks why cutting quality to save margin is a long-game trap, how to use fixed pricing agreements to avoid supply volatility, and why "you will never save your way to prosperity."Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 1:50) Delo's New Book: Risky Business & Intro to Roland Wood III(1:51 - 5:06) Roland's Background, West Side Phoenix & the Restaurant Scene(5:07 - 9:28) School, ASU, Early Career & How Roland Landed in Restaurants(9:29 - 13:54) What a CFO Actually Does: Banking, Cash Flow & Hard Conversations(13:55 - 17:22) Grimaldi's: 50 Locations, Capital Structure & Food Cost Differences(17:23 - 21:38) Inventory Tech, ERP Systems, Cogswell, Craftable & Portion Decisions(21:39 - 25:09) Food Pricing Strategy, Fixed Agreements & Hedging Against Volatility(25:10 - 27:52) Marketing ROI: How Finance Holds Marketing Accountable for Traffic(27:53 - 32:28) Square One: COVID-Era Entry, Multi-Concept Finance & Barrett's Portfolio(32:29 - 34:47) Fractional CFO Services: Who It's For, Ideal Client & the Value Proposition(34:48 - 42:21) Rapid Fire + Roland's Finance Philosophy: Invest, Don't Just Cut(42:22 - 42:43) Delo's Close, Book Promo & Podcast Sponsor Mention

Five weeks into her role as CFO of Catalant, Christina Spade is helping guide a company that she believes is positioned for a different era of consulting.Catalant was founded out of Harvard Business School in 2013 and began as an independent consultant matchmaking company, Spade tells us. Today, she describes the firm as a “Consulting 2.0” business built around agile, fit-for-purpose consulting designed to help organizations solve problems and create value more quickly.The company's evolution mirrors broader changes in the consulting industry. Independent consultants were often viewed skeptically a decade ago, Spade tells us. But as organizations sought greater efficiency during and after COVID, many finance leaders began looking for more flexible ways to access expertise.That shift helped Catalant move beyond matching individual consultants with projects. The company now works with Fortune 500 organizations, assembling teams of experts tailored to specific business challenges, Spade tells us. Technology and AI play an increasingly important role, helping match consultants to projects and supporting consultants as they execute client work.Spade's strategic mindset is reflected in one of her favorite quotes from golfer Sam Snead: “Only play against par.” Rather than focusing primarily on competitors, she believes organizations should concentrate on the business problems they are uniquely positioned to solve.That same philosophy informs her view of consulting economics. While billable hours remain important, Spade tells us that clients increasingly prefer outcome-based engagements. Success, she argues, should be measured by whether a project achieves its intended objectives, whether that means improving efficiency, strengthening customer understanding, or developing an executable AI strategy.

This Week In Startups is made possible by:Plaud https://Plaud.ai/twistPilot https://pilot.com/twistAgree https://agree.comIM8 Health https://IM8health.com/twistAfter watching Elon build out his rocket (and AI) company over the past 20 years, Jason celebrates the SpaceX IPO on a new TWiST. He explains why some investments are evaluated based on earnings and current numbers, while other stocks are bets on expensive visions for the future, and why SpaceX why likely pay off across multiple time horizons.PLUS Polsia solo founder Ben Cera is back with guidance for founders on creating a “Purple Cow”: a unique experience that makes their brand memorable.Guest:Ben Cera on X: https://x.com/BenceraPolsia: https://polsia.com/Polsia on X: https://x.com/polsiaBen on TWiST E2256 (Feb 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCce8e02IswRelevant Links:SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/SPCX on Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SPCX/Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/Planet Labs: https://www.planet.com/Palantir: https://www.palantir.com/Valor Equity Partners: https://www.valorep.com/Seth Godin's “Purple Cow” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-New-Transform-Remarkable/dp/1591843170Uber Ice Cream stunt article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ubers-brilliant-marketing-stunt-hail-195946535.htmlHillsborough Flintstones House article: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/The-Flintstone-House-is-now-for-rent-on-Airbnb-10420107.php“19 Hours Inside the Airbnb X-Mansion” article: https://www.theringer.com/2024/05/29/pop-culture/x-mansion-airbnb-x-men-icons-experienceWas The Pepsi Challenge based on LIES? https://www.historyoasis.com/post/the-pepsi-challengeCloudKitchens: https://cloudkitchens.com/Cluely: https://cluely.com/Timestamps:0:00 SpaceX IPO details2:12 Plaud: If your work depends on conversations — interviews, meetings, calls — you need a Plaud NotePin. You can check it out at https://Plaud.ai/twist and use code TWIST for 10% off!7:21 The voting vs. weighing investment framework9:41 Pilot: Focus on your product, let Pilot handle your bookkeeping. Pilot provides the most reliable accounting, CFO, and tax services for startups and small businesses. Head to https://pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.19:53 Agree - Stop chasing invoices at https://agree.com and tell them Jason sent you to get 50% off for life!22:25 The media's SpaceX criticisms and "hot takes"23:54 Ben Cera of Polsia is back26:53 Why Jason says no to a free tier29:10 IM8 Health: Start feeling like your best self every day. Go to https://IM8health.com/twist and use the code TWiST to get a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.34:27 The wisdom of Seth Godin's "Purple Cow"50:37 The "Pepsi Challenge" model1:05:45 Lon got a dog, Jason got routers1:10:37 The YouTuber to movie theater pipeline1:15:20 Jason's new favorite travel bagSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisCheck out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Send us Fan MailAt some point, every single hobby became a business opportunity. This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we talk about the return of amateurism and the growing movement of people doing things simply because they enjoy them. From backyard gardening and woodworking to running clubs, sourdough bread, and retro gaming, more people are rejecting the idea that every interest needs to become a side hustle. We explore why hobbies got monetized in the first place, why people are pushing back, and what happens when you stop measuring everything by productivity and profit. Because maybe the most rebellious thing you can do in 2026 is enjoy something you're not trying to optimize.But there is a massive business strategy angle to this shift. From a tactical standpoint, trying to monetize every passion actually dilutes your core business focus and drains the creative energy required to innovate. True entrepreneurial strategy requires downtime to recharge your cognitive reserves. When you treat your personal time like a secondary startup, you risk severe burnout, which directly impacts your primary revenue streams and decision-making abilities. We dive into how separating business tactics from personal fulfillment can actually make you a sharper, more focused leader in companies like Apple, Google, or Microsoft where corporate culture is starting to value the "unplugged" employee. We also look at how platform giants like YouTube, Shopify, and Etsy built entire ecosystems around the side-hustle boom, and why consumer behavior is shifting away from monetization and back toward pure community engagement. Whether you are a founder trying to scale or an executive looking for balance, understanding the boundary between profit and passion is essential for long-term strategic success.We want to hear from you! Email us at beer@mikeandblaine.com and let us know what you do just for fun.If you love the show, support the podcast, visit mikeandblaine.com, and buy us a beer!Thanks to our Beer Sponsors: Karen Hairston from 3S Smart ConsultingCPA Larry Weinstein, the Cash Flow Cowboy from Houston TexasNeighbor Pat DevinListen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.comLearn about: Cash Flow Mike who trains CPAs to provide effective advisory to their clients at cashflowmike.com Dryrun Cash Flow Forecasting for the office of the CFO where they get finance teams out of spreadsheets at dryrun.comWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/39B4RdRldl8#HobbyCulture #Amateurism #SlowLiving #SideHustle #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BurnoutPrevention #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessTactics #Mindset #YouTube #Shopify #Etsy #Apple #Google #MikeAndBlaineSupport the showCatch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality   Two of the biggest casino operators in the world became takeover targets in the same week — and the squad has thoughts. Barry Diller's People Inc. just offered $18 billion to take MGM Resorts private, days after Fertitta agreed to buy Caesars. MGM's own CFO didn't argue the company was fairly valued — he argued investors aren't doing the work. Ben, Scott, and Edwin debate whether public markets are simply too lazy to underwrite experience-driven hospitality, and what the next-generation casino actually looks like. Then: the deal that almost rewrote the industry. On a recent podcast, Airbnb's former Chief Strategy Officer Chip Conley revealed that Marriott and Airbnb spent six months negotiating a major partnership in 2016 — including talk of earning and burning Bonvoy points on Airbnb stays — before Marriott's owners killed it. Was it the most expensive "no" in hospitality history? Plus: Zach got access to Odesia, the AI travel search platform from Sonder's co-founder that just landed $6M from Sequoia — and it's the best AI trip-planning experience he's seen, full stop. And a new survey of 2,000 travelers reveals what premium guests will actually pay more for: quiet rooms, verified sustainability, and tech that connects rather than dazzles. Spoiler — it's a home-field advantage for independents. Spice of the Week covers a sandwich shop that turned away revenue over a tiny dog, why full hotels fool owners into thinking their marketing works, the OTA-fee budget shell game, and Zach's big announcement: Journey's new strategic partnership with Cloudbeds. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you're an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 05:08 — Story #1: MGM's Take-Private Bid and the Value of Live Experience 16:31 — Story #2: Marriott and Airbnb's Partnership That Never Happened 33:43 — Story #3: Travelers Will Pay More for Quiet, Calm, and Credibility 44:54 — Spice of the Week   Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/   Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

Most leaders learn to read a company by its story. Colleen Gallagher learned to read it by its numbers.In this episode, AJ Vaughan sits down with Colleen Gallagher, CEO of Textio, the HR technology company that has spent more than a decade helping some of the largest organizations in the world write sharper job postings and make better hiring decisions.Colleen did not come up the traditional people path. She started in consulting, running diligence on companies being bought, sold, and financed, learning to assess a business fast by how it made money and where it put that money to work. That foundation carried her from CFO to COO to CEO of Textio, and it still shapes how she leads.We get into:How finance gives you visibility into the entire organization instead of a single trackWhy strategy is really the allocation of two limited resources, money and timeWhat it takes to assess the health of any business quickly, starting from the invoice level upThe thinking behind Lavalier, Textio's new interview intelligence platform, is built to keep hiring anchored to skills and evidence instead of opinionWhere hiring decisions are heading as the evidence underneath them gets strongerIf you care about the financial logic underlying people's decisions, this conversation is for you.Learn more about Textio: https://textio.com/The Business of Alignment is where workforce leaders name what is actually true about the future of work.

Keith Kirkpatrick breaks down the market's negative reaction to Adobe's (ADBE) strong quarter, pointing to concerns around its freemium model and leadership changes. He highlights the long-term value of Adobe's AI strategy for enterprise customers, while noting investor focus on execution, including converting free users to paid subscribers and navigating the CFO's departure to Marvell (MRVL).======== 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 – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Adobe (ADBE) delivered strong results and raised full-year guidance, but shares fell as broader software pressure and leadership changes weighed on sentiment. Mark Gibbens and Sean O'Hara discuss investor skepticism around Adobe's AI strategy, noting growth has leaned heavily on pricing. They also examine freemium challenges and the need for a clearer long-term leadership vision, with the CFO departing for Marvell (MRVL).======== 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 – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

This episode is sponsored by Actabl. Learn more about its new product, Altitude, here. For years now, AI has promised hotel leaders something it hasn't delivered: the ability to ask a question and get an answer you can actually trust. Today, that changes with the launch of Actabl Altitude.In this episode, I sit down with Stephen German, Actabl's SVP of Product, to tell the story behind it. We get into why most AI answers fall apart the moment you check them, what it really takes to trust a number enough to hand it to your CFO, and why the foundation under the AI matters more than the AI itself.Stephen makes a distinction that reframes the whole conversation. Most AI is probabilistic, so ask the same question twice, and you can get two different answers. When you're dealing with forecasts and P&Ls, you need deterministic results, the same right answer every time, with logic underneath that knows the difference between your primary forecast and your locked one. That's the line between an interesting demo and a tool you can run a business on.We also talk about who this is really for. Above-property leaders, the regional VPs and COOs, have been underserved by hotel tech for a long time. Altitude lets them have a conversation with their data, follow the thread at the speed of thought, and dig into a problem without waiting days for three different teams to pull reports. It's the always-on AI analyst that hotel leaders have wanted and never had, until now.In this episode, you'll hear:Why you can't trust most AI outputs yet, and what it takes to fix thatThe CFO test: Would you hand this answer over and say, "I know all of this is right"?Why your data has to be normalized, and the apples-to-apples problemThe questions every leader should ask their technical team about AI reportingIntroducing Altitude and the problem it was built to solveA conversation with your data: following the thread without losing the plotWhy above-property leaders have been underserved, and why that ends hereThe data pyramid: spending less time finding answers and more time acting on themLearn more about Actabl Altitude here.Listen to prior episodes in this series:AI Only Works for Hotels in This Order: Data, Intelligence, Action - Stephen German, ActablWhy Our Approach to Hotel Data Earned a Patent and Prepares Hotels for AI - Clark Brayton, Joseph McGroarty & Pritesh Patel, ActablIs Your AI Saving You Time? (Jerimi Ford, Actabl) A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

What if the way your business accepts payments is quietly hurting your cash flow?In this episode of B2B Vault, Alan Kopelman sits down with a payments expert to discuss the hidden costs of B2B payment terms, why many businesses unknowingly act as lenders to their customers, and how smarter payment strategies can improve profitability.Learn how payment automation, virtual cards, ACH, rules-based payment acceptance, and modern invoicing tools are helping businesses get paid faster, reduce processing costs, and improve working capital. Whether you're a business owner, CFO, controller, or finance professional, this conversation offers practical insights you can implement immediately.Tune in to discover how a well-defined payment policy can strengthen cash flow, reduce risk, and create a better payment experience for both buyers and suppliers.#B2BPayments #CashFlowManagement #PaymentAutomation #VirtualCards #BusinessFinance #AccountsReceivable #Fintech #B2BVault #NationwidePaymentSystems #WorkingCapital #BusinessGrowth #PaymentStrategy

This solo episode breaks down Profit First, the bank account-based cash management system that helps real estate investors and business owners stop bleeding profitability and start keeping more of every dollar they make. Host David walks through the five core accounts, explains why the owner's comp account is the best place to start, and makes the case for why a fractional CFO might be exactly what's missing if systems alone aren't sticking.If you've ever closed a deal and still felt broke at the end of the month, this episode is for you. It's a practical, no-spreadsheet framework for building real personal wealth from the business you're already running.Timeline Highlights[0:26] The core problem: making money but never having anything to show for it at the end of the month[0:46] Why you don't need to be a financial wizard to pay yourself consistently or build real reserves[1:25] Profit First explained: how the envelope method from personal finance translates into a business wealth-building system[2:05] What you focus on expands: why profitability needs dedicated attention, not just a QuickBooks dashboard[2:37] The five fundamental business checking accounts every owner should set up[2:55] The Golden Trio: profit, owner's comp, and owner's tax accounts and why they're the key to keeping more of what you make[3:13] The "big black hole bank account" problem and how dedicated accounts solve it structurally[4:07] Where to start if you're not paying yourself consistently: the owner's comp account as your first move[4:28] What to do if you're currently spending more than you're making: expense analysis, letting people go, and getting profitable first[4:43] What a fractional CFO actually does and when it makes sense to bring one in[5:25] Why most businesses are more profitable than they think and just don't know how to name the dollars[6:12] Fractional CFO vs. doing it yourself: how to decide what level of support you actually need[6:45] Why there's no single deal that solves your cash flow problem and what actually builds lasting financial freedom[7:00] The habit loop that creates real wealth: every sale, a little to profit, every sale, a little to owner's comp, repeatKey TakeawaysProfit First is built on the envelope method, applied to your business bank accounts. Instead of tracking everything in QuickBooks, you set up dedicated accounts so every dollar that comes in gets immediately allocated, making profitability visible in your actual cash, not just your reports.The five core accounts are income, opex, profit, owner's comp, and owner's tax. The first two track what comes in and goes out. The Golden Trio (profit, owner's comp, and owner's tax) are what allow you to actually keep something from every sale you close.If you can only start with one account, start with owner's comp. Paying yourself consistently, even a small amount from every deal, starts building the habit and the reserves that most business owners never develop.A fractional CFO isn't just for large companies. If you know the system but won't stick to it, or if you need someone to help you understand what your numbers actually mean and hold you accountable, that level of support pays for itself.No single deal will solve your cash flow problem. The only thing that builds real financial freedom is consistency: every sale, a transfer to profit; every sale, a transfer to owner's comp. That habit, repeated over time, is what actually gets you out of the rat race.Links & ResourcesProfit First for Real Estate Investors — profitrei.comSimpleCFO — simplecfo.comSchedule a discovery call — simplecfo.comClosingIf this episode made you realize you've been running your business without a real cash management system, now is the time to change that. Share it with a business owner in your network who's making money but not keeping it. Subscribe, review, and share the Profit First for Real Estate Investors podcast, and if you want to go deeper, visit profitrei.com.

Tot de sterren en daar voorbij. SpaceX is nu van de belegger: het ruimtevaartbedrijf is genoteerd aan Wall Street. Het is de grootste beursgang aller tijden. Deze aflevering hoor je wat er achter de schermen van deze beursgang gebeurt. Hoe de prijs tot stand komt, hoe de toekomst van het aandeel eruit ziet en waar het geld verdiend gaat worden. Ook gaan we je voorstellen aan Gwynne Shotwell. Dat is de vrouw die de dagelijkse leiding op zich neemt (en dus niet Elon Musk). Het is ook de aflevering waar we kijken naar andere, aanstaande beursgangen. Die van Anthropic en OpenAI. Is daar onder particulieren nog wel geld voor? En welke beursgang wordt het meest succesvol? Genoeg over beursgangen, laten we het hebben over overnames! Adyen neemt een Amerikaans bedrijf over. We kijken of ze dat verder helpt. Hebben we het ook over een mogelijke overname van ING, in België. Te gast: Nico Inberg van De Aandeelhouder (die aandelen SpaceX kocht) BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Je hoort hem ook in de BNR-podcast Moerdijk: dorp van de rekening. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian Ostertag über den CFO-Software-Markt im Umbruch: 120 Deals in einem Halbjahr, KI als Destabilisator für Enterprise Software – und warum europäische Anbieter ihren regulatorischen Heimvorteil zu selten nutzen.

Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contactㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson's new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out June 9, 2026).All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206ㅤSubscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletterㅤRegister for Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.comㅤRegister for GuruConference (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.guruconference.comㅤConnect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/askㅤLeave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!ㅤConnect with Alexandra Conners on LinkedIn, and see what her team is building at wunderkind.co.ㅤEvery martech platform seems to be buying up every other one right now, each promising to become the single tool that finally does everything. Jay Schwedelson gets Alex Conners of Wunderkind to pressure-test that idea, and her take is refreshingly blunt: the all-in-one promise is mostly a mirage, and your real edge was never sitting in the stack to begin with. What she says is actually driving results now might change how you look at your next renewal.ㅤBest Moments:(02:20) Most brands use only about 30 percent of what their marketing tools can actually do(03:46) Why a platform's new acquisition is really just negotiation leverage with your CFO(06:04) The right martech pick has less to do with your industry than your team's skill set(07:17) Customer acquisition costs jumped 222 percent and the buying journey keeps getting longer(10:30) The average enterprise is quietly running 91 marketing tools, and the risk that creates(12:05) A plain-English breakdown of what Wunderkind actually does with your anonymous site visitors

We have an insight-packed and hopeful discussion with Owen Mahoney, CEO of Maplestory's Nexon. This Choplifter fan went on to acquire JAMDAT and DICE for EA, then saw the future with Embark. We discuss forever games, where stories come from and the huge growth coming - this week!TIMESTAMPS[0:00:00] Intro: Owen Mahoney[0:10:22] Medium shifts favor beginnersOwen explains why every major technology shift benefits newcomers.[0:19:33] An “unusual background”Owen describes his and Nexon's “unusual backgrounds,” and how they got started. [0:33:23] Most pitches are a product problem, not a marketing problem "90% of the deals that I looked at to build a game... look very similar to something that was already out there in the market. So a lot of what people are calling a marketing problem are in fact a product problem."[0:42:37] Tried to buy Nexon three times at EAOwen reveals he tried to acquire Nexon three times while at EA, and eventually ended up joining them as CFO instead — including nearly landing Riot Games before being outbid by Tencent.[0:48:23] The "forever franchise" thesis behind EmbarkOwen explains the concept of "forever franchises" — games that don't have to peak and decline — and how that philosophy was central to their success and investments.[0:52:55] The industry inverts good game developmentOwen argues that big-budget game development is built backwards: studios front-load expensive art to get green-lights, while leaving the actual "find the fun" iteration — the most important part — until the end.[1:04:11] New technology always creates new kinds of game makersOwen's closing argument on the industry's future: "Every generation comes with its new set of innovators."[1:08:40] Outro: Wrapping UpSupport the showThank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life!Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron MarroquinFind us at www.thefourthcurtain.comJoin our Patreon for early, ad-free episodes plus bonus content at https://patreon.com/FourthCurtainCome join the conversation at https://discord.gg/KWeGE4xHfeVideos available at https://www.youtube.com/@thefourthcurtainFollow us on Twitter: @fourthcurtainEdited and mastered at https://noise-floor.comAudio Editor: Bryen HensleyVideo Editor: Sarkis GrigorianProducer: Kimya TaheriArt: Paul RusselCommunity Manager: Doug ZartmanFeaturing Liberation by 505

Leadership in a law firm requires more than just legal expertise, it demands strategic delegation and authentic communication. In this episode, Jimmy Lye shares his journey from international student to successful law firm owner, highlighting the importance of treating your team as partners and fostering a growth culture.Jimmy discusses how leveraging LinkedIn helped him attract top talent, connect with professionals, and generate client referrals. He emphasizes the value of delegating operations and marketing tasks to trusted leaders, freeing up time to focus on strategic growth and client service.In this episode you'll learn: The importance of leadership over technical prowess How to build trust and delegate effectively Strategies for leveraging LinkedIn for hiring and business development The mindset shift needed to embrace vulnerability and growth Practical steps to foster culture and retain talented team members This conversation offers actionable insights into leadership, scaling, and managing a profitable, healthy law firm. It's a practical guide for owners looking to lead thoughtfully and grow intentionally.Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we're a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Law Firm Leaders: LinkedIn Is Worth Its Weight(00:00:51) - Managing a Law Firm(00:01:35) - How to become a LinkedIn Influencer(00:02:15) - Startup entrepreneur Jimmy Lai on How to Get Out of Debt(00:06:46) - Are You the Best Lawyer in the Firm?(00:14:00) - Having a CFO in the business(00:14:43) - How LinkedIn is helping my Law Firm(00:15:49) - How to Use LinkedIn to Gain a Lead(00:21:26) - How to Inspire the Law Firm's Team on LinkedIn(00:25:56) - Keep Your Employees Happy or Go for It(00:30:09) - How to get yourself out there on LinkedIn

In this special episode, Pete and Julie are joined by Joe Ranzau, Partner at Grant Thornton, live from the annual World at Work Total Rewards event in San Antonio, TX. Joe brings a CFO-facing lens to the discussion, unpacking why finance, HR, risk, and tax all see payroll differently and why the reporting line may matter less than the governance model around it. The conversation explores payroll's evolving strategic value, the persistent disconnect between HR and payroll, and why payroll professionals must become stronger storytellers, translators, and change agents. Together they explore where payroll really belongs, why it remains one of the most misunderstood functions in the enterprise, and how AI is forcing leaders to rethink process, risk, and governance. The episode also dives into AI's growing role in HR and payroll, from productivity gains and hard-to-measure ROI to procurement restrictions, shadow AI, data safety, and adoption resistance across the workforce. Plus a practical look at what it takes to modernize payroll: clearer ownership, stronger governance, better cross-functional alignment, and a willingness to treat payroll as far more than a back-office process. Connect with Joe:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ranzau/   Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0  X: @PeteTiliakos  X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20  Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward!  G-P ‘Globalization Partners': https://www.globalization-partners.com/  OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain' and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

The Layoff Tracker, Cigna's GLP-1 Cut & What Happens When Compliance FailsJune 8th, 2026. Bo and Luke break down three stories connected by the same thread: what happens when organizations wait too long to act.

From selling candy in school as a kid in Medellin and getting robbed by his business partner, to riding the South Florida real estate boom and losing everything in the crash before he was twenty, Alex Lopez, CPA built his understanding of deals through lived experience long before he picked up an accounting textbook. Alex runs a CPA firm specializing in CFO services and tax minimization strategy, with over 12 years of experience at global accounting and consulting firms and in corporate America. He works with entrepreneurs in professional services, tech, and real estate, focused on helping them scale from six to seven to eight figures while keeping more of their profits out of the IRS's hands. His years as a financial auditor trained him to assess a business quickly, corroborate what owners claim, and identify which direction a company is actually trending. In this episode he walks through two contrasting deals: one where understanding why a buyer was willing to stretch above market multiples revealed hidden strategic value that let his client hold firm on price, and another where a single off-ratio insurance figure that nobody fully investigated masked a multi-million dollar misrepresentation that killed the deal entirely. He also shares the story of a seller whose insistence on cash over a higher leveraged offer turned out to have nothing to do with preference and everything to do with a pending white collar conviction. On tax planning, Alex is direct: by the time a deal is under letter of intent, several of the most powerful strategies are already gone. He walks through qualified small business stock, which can allow eligible founders to exit with little to zero federal tax on the capital gain from a business sale, but only if the company was structured as a C corporation and the stock held for at least five years. He described a young tech founder who called his firm last year with the deal locked and loaded to close, and paid a seven-figure tax bill because nobody had ever told him this option existed. The conversation also covers how S corporation elections that make sense for self-employment tax purposes can create complications in deals that include rollover equity, why founders who avoided C corp status to preserve early pass-through losses often give up far more in QSBS savings than they ever gained, and how structuring payouts over time can both spread the tax bill across lower-bracket years and give sellers leverage to negotiate a higher total price. For anyone building a business with any intention of eventually selling, this episode makes one thing clear: the time to think about these questions is years before you have a buyer at the table. FOR MORE ON ALEX LOPEZ, CPA: Website: AlexLopezCPA.com FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: Alex Lopez's background in CFO services and tax minimization [02:54] - First deal: selling candy in school and the partner who stole everything [13:48] - Using ratios and anecdotes to spot market exuberance before it corrects [21:31] - Finding hidden value and why a buyer's motivation is negotiating leverage [28:45] - Why tax planning needs to start before there is a deal on the table [32:13] - Structuring payouts over time to spread the tax bill and negotiate better terms [44:13] - The seller whose insistence on cash pointed to a white collar conviction[49:37] - What freedom means: being oneself and at peace with one's surroundings Guest Bio: Alex Lopez, CPA is passionate about helping business owners scale, increase profits, and minimize taxes. With over 12 years of experience working at global accounting and consulting firms and in corporate America, Alex runs a CPA firm specializing in CFO services and tax minimization strategy. He works primarily with entrepreneurs in professional services, tech, and real estate. Alex grew up in Medellin, Colombia and came to the United States in 1999, getting his real estate license straight out of high school before the 2008 financial crisis redirected him toward accounting. That combination of early deal experience and deep technical expertise informs how he advises clients on both the financial and structural dimensions of their transactions. Related Episodes:Episode 350 - Tom Dillon: Business Valuation and Exit Planning Realities: Understand how valuation works in practice and what drives the gap between what owners expect and what the market will pay.Episode 330 - Pete Mohr: Building Enterprise Value and Exit Readiness: Learn how operational decisions made years before a sale determine what a business is actually worth when it goes to market.Episode 339 - Solocast 74: Equitizing Key Employees and Succession Planning Strategies: Explore how entity structure and equity decisions made early shape your options when it is time to exit.

In this eye-opening episode 118, Part 1 of Going Forward, host Eric Elliott sits down with Brooke Lively, Founder of Scaling Law, for the first half of a two-part conversation on what it really takes to build a healthier, more profitable law firm. In Part 1, Brooke & Eric unpack a hard truth many law firm owners eventually face: growth is not always the same as health.Brooke has spent years helping law firms become more profitable, systemized, and scalable through financial strategy, fractional CFO work and EOS implementation. In this first part of the conversation, she & Eric dive into the pressures facing personal injury firms today, from rising client acquisition costs to private equity, case volume, cash flow & the temptation to chase more leads before fixing what is happening inside the firm.Together, they explore why “more cases” can actually create more problems when a firm does not have the cash, staff, systems, or litigation capacity to work those cases well. Brooke explains why contingency firms have to think carefully about the cost of carrying cases for months before getting paid, and why growth can become dangerous when it is not balanced with cash.Eric and Brooke also discuss the difference between a busy law firm owner and one who is actually building enterprise value. From vision and people to data, process, and traction, Brooke breaks down how EOS helps firms stop spinning in circles and start rowing in the same direction.Topics include: why growth can become dangerous for PI firms; how rising client acquisition costs impact profitability; why leads do not cure all; the relationship between case volume, cash flow & staffing; why insurance companies know which firms will litigate; signs a law firm has outgrown the way it is being managed; six key components of EOS; why law firms need vision, data & process to scale responsibly.In Part 2, we continue with a deeper look at intake, conversion rates, cash flow, owner dependency & more.Connect w/ Eric Elliott:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ericelliott.com/Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ericelliottspeakerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theericelliott/ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ericmelliott/Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/EricMElliottTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericmelliottEmail: Eric@EricElliott.comText: 843-279-5843Connect w/ Brooke Lively:Website: https://brookelively.com/Scaling Law: https://www.scalinglaw.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelively/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaling_law/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scalinglawYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalingLawSupercharge your online advertising campaigns with Optmyzr! Streamline management, optimize performance, and boost your ROI. Visit https://www.optmyzr.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to discover how Optmyzr can revolutionize your digital marketing.Also, as a special treat for our listeners, sign up with the code GOINGFORWARD20 and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on your first year with Trainual! Seize this opportunity to supercharge your operations & propel your business forward!Eric Elliott is the founder of VIP Marketing and Craft Creative, two agencies dedicated to helping law firms build stronger brands and sustainable growth strategies. With a background in radio, television & digital media, Elliott works with legal organizations across the country to align marketing strategy, creative storytelling & operational systems to drive measurable results.Going Forward is brought to you by VIP Marketing. VIP Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built to help firms become the choice in their market through strategy-led SEO, paid media, website design & development, brand strategy & premium video production. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, VIP Marketing serves law firms nationwide. Our website provides detailed information on our services and expertise. For more information, visit vipmarketing.com.

Can you really grow your business if you don't understand your numbers? Many entrepreneurs delegate their finances as soon as they can afford to, but what happens when you're so removed from your financial data that you can't make informed decisions about hiring, growth, or profitability? In this episode of Life Changing Money, Barbara sits down with CFO strategist and educator Rehana Mohamed, whose mission is to help founders think like CFOs. Drawing from her background in accounting, consulting, and executive leadership, Rehana shares how business owners can use financial data to make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and create sustainable growth. The conversation explores the financial blind spots many entrepreneurs face, the importance of understanding what you're delegating, and how leaders can maintain oversight without getting lost in the day-to-day details. Rehana also shares practical insights on family finances, teaching children healthy money habits, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can dramatically accelerate your growth. Tune in to hear: Why every founder should learn to think like a CFO The difference between collecting data and making decisions from data How financial clarity impacts hiring and scaling decisions Common mistakes business owners make when delegating finances The shocking story of uncovering a $50,000 internal theft Why understanding your numbers creates stronger leadership The importance of financial oversight and checks and balances How to identify subscription leaks and hidden expenses Practical ways to have healthy money conversations with your spouse Teaching kids financial responsibility in an instant-gratification world The power of mastermind communities and proximity to high-level entrepreneurs Why in-person networking and speaking opportunities matter more than ever How Rehana is helping teens become entrepreneurs through action-based education The leadership responsibilities that should never be delegated Connect with Rehana Mohamed https://www.instagram.com/rehanaexplainsitall/ How To Get Involved: Life-Changing Money is a podcast all about money. We share stories of how money has impacted and radically changed the lives of others—and how it can do the same for you. Your host, Barbara Schreihans (pronounced ShREE-hands) is the founder and CEO of Your Tax Coach, and the creator of the Write Off Your Life Course. She is a top tax strategist, business coach, and expert in helping business owners and high-net-worth individuals save millions in taxes while increasing profits. When she's not leading her team, coaching clients, or dreaming up new goals for her company, you can find her drinking coffee, hanging out with her family, and traveling the world. Grab a cup of coffee and become inspired as we hear from those who have overcome and are overcoming their self-limiting beliefs and money mindsets! Do you have a burning question that you'd love to hear answered on a future show? Please email it to: podcast@yourtaxcoach.biz Sign Up For Our Newsletter Life Changing Money Podcast Get Tax Help!

In this episode, Brent Berger, CFO, NXT Ascent, shares insights on why cash flow matters more than revenue alone, how CFOs can drive operational value beyond financial reporting, and the growing role of AI in helping businesses make faster, smarter decisions.

The clean energy transition had real momentum at the end of 2024. It was buoyed by federal support, billions of dollars of investment in new technologies, and broad acknowledgment of the costs of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. But major roadblocks have emerged over the past 18 months. US support for some forms of clean energy was revoked. And rising energy costs, due in part to an urgent call for data center build-out, have made affordability a priority for many stakeholders. The challenge is truly daunting. Despite significant clean energy investments, some 80 percent of the world's energy is still derived from fossil fuels. Tariffs and supply disruptions have made clean energy infrastructure harder to build. So what does all of this mean for the speed and scale of the energy transition? How are businesses navigating so much instability when billions of dollars and decades-long infrastructure commitments are at stake? And what does this all say about whether the global energy system can ever be clean, accessible, and affordable? Today on the show, Bill Loveless speaks with Jessica Uhl about the challenges of and opportunities for making energy abundant, accessible, and clean.  Jessica has held senior leadership roles in upstream oil and gas, renewables, and power technology, including serving as CFO of Shell and later as president of GE Vernova. Jessica is now a senior advisor with the Three Cairns Group, an investment and philanthropic firm focused on the climate crisis. She also serves on a number of boards, including the executive and advisory boards at the Center on Global Energy Policy.  Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

There are three big ways profit can distort reality: inaccurate revenue tracking, blended service margins, and poor cash flow visibility. Understanding these numbers helps you make better financial decisions as your practice grows.  In my conversation with Jared Rohrer on his podcast The Patient Magnet, we get into why a positive net profit on your financial reports doesn't always mean your business is financially healthy—and why relying too heavily on that number can lead to costly decisions.  Why Reported Profit Often Tells an Incomplete Story  Profit only tells part of the story. If your revenue tracking is off or your liabilities aren't being accounted for properly, your financial reports can create a false sense of confidence.  Track revenue based on when services are actually delivered—not simply when cash is collected. With beauty bank memberships, gift cards, and prepaid monthly subscriptions, upfront cash can look like strong recurring revenue when it's really future liability sitting on your balance sheet.  This is how practices end up looking profitable on paper while carrying obligations that weaken cash flow and quietly reduce long-term business value.  The Financial Metrics That Reveal What Profit Can't  Looking beyond reported profit means tracking the operational metrics that show where profitability is actually being created.  • Track accrual-based revenue separately from collected cash • Analyze service margins by category • Monitor provider utilization and revenue per hour • Measure revenue per square foot • Review membership redemption and liability exposure • Track cash flow independently from net profit  These metrics make it easier to identify loss leaders, evaluate Botox margins against higher-margin laser treatments, and make stronger pricing decisions.  Financial Visibility Requires Operational Ownership  Financial reports should be operational tools—not numbers you avoid until there's a problem.   Simple financial forecasting gives you visibility into cash flow, debt management, operating expenses, inventory needs, and upcoming obligations. That clarity helps you make decisions proactively instead of reactively.  Financial Accuracy Becomes a Scaling Requirement As You Expand  The larger your med spa becomes, the more expensive financial blind spots become. Misreading revenue, overlooking margin compression, or misunderstanding membership liabilities can quietly limit growth long before it becomes obvious on your financial reports.  Med spas that scale well build financial discipline into their operations early. When you understand your numbers clearly, you create stronger systems for pricing, forecasting, membership strategy, and long-term growth.  Follow Shannon & Keep What You Earn:   Shannon Weinstein is the founder of a fractional CFO firm specializing in helping 7-figure aesthetics and wellness practices scale with clarity, cash flow, and confidence.  Shannon is committed to helping med spa owners understand, fix, and maximize their business's enterprise value, offering actionable advice and resources, including a popular free video series specifically for aesthetics practice owners.   Fractional CFO Services and Executive Financial Review: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/  Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein  Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepWhatYouEarn  Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1580071347  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/  The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not individualized financial advice. Aesthetics practice owners should consult a qualified professional before implementing financial strategies discussed here.  About Jared Rohrer:   Jared Rohrer is a marketing strategist, speaker, educator specializing in aesthetic medicine, and the host of The Patient Magnet. After years working inside a large cosmetic dermatology practice, he built his agency to help aesthetic business owners navigate digital marketing with greater clarity, trust, and strategic direction. Through his podcast, workshops, and industry speaking engagements, he's known for breaking down complex marketing and business concepts into practical frameworks that support sustainable growth for practices across the aesthetics space.  Connect with Jared and The Patient Magnet:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yWEATpOGoMVLKqbwhlmRm?si=59c8262a9be54d16&nd=1&dlsi=b97b8bbec9a141b2  Website: https://www.jaredrohrer.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaredroars  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaredroars  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaredroars  Email: me@jaredrohrer.com   

Carl Quintanilla and Jim Cramer led off the show with the tech sector bouncing back from Friday's sell-off for a second straight day. Hear what Jim said about the chip sector rebound. The anchors discussed OpenAI confidentially filing for an IPO after last week's Anthropic filing to go public — and SpaceX slated for its Wall Street debut on Friday. Also in focus: SpaceX's CFO on data centers in space, market reaction to Apple unveiling "Siri AI" at WWDC, GSK buys a cancer drug maker in a $10.6 billion deal, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang makes his presence felt in South Korea — and dances.   Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.