POPULARITY
Melissa Houston is the founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast. She's a licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and a Financial Strategist for CEOs, and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue, so that they keep more money in their pocket while increasing their personal wealth. In this episode, Melissa shares that it's common for people to have money stories that hold them back, and if you're not able to release them, they will control you. She discusses the importance of downside protection and recession-resistant asset classes, as well as how to forge strong relationships with operating partners and investors. To learn more about Melissa's work, listeners can visit her podcast at her website! [00:01 - 04:17] Opening Segment Melissa shares how her story to remind people that your mistakes don't define you, and as humans, we all make mistakes and can recover from them She talks about her experience with financial infidelity [04:38 - 20:12] Identifying Issues To Overcome Financial Infidelity Melissa shares her story of how she became overwhelmed with debt She found relief by seeking out professional help and learning about her money story She shares that everyone has a “money story”, and it is important to learn how to release these stories in order to live a life that is truly fulfilling It is important to identify the real issue and get help from a professional She shares the common issue that business owners which are: Overwhelm Fear of looking at their numbers [20:13 - 23:34] Closing Segment Melissa shares to focus and mindset and coaching help business owners overcome these obstacles and reach their financial goals Melissa shares where you can get in contact with her (links below) Quote/s: “It's really important to me to help business owners understand how important it is to create profit in their business and how they can increase their profit margins so that they keep more money for themselves and they can build their own net worth.” – Melissa Houston You can connect with Melissa through her: Website: Melissa Houston Instagram: Melissa Houston LinkedIn: Melissa Houston Facebook: Melissa Houston WANT TO LEARN MORE? Connect with me through LinkedIn Or send me an email at sujata@luxe-cap.com Visit my website www.luxe-cap.com or my YouTube channel Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!
Although accounting may not seem like the most exciting part of running a business, if you properly understand your finances and take the time to put a financial plan in place, you will be doing yourself an enormous favor. Tune in today to hear Melissa Houston's take on the importance of overcoming your financial fears and taking control of your finances as an entrepreneur! About Melissa Houston:As the founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, Melissa's ultimate goal is to help business owners understand their businesses' financial side so they can create more profit and live financially secure lives. She is also the host of the She Means Profit podcast and a columnist for large publications, including Forbes. Episode highlights: Most people don't think of accounting as something that is going to generate revenue, but 82% of businesses fail due to financial mismanagement. To ensure that you don't become part of this statistic, optimize profit as early as possible by putting sustainable financial management systems in place. (04:53) Fear and overwhelm are common emotions that people experience when it comes to looking at their finances. But when you take the emotion out of it, you will unlock the ability to use your money as a tool to your advantage. Your financial information should never be a source of shame. It is just data; treat it as such. (12:20) As a business leader, every decision you make has consequences for your bottom line. Knowing your numbers will increase your confidence and ability to make decisions that positively impact your company. (15:10) If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, get clients in the door! There's no secret to it and no tricks that will get you there faster. Overnight success is a myth; it takes hard work to achieve big goals (15:46) “Finance is the backbone of a business.” You'll be lost if you don't understand how your business works from a financial standpoint. Success lies in understanding the numbers, so it's time to get learning! (20:06) Melissa's best advice for entrepreneurs:“If you take the emotion out of [your financial information] and you look at it as data, it becomes less fearsome, and you can use the data to your advantage.” (14:20) Connect with Melissa: LinkedIn Twitter Website Follow Beyond 8 Figures: LinkedIn Twitter Website
Here's how Melissa teaches business owners how to create wealth through their businesses.Melissa is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who has over 20 years of work experience.She is also the Founder of The Fractional CFO Agency where she works with Small to Medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as a Fractional CFO and the senior-level finance person in their business to ensure financial and business strategies are in place and that progress is being made. She monitors KPIs regularly, manages cash, provides audit support and many other finance functions.In the past, she has worked with business owners and project managers in high-tech industries, public accounting and government. She has extensive experience with corporate accounting, financial planning, SRED work, Internal Controls and ITGCs.Melissa is a columnist at Forbes.com, Entrepreneur and other large publications where Melissa shares her knowledge of personal and business finance with entrepreneurs. Her passion is helping entrepreneurs and business owners how vital it is as the CEO of their business to understand their business numbers.Melissa is also the host of The Business Society™️ podcast.She is a Financial Strategist for CEOs which helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without increasing sales, so they can put more cash in their pocket. In addition to offering Fractional CFO work, She also offer 1:1 coaching services and sell online digital courses.KEY QUESTIONS:Virginia 01:02 Have you always wanted to be a chartered accountant? Have you always been out on your own?Virginia 02:35 Does it matter where that company is located? Virginia 03:05 how do you get out in front of clients now?Virginia 05:25 Are there any common mistakes that you tend to see your clients making?Virginia 07:54 What are some of your big goals for the next one to two years? Virginia 10:13 Do you find what's the number one roadblock that you feel is holding you?Virginia 11:21 Do you find that you do a lot of self-reflection?Virginia 12:11 What were some tips, tricks and stuff that you did to help reset your mindset and stuff when it came around the debt and the wealth and wanting to wealth?Virginia 20:20 Do you have any tips for helping us be able to optimize our profit margin?Virginia 21:32 What's the best advice that you have ever received? Learn more from the source!Check these out to learn more about Melissa Houston: Website: www.melissahoustoncpa.comWebsite : www.thefractionalcfoagency.comWebsite : www.thebusinesssociety.coLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpaVirginia Purnellhttp://facebook.com/distinctdmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiapurnell/ Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility SpecialistDistinct Digital Marketing(833) 762-5336virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.comwww.distinctdigitalmarketing.comBook a Free Call http://bit.ly/DDMBookACallECTune in to gain insights from the experiences of fellow entrepreneurs and learn more about setting your business up for success!
“I don't want you to be an accountant, but I do want you to understand what's going on in your business finances so that you make profitable decisions for your business.”— Melissa Houston82% of businesses fail due to financial mismanagement. It's a scary statistic, and the best thing that you can do to protect yourself and your business is to track, know, and understand your numbers — and use that information to make profitable business decisions geared toward helping you reach your goals.This is going to be my last podcast episode for a few months, as I focus on working with my clients and writing my book, so I want to leave you with some practical, actionable advice that you can implement during my hiatus.In this episode, I share my top 5 tips to help you set up your business for success and make more profitable decisions. Press play to get the inside scoop on how to analyze your profit margins, use your monthly numbers to correct issues or capitalize on successes, and keep your cash flowing!In this episode, you'll discover: Why your profit is directly tied to how well you understand your business finances How your money mindset blocks impact the way that you run your business — and the way that you interact with money generally Why you're officially allowed to dream BIG (and I highly encourage you to do so!) Highlights: 01:04 Intro & upcoming break04:12 Know your business numbers05:38 Know your relationship with money07:58 Have a financial plan10:31 Monitor your cash flow12:37 Enjoy the journey13:18 Learn from your mistakes Links: The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“Money seems to be that final taboo topic out there… You don't really have to talk about dollars and cents, but you have to talk about money.”— Cammie DoderDoes talking about money make you feel a little uncomfortable, ashamed, or confused? You're not alone. Money can be one of the most difficult and emotional topics… but it shouldn't be that way.We ALL need to be better at understanding and talking about money!Aspiriant is a wealth management firm that provides a client experience based on care, clarity, and continuity. In this episode, I speak with its Chief Client Officer Sandi Bragar and Chief Marketing Officer Cammie Doder. These women not only empower their clients with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions, they also share it through their podcast, Money Tale$, which gives voice to this taboo through the telling of personal stories.You'd better believe that I'm a listener!Episode by episode, Sandi and Cammie fulfil their mission to help their listeners understand what's going on — not only with their bank balances, but with their money mindsets. In this conversation, we dig deep into why it's SO important to understand your finances, both business and personal, and how to redefine your relationship with money for the better!In this episode, you'll discover:How to choose the people who belong on your finance teamWhy you need to understand your money, even when working with finance professionalsWhy you should stay curious about your finances — there is always something new to learn!About Sandi Bragar & Cammie Doder: Aspiriant is a forward-thinking wealth management firm. Chief Client Officer Sandi Bragar and Chief Marketing Officer Cammie Doder are passionate about empowering cclients by helping them navigate the murky waters of the industry and make informed decisions about their financial lives.Highlights:01:04 Intro01:43 Meet Cammie Doder & Sandi Bragar03:14 Client relationships with money05:16 Talk about money06:39 Money & shame09:23 Redefine your relationship 10:50 Build your team12:51 Don't check out of your finances15:39 Always be learning17:31 Never Split the Difference20:16 TakeawaysLinks:Sandi Bragar & Cammie Doderhttps://aspiriant.com/podcastshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandi-bragar-a4465035https://www.linkedin.com/in/cammiedoderpodcasts@aspiriant.comTwitter: @sandibragar, @cdoderNever Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Razhttps://www.amazon.ca/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meFollow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacgaand visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“Great trademarks are just worth more. There are a number of different ways in which they will either save your business money or result in a higher valuation at the end of the day.”— Cynthia MasonCaution: some of your most valuable business assets may be unprotected and at risk right now.I'm talking about your trademarks.While many business owners pay a lot of money to develop these assets, far fewer of them actually take steps to legally safeguard them. Registering your trademarks offers a range of benefits for your business, including nationwide protection and ownership, access to legal claims, and the ability to enforce your rights online. My guest Cynthia Mason is a Canadian lawyer and Trademark Agent who is passionate about helping businesses — from start-ups to multinationals — own and protect their brands, including guarding their trademarks from theft and misuse. Cynthia's firm deals exclusively in trademark protection, and she's even developed an innovative online platform, Markably, that makes it easier than ever to register your name, logo, and tagline!Press play now to learn how having great trademarks can contribute to your profitability — and the exact steps you need to take in order to get yourself protected.In this episode, you'll discover: The aspects of your business that you should protect through trademark registration — and whether you should trademark internationallyWhich databases to use when researching your trademarks — and the difference between a business name and a trademarkThe types of business names to avoid using in order to minimize the costs of battling infringements — and the types of names that can boost your revenueAbout Cynthia Mason: Cynthia Mason is a Canadian lawyer and Trademark Agent who specializes in helping businesses protect their most valuable business assets — their trademarks. Highlights:01:44 Meet Cynthia Mason03:17 Benefits of trademark registration06:31 When you should register09:38 Trademark registration databases10:42 Business name v. trademark12:19 ‘Entrepreneur v. Entrepreneur on Fire' case14:34 Should you register internationally?16:29 Financial benefits of great trademarks20:50 Exit strategy & trademarks23:54 Takeaway Links:Cynthia Masonhttps://masonpc.comhttps://markably.cahttps://ca.linkedin.com/in/masonpcTwitter: @CMasonPCCanadian Trademarks Databasehttps://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srchUSPTO Trademarks Databasehttps://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration?Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacgaand visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“The thing about people being on a team is they are looking to be led. They want to be led. They actually want to be challenged. They also want to feel they have purpose.”— Megan HuberOf all the hats you wear in your business, do you find the ‘Leader' hat to be the least comfortable?For women who aren't entering entrepreneurship with a corporate leadership background, finding themselves as the head of a team can be challenging… even if that team is just two or three people! My guest Megan Huber transforms hustling women entrepreneurs into successful leaders and CEOs through a strategic approach based on simplicity, mastery, fundamentals, timeless business principles, and living a soul-first life.“What tends to come to the surface — especially in women — when it comes to that leadership role is they have a lot of fears and a lot of insecurities that bubble to the surface,” Megan says. “They kind of have this fear of making other people uncomfortable, or they think they're going to make other people uncomfortable if they hold them to a higher standard.”This episode is designed to help you think more deeply about your own strengths and weaknesses… press play now for some amazing insights!In this episode, you'll discover: The top leadership skills that Megan helps women entrepreneurs develop Real-life examples of some of the most common issues that women business owners face — and how Megan helps her clients overcome themHow Megan worked through the leadership challenges that manifested while she was building her own businessAbout Megan Huber: Megan Huber is a business and life growth strategist empowering high-performing, 6-figure service-based business owners to transition from hustling entrepreneurs to 7-figure leaders and CEOs. Highlights:01:41 Meet Megan Huber03:28 Good leadership06:49 Teams & autonomy08:26 Client example: insecurity & communication12:08 Client solution: taking action14:28 Megan's leadership challenges18:00 Our common thread as entrepreneurs22:37 Takeaway Links: Megan Huberhttps://meganjohnsonhuber.com https://meganjohnsonhuber.com/podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-huber-88001418info@structuredfreedom.comText #INSPO to (818) 483-4609Instagram: @meganjhuber The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Melissa Houston is founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast. A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep more money in their pocket while increasing their personal wealth. CONNECT WITH Melissa Houston Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa/ Website: www.melissahoustoncpa.com CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: www.lead2greatness.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedric_francis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-francis-a0544037/ Disclosure: Links contain affiliates. When you buy through one of our links we will receive a commission. This is at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Lead to Greatness and allowing us to continue to bring you valuable content. Promo: Try Audible Premium Plus and Get up to two free audiobooks: https://amzn.to/3as87Aw Recording Equipment Mic - https://amzn.to/3dHeSAi Road Castor Pro - https://amzn.to/3aujvvS Headset - https://amzn.to/2QM2O8a Mic Cable - https://amzn.to/3dJ9Wec USB Cable (Mac Book Only) - https://amzn.to/2PbAPy2 USB Cable (Windows Only) - https://amzn.to/3sK5K2h Cable Compatible with Bose Brands - https://amzn.to/32BpN8j Camera - https://amzn.to/3ncI7Oz Mini Switcher - https://amzn.to/3dJGiWy Micro HDMI Cable - https://amzn.to/3tISvQK High Speed HDMI to HDMI Cable - https://amzn.to/3v3NfaG
This is a conversation that everyone will be able to relate to. Roger and Melissa keep it professional but will also make this personal. We each have destructive stigmas that we deal with that hold us back, especially when it comes to money. In fact, everyone has a unique money story. As accounting professionals are we inspiring and empowering our clients to be financially successful? It's not enough that we provide, we also need to be willing to teach business owners, CEO's their numbers in business so they can create more profit in their business. Ask yourself this, what are the similarities that exist between therapy and coaching? They'll also discuss how we can and should go ALL IN with our company and work ON our business. Oh, and they'll also discuss money “mismanagement” and the hole that it can become. Just because we're accountants doesn't necessarily mean we are perfect, great, or even good with our own money management, or should it? Have you at times felt like you are living with the imposter syndrome as an accountant? Sit back and enjoy this next conversation. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Guest Name: Melissa Houston Melissa Houston is the founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast. A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep more money in their pocket while increasing their personal wealth. Melissa's seen the bottom and climbed her way back up, she personally and financially bounced back from concealing $100k in personal debt from her husband. She shares her story to remind people that your mistakes don't define you, and as humans, we all make mistakes and can recover from them. Now she uses that to teach entrepreneurs to become financially literate in order to create profit in their businesses. She has over 20 years of business experience with large and small corporations, government, and not-for-profit industries while specializing in Internal Controls, corporate accounting, budgets, financial reporting, corporate & personal tax, audit, and SR&ED. Melissa enjoys helping business owners build their businesses by increasing their financial management skills. Your numbers are telling you a story – make sure you are listening to it. Melissa's passion is helping business owners go from 6-figure to 7-figure businesses and achieve their personal financial dreams. When Melissa isn't helping entrepreneurs become better CEO's of their business, she can be found at the cottage with her husband Jamie, two teen children, and three dogs. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant's library to provide to have the premier accounting business today: “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant's guide to QUICK turnarounds” – the how-to-guide e-book for accounting professionals “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – e-book Profit First – the transformative process to apply in business to make profit deliberate and intention As was mentioned in the episode, we are and should become for our clients their strategic trusted advisor. We refer to this as becoming their Profit & Growth Expert following the processes outlined in the Universal Business Builder engagement. This is a great addition to your firm's offer, an additional revenue stream, and a client retention service. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don't want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801.265.3777
“Most business owners think they'll just shut down the business without considering the value that they've accumulated in their business. Think about all the sweat equity that you've put into your business. Why wouldn't you want to sell it and make some money off it?”— Melissa HoustonHow much thought have you put into your exit strategy?While you may love serving your customers and growing your business right now, it's important to keep the future in mind. When you eventually retire or move onto an exciting new chapter, you'll want to maximize the profit you make from selling your business — and optimizing your business for sale starts long before you start looking for a buyer!Your business is a financial asset that you own, and the choices that you make today can help you optimize your return when you do decide to sell it.In this solo episode, I'll teach you the simple steps that you can start taking TODAY that will help you position your business to attract well-funded buyers, what potential buyers will look for in your business before they seriously consider it, and how to sell a personal brand that's based on your name and talents. In this episode, you'll discover: How to prepare and maintain your business finances — and why your debt ratios are so crucial The key risk management models that you should have in place for your businessThe specialists that you should consider working with to prepare you for your exitOne more thing…I've been working toward a very big and specific goal for a while now, and I'm happy to say that I have some wonderful news to announce: I have a book deal!!As my clients and listeners know, I've always been passionate about teaching business owners how to optimize the profit in their business and build wealth — and Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Running a Profitable Business will be available for purchase sometime in 2023! Highlights: 01:04 Big announcement!03:30 Listener review spotlight04:52 The Business Society Facebook Community05:21 Your exit strategy07:18 Your business finances 08:15 Debt ratios08:54 Cash flow 09:33 Risk management models10:58 Expert valuations11:42 Know your numbers13:02 Get good at telling your brand story14:31 Negotiate until you're uncomfortable16:50 Good management18:22 Customer satisfaction & retention19:12 Selling a personal brand20:00 Marketing & IP21:21 Maximize your profit! Links: The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapThe Business Society Facebook Community: https://facebook.com/groups/2492571604329032 Work with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
On this week of Top 3, Marcia is joined by Melissa Houston CPA, Founder of The Fractional CFO Agency. With over 20 years of industry experience, Melissa changed her path and started her company in January 2020 to help successful business owners increase their profit margins without increasing sales.
“As entrepreneurs, we are constantly pushing our own limiting beliefs, we're constantly pushing ourselves to be visible… this can lead to a lot of stress, not just in our cognitive mind, but into our subconcious mind and into our body and into our nervous system.”— Elisabeth KristofAs entrepreneurs, we often deal with higher levels of stress, so having our brains work FOR us and not AGAINST us is crucial! Your brain's job is to ensure your survival, but when it feels that you're unsafe or stressed, it can make the problem worse by triggering headaches, insomnia, or unhealthy cravings — not exactly helpful! Often, our brains even try to “protect” us through leading us to self-sabotage.My guest Elisabeth Kristof is a certified applied neurology practitioner who works with entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders to improve resilience, manage stress, and regulate emotions through intentional, science-based, brain training.“Our nervous system is our operating system, and when we learn to work with it, we can change all of our life experiences, we can change our behaviours,” Elisabeth explains. “Pain, dizziness, nausea, migraine, fatigue, binge-eating, insomnia — these are all nervous system outputs and, by training our nervous system, we can create real change in those outputs.”By training your brain to better deal with stress and stimuli, you train it to become a more valuable member of your team as you grow your business!In this episode, you'll discover: Why it's important for entrepreneurs to learn how to train their nervous systems How to combat your brain's attempts to trick you into self-sabotaging and develop healthy new tools for emotional regulationTips for dealing with stress or anxiety related to your financesAbout Elisabeth Kristof: Elisabeth Kristof is an expert in using applied neurology to move people out of pain, unwanted behaviour, and stress response. She is the founder of Brain-Based Wellness, an online platform that trains the nervous system and body to resolve old patterns, improve performance, and increase well-being. Highlights: 01:04 Intro02:04 Meet Elisabeth Kristof03:28 Why train your nervous system?07:18 Mechanisms behind self-sabotage10:24 Start small & don't be overwhelmed!12:03 Free video series13:35 Dealing with financial stress19:41 Working with Elisabeth22:45 Takeaway Links: Elisabeth Kristofhttps://brainbased-wellness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-kristof-0859612 Instagram: @elkristof The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Melissa is a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast.A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs, and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep moremoney in their pocket while increasing their wealth.Melissa's seen the bottom and climbed her way back up; she personally and financially bounced back from concealing $100k in personal debt from her husband. She shares her story to remind people that your mistakes don't define you, and as humans, we all make mistakes and can recover from them. Now she uses that to teach entrepreneurs to become financially literate in order to create profit in their businesses. She has over20 years of business experience with large and small corporations, government, and not-for-profit industries while specializing in Internal Controls, corporate accounting, budgets, financial reporting, corporate &personal tax, audit, and SR&ED. Melissa enjoys helping business owners build their businesses by increasing their financial management skills. Your numbers are telling you a story – make sure you are listening to it.Melissa's passion is helping business owners go from 6-figure to 7-figure businesses and achieving their personal financial dreams.When Melissa isn't helping entrepreneurs become better CEO's of their business, she can be found at the cottage with her husband Jamie, two teen children, and two dogs.Learn More: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/Influential Influencers with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-melissa-houston-founder-of-the-fractional-cfo-agency
Melissa is a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast.A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs, and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep moremoney in their pocket while increasing their wealth.Melissa's seen the bottom and climbed her way back up; she personally and financially bounced back from concealing $100k in personal debt from her husband. She shares her story to remind people that your mistakes don't define you, and as humans, we all make mistakes and can recover from them. Now she uses that to teach entrepreneurs to become financially literate in order to create profit in their businesses. She has over20 years of business experience with large and small corporations, government, and not-for-profit industries while specializing in Internal Controls, corporate accounting, budgets, financial reporting, corporate &personal tax, audit, and SR&ED. Melissa enjoys helping business owners build their businesses by increasing their financial management skills. Your numbers are telling you a story – make sure you are listening to it.Melissa's passion is helping business owners go from 6-figure to 7-figure businesses and achieving their personal financial dreams.When Melissa isn't helping entrepreneurs become better CEO's of their business, she can be found at the cottage with her husband Jamie, two teen children, and two dogs.Learn More: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/Influential Influencers with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-melissa-houston-founder-of-the-fractional-cfo-agency
“If you believe that you're a bad spouse, then you're going to be a bad spouse. If you believe that you're bad with money, you're just going to happen to spend that extra amount that you have that could have gone into savings. ”— Billy Hofacker11 years ago, personal trainer Billy Hofacker opened his front door to find his car being repossessed. While he was doing amazing work helping other people achieve their fitness goals, he was struggling with his financial health… and was $130,000 in debt.Within just five years, he had paid back every last penny!Now, Billy is a black belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu AND in fitness finance. Billy is the owner and CEO of Total Body Boot Camp and Performance Center, with two facilities operating in Long Island, New York. He also helps fitness professionals build their financial muscles through his Your Fitness Money Coach podcast and program.Tune in to learn how Billy turned his repossession into a financial turning point, why it's important to settle for taking “messy” actions, and his #1 piece of advice for people dealing with financial challenges.In this episode, you'll discover: The small, day-to-day decisions that can dramatically increase debt over timeThe big lesson that Billy learned through his debt and repayment journey — and how mindset helped him shift his behaviour The psychological effects of debt and simple techniques for overcoming themAbout Billy Hofacker: Billy Hofacker is the owner and CEO of Total Body Boot Camp and Performance Center, a personal trainer for 20+ years, the author of Fitness Profits: A Simple Plan for Achieving Financial Freedom, and the host of the Your Fitness Money Coach Podcast. Highlights: 01:03 Intro02:04 Meet Billy Hofacker04:46 Billy's finance journey08:31 The Big lesson11:19 Small decisions that lead to debt13:20 Psychological effects & coping techniques17:26 Top advice20:48 Takeaway Links: Billy Hofackerhttps://yourfitnessmoneycoach.com https://www.facebook.com/billyhofacker https://open.spotify.com/show/0gUKZq0q3ktn9wc4zEVswF https://www.amazon.com/Fitness-Profits-Achieving-Financial-Freedom/dp/B098PGK2TC Instagram: @billyhofacker The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“If you cannot demonstrate and show (not tell) the client that you're an expert in the problem that they're having, then they might like what you have, they might be interested in it… but they really can't buy until they believe YOU'RE an expert.”— Oren KlaffIn the wake of The Great Resignation, small business ownership has jumped dramatically… despite the failure rate of new businesses holding steady at 70%.What can new entrepreneurs do to shift the odds to their favour?Learning how to sell is absolutely essential — learning how to sell your products and services, and how to sell your business concept and potential to would-be investors. My guest Oren Klaff is one of the world's leading experts on sales, raising capital, and negotiation. As a bestselling author, Oren helps business owners throw out the old playbook on persuasion, flip the script, and learn how to pitch anything!Press play to learn why the sales methods of the ‘80s and ‘90s are dead and gone, and how to sell successfully and ethically to the savvy customers of our modern era!In this episode, you'll discover: How to shift your sales mindset and recognize the power you hold as a seller What you should be getting from a prospect BEFORE you send a proposalHow to expertly hone your pitch beyond simply listing features and benefits About Oren Klaff: Oren Klaff is a business expert, host of The Dealmaker Show podcast, and bestselling author of Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal and Flip the Script: Getting People to Think Your Idea is Their Idea. Highlights:01:04 Intro02:03 Meet Oren Klaff03:28 The Baby Turtle model05:10 Power of the seller07:33 Need for expertise and/or status11:18 “Winter is coming” approach & examples13:57 Reverse the prize17:45 Audit example20:36 Upgrade your proposal process24:35 Establish your power as a small businesses27:18 Takeaway28:41 The trial close Links: Oren Klaffhttps://orenklaff.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenklaff Instagram: @orenklaff The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“When you live to work, that's where you get burned out. To reverse that, you've got to work to live — that's really where the burnout recovery strategies come in.”— Dr. Sharon GrossmanHave you ever struggled with burnout?Statistically, two-thirds of workers will end up burning out at some point in their career — and the pandemic has created even more stress, anxiety, and mental health issues for many of us.My guest, success coach Dr. Sharon Grossman, is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping her high-achieving clients go from fried and frazzled to energized and exhilarated!“When you manage your mind, and you're no longer stuck in those limiting beliefs and self sabotage, then you lighten your load,” Sharon explains, “because our thoughts are these heavy things that we carry around… people who are burned out aren't just burned out, they're experiencing overwhelm and anxiety and depression.”Burnout can manifest in a number of different ways — but no matter which form it takes, it can have major consequences for your productivity and mental health.Listen now to learn how to reduce your chances of experiencing burnout — and what to do if you fall victim to it.In this episode, you'll discover: What causes burnout — and why high achievers are so prone to it 2 symptoms that will help you recognize when you are on the verge of burnout The different ways that burnout can manifest itself — and how to decode yoursAbout Dr. Sharon Grossman: Dr. Sharon Grossman is a success coach and the author of The 7E Solution to Burnout: Transforming High Achievers from Exhausted to Extraordinary. She holds a doctorate degree in Psychology, has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and 20 years of experience helping her clients take back control of their lives. Highlights: 01:05 Intro01:36 Meet Dr. Sharon Grossman02:27 Why burnout? 04:35 The 7E Solution06:23 What is burnout & how do you recognize it?10:17 Burnout should be a wakeup call12:12 Warning signs & manifestations14:21 Decoding your burnout19:32 Deflecting burnout through activities22:56 Takeaway Links: Dr. Sharon Grossmanhttps://drsharongrossman.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongrossman Facebook Group:-The High Achiever's Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/449620683125184Burnout Quiz: http://drsharongrossman.com/The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“You should really understand how you're setting yourself up for the future, in terms of your financial health. Any time you're looking at your life, your career, your objectives — financial health should be one of them.”— Zoë BarryYou may know about the birds and the bees… but what about the bulls and the bears?While the stock market has leapt up 330% in the past 12 years, the vast majority of people have completely missed out. Many intelligent people have never purchased stocks before, because they feel intimidated by the market or just lack knowledge about how it all works.My guest would love to change that!Zoë Barry, founder and CEO of tech start-up Zingeroo, is an angel investor who has helped fund over 40 businesses led by women and underrepresented founders and one of the few women in the US to launch a brokerage retail trading platform. Zoë's expertise spans not only playing the stock market intelligently, but also working as a female entrepreneur in the fintech industry. From the challenge of building rapport and identification with male investors to exactly what happens when you sign up for a retail trading platform, this episode explores the experience of women in finance — and how to increase your wealth and success!In this episode, you'll discover: Why women entrepreneurs have a better chance of receiving investment from male investors with daughters Zoë's best advice for women seeking to launch businesses in the fintech industry How Zoë has created a positive work culture with a workforce that is 50% remote About Zoë Barry: Zoë Barry is a serial entrepreneur, a mentor in residence at Techstars, and an angel investor. Currently, Zoë is the founder and CEO of Zingeroo, her second venture-backed tech startup. The company is currently operating in stealth mode and has raised $3 million to date. Zingeroo was founded in 2019 and its team is 50% female. Highlights:01:05 Intro02:39 Meet Zoë Barry05:07 Launching a trading platform06:58 Women in fintech08:45 Zoë's mentors & investors11:09 Biggest challenges13:27 Brick-and-mortar v. distributed14:18 Advice for women launching in fintech16:00 Joining a retail trading platform19:05 Gender breakdown20:11 Talking about money24:07 Takeaway Links: Zoë Barryhttps://www.zoebarryceo.com https://zingeroo.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoebarry Twitter: @ZoeBarryCEO Instagram: @zoebarryceo The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“Your business is your biggest financial asset, and you need to be sure that you are protecting it.”— Melissa HoustonIs your business protected against fraud or data security risks… from the inside?This solo episode of the Business Society Podcast is all about implementing internal controls in your business and lessening the risk that your assets and information could be misused.If you're wondering what internal controls are — and why having them will benefit your small- or medium-sized business — then you've come to the right place!Internal controls are protective practices that you can build directly into your processes. They're a vital part of your business, no matter whether you're operating out of a brick-and-mortar shop or exclusively online. As you scale your business, you'll inevitably need to grow your team — and as your team grows, so do your risks.Internal controls help you to protect your business against financial asset threats, financial fraud (including skimming, financial statement fraud, payment tampering, and billing fraud), IT risks, data security risks, and more.When business owners step away from the financial systems in their business, their absence increases their risk of fraud committed by their own employees. While no one likes to believe that their team is a risk, implementing internal controls lets you run your business with more confidence and security! In this episode, you'll discover: The top 3 primary control weaknesses that contribute to incidents of fraud 5 tips to help you protect your business from internal risksThe aspects of your business that you should be monitoring regularly Highlights:01:04 Happy Valentine's Day!02:16 Intro03:08 Listener shout-out05:09 What are internal controls?06:25 The risks you may be facing09:53 What are internal controls?11:12 Checks & balances12:04 IT general controls13:26 Review your numbers regularly14:04 Dane Cook story15:28 Physical controls over tangible assets16:47 Outro Links: The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“I like to counsel people about how to build a business that they would be able to sell someday… by being saleable, that means it actually has some market value to a third party.”— Erin AustinIf you don't have an exit strategy for your service-based business, you'll definitely want to listen to this episode!My guest, Erin Austin, is an experienced lawyer and the founder of the consulting firm Think Beyond IP, which provides asset-building consulting for B2B, service-based businesses.Erin helps owners prepare for their most optimal and lucrative exit, through using her special talents to identify and protect those hidden and overlooked assets in expertise-based businesses that can be leveraged for maximum value.Yes, a service-based business can have powerful and valuable assets — they just happen to be intellectual, rather than physical!“We don't think of our businesses, when we are service providers or experts, as being an asset-driven business,” Erin explains. “We think of it as being kind of a service... and I like to change the conversation, to make sure people understand you really DO have assets in your business, but the only way for them to have value is to make sure that you're identifying them, and protecting them, and leveraging them appropriately.” Intellectual property goes beyond just trademarks and patents. Your intellectual property can include your insights, your internal processes, and even your mailing list. Listen now to discover the hidden value in your business — so that you can maximize your exit when you're ready to move on to your next chapter!In this episode, you'll discover: The assets that you may already have in your business which are ripe for leveraging How to protect a range of assets from internal and external threatsWhat goes into selling a business that operates under your nameAbout Erin Austin: Erin Austin is a consultant and lawyer who combines her 25+ years of practicing law — including roles as COO and General Counsel at IP-driven companies — to help the founders of expertise-based firms build and protect saleable assets so that the business is ready to sell when the founder is ready to exit. Highlights: 01:04 Intro02:15 Meet Erin Austin03:41 Potential assets06:05 Protecting assets07:04 Trademark10:03 Copyright11:58 Patents & trade secrets14:23 Sellable v. saleable16:40 Operating under your name20:18 Building with leverage23:04 Takeaway Links: Erin Austinhttps://www.thinkbeyondip.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin Twitter: @ErinAustinLaw The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“As a business owner, I encourage you to dream big.”— Melissa HoustonWomen tend to think small when it comes to business, even though they're just as capable and able to attain wealth as their male counterparts! As a business coach and fractional CFO, I hear far too many women set revenue goals that only cover their current living expenses, rather setting goals that allow them to create their dream lives and build wealth.There is nothing wrong with wanting more money.Your business is your largest and most important financial asset. If you're a female founder, you are in control of the amount of wealth that you earn and whether or not you achieve your financial goals. I want you to dream big and I want you to earn big — and I'm here to show you how!In this episode of the Business Society Podcast, I outline 7 steps that you can take to build a prosperous and sustainable financial future.In this episode, you'll discover: The financial goals that you should set for your personal life and your business — and why they're so important How to boost your financial literacy skills so that you can make informed decisions in your businessWhy earning 7 figures in revenue can be less profitable than earning 5 figures Highlights: 01:04 Intro03:16 Rise of the female business owner04:55 Women tend to dream small06:23 Create your financial future07:10 Create a vision08:09 Check in with your mindset10:15 Financial literacy11:15 Create a financial plan12:27 Profit v. revenue13:34 Don't give your financial power away17:09 How I work with business owners Links: The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Melissa Houston Financial Flossing: Guiding Dental Professionals to a Brighter Future with Ross Brannon Episode 030: Your Money Tells a Story Melissa Houston is founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast. A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep more money in their pocket while increasing their personal wealth. Melissa's seen the bottom and climbed her way back up, she personally and financially bounced back from concealing $100k in personal debt from her husband. She shares her story to remind people that your mistakes don't define you, and as humans, we all make mistakes and can recover from them. Now she uses that to teach entrepreneurs to become financially literate in order to create profit in their businesses. She has over 20 years of business experience with large and small corporations, government, and not-for-profit industries while specializing in Internal Controls, corporate accounting, budgets, financial reporting, corporate & personal tax, audit, and SR&ED. Listen to this information-packed Financial Flossing episode, where Melissa takes us through how she helps her clients, dental and otherwise. Here is what to expect on this week's show: The importance of having a basic understanding of accounting principles, no matter what field you're employed in How Melissa, as a CPA and fractional CFO, helps her clients grow their businesses How Melissa worked herself out of a large debt, and the emotional and financial lessons she learned from the experience Why a lot of dealing with money is about mindset shift, and dispelling pervasive myths or insecurities and just going for it A look inside Melissa's 5-Step Road Map to Business Financial Freedom Connect with Melissa: WEBSITE: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melissahoustoncpa TWITTER: https://twitter.com/melissahcpa INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/melissahoustoncpa/ PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.ca/melissahoustoncpacga/_created/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“In law school, they teach you how to think like a lawyer. What I do is teach my clients how to think like a CEO.”— Judy WeberJudy Weber has been an interior decorator, an attorney, and a C-suite executive... but she's found the most meaning in helping female CEOs with a call to serve scale their businesses to multi-6 and 7 figures with more ease and joy.“I'm all about simplicity in your business,” Judy says. “I don't want you to work harder than you need to.”Judy is a genius at showing entrepreneurs how to uplevel their mindset, step fully into their CEO role, and strategically transform their current business into a freedom-based legacy business, while remaining aligned with their values. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of growing from 6 figures to 7, how to connect with high-end clients so that you can work less, and the secret to developing a brand that stands out from the noise!In this episode, you'll discover: Why your focus should be less on your tactics and more on the strategy behind your tacticsWhat goes into a ‘sophisticated business model' — and the benefits of running a business based on this modelWhy you don't need to follow the latest social media trends in order to land your dream clientsAbout Judy Weber: Judy Weber is a business strategist, scaling expert, and founder of Judy Weber Co. She helps 6-figure female CEOs scale to multi-6 and 7 figures using the proven JOYful Scaling Method. She is a sought after keynote speaker, teaching and inspiring women across the world to pursue the impossible, knowing that God is able to make your biggest dreams a reality. Highlights: 01:04 Intro01:58 Meet Judy Weber03:25 Judy's journey07:03 Getting to 6 figures09:20 “Where is the business going?”10:49 Typical problems11:53 ‘Sophisticated business model'14:16 Finding high-end clients15:43 No cookie-cutter branding17:10 Standing out from the noise19:29 JOYful Scaling Method22:11 Takeaway Links: Judy Weberhttps://judyweber.co https://www.facebook.com/judyweberco https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyweberco Instagram: @judyweberco The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Do you feel like you have a good handle on your business finances and money management?In today's episode, Houston is sharing how entrepreneurs can improve their financial literacy. Melissa Houston is the founder of The Fractional CFO Agency, a columnist at Forbes.com, and the host of The Business Society podcast. A licensed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), she's a Financial Strategist for CEOs and she helps successful business owners increase their profit margins without having to increase revenue so that they keep more money in their pocket while increasing their personal wealth.So if you're ready to improve your financial literacy, tune into today's episode.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING TO TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:● The difference between profit and revenue and why revenue without profit doesn't matter.● What is a good profit margin to aim for, and why the industry you're in matters for distinguishing your average profit margin.Why getting a grip on your cash levels is important and why it's vital to manage your cash flow to avoid financial trouble.● The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to money management.If this episode inspires you in some way, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know your biggest takeaway– whether it's created those aha moments or given you food for thought on how to achieve greater success. And while you're here, make sure to follow us on Instagram @creativelyowned for more daily inspiration on how to effortlessly attract the most aligned clients without having to spend hours marketing your business or chasing clients. Also, make sure to tag me in your stories @creativelyowned.[FREE MASTERCLASS]: Learn how to stop sounding like everyone else and craft killer messaging that gets you known as a leading expert and calls in the *right* clients and opportunities effortlessly, sign up now!https://www.creativelyowned.com/joinusliveTo apply for Elevate, an experience for coaches & consultants wanting to craft & scale their offers that sell on autopilot using attraction marketing, click here!To get your hands on how to write content that connects, and attracts the most aligned clients, grab it here!!https://www.creativelyowned.com/contentthatconvertsTo connect with Melissa:Website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/The Fractional CFO Agency: www.thefractionalcfoagency.comInstagram: @melissahoustoncpa
“The average business has about 25% chance of surviving the first four years… but if you're involved in litigation, your odds of surviving go down to 17%.”— Jay RazzoukMany entrepreneurs don't know how to protect themselves and their businesses when it comes to the law — and this goes far beyond the question of whether to choose incorporation or LLC!Attorney Jay Razzouk spent over a decade helping Fortune 500 companies avoid and fix billion-dollar mistakes. Now, through his ProSCALE Legal Coaching, he helps online entrepreneurs protect their assets, deal with the legalities of owning their businesses... and securely scale beyond 7 figures!“Executives know the risk and make informed decisions, but entrepreneurs are people who are gung-ho and go for it not really knowing what they might face,” Jay explains. “When it comes to the legal space, there's so much out there in terms of misinformation.”From tax structures to contract law to trademarks, this episode is packed with legal information entrepreneurs NEED to know.In this episode, you'll discover: Small problems that scale alongside your businessLegal complexities of hiring and selling outside your regionThe #1 lawsuit brought against businessesAbout Jay Razzouk: Jay Razzouk is a California business attorney with over 10 years experience litigating across 20 states in matters involving legal compliance at Fortune 500s. He is the founder of ProSCALE Legal Coaching. Employing his SecureSCALE method, Jay helps small business owners employ legal strategies to protect their businesses as they scale beyond seven and eight figures. Highlights: 01:03 Intro01:32 Meet Jay Razzouk02:22 Entrepreneurs & legal protection03:19 Business entities & tax structures05:16 Legal issues that grow06:59 Operating outside your region09:02 Jay's services12:32 #1 type of lawsuit13:22 Contracts, trademarks & IP21:37 Takeaway Links: Jay Razzoukhttps://www.proscalelegal.com https://www.facebook.com/jay.razzouk https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayrazzouk The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“CFOs are essential to business, as they support the CEO with strategic financial planning so the CEO can create the most profitable business possible.”— Melissa HoustonHappy New Year! In this solo episode of the Business Society Podcast, I want to talk about a new business trend that I think is especially useful for small to medium-sized business owners.Have you heard of the “fractional C-suite”?Hiring for a fractional C-suite position allows you to benefit from the knowledge and experience of a C-level expert... on a part-time basis and through a package tailored to your needs! This cost-effective solution is absolutely ideal for businesses that are not at the point of needing (or able to afford) a full-time C-suite executive.From monthly variance analysis to project accounting to cash flow management, this episode lays out the key services provided by a fractional CFO — with some bonus tips for boosting your profitability! In this episode, you'll discover: Why hiring a fractional CFO is an ingenious solution for many businesses What a fractional CFO will offer you that a bookkeeper and accountant will not How a monthly variance analysis will help you track your progress and identify areas of concern Highlights:01:06 Welcome to 2022!02:27 The fractional C-suite03:55 What is a fractional CFO? 04:55 How will a fractional CFO help you?07:39 Monthly variance analysis 08:27 Key performance indicators09:00 Cash flow management & stakeholders10:14 Project accounting11:20 Financial guidance & support12:24 What to look for in a fractional CFO15:16 Recap Links:The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Not your ordinary CPA! Check out this international interview with Melissa Houston. Melissa dives into some tips on how to manage your money while scaling your business. She also touches on the importance of never giving away your financial power because NO ONE will ever care about your money more than you do. Melissa Houston is a CPA and the founder of The Fractional CFO Agency. Melissa helps successful business owners increase their profit margins so they keep more money in their pockets and increase their net worth. Melissa is a columnist at Forbes.com and the host of The Business Society podcast. Social Media Links: - @melissahoustoncpa Website: www.thefractionalcfoagency.com & www.melissahoustoncpa.com
“Behind every powerful leader is a great therapist. And it doesn't have to be a true therapist — maybe it's a coach, maybe it's a mentor. But every great leader has processed their trauma.”— Margy FeldhuhnThis episode of the Business Society Podcast focuses on the emotional side of entrepreneurship.Margy Feldhuhn is co-owner and CEO of Interview Connections, the first podcast booking agency. Since acquiring 50% equity in 2018, she's helped scale the business to 7 figures — without direct marketing or advertising!Margy credits much of her success to her therapist.A year prior to joining Interview Connections, Margy tragically lost her father to suicide. She underwent over a year of EMDR trauma reprocessing therapy — important work that helped her to step into a leadership role. “If you are out there getting triggered with your team or with your clients, your business is going to fall apart,” she explains. Tune in to hear Margy and I talk about the power of resilience when it comes to leadership, why every entrepreneur should have a therapist, and We Get It, Your Dad Died, her podcast about entrepreneurs and grief.In this episode, you'll discover: How Margy transformed from her company's first employee to its CEO in 2 yearsWhy processing trauma is a crucial piece of effective leadership Why dealing with your emotions will help you avoid sabotaging your resultsAbout Margy Feldhuhn: Margy Feldhuhn is the co-owner and CEO of Interview Connections, the first and leading podcast booking agency, and hosts Rock the Podcast and We Get It, Your Dad Died. Highlights: 01:04 Intro02:00 Meet Margy Feldhuhn04:14 Interview Connections05:03 Trauma, resilience & leadership09:22 Therapy & entrepreneurship11:00 Creating meaning out of grief13:20 Why we hide grief14:51 Margy's podcast guests19:03 Listener feedback20:09 Deal with your stuff23:14 Takeaway Links: https://interviewconnections.com https://www.facebook.com/InterviewConnectionsPage https://open.spotify.com/show/3YtI2LDFqprjsV8kiP3Zj5 https://www.linkedin.com/in/margy-feldhuhn-832b30117 Twitter: @margyfeldhuhnThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co 5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“It's through reflection that we take away lessons and we can make improvements.”— Melissa HoustonWe made it. We've reached the end of 2021. And what a year it has been!This is the perfect time to look back and reflect on how far you've come, the decisions that you've made in your business, and the impact that you have created.It's also the perfect time to start thinking about your financial goals for the next year.A goal without a plan is just a wish, so if you want to make big moves in the next 12 months (and earn big profit), I highly recommend that you take some time right now to map out your goals and put a plan in place to achieve them.Remember: 82% of businesses fail due to financial mismanagement!I would love to help you get set up for success in 2022. The last episode of 2021 covers how to create a S.M.A.R.T. financial plan (yes, I explain the acronym!), what you can learn from reflecting on the last 12 months, and why monthly goals and assessments are absolutely essential for staying on track. In this episode, you'll discover: The importance of mapping out your financial goals for your business in 2022 Why just having a plan isn't enough — and the steps you need to take to achieve your goals How to analyze your income statements in order to gain valuable insights into your business Highlights: 01:04 Time to reflect02:25 Don't take feedback personally03:15 Happy holidays!04:53 Starting the New Year on the right foot06:04 Money management is mandatory06:51 VIP half-day sessions & other packages09:25 3 ways to work with me11:19 Income statements12:47 Create a S.M.A.R.T. financial plan15:44 Goal v. wish16:16 Monthly goals19:09 Accountability20:18 Measure progress against goals21:26 Pay yourself & profit margins22:52 Make informed business decisions24:29 RecapLinks:The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Nikki Takahashi knows what goes into creating a great brand!Nikki is the founder and CEO of Fetching Finn, a multi-6-figure branding and design agency that gets clients noticed in person, online, and in print.(She's also the only designer I know who has won a Governor General's medal for her achievements!)If you want to connect with your customers, you need to go beyond the graphics.“A logo and a website is kind of where people start when they're thinking about branding. But when it comes down to it, branding is so much broader than that,” Nikki explains. “Building a brand with traction, one that gets sales and gets noticed and gets remembered, starts with messaging and not with the design piece. So, that's been a shift in my business.”In this episode, you'll discover:The #1 change that Nikki made to her business which wound up being absolutely pivotal A walkthrough of what to expect when you seek out branding servicesWhether you should have a personal brand alongside your business brandAbout Nikki Takahashi: Nikki Takahashi is a digital media designer and brand strategist who has helped over 300 entrepreneurs embrace and amplify what makes them unique. She is the founder and CEO of Fetching Finn Inc., host of the Square Peg Entrepreneur podcast, and a globally recognized keynote speaker on brand design and strategy.01:03 Intro02:04 Meet Nikki Takahashi03:36 What is branding?05:25 Nikki's clients06:46 Branding walkthrough & basics10:44 Social media11:53 Messaging13:32 Biggest challenges16:10 Rebranding17:25 Personal branding18:43 Top tiphttps://fetchingfinn.comhttps://fetchingfinn.com/foundations https://ca.linkedin.com/in/nikkitakahashi https://open.spotify.com/show/3ID0Jg4ONTfH2wzVlqJZQQ Twitter: @thenikkitak Instagram: @thenikkitakBuilding a Storybrandhttps://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/building-a-storybrand-clarify-your/9781400201839-item.htmlThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
Alli Webb is not only a brilliant entrepreneur with multiple businesses under her belt, she's also a queen of reinvention.In 2008, Alli co-founded Drybar, the budget-friendly blow-out salon that's grown to 150+ locations. Since selling Drybar, she's co-launched Squeeze, a franchise concept offering a better massage experience...Okay Humans, an affordable membership that helps clients find and book in with qualified therapists in their area…...and Becket & Quill, a jewelry line that's high-end, not high-spend.The goal of each? To bring the products and services that people crave within reach, through a dual focus on quality AND accessibility — an approach Alli describes as “affordable luxury.”She and her fiance also co-founded The Impact Series, which hosts two-day retreats taught by founders and coaches.In this episode, you'll discover:What she would do differently if launching Drybar todayWhat she loves most about the franchise model (and what sets Squeeze apart!)The common challenges entrepreneurs report during The Impact Series sessionsAbout Alli Webb: Alli Webb co-founded Drybar in 2008, and has since co-founded new ventures including Squeeze, Okay Humans, Becket & Quill, and The Impact Series. She is the host of the Raising The Bar podcast and author of The Drybar Guide to Good Hair for All.01:04 Intro03:19 Meet Alli Webb05:35 Squeeze & Becket & Quill07:33 Franchising08:20 The Impact Series10:51 Common challenges13:29 Reinvention15:07 Drybar lessons19:56 Business coaches24:31 Takeawayhttps://www.squeezemassage.comhttps://www.squeezemassage.com/franchisinghttps://www.okayhumans.comhttps://www.becketandquill.comhttps://www.impact.takenewground.comhttps://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-drybar-guide-to-good/9781419721069-item.htmlTwitter: @AlliWebbInstagram: @alliwebb @squeeze @okayhumansThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“Passive income has to be one of the most delightful ways to make money.”— Melissa HoustonPassive income. The holy grail. The type of revenue that everyone dreams about, right?I've got to tell you, I have some strong opinions about it!Passive income happens when you invest your money somewhere and your money starts working for you. This can mean investments in financial products or royalties… but it can also mean certain business ventures (some more promising than others!).Course creation is the latest thing in the online business world. Everyone is talking about it and everyone seems to be interested in launching their own online course — or even academy. The “7-figure launch” is talked about as if it is commonplace and the prevailing idea is that course creation is the surefire path to consistent, impressive passive income.Full disclosure: I even tried to launch my own course.And I am here to tell you there is NOTHING passive about course creation!Yes, I'm here to kill the party. But don't worry — I'm not leaving you emptyhanded.If you're interested in creating income that really is a little more passive, then this is the solo episode for you!In this episode, I not only bust the myth of the 7-figure launch, but I share some great tips for investing in financial products, rental property, the stock market, and more! Bonus: you even get a little peek inside my own portfolio!In this episode, you'll discover: Whether or not passive income is taxable — and how it is calculatedWhich income-producing products to consider when you're ready to invest — and how often to review your investmentsWhat you need to already have in place if you want a chance at creating a successful online courseHighlights: 01:04 Intro03:43 Join us on Facebook!06:01 Passive income07:12 Taxability08:58 Time investment up front10:04 Stock market part 113:21 Course creation15:40 6 & 7-figure launches17:11 Bonds & GICs18:39 Stock market part 220:34 Rental property21:57 Royalties23:12 Affiliate marketing & fractional investing24:22 OutroLinks: The Business Society Community: For Entrepreneurs Who Want MORE Profit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2492571604329032 The Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“There has never been — nor will there ever be — anyone else who is you, who has your unique combination of skills and talents and experiences and passion.”—Courtney Foster-DonahueWhat makes you unique in your marketplace? And how can you leverage that uniqueness to grow your business in the digital space?Courtney Foster-Donahue helps entrepreneurs and business owners boost their revenue, expand their offers, and scale beyond 1:1 through digital marketing and course creation!While Courtney's background in theatre, music, and dance may be a bit unusual in the business world, she's leaned into her unorthodox skills and learned how to leverage them in her entrepreneurial career.“As a choreographer, if you can teach grown men how to do ballet, you can probably help business owners learn how to use the Facebook Pixel,” Courtney says. “Because of my background, I'm naturally a good teacher, I'm naturally a good storyteller. I understand the importance of story, which is everything in marketing.”Courtney shares some fabulous insights on how to grow and market a successful online business, as well as her own incredible story of how she started her entrepreneurial career accidentally—while bedridden!In this episode, you'll discover:The challenges facing online course creators right now—and why market saturation IS NOT one of them!How to pinpoint your unique skills and use them to create value for your customersDigital marketing strategies to help you grow your audience and reach your ideal clients while doing what you love!About Courtney Foster-Donahue: Courtney is a four-time entrepreneur and business strategist. She founded and runs a multi-million dollar course company and has helped tens of thousands of business owners around the world grow their businesses through digital courses and digital marketing.Highlights:01:03 Intro01:34 Meet Courtney Foster-Donahue04:38 Courtney's entrepreneurial journey12:36 Online course challenges14:44 Leveraging talents19:29 Reaching potential clients23:18 TakeawayLinks:Courtney Foster-Donahuehttps://courtneyfosterdonahue.comhttps://www.facebook.com/courtneyfodoInstagram: @thecourtneyshowtvThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“PR, to me, is all about relationships and making connections.”—Amanda BerlinDo you ever look at keynote speakers or interviewees on high-profile websites and think to yourself, “That could be me”?We've all had those moments, but often we don't pursue those opportunities because we don't feel confident enough in our message — or just aren't sure how to bring that particular dream to reality!That's where Amanda Berlin comes in!Amanda is a PR, marketing, and business strategist who helps her clients master their story and show up strongly in places like Business Insider and Entrepreneur on Fire.Good public relations and media presence are highly effective when it comes to raising your profile, building your network, gaining new customers, and receiving the type of exciting offers that you've been dreaming about.During this conversation, Amanda and I discuss the difference between PR and media, the trouble with paid promotion, and why showing up in a big publication doesn't necessarily mean you'll get more sales!In this episode, you'll discover:The 3 main pillars of PR that Amanda teaches her clients, based on her 10 years of experience working with PR agencies and entrepreneursHow to leverage events to increase the visibility of your brand and businessThe strengths of each type of media appearance — and how to choose the one that best suits your goalsAbout Amanda Berlin: Amanda Berlin helps entrepreneurs step into their presence, create a story that inspires others, and spread their message in the media. Amanda works one-on-one with clients to guide them in strategic storytelling and media relations, and hosts the Empowered Publicity podcast.Highlights:01:01 Intro02:09 Meet Amanda Berlin03:10 Amanda's services05:28 Collaboration & partnerships08:34 Speaking & events11:23 Don't buy exposure14:13 Media16:37 Big media doesn't = sales17:15 Why invest in PR & media?19:49 Promote your placements21:34 How to reach out24:50 Lead with value25:38 TakeawayLinks:Amanda Berlinhttps://amandaberlin.comhttps://linktr.ee/aberlinInstagram: @amandagailberlinThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“Before you can grow your business, you have to grow your mindset. You have to be actively working on your issues that are keeping you in a place of ‘stuck.'”—Elaine TursoElaine Turso is an intuitive business consultant, creative entrepreneur, and Chief Visionary Partner for INsource It Marketing Agency. Elaine helps her clients get their businesses up and running through helping with their ideas, tech, workflows, and mindset.Through experience, she's learned that the mindset work is especially important!Some clients have spent months (and thousands of dollars) preparing to launch their businesses… only to walk away at the last moment because of fear.“If someone is trying to grow, they have to have a growth mindset otherwise they will sabotage their own success,” Elaine says. “Fear is that four-letter F word that really just stands in our way, all the time.”In this episode, We talk about how to deal with imposter syndrome, mindset issues standing between you and your launch, and attract leads (without feeling like you're delivering a sales pitch)!In this episode, you'll discover:The biggest mindset issues that Elaine has faced while growing all her businesses— why she stopped undervaluing herselfWhy you NEED to stop caring about what other people think—and start doing your own thingWhy you should be automating everything in your business APART from relationship-buildingAbout Elaine Turso: Elaine Turso is an intuitive business consultant and Chief Visionary Partner for INsource It Marketing Agency. She enjoys supporting other entrepreneurs with their businesses and getting sh*t done for them so they can focus on their zone of genius. She is the founder of the No Excuses Network.Highlights:01:45 Meet Elaine Turso04:31 Fear of the shift07:39 Tech, automation & connection10:40 Typical client issues14:03 Elaine's biggest fears19:13 Elaine's books20:52 Working through fears22:56 Book & calendar stories25:45 TakeawayLinks:Elaine Tursohttps://www.elaineturso.comhttps://www.insourceitmarketing.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpHG2cbW0lCmXIQ6F5LhmbwInstagram: @insourceitmarketingThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips and inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!
“If I could spend my career taking that stress out of money, giving people peace of mind, if I could change a few lives... it would be worth it.”—Shari Greco ReichesIf you're a regular listener, you know that I believe money management is one of the most vital skills that anyone can learn... whether or not they run a business!My guest, wealth management expert Shari Greco Reiches, agrees completely.Shari helps her clients align their financial planning with their core values, allowing them to “maximize their return on life” — an approach you can read about in Shari's book, Maximize Your Return on Life: Invest Your Time and Money in What You Value Most!Shari has over 30 years of wealth management experience helping women plan for and create the lives that they truly desire. She works with newly separated women just learning how to take control of their finances, but also with successful entrepreneurs who need guidance in dealing with changes and responsibilities that their new revenue brings.In our conversation, we dig deep into the emotional roots of money mindset issues, the generational divide when it comes to talking cash, and the true value of financial empowerment.In this episode, you'll discover: How early memories of money influence your current approach to your finances Why it's important to align financial goals to your core values — and how Shari helps her clients discover theirsThe common changes Shari's clients make to honour their valuesAbout Shari Greco Reiches: Shari is co-founder, principal, and Chief Visionary Officer of Rappaport Reiches Capital Management. She speaks on financial planning and is the author of Maximize Your Return on Life: Invest Your Time and Money in What You Value Most.Highlights:01:03 Intro01:55 Maximizing your return03:23 Early memories & mindset exercises05:42 Typical client issues07:35 Money & emotions08:52 Opening her firm10:15 Financial empowerment11:28 Goals & values16:17 Common changes19:53 Fear of earning22:00 TakeawayLinks:Shari Greco Reicheshttps://sharigrecoreiches.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shari-greco-reiches-51135bTwitter: @maxreturnonlifeThe Business Society: https://thebusinesssociety.co5-Step Roadmap to Biz Finance Freedom: https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmapWork with me: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/work-with-meWant more tips? Follow me on Twitter @melissahcpa and Pinterest @melissahoustoncpacga and visit my website: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.comNeed a Fractional CFO? Check out The Fractional CFO Agency!