The Cash Flow CFO Podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Aaron Fragnito?

Website: www.peoplescapitalgroup.com

Email: aaron@peoplescapitalgroup.com

Hiring Beyond the Resume: Finding the Right Fit for Your Team with Jamie Van Cuyk

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:00:27 +0000

"Even when you hire an expert who knows what they're doing, they've never done it for you."

- Jamie Van Cuyk

In this episode, we’re focusing on how to hire the right people for your business, with insight from Jamie Van Cuyk. Jamie is a hiring consultant who helps women small business owners become confident leaders who hire right every single time. After leaving a successful corporate career to follow her entrepreneurship dreams, Jamie quickly learned that many business owners had little experience hiring. She now uses her 15+ years of leadership experience to help business owners master the hiring process. Jamie also hosts the Growing Your Team podcast and is a contributing author of *Rise and Find*. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her two daughters and enjoys traveling, home winemaking, and aerial dance activities like rock climbing.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"We could find someone that could be absolutely fantastic at the skills, but they're never gonna fit inside your organization... and that's not gonna work."

- Jamie Van Cuyk

Hiring the Right Way From the Start

Jamie explained why hiring the right person is more than just finding someone with the right skills. It’s about making sure they fit into your business and understand your values. She shared how she helps small business owners figure out who their ideal hire is by asking deep questions. Things like, what does “good communication” or “team player” really mean to you? That makes it easier to find someone who’s not just qualified, but truly right for your team.

Planning Ahead for Growth

We talked about how hiring is about more than filling a seat — it’s about preparing your business for the future. Jamie said small businesses often wait too long to think about growth. She helps owners look ahead and think about what roles they’ll need later. That way, they can train team members to grow into bigger roles instead of always hiring new people from outside. She also reminded us that bringing someone up into a leadership role can make it easier to let go of control.

Why Training and Feedback Matter

Jamie pointed out that even the best hires won’t succeed without proper training. Just because someone’s experienced doesn’t mean they know how you like things done. She stressed how important it is to give clear feedback and have honest conversations early on. If something’s not working, it could be a training issue, not a hiring mistake. She also reminded us that avoiding tough talks can hurt the whole team, not just one person.

Creating a Team That Lasts

Jamie gave great advice about keeping your best people. She said employees want to grow, so you need to show them how they can move up — even in a small company. If you ignore this, they may leave, and that costs time and money. She also shared that businesses hoping to sell one day are worth more when they have long-term staff and good managers. It all starts with hiring smart and giving your team the support they need to succeed.

"Just because you can do, doesn't mean you can teach — and just because you can lead, doesn't mean you can manage."

- Jamie Van Cuyk

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Jamie Van Cuyk?

Website: https://growingyourteam.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GrowingYourTeam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growingyourteam/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamievancuyk/

Free Resources: https://growingyourteam.com/shop/

Design a Life of Freedom, Not Obligation, with Penelope Jane Smith

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 08:00:31 +0000

"Everybody has their own personal economy that may or may not have anything to do with the economy at large."

- Penelope Jane Smith

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Today’s conversation is with Penelope Jane Smith, the premier financial freedom mentor for women entrepreneurs and the go-to expert for some of the biggest names in the conscious business industry. She is an acclaimed international speaker and certified trainer with over 20 years of teaching experience, the author of the Little Book of Prosperity, and the creator of Prosperity Coin, the world’s first cryptocurrency designed to support financial freedom for women entrepreneurs. Her unique magic is supporting women entrepreneurs to become financially free in 5 years or less with $10,000+ per month in passive income so they don’t have to depend on their business, a job, a partner, the government, or anyone else for money.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"You want to have a big enough golden goose that you can live off the golden eggs and you never want to kill your goose."

- Penelope Jane Smith

The Secret to Financial Freedom

Penelope shared that the secret to being financially free is simple. You just need to have more money coming in from your investments each month than you spend. She calls this "passive income." It's like having a money tree that gives you fruit every month to pay for all your bills and fun stuff. You don't need millions of dollars to start. You just need to know your goal and you can get there in five years or less.

A Simple Three-Step Plan

So, how do you get there? Penelope explained her three simple steps. First, you have to dream about the life you want to live. How much money would you need each month to live that happy life? That number is your goal. Second, you start buying things that make you money, which she calls "assets." Think of this as getting your own "golden goose" that will lay golden eggs for you. Even starting with a small amount of money helps it grow over time because your money starts working for you.

Create Your Own Money-Making Ideas

What if buying assets isn't enough to reach your goal? The third step is to create your own assets. This is where you can use your ideas and your time to make money that comes in on its own. For example, you could create an online course or build a business that you can sell later. Penelope shared a cool story about a friend who licensed a pet product idea and now makes money every month without doing any more work. It's all about getting your money to work harder for you than you work for it.

Make Your Money Work For You

Penelope made it really clear how your investments turn into money you can spend. You don't have to just wait for a check. You can sell a small piece of your investments each year. She called this living off the "golden eggs" without hurting your "golden goose."

"All of this is about making decisions from a place of freedom and joy and what lights you up and makes you feel alive versus making decisions from a place of debt and obligation."

- Penelope Jane Smith

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Penelope Jane Smith?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PenelopeJaneSmith360

Download your free copy of The Financial Freedom Formula eBook, where you’ll discover exactly what it will take for you to become financially free, the two types of passive income, and how to get more of each!

Website: https://realprosperity.isrefer.com/go/FFF/anje24/

Protect Your Profits, Smarter Money Moves for Business Owners with Bryce Keffeler

Mon, 19 May 2025 08:00:26 +0000

“Too many entrepreneurs make decisions based off of gut, not based off of scalable frameworks and ROI.”

- Bryce Keffeler

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Bryce Keffeler, managing partner at Dew Wealth. Bryce helps business owners grow and protect their money using a unique model called a "fractional family office." It’s like having your own team of top financial experts—just like billionaires do—but without needing hundreds of millions of dollars! We talk about how this setup helps entrepreneurs save time, avoid mistakes, and make smarter choices with their wealth.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“A lot of entrepreneurs don’t want to be sitting in the middle of that wheel managing all these professionals. They just want the outcomes that come with a well-oiled machine.”

- Bryce Keffeler

Build a Team That Works for You

In this episode, I’m diving into how business owners can make smarter money moves that protect their time, energy, and future. We’re talking about how to build a team around you that works together to support your goals—just like billionaires do, but without needing billionaire dollars. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to manage your finances, this episode will help you see a new way forward.

Profit Over Revenue

We also chat about how important it is to focus on profit—not just sales. I’ve seen business owners chase big revenue numbers but still feel broke at the end of the day. We break down why watching your costs and knowing your numbers—like how much it takes to get a new customer—is key to running a healthy, growing business. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing better.

From Income to Wealth

There’s a great conversation about growing up in entrepreneurial families and how that shapes the way we see business and money. We talk about what it means to go from earning income to building real wealth—and how your business is a powerful tool to make that happen when you treat it like an asset, not just a job.

Protect What You’re Building

We also get into ways to protect what you’ve built. From insurance to legal structure to where you keep your cash, we share simple steps that can make a big difference. If you’re ready to stop playing defense and start planning ahead, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to move forward.

“You start your journey and it’s all about income… but as a successful entrepreneur, you need to shift your mind frame from focusing on income to equity.”

- Bryce Keffeler

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Bryce Keffeler?

Website: https://www.dewwealth.com/

Maximizing Your Business Exit, Insights on Acquisitions and Marketing with Jennifer Orechwa

Mon, 12 May 2025 08:00:25 +0000

"The only smart marketer is the consumer. They're going to tell us what they need."

- Jennifer Orechwa

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Jennifer Orechwa is a seasoned entrepreneur and marketing expert with over 20 years of experience in the business world. She is the founder of Salt Marketing, a firm specializing in organic content-based marketing for industries like health and wellness, as well as financial services. Before launching Salt Marketing, Jennifer sold her previous company to a larger firm, where she reinvested in their growth while continuing to lead their marketing efforts. Passionate about helping businesses grow sustainably, Jennifer shares valuable insights on acquisitions, reinvestment strategies, and the power of building content assets to ensure long-term success.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Marketing is iteration. You do something, you learn from it, and then you improve."

- Jennifer Orechwa

Preparing Your Business for Sale

This episode is all about preparing your business for sale. I sat down with Jennifer Orechwa, an expert who specializes in helping business owners like you get ready for a successful exit. Whether you’re thinking about selling now or just want to be prepared for the future, this conversation has some valuable insights.

Building a Strong Foundation

Jennifer shared how it’s not just about selling. It’s about building a strong team, keeping things running smoothly, and making sure your business can work without you. She gave great tips on how to get ready early, even if you're not thinking about selling yet.

Marketing and Selling Your Business

We also talked about how marketing changes when you want to sell. Jennifer explained how your team and brand need to stay strong so buyers see the real value. It’s all about showing your business is ready to keep growing.

Smart Ideas for Business Owners

Our conversation is full of smart ideas and simple steps you can start now. If you’ve ever thought about selling your business or just want to make it better, this episode is for you.

"Your marketing is working if your revenue is increasing."

- Jennifer Orechwa

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Jennifer Orechwa?

Website: saltmarketing.co

Email: jennifer@saltmarketing.co

Hope Is Not a Strategy: Making Smart Money Moves, with Marla Reynolds

Mon, 05 May 2025 08:00:18 +0000

“Scenario planning is like looking into a crystal ball—not to predict the future, but to be ready for it.”

- Marla Reynolds

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Today’s conversation is with Marla Reynolds, a seasoned strategic advisor who brings clarity, calm, and confidence to business owners navigating financial challenges. With decades of experience helping companies of all sizes manage cash flow, plan for the unexpected, and build long-term resilience, Marla has a gift for making complex financial strategies simple and actionable. Her mission is to empower CEOs with the tools and insights they need to lead with clarity and protect their business’s future.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Cash is oxygen for a business. Without it, you can’t breathe, and you can’t grow.”

- Marla Reynolds

Understanding Your Cash Flow

Hi friends! In this episode, I talk with Marla Reynolds. Marla is great at helping businesses get smart with their money. We dive into why it’s so important to really understand your cash flow. That just means knowing how money moves in and goes out of your business. When you keep a close eye on your cash, it helps you make better choices and sleep better at night!

Planning for the What-Ifs

Marla and I also talk about something called “scenario planning.” Don’t worry—it’s not as hard as it sounds! It just means thinking ahead and asking, “What if this happens?” That way, you're ready for good times and tough times. We share tips on how you can look at different options and stay calm when things change.

Getting Paid on Time

Another big topic is collections—getting paid on time! We explain how to make it easier for clients to pay you, and why it’s okay to have clear rules about payments. We both agree that setting up smart systems helps you avoid money stress and run your business with more confidence.

Tools That Make Life Easier

At the end of the episode, Marla shares some great tools that help you manage your money, even when things feel uncertain. This episode is full of simple ideas that really work. I hope you enjoy it and feel more in control of your business finances!

“Having the right tools gives you freedom. When you know where your money is going, you get your power back.”

- Marla Reynolds

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Debt, Identity, and Rebuilding a Business That Feels Like You; with Alex Pursglove

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 08:00:24 +0000

"You can evolve your business without throwing everything away. You get to keep what still fits and let go of what doesn’t."

- Alex Pursglove

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Today’s conversation is with Alex Pursglove. Alex helps women break through limitations, embody their worth, and become fully expressed to elevate in business growth and soulful alignment—all while living with more fulfillment in their daily lives. As a master coach, she has supported hundreds of women worldwide in accelerating in business and most importantly, learning how to accept and love their true selves.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"I had to walk away from a successful business because it didn’t feel like me anymore."

- Alex Pursglove

Following Your Heart in Business

In this episode, I talk with Alex Pursglove about how our businesses grow and change as we grow and change. We share stories about how things can feel out of place when we keep doing something that no longer fits who we are. Alex tells us how she had to make some big changes when her business didn’t match her values anymore. She chose to follow her heart, even when it meant losing clients and income.

A Real Talk About Debt

We also talk about money and debt — and how not all debt is bad. Some debt can help you grow if you use it wisely. But there’s also debt that can hurt you if you’re not careful. Alex opens up about the time she took on a lot of debt, not from a place of power, but from stress and fear. She learned a lot from that time and now helps others make smarter choices.

Changing With Life

As women, we often feel pulled in many directions. Kids, family, business — it can be a lot. I share how my life changed when I became a full-time carpool mom, and how our business models need to change with us. We talk about why it’s important to trust yourself and follow your own path, not just copy what others are doing.

Trusting the Journey

This is a deep, honest conversation about listening to your gut, trusting your journey, and building a business that feels true to who you are. I hope it helps you feel more confident in making the changes you need to grow — as a leader, a parent, and a whole person.

"When you feel out of alignment with what you’re doing, your body and energy will let you know."

- Alex Pursglove

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Alex Pursglove?

Website: alexpursglove.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pursglove-1b97348/

Letting Go to Grow: Step Out to Let Your Business Thrive with Tina Forsyth

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:00:29 +0000

"My job now is to lead the vision and support the people who are out there doing the work."

- Tina Forsyth

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! I sit down with Tina Forsyth, founder of Certified OBM® and a true pioneer in the world of certification and licensing. We talk about what it really takes to scale a business beyond yourself, why systems matter more than you think, and how to create programs that keep your values and vision intact—without burning out. Whether you're a service provider, coach, or visionary entrepreneur, Tina drops gems you won’t want to miss.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Certification is about creating a ripple effect—you teach one person, and they go out and help ten more."

- Tina Forsyth

How Tina Built a Big Business Without Doing It All Herself

In this episode, I talked with Tina Forsyth. She’s the founder of the Certified OBM (Online Business Manager) program. A few years ago, Tina made a big change—she stopped running all the trainings herself and started letting licensed trainers do it instead. This helped her grow the business without doing all the work alone. Now, she spends more time supporting her team and planning big-picture stuff.

Taking Herself Out of the Center

Tina shared how she turned her business from something all about her into something that could stand on its own. It used to be that people signed up because it was Tina’s program. Now, it’s about the OBM brand itself. That shift gave her more freedom and helped the business grow even bigger. It wasn’t always easy, but it was totally worth it.

Helping More People Through Certification

One thing I love about Tina’s story is how she used certification to make a bigger impact. Over 1,100 people have gone through her program and become Certified OBMs. Those OBMs have gone on to help thousands of business owners. That’s the power of teaching others—you can reach way more people than you ever could alone.

Tips for Starting Your Own Certification

If you’ve ever thought about starting a certification, Tina has some great tips. Make sure your process works and that you’ve used it for at least a few years. Get your systems, legal stuff, and training plan in place first. It’s not something to rush. But if you do it right, it can be a powerful and lasting part of your business.

"I was the bottleneck. Everything had to go through me. And that was never going to scale."

- Tina Forsyth

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Tina Forsyth?

Email: tina@tinaforsyth.com

Website: http://www.tinaforsyth.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinaforsyth/

Your Money Should Serve Your Values, Not the Other Way Around with Constance Wannamaker

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:00:31 +0000

“Profit is not a dirty word. It’s okay to want your business to make money.”

-Constance Wannamaker

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I have an insightful conversation with Constance Wannamaker.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“A plan gives you peace of mind. When you know what’s coming, you stop reacting and start leading.”

-Constance Wannamaker

Finding Purpose Through Law

Constance Wanamaker’s path into law stemmed from a passion for social justice and helping underserved communities. While working with migrant farm workers during college, she experienced firsthand the severe conditions they endured. This sparked a realization: while social service work provided temporary relief, legal advocacy could offer lasting systemic change. That insight led her to pursue law school with the intent of becoming a farm worker attorney—a mission she followed through on.

The Critical Role of Due Diligence in Acquisitions

Beyond the financials and legal contracts, it's vital to assess how the business functions on a daily basis and whether the team in place can continue operations without the owner. Often, sellers misrepresent their businesses as “professionally managed” when they are actually heavily dependent on the owner. Understanding the roles of existing staff, identifying leadership gaps, and knowing how work is distributed are essential in ensuring a smooth transition and long-term sustainability post-acquisition.

Acquisitions vs. Organic Growth: The Strategic Advantage

Constance and I highlight the advantages of acquisitions over organic growth. Launching a new office from scratch involves finding space, furnishing it, hiring staff, and building brand awareness—an expensive and time-consuming process. Acquiring an existing firm, on the other hand, provides instant infrastructure, client base, and revenue. She also notes the market opportunity in acquiring law firms led by retiring attorneys, especially those still operating with outdated methods. These businesses can be quickly modernized for greater efficiency and profitability.

Turning Business Expenses into Profit Centers

Rather than continually outsourcing services such as software development or call center support, businesses could consider acquiring companies in those verticals. This approach not only reduces long-term costs but can create new revenue streams. It’s a model that encourages building an ecosystem of interconnected businesses, optimizing customer lifetime value, and increasing operational control—a strategy relevant to entrepreneurs across industries.

“The best time to get control of your money is today—not when you’re bigger, or busier, or making more.”

-Constance Wannamaker

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBcEu44jCVDX79foJl02cKQ/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Want to get in touch with Constance Wannamaker?

Website: http://crwannamakerlaw.com/inicio

Facebook: http://facebook.com/crwannamakerlawpllc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crwannamakerlaw/

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@abogadaconstance

Why Your Tax Professional Should Be Your Business Partner, Featuring Greg Gosman

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 09:00:24 +0000

"Taxes are just a complex math problem. Two plus two, whether you do it or an MIT doctor does it, is still four."

- Greg Gosman

In this episode of The Cashflow CFO Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Greg Gosman, an experienced tax professional who has spent over 14 years helping businesses thrive. With a background in finance, accounting, and a master's in taxation, Greg’s unique approach goes beyond tax preparation—he’s all about being a strategic partner for his clients. We talked about his journey, his passion for teaching, and how he helps business owners navigate the complex world of taxes while planning for long-term success.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"The biggest mistakes people make are setting up their business wrong from the start and not surrounding themselves with the right professionals."

- Greg Gosman

Why Regular Engagement with Your Tax Professional Matters

Greg shared incredible insights into what sets great tax professionals apart: the ability to educate, connect, and make the process less intimidating for clients. He emphasized the importance of engaging regularly with your tax preparer—quarterly check-ins can prevent surprises and lead to better results. We also discussed how a strong partnership with your tax professional can help you protect and grow your biggest asset—your business—by staying proactive and strategic with financial planning.

The Importance of Smart Business Setup and Professional Guidance

One key takeaway was Greg’s advice for setting up a business properly from the start. He covered essential topics like choosing the right entity structure, selecting the right accounting method, and surrounding yourself with the right professionals. These decisions can make a huge difference in how your business operates and how much tax you end up paying. Greg also explained why being intentional about these choices can save you time, money, and stress down the line.

Building Trust and Confidence in Your Finances

Finally, we dove into the bigger picture of building trust and communication with your financial team. Greg shared how he approaches client relationships with a teaching mindset, helping business owners feel confident about their finances rather than overwhelmed. Whether it’s understanding tax planning, maximizing profit margins, or preparing for the future, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take your business to the next level. Don’t miss it!

"It's about understanding the bigger picture of your business and how taxes fit into that. It's not just about what you owe, but about planning for what’s ahead."

- Greg Gosman

Want to get in touch with Greg Gosman?

Email: Gregory@g2wm.com

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Building E-Commerce Success with Neil Twa of Voltage Holdings

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:00:24 +0000

“With any business startup, if you're in the entrepreneurial space already, you need to be saying next 3 to 5 years, where could I be if I'm doing something now that no one else is willing to do?”

- Neil Twa

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a savvy conversation about e-commerce with Neil Twa, CEO and co-founder of Voltage Holdings. Neil benefits from more than 17 years of experience in online and offline business development, and focuses on maximizing e-commerce platforms like Amazon FBA. He’s successfully launched multiple brands, generating eight-figure revenues, and helped thousands of entrepreneurs build profitable businesses. Neil and I revisit his journey, from the corporate setting of IBM, to entrepreneurship, to consulting.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“There's really four things we focus on: the time, energy, attention, and money aspects of building these businesses correctly because they are assets. It is like building a house and you wouldn't go out and just skimp on the cheapest lumber for your house and expect it to live for 40 years.”

- Neil Twa

Fail Forward

Neil shares how pivoting through failures and embracing his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the world of e-commerce. From selling services to building physical product brands, Neil reveals the strategies he’s honed for success in a rapidly evolving marketplace. He discusses the importance of combining digital and physical product ecosystems, adapting to industry changes, and the mindset shifts necessary to thrive as a brand builder.

Staying Nimble

We also explore the state of e-commerce today, from Amazon's evolving landscape, to navigating supply chain challenges, to newer players like TikTok Shop and Tmall. Neil emphasizes the importance of focusing on profitability, creating value-driven brands, and targeting the right customer segments to differentiate from low-cost competitors.

“Lambo Hopes and Dreams”

Neil leaves us with invaluable advice: think long-term, build your business as an asset, and focus on purpose plus value to achieve sustainable profits. He tells us this remains true, whether you’re just starting out, or deep into scaling your business. Neil says purely profit-seeking entrepreneurs, who are indifferent toward their products, and don’t care about relationship building, fail “99% percent of the time.”

“…profits should not beget purpose and value. And I think a lot of people forget that aspect when they start businesses because they're solely bent on the idea of how much money it can make.”

- Neil Twa

Claim a free copy of Neil’s book by following this link https://www.voltagedm.com/freebook and entering the discount code CASHFLOW.

It’s also available on Amazon.

Want to get in touch with Neil Twa?

Website: https://www.voltagedm.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Clean Books, Big Deals: Insider Tips for Selling Your Business, Featuring Geoff Bruskin

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:27 +0000

"Selling your business without a broker is like signing a complex legal document without consulting an attorney—it’s not worth the risk."

- Geoff Bruskin

Hi, it’s Andrea Jenson here, and welcome to The Cashflow CFO Podcast! In this episode, I had an eye-opening conversation with Geoff Bruskin, a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specialist who works with CPA and accounting firms—and businesses across industries—to help them successfully sell or transition ownership. Geoff shared fascinating insights into how M&A trends are shaping the financial landscape, especially in service-based industries. If you’re a business owner thinking about the future of your company, this one’s for you.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"The demand for businesses right now is unprecedented; whether you’re a half-million-dollar firm or a $50 million company, there’s opportunity waiting."

- Geoff Bruskin

The Importance of Clean Financials

Geoff dove into the critical role of having clean, proactive financials when preparing for a sale. It’s not just about having accurate books; it’s about knowing your cash flow, identifying profit drivers, and presenting your business as a polished, valuable asset. We also discussed why having a professional team on your side—whether it’s a fractional CFO like me or a dedicated broker—is essential for reducing risks and maximizing the value of your business.

The Second Bite of the Apple

A big highlight of our chat was Geoff’s advice on the second bite of the apple. Selling your business doesn’t always mean walking away entirely. In fact, staying involved post-sale can open up opportunities for even bigger financial gains down the road. We talked about how partnerships and strategic mergers can allow owners to leverage resources they wouldn’t have on their own, making their companies—and their returns—grow exponentially.

Booming M&A Demand

Finally, we explored the booming demand in the M&A space. Geoff shared how today’s buyers aren’t just private equity firms—they’re also strategic players looking to expand into complementary industries. If you’ve ever considered selling or merging your business, now might be the perfect time to explore the possibilities.

"Clean books aren’t just a requirement for selling your business—they’re the foundation for telling the story of your success."

- Geoff Bruskin

Want to get in touch with Geoff Bruskin?

Website:: www.whitetigerconnections.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-bruskin-14184865/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Ten Strategies for Managing Cash Flow in a Scaling Business

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:20:59 +0000

“If you have a business model that is profitable and you have identified, why am I in a cash flow problem? Do not go throwing good money at a bad problem because it's only going to get worse and that hole is just going to keep getting deeper and deeper for you.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for this presentation I gave on cash flow management for scaling businesses. We dive into ten actionable strategies that will help you anticipate and manage cash inflows and outflows effectively. From professional services to retail and coaching, I discuss challenges like late supplier payments, maxed-out credit lines, and missing growth opportunities due to cash shortages. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and there are solutions!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“If you feel like you need to hire more team because you can't deliver on what you're selling, then that tells me you've got a pricing issue because you should have plenty of money if the sales are humming along.”

- Andrea Jenson

Looking Forward Not Backward

I highlight the importance of having a cash flow forecast to fill the void between your profit and bank balance. This tool helps you anticipate shortfalls by tracking all cash activities, including debt servicing and equity draws, and is essential for managing seasonality in your business. We also discuss ways to enhance cash inflows by invoicing promptly, improving collections, and offering incentives to encourage early payments.

Keep Your Cash

We explore strategies to slow down outflows, such as negotiating with vendors, prioritizing expenses, and conducting regular reviews of subscriptions and services. For businesses with inventory, adopting a just-in-time model can free up cash tied to unused stock. I also share how to boost profit margins by optimizing pricing, negotiating supplier rates, and finding efficiencies in delivering your products or services.

Bridge the Gap

We talk about personnel management during cash flow crunches, such as delaying hiring and optimizing existing team utilization. I touch on financing options, like lines of credit, but only when your business model is profitable and you’ve identified the root cause of cash flow issues. Remember, with the right tools and strategies, you can confidently navigate cash flow challenges and position your business for sustainable growth.

“…you either need to increase your prices or you need to find a cheaper way to deliver on what it is you're selling.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Marketing Outside the Box: John Dwyer Says Your Customers Deserve a Happy Meal Toy

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:00:30 +0000

“Look, if you don't have an organic wow factor, then you have to come up with one.”

- John Dwyer

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for this interview with John Dwyer, who’s built quite a global reputation for his extraordinary marketing strategies. Founder of the Institute of Wow, John is a direct response marketing expert known for his outside-the-box thinking. He made waves when he brought Jerry Seinfeld out of retirement to promote an Australian bank with a record-breaking free vacation campaign. This brilliant approach turned heads in the banking industry and set new standards for incentive-based marketing.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“My advice to small or medium sized businesses is stop price discounting. Use a Happy Meal toy philosophy to actually distinguish your products or services from the competitors, and you just watch what happens.”

- John Dwyer

What’s My Reward?

In our conversation, John shares his philosophy: businesses must “wow” their customers to stand out. From small businesses to corporate giants like Disney and KFC, John has crafted incentive-driven campaigns that drive measurable results. He explains how businesses can use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to run creative, targeted campaigns—turning contests and giveaways into lead-generation gold. He highlights that most businesses miss opportunities to incentivize customers, often defaulting to price cuts instead of using compelling rewards to boost engagement.

Everyone Should Get a Toy

John breaks down his Happy Meal-inspired strategy: providing low-cost, high-value incentives like vacations that customers perceive as valuable. Whether you’re running a plumbing business or selling braces, these incentive-driven campaigns attract highly interested leads who are ready to buy. John also explains the practicality of these techniques, which keep promotional expenses well in check, despite outwardly seeming big giveaways.

Red Hot Leads

If you’re looking to supercharge your marketing and outshine competitors, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Tune in to hear how simple tweaks in your marketing approach can deliver exceptional results and keep your business thriving.

“…if you give someone something like a vacation…three, four, or five nights to Vegas or Orlando or New York…and it's worth $1,000 but it only cost you $50, that's when you've got the winner.”

- John Dwyer

Want to get in touch with John Dwyer?

Website: https://getmorejd.com

Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/instituteofwow

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

From Risk to Reward: How Chris Williams Scaled Success Through Acquisitions

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:00:30 +0000

“If you can take your business from an owner-operated one to a professionally managed one, you might double your multiple—and that doesn’t come overnight.”

- Chris Williams

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Today’s episode is all about growing your business, especially through acquisitions. I’m joined by Chris Williams, CEO of System Six, a fully-remote outsourced accounting firm serving over 200 customers and 40 team members nationwide. Chris acquired the firm in 2021 and is thrilled to spend his time growing the firm organically and through strategic acquisitions while importantly protecting its mission to become the best place to work in remote accounting. Oh, and exciting news—Chris is about to become a dad!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“I either want to start a business or go buy a business, decided I was better to sort of take something that was existing, buy it, and then try to grow it.”

- Chris Williams

The Power of Acquisitions

Chris dives into what it takes to grow through acquisitions. He explains how buying a business can speed up growth but comes with risks, like managing new clients and team members all at once. We also talk about making businesses “professionally managed” instead of relying on the owner for everything. Chris shares how this change can double the value of a business!

Staying Focused and Efficient

We discuss why focus and efficiency matter. Chris shares examples of businesses that thrived by sticking to their strengths and others that struggled when they chased trendy ideas. Plus, we chat about how technology and AI can help save time and money. Little changes can add up to big savings and give you more resources to grow.

Scaling Your Business Smarter

This episode provides a roadmap for business owners looking to scale, whether through acquisitions or by optimizing their current operations. From the importance of building a solid management team to leveraging technology for better margins, Chris and I cover actionable steps to make your business more efficient and profitable. You’ll learn how focusing on core strengths, cutting unnecessary expenses, and planning for the long term can set your company up for sustainable growth and success.

“It’s riskier, but it moves the needle faster... We can move the needle faster towards our goals. It just means a little more risk. And I was willing to take that risk on.”

- Chris Williams

Want to get in touch with Chris Williams?

Website: www.systemsix.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-williams-68057029/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

The Six Financial Metrics Every Business Owner Must Track for Success

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 08:00:06 +0000

“If you could only look at six numbers, here's the most important ones for you to keep an eye on. They're going to help you understand the health of your business and how things are going in relation to where you are and the activities that your business is undergoing to get you to that end result of what it is that you are trying to achieve with the business."

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the six key numbers every business owner should focus on at the end of each month. These metrics are crucial for understanding the health of your business, and I want to make sure you know exactly what to look for. We’ll break down each number so that you can confidently review your financial reports and make informed decisions.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“There are some crazy statistics out there that nearly 30% of the businesses that go under do so because of cash flow problems, and the number one source of cash flow problems generally leads back to a bad business model and too high of a percentage of cost of goods sold."

- Andrea Jenson

By focusing on these six metrics, you'll have a comprehensive view of your business's financial health. They’ll help you make informed decisions, adjust strategies as needed, and ultimately steer your business toward success. So, take some time each month to review these numbers, and you'll be well on your way to running a thriving business.

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Getting Paid on Time: Mastering Accounts Receivable

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:00:07 +0000

"Having a healthy accounts receivable is really going to keep the business self-sustained, relying on their own cash flow that's being generated from sales and delivery without having to go out to outside resources."

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a conversation about an issue that's been cropping up a lot lately... slowdowns with accounts receivable. If you're noticing a delay in your receivables, it's crucial to address it before it impacts your cash flow and ability to meet financial obligations. I discuss some actionable strategies you can implement right now to help get your cash flow back on track and keep your business self-sustaining.

Join me to learn the whole story!

"When you have a prolonged accounts receivable problem, it's going to catch up with you and eventually it could potentially damage your credit ratings and increase the cost of borrowing money down the road."

- Andrea Jenson

Identifying Root Causes and Prioritizing Receivables

Both external factors, like economic downturns, and internal inefficiencies can cause delays in getting paid. I share the importance of identifying the root causes of these delays and how to prioritize your receivables to collect on high-value invoices first. Additionally, I highlight the significance of maintaining open and personal communication with your clients, which can help facilitate faster payments and strengthen your working relationships.

Optimizing Internal Processes

Once you've addressed immediate receivables issues, it's essential to optimize your internal processes to prevent future delays. From improving invoicing timelines to implementing automated systems, I cover practical steps you can take to tighten up your accounts receivable management. And beyond that, I emphasize the importance of clear contract terms and creditworthiness checks to ensure you're extending credit to reliable clients.

Proactive Communication

I also encourage you to be proactive in reaching out to clients with outstanding invoices. Most delays aren't due to malice but simple issues that can be resolved with a quick conversation. By staying on top of your receivables and fostering transparent communication, you can avoid cash flow problems and keep your business running smoothly. If you need more specific advice or templates, feel free to reach out—I'm here to help!

"If your team is doing that confirmation check-in to make sure that the client received the invoice, they can also be saying, 'We also want to make sure that there's accuracy and we're clear on the terms.'"

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Why Your CPA and Bookkeeper Aren’t Enough: The Missing Piece in Your Financial Strategy

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:21 +0000

“Having a plan in place is what removes the stress and the worry and the weight of managing your finances because otherwise we’re kind of just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks."

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome back to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! In today’s solo episode, I’m excited to talk about a discovery call I had with a potential client that reignited my passion for what we do at The Cashflow CFO. During our conversation, I had a light bulb moment about the common frustrations business owners face when it comes to making financial decisions. Despite having a CPA and a bookkeeper, many still feel like they’re in the dark, unsure how to use their financial data to guide their business.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Everybody in your finance division has a role to play... and most business owners, they have the bookkeeper, they have the tax preparer, the CPA, and they’re still saying, ‘I’m missing something.’"

- Andrea Jenson

The Importance of Forward-Looking Planning Tools

The key issue we discussed was the difference between historical financial reports and forward-looking planning tools. Many business owners rely on their profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, but these documents are backward-looking and don’t help much in planning future moves. What’s missing is a strategic plan that includes forecasting, sales projections, and a clear understanding of where you want your business to be in the next one, three, or five years.

Planning Ahead for Business Growth

We also talked about the importance of knowing your sales pipeline and understanding your sales conversion rate. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you have the right team and resources in place to handle future business. This kind of strategic planning removes the stress and guesswork from managing your finances, helping you to make informed decisions about hiring, investing, and scaling your business.

Allocating Revenue for Success

Finally, I walked him through how to allocate revenue into different budget categories, like cost of goods sold, marketing, general and administrative expenses, and profit. This approach helps ensure that you’re a good steward of your business’s money while still achieving your financial goals. It was a great conversation, and I hope it helps you too! If you have any questions or want to chat more, feel free to reach out to me at TheCashflowCFO.com.

“You have to create the plan. The plan has to align with your big picture vision, right? Because you have the vision and you're backing it up with strategy and that strategy comes at a cost."

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Elevating Your Benefits Strategy with Dennis Carlson

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:20 +0000

"Self-insurance isn't just for large corporations; small and midsize businesses can also benefit from the flexibility and potential savings it offers."

- Dennis Carlson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a second conversation with Dennis Carlson, Executive Benefits Advisor for Marsh McLennan Agency. Dennis previously played the role of entrepreneur inside the insurance industry, founding Bespoke Benefits in 2009, which was later acquired in 2017. Now, he leads the executive benefits practice for Marsh McLennan Agency in the western United States. Dennis has extensive experience advising on employee and executive benefits, helping businesses attract and retain top talent. Continue to get to know him, and learn from some of his wisdom.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"It's not about cutting corners—it's about customizing benefits in a way that aligns with your budget while still providing meaningful coverage to employees."

- Dennis Carlson

Involving Finance in Benefits Decisions

Dennis Carlson highlights the critical need for involving finance teams in employee benefits decisions. Traditionally, these decisions have been the domain of HR or office management, but integrating finance professionals into the conversation ensures that budget planning and cost control are thoroughly considered. This collaboration allows businesses to explore various funding options that might be overlooked if finance isn’t part of the discussion.

The Case for Alternative Funding Strategies

Dennis introduces alternative funding mechanisms as a viable strategy for small and midsize businesses to manage their benefits costs more effectively. While these strategies are often associated with large companies, Dennis explains that smaller businesses can also benefit from self-insured or partially self-insured plans. These options provide greater control over healthcare expenses, offering a potential path to significant cost savings.

Customizing Benefits for Cost Efficiency

Dennis shares insights on how employers can customize their benefits offerings to achieve cost efficiency. He suggests considering high-deductible health plans paired with tailored funding mechanisms as a way to provide comprehensive coverage while managing costs. By working closely with brokers, employers can design benefits packages that meet their financial constraints without sacrificing quality.

The Role of Communication in Benefits Success

Effective communication is a key theme in Dennis’s advice. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that employees fully understand their benefits and how to use them. Clear communication not only helps employees maximize the value of their benefits but also enhances their appreciation for what their employer provides, leading to better engagement and satisfaction.

"Bringing finance into the benefits conversation early allows companies to explore funding options that may not even be on the table if finance isn’t involved."

- Dennis Carlson

Want to get in touch with Dennis Carlson?

Email: dennis.carlson@marshmma.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniscarlson

Website: https://www.marshmma.com

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Protect Your People and Your Business: Dennis Carlson on How Insurance Needs Grow with Your Company

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:00:11 +0000

“…as a business owner or as just a CEO running a business… probably the first thing you should be thinking about… as it relates to attracting and retaining employees… is are the benefits that we offer today working.”

- Dennis Carlson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a conversation with Dennis Carlson, Executive Benefits Advisor for Marsh McLennan Agency. Dennis previously played the role of entrepreneur inside the insurance industry, founding Bespoke Benefits in 2009, which was later acquired in 2017. Now, he leads the executive benefits practice for Marsh McLennan Agency in the western United States. Dennis has extensive experience advising on employee and executive benefits, helping businesses attract and retain top talent. Get to know him, and hear some of his wisdom.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“…really every small business owner should be thinking about these things. And… it's one of those things that nobody wants to deal with. It's easy to push off and easy to not think about.”

- Dennis Carlson

You Get What You Pay For

Dennis and I dive into the often overlooked aspects of executive benefits. We discuss the financial challenges businesses face when offering competitive benefit packages and explore alternative financing strategies to make these benefits more affordable. Dennis highlights the importance of finding a balance between cost and value, ensuring that businesses can attract top talent without breaking the bank.

Renaissance Man

We also touch on Dennis’s journey into the insurance industry, which began unexpectedly after a stint in the music industry. His marketing background played a pivotal role in his transition to insurance, where he built an employee benefits practice from scratch. Dennis shares how leveraging technology has been crucial in keeping ahead of the competition in an industry that is traditionally slow to adapt.

Human Capital

We get deep into the specific benefits that business owners should consider for their executive teams, such as life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Dennis emphasizes the need for benefits that cover the unique needs of high-earning executives. We discuss the significance of capturing variable compensation and ensuring comprehensive coverage. Dennis also explains how insurance can protect businesses from the sudden loss of key personnel.

“...it's for that individual employee who, that if something happened to them unexpectedly, sick or hurt, can't work or passed away unexpectedly… what would it cost the business to rehire, retrain… lost income because maybe they were one of the top salespeople?”

- Dennis Carlson

Want to get in touch with Dennis Carlson?

Email: dennis.carlson@marshmma.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniscarlson

Website: https://www.marshmma.com

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Crowd Favorite: Making Business Sense with Supplier Diversity: Insights with Jean Kristensen

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 08:00:15 +0000

“Part of my journey is making sure that, you know, local communities and minority and women owned businesses understand about the various opportunities that are available through government agencies or large corporations.”

- Jean Kristensen

Welcome back to the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! This episode was so popular with our listeners that we are rebroadcasting it in case anyone missed it the first time. In it, I interview Jean Kristensen, the CEO and chief consultant at JKA Solutions. Jean connects women and minority businesses with government and large corporate entities seeking diversity in their contracts. Previously, Jean experienced firsthand the struggles and successes that come with rapidly scaling a family business built from scratch.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“There are so many of these partnerships happening right now where non-minority firms, non-diverse firms, large companies, are looking to gain access to market share that is earmarked for small businesses.”

- Jean Kristensen

Transformative Leadership and Impactful Change

Under Jean's leadership at JKA Solutions, a dedication to empowering businesses through supplier diversity, outreach, consulting, and training is evident. Her personal success story of transforming a family-run security guard company into a thriving enterprise showcases the transformative power of supplier diversity. Others have taken note of Jean, who’s found herself included among New York’s MWBE Power 50, and named as one of the "Top Women to Watch in Real Estate."

Exploring Opportunities

Andrea learns about Jean’s unique career path, from the family's security guard company to becoming a leading figure in supplier diversity. Jean shares challenges and triumphs, offering insights into the vast landscape of opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses. The conversation delves into government contracts, corporate initiatives, and upcoming investments in diversity expected from the public and private sectors.

Business Growth with a Social Purpose: Actionable Insights

In the final segment, Andrea and Jean discuss steps for businesses looking to scale and tap into diversity-seeking opportunities. Jean emphasizes the need for intentional planning, financial health, and strategic partnerships. Andrea and Jean both note the importance of well-structured financial foundations and the role of organizations like The Cash Flow CFO, which guide businesses toward sustainable growth.

“…I don't want to make it sound perfect, I don't want to make it sound easy, but we were able to gain access to many lucrative government contracts and many contracts in the private sector that propelled us from a small family run business to one of the largest companies, largest minority women owned security companies at the time…”

- Jean Kristensen

Want to get in touch with Jean Kristensen?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeankristensenassociates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JEANKRISTENSENASSOCIATE

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Exploring Insurance Intricacies with Eddie Del Canto: Opportunities for Business Owners

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:00:22 +0000

"The insurance industry has evolved significantly over the years, but it remains a complex field that requires constant learning and adaptation."

- Eddie Del Canto

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this conversation with Eddie Del Canto. Eddie started his insurance career in the late 1990s and has since made significant contributions to the commercial insurance industry. Before co-founding CompSure Insurance Solutions, he played a crucial role in the profitable growth of the workers' compensation commercial segment at Wells Fargo Insurance Services and The Hays Companies, now Brown & Brown. Mr. Del Canto holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on service sector management from California State University, San Marcos. Outside of his career, Eddie's passions include his family, friends, music, basketball, and assisting employers in negotiating the best workers' compensation rates and services.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"High premiums have been a significant burden for employers, and finding ways to provide relief has always been a crucial part of my work in the insurance sector."

- Eddie Del Canto

The Complexity of Insurance for Business Owners

Eddie Del Canto emphasizes the complexity of navigating various insurance policies, from general liability to workers' compensation. He highlights the importance of understanding these policies to avoid costly mistakes and ensure adequate coverage. Eddie’s insights provide listeners with a clear understanding of why insurance can be a daunting task for many business owners.

Addressing High Premiums and Cost Management

Eddie discusses the issue of high insurance premiums, a major concern for many businesses. He explains how premiums are calculated and the factors that can influence these costs. Eddie offers practical advice on how businesses can manage and potentially lower their premiums through various strategies, such as improving safety protocols and maintaining a good claims history. His expertise helps demystify the pricing structure of insurance and provides actionable tips for cost management.

Workers' Compensation Challenges

One of the focal points of the conversation is workers' compensation insurance, which Eddie describes as one of the most challenging aspects for business owners. He elaborates on the common pitfalls and misconceptions surrounding workers' comp and stresses the importance of proper management and documentation. Eddie shares real-life examples to illustrate the potential consequences of mismanaging workers' comp claims, emphasizing the need for vigilance and thorough understanding in this area.

Tailored Insurance Solutions and Future Trends

In the final segment, Eddie talks about the importance of tailored insurance solutions that meet the specific needs of individual businesses. He explains how a one-size-fits-all approach can be detrimental and why customization is key to effective coverage. Eddie also touches on future trends in the insurance industry, such as the impact of technology and emerging risks. His forward-looking perspective provides valuable insights for business owners looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of insurance.

"Every business is unique, and so are their insurance needs. It's essential to tailor insurance solutions that specifically address the risks and requirements of each individual business."

-Eddie Del Canto

Want to get in touch with Eddie Del Canto?

Website: www.compsure.net

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3Ym1U0ZRwkI

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Be that Expert the Public Knows: Lauren Banyar Reich Explains How Earned Media Elevates your Business

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:00:12 +0000

“…If you've got $50,000 to buy… a front page ad in the Sunday paper, great. Anybody with $50,000 can, you know, can pay for that ad… It doesn't necessarily set you apart in any way. And what earned media is, is it's when you're mentioned in that story, when you're in that blog, when you're on that podcast, and many cases when you're on that stage."

- Lauren Banyar Reich

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a conversation with Lauren Banyar Reich, the founder and CEO of public relations firm LBR PR. Lauren and her team excel at advancing clients’ business goals by connecting them with high-visibility media opportunities. LBR PR matches clients with media outlets seeking expert commentary, bylined articles, product features, and more. The company’s clients receive attention from prestigious publications like the Wall Street Journal, websites like Refinery29, and major metro area TV. Lauren emphasizes the outsized public credibility boost offered by these earned media appearances, when compared to paid media, AKA advertising.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“…Earned media tends to also beget more earned media. Because even journalists are looking up who's the go to source.”

- Lauren Banyar Reich

An Early Passion

Lauren shares her journey into PR, which began with a nudge from an English teacher who saw her strengths in public speaking and writing. She studied journalism at the University of Maryland, where she fell in love with PR for its blend of storytelling and communication. Her passion for the field has kept her engaged and driven, finding endless opportunities across various industries. We discuss how these early skills set the foundation for her successful career and the launch of LBR PR.

Reach Those Who Skip Ads

We talk about the evolving landscape of PR within the marketing mix. Lauren explains how earned media can amplify other marketing efforts, like content, SEO, and advertising. She states the importance of building credibility and visibility for clients, citing examples of successful campaigns that strategically targeted specific industry publications and events. This holistic approach helps businesses achieve their goals by making them more recognizable and trusted in their fields.

What Money Can’t Always Buy

Lauren discusses the differences between earned and paid media, explaining how each serves distinct purposes in a comprehensive marketing strategy. Earned media, achieved through credibility and expertise, can significantly lower customer acquisition costs and build long-term trust. For those looking to get their names out in the public, Lauren suggests building relationships with journalists who often need the help of expert commentators. She tells us how she’s gone about that.

“They've heard you give really insightful… takeaways and concrete things that they've remembered, right? So… when they walk in that door, whatever that door is, whether it's onto your website, into your office, over the phone, whatever that looks like, even your LinkedIn profile, they're further down that path of really feeling like they know you and like you and trust you than they would have been if you came in cold.”

- Lauren Banyar Reich

Want to get in touch with Lauren Banyar Reich?

Website: https://www.lbrpr.com

LinkedIn (Lauren): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbrpr/

LinkedIn (LBR/PR): https://www.linkedin.com/company/lbr-pr

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Contract to Cash Masterclass with The Cash Flow CFO and JKA Solutions - Part 2

Mon, 27 May 2024 08:00:12 +0000

"I think the first thing you should be thinking about is your business doesn't sell on revenue, it sells on profit. It's going to be a multiple of your profit."

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode for the second half of a two part series in which I co-host a virtual workshop with Jean Kristensen, the CEO and chief consultant at JKA Solutions. We pick up where we left off by discussing the important topic of owner’s compensation. Many business owners either take money off the top or put themselves on salary, which can strain the business. It’s crucial to dig deeper into how compensation fits within your business model.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"So the passive income that I'm referring to is the individual side… you've taken the money, the profits, the client package out of the business, and now you've paid taxes on it. You've done whatever you need to do based on your business entity structure. And now on the personal side, you're looking for vehicles that are going to, you know, be putting your money to work for you without you having to actively do a lot there."

- Andrea Jenson

Planning for Retirement

Another key point is the importance of planning for retirement. Business owners should not rely solely on selling their business for retirement funds, as 80% of businesses up for sale do not sell. It’s essential to have a strategic approach to your compensation, working with tax preparers to find the ideal mix of payroll, distributions, and dividends. Treat your business as an asset that generates passive income, moving active income activities to personal passive income activities over time.

Passive Income Strategies

We also explored the concept of personal passive income. This involves taking profits from the business and investing them in vehicles that generate income with minimal active involvement. Many business owners invest in real estate or high-yield investment accounts. The goal is to have multiple income streams to provide security and reduce reliance on the business alone. Compounding interest and consistent investment can lead to significant growth in personal wealth over time.

Preparing for Business Sale

Finally, we touched on the process of preparing to sell a business. It’s important to understand that businesses sell based on profit, not revenue. To increase the likelihood of a successful sale, business owners need to reduce risk for potential buyers by having a diverse customer base, a solid team, and clean financial records. Planning for the sale should start 3 to 5 years in advance to maximize the business's value and ensure a smooth transition. Working with a fractional CFO can help you navigate this process, ensuring your business is as profitable and attractive as possible to potential buyers.

"Find a CFO that has a growth mindset. There's a lot of financial professionals that are risk averse and that doesn't necessarily need to equate to scaring you…We always say to our clients…we never tell them ‘no’. We always say, ‘sure, let me show you how we can do that’."

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Jean Kristensen?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeankristensenassociates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JEANKRISTENSENASSOCIATE

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Contract to Cash Masterclass with The Cash Flow CFO and JKA Solutions - Part 1

Mon, 20 May 2024 08:00:11 +0000

"Think of your CFO as the navigator, looking ahead to ensure your business remains profitable and on track. They work alongside your bookkeeper, who handles historical data, to create forward-looking financial plans."

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode for the first half of a two part series in which I co-host a virtual workshop with Jean Kristensen, the CEO and chief consultant at JKA Solutions. We discuss the importance of being financially ready for business growth. At The Cash Flow CFO, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs manage their cash flow and navigate the financial complexities of scaling their companies. Your business is your most significant asset, and our goal is to make it financially robust enough to sell, leverage for financing, or provide for your future. We'll explore what it means to be procurement ready, especially when targeting large contracts with government agencies or corporations.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Your business is your most significant asset, and our goal is to make it financially robust enough to sell, leverage for financing, or provide for your future."

- Andrea Jenson

Becoming Procurement Ready

One of the first steps in being financially ready is having accurate, timely financial statements. This helps you understand your business's health, sales goals, and revenue. When securing large contracts with government agencies or large corporations, you need to be prepared for the associated delivery costs. Financial readiness means knowing where your business stands financially before bringing in contracts, having a plan for servicing those contracts, and ensuring you have a line of credit for slow-paying customers. This preparation demonstrates your understanding of your numbers and makes you appear more prepared to potential clients.

The Role of a Fractional CFO

A fractional CFO is crucial for scaling your business. They provide forward-looking financial strategies, unlike bookkeepers or tax preparers who focus on historical data. Your CFO will create an annual budget based on growth goals, prepare a staff utilization schedule, manage job costing, and maintain relationships with bankers to ensure effective use of funds. This helps in understanding your burn rate, making timely decisions, and ensuring your business has at least 90 days of operating cash.

Strategic Planning and Growth

Effective financial management involves setting aside profits for taxes, debt, growth investments, and owner compensation. A CFO helps you create a predictable profit model by allocating revenue into cost of goods sold, general and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and profit. By understanding customer acquisition costs and sales funnel metrics, you can make informed decisions about scaling. With a strategic plan, entrepreneurs can confidently aim for significant growth, knowing that they have the systems in place to support their expansion and secure larger contracts with ease.

"For every dollar in revenue that you bring in, it equals 100%. That 100% needs to be split up over four big buckets in your business: cost of goods sold, general and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and profit. The profit needs to cover your operating expenses, any existing debt, income taxes, and reinvestment back into the business. This ensures that your business remains financially healthy and can support growth."

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Jean Kristensen?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeankristensenassociates

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Cash Flow Quiz | Gauging Your Business's Financial Health

Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:14 +0000

“You want to make sure that you have a really good open relationship … that you're always talking to your business banker so that they know how business is going.”

-Andrea Jensen

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I share valuable questions about the current financial state of your business.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“it's so important to understand how ready are you to take on new contracts, to have a new opportunity come your way.”

-Andrea Jensen

Assessing Financial Readiness

In today’s episode, I dive into essential questions every business owner should ask themselves to gauge their financial readiness. I regularly discuss financial goals with entrepreneurs, prompting me to share these key questions with our audience. We go through crucial aspects like the ability to generate timely financial statements, the presence of a budget, and understanding customer acquisition costs.

Evaluating Management Practices

Listeners are encouraged to assess their businesses by answering simple yes or no questions regarding financial management practices. From the frequency of budget comparisons to the existence of a financial dashboard, each topic sheds light on the health of their operations. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of maintaining open communication with financial advisors, bookkeepers, and bankers.

Strengthening Financial Foundations

You’ll gain insight into your financial preparedness and are invited to share the quiz results for further discussion. Whether achieving 100% or identifying areas for improvement, these questions serve as a valuable tool for businesses aiming to strengthen their financial foundations.

Embracing Continuous Improvement

These questions serve as a litmus test for the financial robustness of any business. Achieving a perfect score on this quiz indicates a well-rounded team of financial professionals supporting your endeavors. Even if you didn't ace the quiz, it's not a cause for alarm. Instead, it's an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and take proactive steps towards enhancing your financial management practices.

“You should have somebody that is … forward thinking, helps you make strategic spending decisions in your business, somebody that has a financial background.”

-Andrea Jensen

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Coffee Talk with CFOs: Jessica Buzzell Salutes the Stressed Business Owner

Mon, 06 May 2024 08:00:14 +0000

“…I like to say that I can empathize tremendously with my clients because I've been there. I've literally gone through this discussion and I was the one on the receiving end at one point… where I had a financial expert come in and pretty much say to me, like, Jess, your prices are terrible. You know, you're not pricing for profits and here's what we need to do.”

- Jessica Buzzell

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me for a chat with Jessica Buzzell, one of our brilliant CFOs. Jess shares some anecdotes collected over her 15-plus years dedicated to business development, accounting, financial management, and leadership consulting. Jess also revisits the stresses that came with scaling her own startup, which she built from the ground-up into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. We highlight how the CFO mindset played into optimizing the businesses we created firsthand.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“…Because of my experience running the company before and scaling it… my brain is so heavily leaning towards operations all the time. How can we make this process more streamlined? How can we slim down maybe on some of our manual tasks and our staff… so that we don't have to have this big burden to handle this process?”

- Jessica Buzzell

Information Advantage

Jess and I consider what goes into refining a given company’s overall strategy, and how oftentimes difficult decisions are made easier with clear, non-emotional financial data available to set guideposts. We agree; meticulous analysis empowers business owners to navigate uncertainties with confidence. The stakes get higher as things scale.

A Business is your Baby

As CFOs, we reflect on how commonly we’re asked to get involved with creative thinking beyond our typical duties. All too often, part of the job requires understanding personalities. I joke with Jess, saying we must wear three hats: CFO, therapist, and detective. She adds operations consultant to that list.

CEO or CFO?

Ultimately, our experiences with clients continue telling us that huge business potential too frequently sits untapped, when owners remain fixated on working in their businesses, and not on them. When scaling, the highly technical role of a CFO becomes increasingly demanding, consuming ever-larger portions of owners’ time. Furthermore, the appropriate analytical and projection skills can easily exceed one’s abilities. Jess and I agree; we find satisfaction witnessing clients’ bewilderment, when we take previously daunting tasks off their plates, while simultaneously opening their eyes to future possibilities.

“You hire for your weaknesses. So if you don't have a strong financial background or acumen or if you don't know anything about pricing or if you don't even know what… it costs to deliver your services or to produce your products, you need a CFO.”

- Jessica Buzzell

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson or Jessica Buzzell at the Cash Flow CFO?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Insider's Guide to Insurance: Amy Evans Reveals What Employers Need to Know

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:15 +0000

"I tend to call them lazy brokers who just send the renewal and go, ‘Well, that is what it is this year. Good, good luck with that.’ There's really a lot that can be done, but it takes a broker that wants to get into the nitty gritty of it in order to look at what those options are.”

- Amy Evans

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview Amy Evans, who has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, simplifying employee benefits for employers and their employees. In October of 2021, her insurance agency was acquired by Acrisure and she now serves as an associate vice president.

Amy works with employers to help them navigate the complex world of employee benefits, business insurance and risk management. In 2019, she started the Align Women Podcast, which features female entrepreneurs, leaders and other professionals who have demonstrated agency and innovation in their personal and professional lives. Amy is a frequent speaker, writer, podcast guest and social media participant, and you can find her engaging regularly on a variety of topics, including health insurance issues, entrepreneurship, social media strategies, women's empowerment and networking with intention.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"...benefits have a huge PR component because employees are interacting with that and they are assessing the value of that as part of their overall employment. And they they should be educated about how the benefits work and they should feel like they have a resource.”

- Amy Evans

Navigating the Complex World of Insurance

During our conversation, Amy shared insights into the complex world of employee benefits and commercial insurance. She emphasized the importance of understanding the unique needs of each client's workforce, guiding employers through strategic decisions to optimize their benefits packages. Amy highlighted the evolving landscape of insurance, emphasizing the need for employers to stay informed and adaptable

Exploring Employee Benefits

We delved into various aspects of employee benefits, including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, and additional perks like dental, vision, and life insurance. Amy underscored the significance of employee perception and satisfaction when designing benefits packages, advocating for transparency and employee input.

Amy’s Expertise and Insights

Throughout the episode, Amy’s expertise and passion for helping employers navigate the intricacies of insurance shone through. Her advice on balancing cost considerations with employee needs and the ever-changing insurance landscape provided valuable insights for businesses of all sizes. Join us as we explore the world of insurance and empower employers to make informed decisions for their teams.

"I really like health advocacy benefits. So health advocacy is a service that allows employees to have someone that they can call to help them with difficult medical bills. And if you've ever dealt with complex medical situations, those bills can be terrifying, confusing. They can take a long time to resolve. And having a health advocacy service that can kind of take that work on is great for the employee because it takes a lot of stress off.”

- Amy Evans

Want to get in touch with Amy Evans?

Website: www.acrisure.com/southwest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyevans2/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Putting out Fires When it Comes to New Hires: Jamie Van Cuyk Talks the Art of Finding Talent

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:00:13 +0000

“…One of the things that I remind my clients with all the time is any shortcuts you take during the hiring process will cost you when it comes to managing that team member.”

- Jamie Van Cuyk

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me in this conversation with Jamie Van Cuyk, the founder and lead strategist of Growing Your Team. Leveraging more than 15 years of expertise, Jamie helps women-owned small businesses master their hiring practices. Her company teaches how to find long-lasting team members and avoid the costly cycle of hiring and firing.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“…I ask my clients… what's the goal of this position? They'll say to save me time. And I'm like, that's great, but why this position? What is this position going to do for you? How is it going to save you time?”

- Jamie Van Cuyk

Trial by Fire

Jamie explains her evolution from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship, with time spent starting a software company, and ultimately founding Growing Your Team. Initially focused on large-scale clients, Jamie pivoted her business to serve smaller operators, after realizing their demand for hiring know-how. And with years invested in the field, Jamie shares what she likes to tell those facing strategic talent acquisition decisions.

Serious Business

Clear and honest job postings attract ideal candidates, Jamie stresses. She explains the significance of aligning job descriptions with the roles' actual responsibilities, set against realistic expectations. She emphasizes the financial impact of bad hires, citing studies that show a wrong hire can cost a business some $7,000 dollars, at a minimum.

Let Go to Grow

Jamie also discusses the importance of filling roles with candidates capable of improving a company’s performance, not just maintaining it. As she puts it, unwillingness to delegate, and fear of new perspectives can hinder owners who mistakenly focus on how duties are performed, instead of welcoming new opinions and methods.

“…Ask yourself, does this need to be done right or does it need to be done by me? And if the answer is it just needs to be done right, you can train someone to do it right. There are things in your business that do need to be done by you as your business grows. That list should actually be getting smaller and smaller...”

- Jamie Van Cuyk

Want to get in touch with Jamie Van Cuyk?

Website: https://growingyourteam.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growingyourteam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamievancuyk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingYourTeam

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/growingyourteam

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Unlocking the Path to Viable Business

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 08:00:17 +0000

“I don't care if you want to sell it, but I want you to have a business that can be sold.”

- Jim Padilla

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me as I have a conversation with Jim Padilla. Jim is a seasoned entrepreneur and global impact strategist, known for his expertise in sales systems and business growth. He's the CEO of Gain the Edge, a company focused on providing top-notch sales systems and professionals. In our chat, Jim shared his journey into the world of sales systems and highlighted the importance of aligning business and personal goals for holistic success.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Everybody needs to get out of their mind that you owe it to your customer. And I am not saying devalue the customer, always value the customer. Without them, you don't have a business. However, again, along the lines of exactly promise, what is the thing that they hired you for?"

- Jim Padilla

Front-end and Back-end Cash Flow Management

Jim talked about the significance of robust systems and structures in driving business growth. He stressed the need for businesses to focus on both front-end and back-end cash flow management. On the front end, it's about generating sales and optimizing customer acquisition costs. Meanwhile, on the back end, it's about effectively allocating resources, reinvesting profits, and managing expenses to ensure long-term viability.

The "Mountaintop Experience"

We touched on the concept of the "mountaintop experience," where businesses aim to deliver exceptional value to their customers, keeping them engaged and committed for the long haul. Jim emphasized the importance of delivering exactly what customers need, avoiding the trap of over-delivering, and focusing on value alignment with premium buyers.

Scalable Systems and Strategies

Furthermore, Jim shed light on the journey from profitability to viability, encouraging the need for businesses to have scalable systems and strategies in place. He underscored the role of expert guidance in navigating this journey, urging business owners to seek specialized help when needed rather than attempting to solve everything themselves.

Balancing Revenue, Expenses, and Growth

In essence, our conversation with Jim Padilla highlighted the critical role of sales systems, strategic planning, and effective cash flow management in driving business success. It's about finding the right balance between generating revenue, optimizing expenses, and investing in sustainable growth for the future.

“We're on a mission to take people from profitable to viable to buyable.”

- Jim Padilla

Want to get in touch with Jim Padilla?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimpadilla_/

Website: https://www.jimp360.com/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Making Marketing Magic: Expanding Minds and Closing Deals with Elizabeth Purvis

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:00:16 +0000

“I often tell our clients that what we do is based on 10,000 years of human psychology. Ignore it at your peril.”

- Elizabeth Purvis

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me in this conversation with Elizabeth Purvis, a veteran in digital marketing and messaging strategy, who also happens to be a metaphysical teacher. Elizabeth is the CEO of 7-Figure Goddess, a company uniquely focused on empowering entrepreneurs and leaders in the fields of personal coaching, healing, channeling, teaching, and other transformational pursuits. Elizabeth's specific talent lies in crafting offers and messaging tailored to resonate with well-honed target audiences, while also refining that messaging to stay aligned with their needs and desires, as the world evolves. Elizabeth and I reflect on our shared journey, which now goes back essentially a decade.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“If you don't go right for the person that you want right out of the gate, chances are you're not going to attract as many people as you want of the wrong people…”

- Elizabeth Purvis

Know Your Human

Elizabeth emphasizes the significance of understanding human psychology in crafting effective marketing strategies. Drawing from her background in engineering and her early experiences in direct response copywriting, she highlights the power of offers and messaging in driving business growth. Through her company, Elizabeth helps coaches and practitioners transition from six to seven figures without relying on conventional marketing methods like webinars or sales calls. Instead, she advocates for organic traffic strategies backed by optimized offers and messaging.

Don’t Miss What You Miss

Andrea and Elizabeth stress the necessity of tracking data and making micro-adjustments based on audience responses, both positive and negative. They discuss the iterative process of testing and refining messaging to ensure it resonates with the target demographic. Elizabeth shares insights into her approach of always starting with the question of who the target audience is and what their current needs and pain points are. By staying attuned to audience feedback and market trends, businesses can adapt their messaging effectively and sustainably, she says.

Lots of Little Wins

Andrea and Elizabeth underscore the importance of starting small, testing rigorously, and investing resources wisely based on proven results. They advocate for an iterative approach to messaging and offer development, guided by a deep understanding of the target audience. They call for leaders in marketing to cultivate strong connections with their audience and drive growth over time by prioritizing clarity, alignment, and responsiveness.

“Rules of marketing and offers and messaging are always working. But if we're not paying attention, then that's when… you wake up and you're like, why is no one buying?”

- Elizabeth Purvis

Want to get in touch with Elizabeth Purvis?

Website: https://7figuregoddess.com

Book: https://7figuregoddessbook.com (or on Amazon)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethpurvis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizpurvis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femininemagic/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Unlocking Revenue through Strategic Events with Shay Wheat

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:00:13 +0000

"I think that's something that sets us apart from other event planners…we're looking at it more from a strategic standpoint… Tell me about your business. Tell me about your offer. What is the purpose and intention of the event in the first place? What are we looking to do? Why are they showing up? Like, what is the journey that we want to take them on and what is the end result?

- Shay Wheat

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview Shay Wheat, an esteemed event producer and the CEO of Grace and Ease Productions. With over a decade of experience, Shay has mastered the art of orchestrating high-ticket offer events, consistently delivering substantial returns for her clients within just a few days. Through her insights, Shay sheds light on the strategic fusion of event management and consulting, tailored to meet the unique needs of clients worldwide.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"What if you hosted an event for those people [leads that your sales team didn't close] to come back into your space because they originally spoke to you because there was some type of pain, they were hoping that you could support them in?"

- Shay Wheat

The Power of Strategic Event Planning

Shay underscores the paramount importance of strategic event planning, emphasizing a client-centric approach aimed at achieving desired outcomes. She advocates for events not merely as revenue generators but as pivotal opportunities for community-building and engagement. Drawing from her wealth of experience, Shay provides compelling examples, ranging from philanthropic initiatives to immersive retreats, showcasing the diverse ways in which events can be leveraged to meet clients' objectives effectively.

Navigating Virtual Engagement and Fulfillment Events

Shay delves into the intricate psychology of engagement within virtual events, likening the experience to platforms like Netflix to underscore the significance of maintaining active participant involvement. She elucidates the role of fulfillment events in nurturing client relationships and fostering community cohesion, urging business owners to harness the power of events as potent marketing tools. With practical insights and valuable resources, Shay encourages listeners to explore high-profit event strategies, highlighting their potential to optimize marketing investments and cultivate lasting customer connections through strategic event planning.

Integration of Events with Digital Marketing and Branding

In addition to her expertise in event production, Shay Wheat offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and branding. She stresses the importance of integrating event strategies with broader marketing initiatives, emphasizing the need for consistency and coherence across all touchpoints. With Shay's guidance, listeners are empowered to reimagine their marketing strategies, leveraging the dynamic synergy between events and digital branding to forge meaningful connections and drive business success in today's competitive marketplace.

"You spend really good money on your marketing, so let's actually find ways that we can scale, grow, leverage and capitalize on the money you've already spent. Yeah, utilize events to do that.

- Shay Wheat

Want to get in touch with Shay Wheat?

Websites: https://graceandeaseproductions.com/ and https://highprofitevents.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaywheat/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceandeaseproductions/ and https://www.instagram.com/shaywheat

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Sustainable Solutions: Navigating Agriculture's Future with Sarah Beth Aubrey

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:00:14 +0000

"We're culturally archaic sometimes. We have a high-tech industry that's innovating and delivering food for the world, feeding billions of people. But sometimes our mindsets maybe haven't caught up with what we're delivering."

- Sarah Beth Aubrey

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode where I had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Beth Aubrey, a trailblazer in agricultural consultancy and sustainability. As the CEO and founder of the Envoy Group, Sarah leads initiatives aimed at training, coaching, and coalition-building within the agriculture sector.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Sustainability is not only environmental, and I work really hard to make sure that we talk about that because, while the environment is a critical element, it doesn't matter if the business can't stay afloat."

- Sarah Beth Aubrey

Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainability:

During our conversation, Sarah shed light on the challenges and opportunities inherent in promoting sustainability within agriculture. She stressed the importance of proactive measures to address climate change, emphasizing collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Sarah's advocacy for market-driven solutions underscores the pivotal role of innovation and entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable practices.

Steadfast Commitment to Depoliticizing Climate Discourse:

Despite facing obstacles such as financial constraints and supply shortages, Sarah remains steadfast in her commitment to depoliticizing climate discourse. She champions grassroots movements and emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in addressing environmental concerns. Through her work, Sarah aims to inspire businesses and individuals to embrace sustainability as a core value, integrating environmental stewardship with economic viability and social responsibility.

Vision for the Future:

Sarah's visionary approach highlights the transformative potential of sustainable practices for the future of agriculture and beyond. She continues to advocate for a holistic approach to sustainability, recognizing its profound impact on the environment, economy, and society. As Sarah continues to lead the charge in the agricultural sector, her efforts promise to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

“You have to be where your industry is going, otherwise, what value do you really bring as a consultant?”

- Sarah Beth Aubrey

Want to get in touch with Sarah Beth Aubrey?

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahaubrey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbethaubreysba/

Website: https://theenvoygroup.co/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Healing Hidden Trauma and Succeeding in Business: Annie Wright’s Experience

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 08:00:09 +0000

"I would not be where I am professionally... if it weren't for having attended to the gaps in my own psychological foundation."

- Annie Wright

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me as I welcome Annie Wright, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Evergreen Counseling, a boutique therapy center in Berkeley, California. Annie specializes in supporting ambitious women from relational trauma backgrounds and runs an online course called Hard Families, Good Boundaries. Annie and I share a common experience working with many upwardly mobile women, and we discuss the intersection of money, trauma, and personal growth.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Trauma survivors have symptoms, not memories."

- Annie Wright

The Journey to Evergreen Counseling

Annie explains how her personal journey of healing from childhood trauma led her to create Evergreen Counseling. She emphasizes the importance of creating a specialized space for trauma survivors to receive effective therapy. But as the center grew rapidly, Annie recalls how she confronted the complexities of managing money, and the HR challenges of her ever-expanding professional team.

Financial Management Insights

Having Andrea one-on-one, Annie takes the opportunity to seek advice about finance tools for businesses like her own. Andrea explains the necessity of creating a financial management dashboard that integrates key performance indicators, budgeting, and forecasting. She emphasizes the importance of analyzing variances and adjusting pricing strategies to align with financial goals.

Key Takeaways

Andrea and Annie's conversation highlights the struggles, both financial and personal, which confront entrepreneurs. As experts in their trades, they both make clear that tools and systems exist which address factors limiting growth and development. For many, past trauma remains a hurdle inhibiting progress and constricting behavior. A therapist, like Annie, offers professional solutions. And also for many, core business success can outpace financial management capability, likewise creating a barrier to growth. The services of a financial strategist and CFO, like Andrea, provide a way forward. In their discussion, Andrea and Annie acknowledge and celebrate the overlap among what they do professionally.

"If you want to know what your stuff is, try being in business for yourself or being in a long term romantic relationship."

- Annie Wright

Want to get in touch with Annie Wright?

Website: https://anniewright.com

Evergreen Counseling: https://evergreencounseling.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniewrightpublicpage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniewrighttherapist

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AnnieWrightLMFT

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Making Business Sense with Supplier Diversity: Insights with Jean Kristensen

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 09:00:14 +0000

- Jean Kristensen

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode, as I hear from Jean Kristensen, the CEO and chief consultant at JKA Solutions. Jean connects women and minority businesses with government and large corporate entities seeking diversity in their contracts. And previously, Jean experienced firsthand the struggles and successes that come with rapidly scaling a family business built from scratch.

Join us to learn the whole story!

- Jean Kristensen

Transformative Leadership and Impactful Change

Exploring Opportunities

Business Growth with a Social Purpose: Actionable Insights

- Jean Kristensen

Webinar: Click HERE to register for the February 28th webinar with Andrea & Jean!

Want to get in touch with Jean Kristensen?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeankristensenassociates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JEANKRISTENSENASSOCIATES

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Balancing Business with Progress and Preservation: Alana's Quest for Environmental Conservation

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:00:11 +0000

“There comes a point where systems and processes that can help you record and track and follow up allow you the freedom to be able to go after more work, bigger jobs without the tedium that comes with having to manage that all in your head or yourself."

- Alana Wise

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me in this conversation with Alana Wise, as she shares her insightful business knowledge and discusses her journey to success. is the founder and CEO of Bio Logical, a consulting firm specializing in wildlife and plant resource management on construction projects. Alana, recognized as one of Vegas INC's 40 under 40, also serves on the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, contributing her expertise to policy decisions related to conservation and wildlife management. Additionally, she is a founding member of Desert Innovation, Research and Technology, a nonprofit aiming to inform young individuals about opportunities and careers in various trades.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"It's a long road, it's tough. But the bright side of all of that and the reason that it was worth it is because it's changed how we do business."

- Alana Wise

Alana's Journey and Interests

Alana shares her journey into the industry, emphasizing the unexpected nature of discovering the world of wildlife consulting. With a background in biology, her love for animals led her to work outdoors with species like desert tortoises and foxes. Alana also has a passion for board games, as she participates in the World Series of board games where she reached the semifinals in an outer ring event.

Business Growth and Scaling

Andrea commends Alana on the remarkable expansion of Bio Logical over the last three years. Alana attributes this success to overcoming challenges, implementing effective software systems, and making strategic investments. The discussion delves into the complexities of managing a consulting business, dealing with large construction projects, and the importance of utilizing technology to track metrics and improve efficiency.

Balancing Progress and Conservation

The conversation concludes with insights into Alana's involvement in policy decisions, her outlook on balancing environmental conservation with infrastructure development, and the positive impact her company has on responsible growth. Alana emphasizes the importance of finding the right balance between progress and protecting endangered species, showcasing how businesses can thrive while contributing to sustainability.

"The reason I can go to a board gaming competition is because, you know, I have a great team and great system supporting me at this point. "

- Alana Wise

Want to get in touch with Alana?

Website: getbiological.com

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-wise-56bb69a0/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bio-logical-llc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bio_logical_llc/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

How to Drive Profitable Growth and Build a Scalable Business with Mandi Ellefson of the Hands-Off CEO

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:00:09 +0000

"...the CEO just kind of gets stuck in all the different pieces of the company and it just becomes this monster that even as you staff up, even when you bring in management, you still find yourself stuck in the day to day…And what's happening is they're building themselves into the model of the business and you cannot scale that “

- Mandi Ellefson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview Mandi Ellefson, the founder of Hands-Off CEO. She and her team scale million dollar consulting agencies, with less reliance on the CEO. She helps them first generate more cash to scale with an irresistible offer that's easier to sell. And attracts clients that pay 50-600% higher fees– in 90 days or less. This helps the CEO free up time to focus up to 1/2 of their work week on accelerating profits. Mandi is a published author of The Hands-Off CEO and a host of the Hands-Off CEO podcast.

Join us to learn the whole story!

" the problem is…you need systems, but you need the right systems that are built upon the right offers. And if you don't have the right offers, you're not going to have enough profit to be able to actually hire the right people to remove yourself from this.”

-Mandi Ellefson

Background and Journey:

Mandi delves into her accidental entry into this field, stemming from her own struggles with a dependent agency. Being pregnant with her second child, she shut down her business temporarily, leading to introspection. Mandi talks about her journey, testing, and problem-solving that eventually shaped her approach to support CEOs in freeing up time and maximizing profits.

Services and Challenges:

Mandi sheds light on how Hands-Off CEO supports businesses in creating scalable and exciting ventures. She emphasizes the importance of having the right offer, pricing, and value proposition to drive profitable growth. Addressing common pitfalls, she discusses the challenges CEOs face when trying to delegate or hire better people without the foundational elements in place.

Building a Scalable Business Model:

The conversation explores the significance of intentional growth and the need for CEOs to define their business models clearly. Mandi highlights the value of a compelling vision, transformation-focused services, and pricing strategies. The discussion concludes with insights into transitioning from a referral-based to an intentional lead generation approach for sustainable business growth.

"The problem is… with scaling, everyone looks at operations and the operations are just… the glue that holds everything together. But really what you need to be looking at is…how are you positioning your services in the market? What are the kind of transformations that you're providing?”

-Mandi Ellefson

Want to get in touch with -Mandi Ellefson?

Website: https://handsoffceo.com/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

From Nightly Binges to Business Brilliance: How to Build True Freedom with Kelsea Koenrich

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 09:00:08 +0000

"If you want to do something great and big and wonderful, if you want to change, your first course of action should be, who's coming with me? Who can help me? Who can show me?"

-Kelsea Koenreich

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview the incredible Kelsea Koenreich. Kelsea's journey from nightly binge drinking and three arrests to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, wife, and mom of three is truly inspiring. She brings a unique perspective to the table, helping women tap into their potential by building true freedom through emotional intelligence.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"I believe that none of us are self-made. And I think that I owe everything to what I've built, what I've created, anything that I've done, I have not done by myself."

-Kelsea Koenreich

Unveiling the Past: From Rocky Childhood to Rock Bottom

In our conversation, Kelsea shares her personal transformation and how she overcame a self-destructive path. Born and raised in Texas, her rocky childhood set the stage for a decade of experimentation and arrests. However, the turning point came when she decided to live intentionally, leaving behind destructive behaviors and embracing a journey of self-discovery.

The Road to Reinvention: Embracing Change and Purpose

Now, as a consultant, Kelsea specializes in working with service-based mom founders, guiding them through a process of assessing their businesses and creating sustainable solutions. Her approach involves clearing the clutter, formulating sustainable strategies, and uncovering unseen potentials. Kelsea emphasizes the importance of aligning personal and professional goals to achieve true success.

Data-Driven Growth: The Power of Strategy and Collaboration

We discuss the power of combining data and strategy to drive business growth and personal fulfillment. Kelsea highlights the need for women entrepreneurs to create a path that aligns with their desired lifestyle and challenges the traditional notion of success. She also stresses the importance of seeking help and building a dream team, combining the expertise of a CFO with strategic mentorship.

"There's so much power in knowing and truly understanding your financial situation and there's so much freedom of choice that comes when you know that."

-Kelsea Koenreich

Want to get in touch with Kelsea Koenreich?

Website: https://www.kelseakoenreich.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseakoenreich/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseakoenreich/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Unpacking Trauma and our Relationship with Money: A Conversation with Dr. Valerie Rein

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 09:00:11 +0000

“...I was baffled. I didn't understand why, despite all my accomplishments and going for my dreams and having a really good life at that point…I was still dealing with this little or sometimes big…dissatisfaction.”

-Dr. Valerie Rein

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview Dr. Valerie Raine. Dr. Val is a psychologist who has pioneered the concept of Patriarchy Stress Disorder, a key factor in women's stress and trauma. She holds a master's degree in psychological counseling from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her bestselling book, "Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Barrier to Women's

Join us to learn the whole story!

"How do we stabilize this? How do we make this ceiling your new floor? How do we make this success your normal?"

-Dr. Valerie Rein

Dr. Val's Mission: Healing Intergenerational Trauma through the Thriving Method

Dr. Val's mission is to create a thriving world by addressing intergenerational trauma through the Thriving Method. In our conversation, she shares her personal journey of self-discovery and healing. She emphasizes the importance of unpacking generational trauma to achieve true happiness and fulfillment.

Exploring the Impact: Generational Trauma and Women's Relationship with Money

Dr. Val also delves into the impact of such trauma on women's relationships with money, shedding light on inherited programming that affects financial behaviors.

Innovative Healing: Equine Therapy and Immediate Feedback

We explore Dr. Val's innovative approach to healing, including her use of equine therapy to provide immediate and clear feedback on how individuals show up in the present moment.

Intersection of Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

The conversation touches on the intersection of personal development and entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for both internal and external alignment for sustained success.

"Stories or the experiences that happened to our grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. These are survival mechanisms and information that is passed down genetically."

-Dr. Valerie Rein

Want to get in touch with Dr. Valerie Rein?

Website: www.drvalerie.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/drvalrein

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

From Struggle to Millions: Darnyelle's Entrepreneurial Journey Unveiled

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:03:55 +0000

“I got to the point where I was like, I'm working really, really hard for 50% of product sales and 4 to 13% of my downline, right? I was like, if I'm going to work this hard, I want all the money.”

- Dr. Darnyelle J. Harmon

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode with Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon, the award-winning CEO of Incredible One Enterprises. Darnyelle is a transformative business coach, bestselling author, and host of the MOVE To Millions Podcast. In our conversation, Darnyelle shares her inspiring journey from the challenges of her early twenties to becoming a top sales director at Mary Kay and eventually starting her own multimillion-dollar coaching and consulting brand.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“I struggled massively when I first started my own ground up business so bad that we ended up filing bankruptcy. I ended up going back to work. And while I went back to that job, I had committed to a two year contract. I made myself a promise that at the end of the two years I was going to be unemployable and I was going to come back into this business full time.”

- Dr. Darnyelle J. Harmon

From Makeup to Millions: Darnyelle's Entrepreneurial Awakening

Darnyelle dives into the importance of operational infrastructure, sales follow-up, and pricing strategies for scaling a business successfully. She emphasizes the significance of mindset, personal development, and aligning with your purpose in entrepreneurship. We explore the softer side of entrepreneurship, discussing topics like alignment, surrender, and forgiveness, crucial elements often overlooked in business books.

Lessons from the Trenches: Overcoming Early Business Struggles

As Dr. Darnyelle presents her latest book, "Move to Millions: The Proven Framework to Become a $1,000,000 CEO with Grace and Ease Instead of Hustle and Grind," she shares her unique approach. The book blends memoirs with methodology, offers practical insights, and nests with accompanying worksheets and templates to guide readers on their journey to success.

The Multimillion-Dollar Blueprint: Scaling with Grace and Ease

Darnyelle's mission is to shift the statistics for women and entrepreneurs, creating a path to financial stability and sustainable business growth. She emphasizes the need for a strong financial management team, including a CFO and advisors, to support businesses in reaching the million-dollar mark and beyond.

So Much Inspiration, but it’s Just the Start!

Jump right into our insightful and motivating conversation, but don't forget to also check out Darnyelle's own podcast, her website, and her new book, "Move to Millions," for a comprehensive guide to building a million-dollar business with purpose and ease.

“One thing that's important about me and my body of work is I don't do any theory. Anything that I ever present to any client at any particular point in time; I know it's going to work with a predictable level of certainty because we've been there, done that, we've tried it, we've poked, we've prodded, we made the mistake, we react, we correct it, we did all the things in order to produce the result that we know is possible.”

- Dr. Darnyelle J. Harmon

Want to get in touch with Darnyelle?

Website: https://www.drdarnyelle.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnyellejerveyharmon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darnyellejerveyharmon

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecashflow.cfo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Unlocking Business Value: Kirk Michie's Secrets to a Successful Sale

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:08 +0000

"Accept whatever the market says your business is worth and either grow it to a higher number so that that, you know, you get the market value and you can ride off into the sunset or explore a different transaction."

- Kirk Michie

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode with Kirk Michie, founder of Candor Advisors, bringing over three decades of finance and capital markets experience, having raised and allocated over $1 billion in capital. Kirk's expertise spans transaction advisory services and mergers and acquisitions. In this episode, we dive into Kirk's journey and insights into the world of business and finance.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Get clear on the why. Why are you selling the business?"

- Kirk Michie

Kirk's Evolution: From Stockbroker to Business Adviser

Kirk shares his path from being a retail stockbroker to running private client groups and eventually joining a private equity firm. He discusses the shift in focus from buying small businesses to advising sellers, highlighting the need for strategic planning when considering a business exit.

Nuances of Selling: A Symphony of Economics and Professionalism

The conversation turns to the nuances of selling a business, emphasizing the importance of understanding transferable economics and professionalizing financials. Kirk breaks down the significance of EBITDA in valuation and stresses the need for sellers to be clear on their goals, emphasizing that the right buyer match goes beyond price and terms.

Exploring Pitfall:

This conversation explores common pitfalls, including the challenge of dealing with predatory buyers and the importance of seeking professional advice. Kirk shares six secrets for a successful sale, starting with understanding the seller's "why" and ending with managing seller expectations to avoid deal-killing obstacles.

Networking and Learning in the Business Arena

As the discussion unfolds, Kirk offers practical advice for business owners, encouraging them to network and learn from others' experiences. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder for sellers to accept the market's valuation of their business and explore alternative strategies if needed.

"The buyer of your business is a full-time predator, and you, as the seller, are part-time prey."

- Kirk Michie

Want to get in touch with Kirk Michie?

Website: https://candor-advisors.com/

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Financial Success in 2024: Two Critical Steps for Business Owners

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:00:18 +0000

"It's important that there's some things happening on the financial side that are going to be setting you up for success as we move into the new year."

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I share the crucial financial preparations that every business owner should be making as we approach the end of 2023 and look ahead to 2024. In this episode, I'll guide you through two key steps to set yourself up for success in the new year.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"A forecast and a budget should be considered kind of like an anchor in your financial plan."

-Andrea Jenson

Step 1 - Getting a Clear Picture of Your Current Financial Situation

First and foremost, you need a clear picture of your current financial situation. This means ensuring your balance sheet is up to date and your profit and loss statement is cleaned up through the end of Q3. Having an accurate view of your financial position by December 31 is vital for strategic planning, profitability, and tax management. Collaborate with your bookkeeper to get everything in order and consult your tax strategist to make any necessary adjustments.

Step 2 - Creating a Financial Forecast and Budget

The second essential step is creating a financial forecast and budget for the upcoming year. Many business owners find this intimidating, but it's like an anchor for your financial plan. Your business should be an asset that grows in value. Think of your forecast and budget as strategic tools to achieve your goals. It's not just about crunching numbers; it's setting the direction for your business, allowing you to be proactive rather than reactive.

Components of Your Financial Forecast and Budget

Your financial forecast should consider your current financial health, industry trends, and economic indicators. Revenue forecasting involves both science and art, using historical data, market trends, and customer behavior to make realistic projections. Expense management is critical, focusing on fixed and variable costs, and looking for cost reduction opportunities. Planning for capital expenditures, risk assessment, flexibility, and regular monitoring and adjustments are also key components to consider.

"Don't think of this as we're just crunching numbers. No, we're setting the strategic direction for your business."

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

From Attorney to Entrepreneur: Andrea Sager of The Legalpreneur

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 08:00:10 +0000

"Recurring revenue gives you that freedom, the ability to pursue other things, not constantly be in that sales hamster wheel."

- Andrea Sager

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I interview Andrea Sager, the co-founder of The Legalpreneur, a legal tech startup that supports small businesses. Andrea is a top-ranked trademark attorney in the United States and a serial entrepreneur. She shared her journey of transitioning from a high-paying legal job to launching her own business.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Recurring revenue gives you that freedom, the ability to pursue other things, not constantly be in that sales hamster wheel."

- Andrea Sager

Andrea's Journey

Andrea Sager: Andrea shared her journey from law school to starting a clothing boutique to becoming a top-ranked trademark attorney. She explained her transition from a high-paying law firm to launching her own business, driven by a desire to help small businesses establish a solid legal foundation.

The Legalpreneur

Andrea discussed the services provided by The Legalpreneur, including flat-fee legal services such as trademarks, LLC filings, and contracts. She highlighted their commitment to transparency, offering unlimited access to attorneys and eliminating unexpected bills.

Balancing Life and Business

Andrea emphasized the importance of finding a work-life balance and having fun in entrepreneurship. She shared her personal experiences and the value of recurring revenue for business stability and when selling a business.

How to Learn More

Listeners were encouraged to visit thelegalpreneur.com, website and access a free business owners' legal checklist to ensure their business is well-prepared for future growth or exit strategies.

"Your business is an asset created to generate revenue, to support your lifestyle, to create passive income."

- Andrea Sager

Want to get in touch with Andrea Sager ?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasagerlaw/

Website: thelegalpreneur.com

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Maximizing Your Business’s Value Part 3 | Preparing to Sell Your Business

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:00:11 +0000

“Well, step three in preparing to sell is now you have to take action to find a solution to close that gap, right? So there's lots of ways you can do it. We're going to walk you…through some actions you can take right now in your business to be able to close that gap.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I share valuable insights and a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your business for sale and maximize its profitability.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"Every dollar in revenue equals 100% to allocate in your business, right? So every dollar in revenue has to get allocated proportionately to your cost of goods sold, your general and administrative expenses, your marketing expenses, and your profit..."

- Andrea Jenson

Closing the Gap: Steps to Increase Business Valuation

Let's kick things off by emphasizing the importance of taking action to find a solution to close the gap between your current business valuation and your desired selling price. I've seen many business owners overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate their potential over a longer period. I want to highlight three crucial actions to help you on your journey toward a successful business sale:

1. Set Prices for Profitability: One of the fundamentals is setting the right prices for your products or services. Many business owners fail to understand the true cost of delivering their offerings, which can lead to suboptimal pricing. I strongly recommend conducting a pricing analysis to determine the actual cost of delivering each service or product and aligning your pricing strategy accordingly. This ensures profitability and efficient allocation of revenue.

2. Invest in Your Future: Rather than rushing to sell, consider ways to increase your business's value. I'm a big advocate of viewing your business as an asset. Instead of an immediate sale, I suggest using our "Predictable Profit Planner." It's a tool that helps you understand all the components that make a business profitable. By identifying the key levers that affect profitability, you can develop a strategy for consistent and predictable growth.

3. Focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): In the last phase, I recommend building and tracking key performance indicators that offer insight into the health and performance of your business. KPIs provide a straightforward way to monitor your business's critical areas and make data-driven decisions to optimize operations.

The Roadmap to a Successful Business Exit

This comprehensive plan is divided into 12 months, with each stage focused on key aspects of your business, including pricing, marketing, and financial strategy. These steps lead to the ultimate goal: a successful exit strategy. By understanding your business's financial landscape and implementing the right strategies, you can make your business an attractive prospect for potential buyers. Your business exit can become a smooth and profitable process, with the experienced financial experts at the Cash Flow CFO team guiding you every step of the way.

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: https://thecashflowcfo.com/

Podcast: https://pod.co/the-cash-flow-cfo-podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowcfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Maximizing Your Business's Value Part 2 | Determining the Current Value of your Business

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:15:10 +0000

“You're gonna put things through your come through the business that aren't necessarily an absolute have to so if somebody else were to pick up your company and start running it”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss a crucial step for business owners: determining how much your business is currently worth. If you're planning to sell your business, understanding its value is paramount. To do that, you'll need to calculate two essential numbers: cash flow earnings and the industry multiple.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“ If you're a professionally managed company, and you're a professionally managed company, if your business you can take a month vacation and your business still grows and runs without you, you've got management in place, you've got all the pillars of your business are staffed and running the way that they're supposed to. “

-Andrea Jenson

Step 1: Calculating Cash Flow Earnings

First, let's focus on calculating your cash flow earnings, which will help you understand what your business is truly worth. There are two methods to consider:

SDE (Seller Discretionary Earnings): This method is suitable if you're an owner-operator heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of your business.

EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization): If your business is professionally managed, meaning it can operate smoothly without your direct involvement, this method is more appropriate.

For the majority of owner-operators, SDE is the way to go. To calculate your SDE, start with your net income from your profit and loss statement. Then, identify and add back any expenses that aren't essential for the business to operate. These could include personal expenses, non-critical memberships, or even family members' salaries if they don't contribute significantly to the business.

For instance, if your net income is $125,000 and you've identified $124,000 in add-backs, your total cash flow earnings become $249,000. This represents what the business would earn in someone else's hands.

Step 2: Determining the Industry Multiple

The next crucial component in valuing your business is the industry multiple. This figure varies based on your specific industry and the financial performance of businesses similar to yours that have been sold. Think of it like comparing house prices in real estate—the comparable sales in your neighborhood help set the price.

Calculating Your Business's Value

Once you have your cash flow earnings and the industry multiple, it's time to determine your business's current value. Simply multiply your cash flow earnings

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Maximizing Your Business's Value Part 1 | Determining How Much you Need to Sell for

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:13:42 +0000

“If they've got a lot to choose from, it becomes that much more important that your business is set up correctly, and you have all the components in place to increase the valuation that you're going to receive when you go to sell your business.”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss a comprehensive agenda that covers crucial aspects of selling your business. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of how to determine the value you need to sell your business for to secure your retirement and how to assess and increase the current value of your business. So, let's dive right in!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“when somebody says, Hey, I like your business, I want to buy it, let me come in and look under the hood, I need to see how everything is structured. So that's the structure of your entity.”

-Andrea Jenson

The Growing Competition:

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of preparing your business for sale, it's important to understand the landscape. There's a massive wave of business owners, particularly baby boomers, looking to exit their businesses in the coming years. This flood of sellers means that competition is fierce, and this can drive down the prices of businesses. To stand out in this competitive market, you need to ensure your business is not just profitable but structured for a successful transition of ownership.

Why Many Businesses Don't Sell:

Unfortunately, not all businesses that go up for sale actually find buyers. The sad truth is that only 30 to 40% of listed businesses end up selling. There are several reasons for this, and understanding them can help you avoid common pitfalls. Many businesses lack professional management, meaning they can't function without the owner. Additionally, they often lack proper documentation and a clear recipe for generating profit. But one of the biggest roadblocks is the lack of readiness for due diligence.

The Importance of Due Diligence:

Due diligence is the process where potential buyers examine every aspect of your business before committing to a purchase. This includes examining the structure of your entity, the accuracy of your financial statements, tax compliance, and legal matters. When businesses aren't adequately prepared for due diligence, buyers start deducting from the purchase price, leading to disappointment for sellers who initially had high hopes.

“if you determine that, okay, I need $15,000 per month to live off of perfect, multiply that by 12 180,000 A year is your annual income that you need to generate off of the interest of where you invest those proceeds from the sale. So 180,000 divided by 4% Your number is drumroll please. $4,500,000. So that is your exit number. “

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Episode 37: Passing the Torch: Navigating Business Exit and Succession Planning ft. Dianne Kelley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Navigating the Sale of Your Mental Health Practice: Tips from CPA Expert Robert L. Whittley

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:57:12 +0000

“I was that young, hungry, ambitious, CPA, and I made it my mission to like, climb the proverbial ladder. Right. Little did I know that at the top of the ladder, or golden handcuffs. That looked good, but they didn't feel good. So, I look back sometimes at my old school timesheets, because I don't look it but I'm kind of old. So we had to put it on the green ledger sheet, get a sign off, then it's stupid. But those weeks were still like 70 hour weeks.”

-Robert Whittley

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Robert L. Whittley. Robert is the founder and CEO of Healthy Coin, a boutique CPA firm that works exclusively with mental health professionals. Robert is a licensed CPA and the creator of the "Know Your Numbers Blueprint" that's helped over 70 private practices scale from five and six-figure businesses to seven-figure enterprises. Since 2019, he has been featured on many podcasts for private practice owners and as a frequent speaker at industry conferences

Join us to learn the whole story!

“At the end of the day, that number is very, very different. Because they're not set up correctly, and they're not prepared to go through that process.”

-Andrea Jenson

Key Considerations for Sellers:

Robert highlighted several critical considerations for practice owners contemplating a sale:

Succession Planning: It's essential to determine whether you have a succession plan in place. Are you looking to retire, sell, or pass the practice on to a family member or employee? Your goals will significantly impact your approach to the sale.

Valuation and Due Diligence: Don't fixate solely on the initial offer (Letter of Intent or LOI). The final purchase agreement (Asset Purchase Agreement or APA) often differs from the LOI. Be prepared for a more detailed due diligence process, which may affect the final sale price.

Ownership Structure: Understand your practice's ownership structure and whether there are other stakeholders or partners involved. Ownership complexities can impact the sale process.

Transaction Structure: Decide on the transaction structure—whether it's an asset purchase or equity sale. Each approach has tax implications that require careful consideration.

“you're gonna have it for 20 years, 30 years, take distributions, do whatever you need to do, that's a different lane, that I'm building this asset to sell it, you're not taking those distributions or those dividends or you're letting it sit in the business because you're building up that basis.”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Robert Whittley?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aredubtre/

Website: https://www.healthycoin.net/

Mastering Modern Sales: Insights from Jordan Stupar

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 09:14:30 +0000

“There's a couple of different variables. But I think the tricky part is, is just, we don't believe that we should be shamelessly self promoting our products and services, because we have to, or else no one is gonna do it for us”

-Jordan Stupar

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Jordan Stupar. Jordan Stupar's journey into the world of sales was anything but conventional. Initially dreaming of becoming a rock star, he did pursue his musical passion. However, as he approached adulthood, he realized the need for a more stable financial future. A fateful Craigslist ad led him to a door-to-door sales job, and even though he faced early struggles, that first sale was like "heroin in his veins." Jordan's story is a testament to how life can take unexpected turns, leading us down paths we never imagined.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“if you have some reasonable cash flow in your budget or any type of marketing budget at all. Do them, let them marketing, get them phones to ring or get inbound leads in and then use higher end sales professionals to close those opportunities versus, a traditional boiler room or, something of that nature with, cold calling and all of that”

-Jordan Stupar

Sales: The Essential Skill for Entrepreneurs

Money is undeniably essential for any business, and generating revenue relies heavily on effective sales. Jordan emphasizes that every entrepreneur must recognize themselves as a salesperson. Whether you're selling products, services, or even just ideas, the ability to convey your message convincingly is vital. Entrepreneurs often grapple with the challenge of promoting their offerings without feeling like they're engaging in shameless self-promotion. The key is to overcome the fear of rejection and embrace self-promotion as a necessary part of business success.

The Power of Processes

Processes are the backbone of any successful business. Jordan emphasizes that having a defined sales process is crucial. It ensures that every team member is on the same page, leading to consistent results. Whether you're working with a well-established business or starting from scratch, having documented processes for your sales team is vital. This consistency enables better management and accountability within your team.

Tailored Sales Strategies

Not all businesses are the same, and what works for one may not work for another. Jordan emphasizes the importance of adapting sales strategies to fit your specific business needs. Whether it's developing micro-steps in your sales process or incorporating personalized touches like sending introductory videos to clients before appointments, tailoring your approach can set you apart from the competition.

“when we're adding team, when we're doing all of the things that a growing scaling company does, it's so important to you know, like, one of my favorite books when it comes to that is make them beg to work for you”

-Andrea Jensen

Want to get in touch with Jordan Stupar?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanstupar/

Website: https://www.stuparsales.com/innercircle

Healing and Thriving as a Therapist-Entrepreneur ft. Shawniel Chamanlal

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 06:56:37 +0000

“it's important that you really focus on your mindset and have more of an abundant mindset and take those steps to get to that achieve that”

-Shawniel Chamanlal

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Shawniel Chamanlal. In a world where stress and mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, the role of therapists and counselors has never been more critical. These professionals not only provide healing and support but also navigate the complex journey of entrepreneurship. Today, we dive into a conversation with Shawniel Chamanlal, an award-winning licensed therapist, empowerment speaker, business coach, and visionary owner of Healing Springs Wellness Center. She shares her insights on how therapists can thrive as entrepreneurs while making a meaningful impact.

Join us to learn the whole story!

The Intersection of Healing and Entrepreneurship

What sets Shawniel apart is her ability to balance the worlds of healing and entrepreneurship. She emphasizes that the path to success is often not taught in traditional educational settings. Many therapists and counselors focus on emotions and the desire to help, but they may lack the financial knowledge and business acumen needed to sustain and grow their practices.

The Mindset Shift: From Scarcity to Abundance

Shawniel highlights the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. When she graduated in 2014, many of her professors and colleagues believed that therapists should prioritize impact over income. Shawniel realized that she needed to work on her mindset to break free from this limiting belief. She connected with a community that believed in being both impactful and financially successful.

Financial Empowerment and Taking the Leap

Shawniel’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn't without its challenges. She encourages therapists to invest in their professional development and business skills. She believes that therapists can come from a place of abundance and should not be afraid to learn and grow financially. This investment not only benefits their own lives but also allows them to better serve their clients.

Balancing Impact and Income

Therapists often grapple with the balance between making a difference and earning a living. Shawniel advises therapists to come from a place of overflow. By replenishing their own physical, spiritual, and financial well-being, they can better serve their clients and model the importance of abundance.

“We don't wait in the wings and check in every so often either. With our boutique approach, we position ourselves front and center, watching over every dollar that comes in and out of your business as if it was our own. So if your business is making money, and you're ready to take it to the next level, but you're not sure you completely understand your numbers, and you're looking for that trusted guide to help you build a roadmap to reach your financial goals”

-Andrea jensen

Want to get in touch with Shawniel Chamanlal.?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnielchamanlal/

Website: https://www.shawnielchamanlal.com/

Unlocking the Secrets to Financial Success in Private Practice ft. Brandy Mabra

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 16:05:45 +0000

“I'm always making sure like, do you have the right financial partner? And even from a wealth perspective? You know, do you have the right financial partner and then understanding like where you take that money to put it, so even if it isn't MCA, so let's say that you got, you know, you got hacked, and you now recognize that, okay, I got these loans. And now it's like this cash cow. If you put it in the right place, like if you put it into hiring a person who can help generate more money, or if you put it in a place of like marketing and the right marketing channels to double down on the marketing that's currently working, then that's, you know, that's definitely something that's going to help you make back more money “

-Brandy Mabra

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Brandy Mabra. Brandy is a CEO of Savvy Clover Coaching and Consulting, and the CEO coach for private practice owners. Brandy has over 15 years of business management and leadership experience, turning healthcare practices into profitable machines. She holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and a master's in health administration from A.T. Still University. Brandy is also a certified professional coach and master energy leadership practitioner, receiving her credentials from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Pop Sugar, Creative and Culture, and various podcasts. Brandy is the founder of Private Practice CEO, a school empowering private practice owners to streamline operations and build engaged teams.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“And so one of the things that we do tell them is to break it out by revenue stream, so that way they can see exactly how much money is coming in, what's the expenses that are going out? What does this continue to make sense? Do you need to maybe put some additional resources in one revenue stream, so that way, you can beef it up”

-Brandy Mabra

Master the Art of Financial Planning:

The foundation of financial success in any business, including private practice, begins with solid financial planning. Start by creating a detailed budget that outlines your expected revenue and expenses. Consider all aspects, including rent, utilities, salaries, equipment costs, and marketing expenses. Having a clear financial plan will help you set realistic financial goals and track your progress.

Relying solely on one source of income can be risky. Explore different revenue streams within your practice. For example, you can offer various services, workshops, or online courses to generate additional income. Diversifying your revenue streams can provide stability and resilience to your practice.

Invest in Technology:

Embracing technology can streamline various aspects of your practice, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency. Consider adopting practice management software that can help you schedule appointments, manage patient records, and handle billing and insurance claims more efficiently. Additionally, telemedicine and digital marketing tools can help you expand your reach and attract new patients.

“I imagine working with a lot of health care, in private practice, they're really good at whatever it is that they do. And the whole side of running a business is something that they're not taught in school. “

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Brandy Mabra?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvyclovercoaching/

Website: https://savvyclover.com/

Maximizing Business Value and Navigating Successful Exits

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:04:10 +0000

“This is not a cash transaction. This is a what we call in the accounting world, it's a paper transaction. So it's saying, for example, you go out and buy a piece of machinery. And instead of, let's say you spent $100,000, on this piece of machinery, instead of on your books, you're taking that full $100,000 line item in the period you bought it, we're saying we're going to use it for the next 10 years. “

– Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. In this episode, we'll talk about the key strategies and insights that can help you make informed decisions to ensure you receive the optimal value for your business. Your business is more than just an income source—it's an asset that holds significant value. When it comes time to exit, whether due to retirement, pursuing new ventures, or any other reason, you want to ensure that you're getting the most out of this valuable asset.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“when you sell your business, you're going to get a wire transaction popped into your bank account, so you have this large sum of money, you have a lot of choices of what to do with that money, or you can leave it in the bank account and earn a little bit of interest. “

– Andrea Jenson

Maximizing Your Business's Value

Increasing your business's value isn't just about boosting profits; it's about creating a robust, sustainable operation. Having a professionally managed business, streamlined financials, well-documented legal processes, and strategic partnerships can significantly enhance your business's appeal to potential buyers. Implementing strategies that reduce non-essential expenses, optimize operational efficiency, and strengthen customer relationships will all contribute to raising your business's value. Navigating the complexities of maximizing business value and orchestrating a successful exit requires expertise. This is where professionals like The Cashflow CFO come into play. They specialize in assisting businesses to optimize their financials, streamline operations, and strategically position themselves for a lucrative exit. Having a seasoned team on your side ensures that you're well-prepared to meet buyer expectations and capitalize on your business's true potential.

“ I just can't stress enough how important all of this is, because your business is an asset. And every day, every financial decision activity that you do in your business, it's affecting your asset, whether that's a positive effect, or a negative effect. “

– Andrea Jenson

Episode 38: Smart Financial Decisions and Investing for Business Owners Ft. Jaden Sterling

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:50:22 +0000

Episode 38: Smart Financial Decisions and Investing for Business Owners Ft. Jaden Sterling

“ You need to have somebody that you know, a financial advisor, that's going to give you these strategies and go, Okay, here's what we have, here's what I recommend, and walk you through and build up that education process too. Because I think that's where a lot of business owners stop short. “

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Jaden Sterling. Jaden is a seasoned professional investor, intuitive investing coach and founder of sterling stock picker. With over 35 years of experience in the financial industry, Sterling has dedicated his professional life to helping individuals take control of their finances and achieve true financial freedom. As an innovator in the field, he was recently named to the list of the top innovative companies and CEOs of 2023 by Forbes magazine.

In this episode, we'll talk about embracing your financial superpower: Just as every business has a unique selling proposition, every individual possesses a financial superpower or a skill that comes naturally. Identify your strengths, passions, and innate talents to determine how you can harness them to create financial opportunities.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“There's a million ways to make a million dollars and they're absolutely right. And because there's so many ways, you have to figure out what is what's like an intuitive or what's a superpower that you've got”

- Jaden Sterling

Building a Solid Financial Foundation:

As a business owner, you're well aware of the dedication, effort, and hard work it takes to build and run a successful enterprise. Your business serves as both an asset and a source of income, but it's crucial to ensure that you're not only generating revenue but also maximizing your wealth and protecting your financial future. In this blog, we'll explore valuable strategies that business owners can employ to achieve financial freedom, make informed investment decisions, and safeguard their assets.

Before you venture into the world of investments and wealth management, it's essential to have a solid financial foundation. This includes paying off personal debts and ensuring that your primary residence is mortgage-free. By establishing a debt-free home base, you create a safety net that can withstand economic downturns and unexpected challenges.

“And, you know, investing in stocks is one of those things that I know a lot of business owners are like, I'd like to but I just don't know enough. So I'm not I'm just gonna sit on the sidelines, which I know is an awesome thing that you've helped solve, and, and you have a product on the market.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Jaden Sterling?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadensterling

Website: https://www.sterlingstockpicker.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jadensterlingwealthwisdom2/

Episode 37: Passing the Torch: Navigating Business Exit and Succession Planning ft. Dianne Kelley

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:34:47 +0000

“You are concentrated with, 80% of your revenue coming from 20% of your clients, things like that. And they just start knocking that price down. And then you're devastated as a business owner. Which could all be prevented, if you do these steps before you take it and put it out there for sale.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Dianne Kelley. Diane is a serial entrepreneur who focuses on her FreshVue Business Solutions, LLC. There, she assists business owners in making plans for their eventual exit, whether it be voluntary or involuntary, as we all know that we must all exit our companies at some point. Over the course of her 40+ years as an entrepreneur, Diane has developed a passion for working with small businesses because she has observed that they all too frequently lack the same level of planning and assistance as large companies do.

In this episode of our podcast, we explore the important topic of business exit and succession planning. Many entrepreneurs will eventually have to face the reality of exiting their businesses, whether it's due to retirement, a desire to pursue other interests, or simply a need for a change. We discuss the different reasons why business owners might want to exit their businesses and delve into the various options available, such as selling the business, passing it on to family members, or winding it down over time.

“The stats show that 70% of businesses listed for sale, never sell. Now, here's another thought. We have 700 million baby boomer business owners in the next 5 to 10 years who want to exit. So, I heard this the other day, and it just opened my eyes. So, what if they all within a certain timeframe decide to exit at the same time? And they want to sell their businesses?”

- Dianne Kelley

Passing the Torch: Navigating Business Exit and Succession Planning

Our guest expert, Dianne Kelley, provides valuable insights on the process of exiting a business, including tips on how to prepare for the transition and how to ensure a smooth handover to the new owner. We also discuss the importance of developing a succession plan for your business, as well as the potential risks of not having one in place.

Whether you're a business owner thinking about exiting your business soon or simply curious about the topic, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the important and timely subject of business exit and succession planning.

“It's really the difference between a one times valuation or a 4, 5, 6, and when you start doing the math, that's like, do I want to have money in retirement for five years or do I want to have it for 15? That's a really big difference. And all of those decisions are going to be impacted by what you do right now in your business, not when you're ready to sell.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Dianne Kelley?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianneschmidtkelley/

Website: https://freshvuepro.com/

Email: dianne@freshvuepro.com

Episode 36: How CFOs Know if your Business is Financially Healthy (or not) in 5 Minutes

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:00:07 +0000

Episode 36: How CFOs Know if your Business is Financially Healthy (or not) in 5 Minutes

“I hop over to the balance sheet. And I look at what's going on in their assets and their liabilities and how up-to-date things are. So those are some of the really quick things I look at when I'm checking out some financial statements for a client. And it's one of the things that you can really quickly gather the health of the business and also to determine how up-to-date are they on their financial statements.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss how CFOs know if your business is financially healthy (or not) in 5 minutes.

In this episode, we'll be discussing how CFOs can quickly gauge the financial health of a business. By breaking down financial reports into sections, it becomes much easier to identify key metrics such as payroll expenses and marketing expenses. With this information at hand, CFOs can quickly make informed decisions and take necessary action to ensure the financial stability of their business. We'll also be discussing the importance of proper organization and how it can save valuable time and resources.

Join us as we uncover the key indicators and strategies that help CFOs determine whether a company is on solid financial ground or facing potential risks.

“If they're not up to date on their financial statements, then that tells me that they're not using those as a tool to manage the spending and the growth of the business. So just a quick overview. Those are some of the things that I look at. And I'd love to help you look at your financial statements and make sure that you're using them as a tool to manage and grow your business and to make spending decisions.”

- Andrea Jenson

How CFOs Know if your Business is Financially Healthy (or not) in 5 Minutes

Let's understand the crucial role CFOs play in an organization. CFOs are responsible for overseeing financial operations, providing financial insights, and making informed strategic decisions. They act as a compass, guiding the company toward financial success.

CFOs also rely on benchmarking and comparative analysis to evaluate the company's financial health in the context of its industry peers. This approach helps them identify areas where the company excels or lags behind, facilitating targeted improvements.

Looking ahead, CFOs use forecasting and scenario planning to anticipate potential financial challenges and opportunities. By creating various financial models, they can strategize and mitigate risks, ensuring the company's financial resilience.

“So, for example, can you look at your profit and loss statement and within a quick second, tell if one of your revenue streams is profitable, just looking at the margins?

So that's one thing I look at when I start to dig down into the expenses.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Episode 35: How to Use Financial Projections and Forecasting

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Episode 35: How to Use Financial Projections and Forecasting

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:38:47 +0000

“So as a CEO, you should be looking at that revenue section and saying,

“What are my growth goals and what do I want over the next 12 months to happen in my business?”

So that's the first section, that's going to drive all of the other forecasted expenses that you will have to support that revenue.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss using financial projections and forecasting.

In this episode, we're diving into the world of financial projections and forecasting. Whether you're a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to manage your finances better, understanding how to create accurate financial projections is crucial.

We'll cover the basics of financial forecasting, including what it is, why it's important, and how to get started. We'll also be discussing different tools and methods you can use to create your financial projections, as well as some common mistakes to avoid.

I will share my insights and tips for making the most of your financial projections, including how to use them to make better business decisions, track your progress, and stay on top of your finances.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“As the business owner, as the visionary, the captain of the ship, right? It's going to be such a piece of information that you lean on time and time again, and that's what your CFO is there to do is to run all these different scenarios for you and to compile the data into a decision-making tool that you, the CEO used to run your business.”

- Andrea Jenson

How to Use Financial Projections and Forecasting

Let's explore the fundamentals of financial projections. Our financial projections serve as a roadmap for our financial future, helping us plan and strategize our actions accordingly.

And forecasting involves predicting future financial trends based on historical data and market analysis.

Armed with financial projections and forecasting knowledge, it's time to put these insights into action. We'll discuss practical steps listeners can take to create and implement effective financial plans.

So, tune in and join us for this informative and practical episode on financial projections and forecasting. Whether you're an experienced financial professional or just starting out, this episode has something for everyone.

“So essentially, these projections serve as a roadmap for you and your company to effectively decide how you're growing the company, allocating your resources, and what's the path forward.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Episode 34: Maximizing Your Profit Margins: The Ultimate Pricing Strategy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Episode 34: Maximizing Your Profit Margins: The Ultimate Pricing Strategy

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:30:49 +0000

“So, when we talk about a blended rate, that means that we're looking at, I pay an hourly rate of $25 an hour, but then I also have benefits that I'm paying for this employee.

It could be a 401k match; it could be medical, dental, or all of those types of things. Those are going to go into your blended rate. You're also going to incorporate into their employer matching payroll taxes, your payroll processing fees, things that, when you're looking at,

“Do I, as a business owner, incur $25 an hour, or is it 32 when I put all of the other things that that employee gets?”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join us on this episode as we dive into the topic of maximizing your profit margins. We will share valuable insights on how to identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and optimize your pricing strategy.

We also discuss the importance of focusing on high-margin products or services and developing strong customer relationships to increase repeat business. Whether you're a small business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, you won't want to miss this episode filled with practical tips and advice on boosting your bottom line. So, grab a pen and paper and get ready to take notes on how to maximize your profit margins!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“And what I also really like about having these resources and tools is if you have a management team, they can be measured on this stuff. This is stuff that they can see, and everybody has the clarity of if I hire that other person or if I invest in this product service, how is that going to flow through, and how is that going to affect my budget for my area of the company.

So, it gives you a lot of clarity. It gives you a lot of peace of mind that you've got a plan. So, every dollar in your business should have a purpose and a plan for it, and this is how you accomplish that.”

- Andrea Jenson

Maximizing Your Profit Margins: The Ultimate Pricing Strategy

Pricing your products or services can be a tricky task, but it's one that can make all the difference between success and failure.

It's essential to understand the value of your product or service. What makes it unique? What problem does it solve for your customers? By understanding the value you offer, you can set a price that reflects this and ensures that you're not undervaluing your offering.

Next, consider your target audience. Who are your ideal customers, and what price point will they be willing to pay? Conducting market research can help you to determine this, and you may also want to consider offering different pricing tiers to cater to different segments of your audience.

“One of the things that I know happens in the marketing discipline is they talk a lot about a value ladder and moving your clients through a value ladder. So, it's very common that businesses have what's called a loss leader.

So, you might have, like, for example, we have an engineering client who does what's called a loss leader. So they do a portion of a small service that they do, and they price it very competitively so that they can get their foot in the door because they know that if they can get their foot in the door and get that client in to take up their offer on a small level, that they're going to wow them and the client's going to hire them for the whole job.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Episode 33: The Value of Persistence for Entrepreneurs ft. Michelle Hon

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Episode 33: The Value of Persistence for Entrepreneurs ft. Michelle Hon

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:17:41 +0000

“I certainly did not set out to be an investor. It was more of like, I can see so much potential in the business, and after working with someone you know that they're just lacking that support or maybe lack of specific resources, whether it's just money at that point in time or human resources, which I have, right?

So, I'm like, sometimes they really could not afford some of my fees. So, I'm like,

“Okay, instead of that fee, maybe I would come into your business and see how I could help you and we can work on an equity basis.”

So that's really how I started with one.”

- Michelle Hon

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Michelle Hon. Michelle is a former stay-at-home mom and now an internationally recognized speaker, author, and business consultant for mom entrepreneurs looking to expand their clientele and enhance their income without compromising family time. With her in-demand methodology, she has assisted hundreds of mentees in scaling their businesses to six figures and beyond. She has been in numerous publications, including Asian Money Guide, Lifetime, and Channel News Asia. She was ranked among the top 10 mom influencers in the world, and the World Women's Organization Global Leadership Conference honored her with the mentorship award in 2022 for the contribution she has made.

In this episode, we'll talk about Michelle's typical workday with her current clientele, some of the obstacles she's helping them overcome in their businesses, and how she uses her skills and knowledge to assist her clients in reaching their goals more quickly, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“What we worked on and teach people what to do and we should actually do what we teach people, is just really look at our system and see how can we leverage. What else can we do here? When you have the system down, it's really about how we scale this, right?

And I feel like a lot of times it's my own mindset that could be holding me back. It's scary that even though you have done those numbers before, the following year could be like, how much should I put into the market budget? Would I still spend as much? Would it still be as ideal?”

- Michelle Hon

The Value of Persistence for Entrepreneurs

Tenacity is a crucial quality of any successful person and is essentially the core of great entrepreneurs' mindsets. The tenacious mindset emphasizes persistence and work ethic above all else. An entrepreneur's most valuable and potent quality is a strong work ethic, which is the drive to succeed.

According to Andrea, the key is to persevere in running your business since you are creating an asset that can be sold, leveraged, or funded as needed. Beginning with the end in mind is what you do.

“We've all on our journey, been through that. Like,

“Nothing's working. I should just forget this whole thing!”

And it's really having that tenacity to stick with it because you're building an asset that can be sold, leveraged, or financed when you want it to. You're starting with the end in mind. All of the decisions that you're making. Every day you look at it and go,

“Does this fit my ultimate goal?”

And it makes it so much easier rather than just kind of floundering around and just going through the motions, of the day-to-day of running a business.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Michelle Hon?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechillmom/?hl=en

Website: https://www.thechillmom.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechillmom

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleHon

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/michhon/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3mc3GckkbLExFE4oz8Wx4W

MomBoss Academy: https://www.momboss.academy/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michhon/?originalSubdomain=sg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle.hon?lang=en

Episode 32: Ever Heard of A CEO Day? Is It Necessary? ft. Kirsten Screen

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:20:37 +0000

Episode 32: Ever Heard of A CEO Day? Is It Necessary? ft. Kirsten Screen

“A lot of entrepreneurship is you're solving problems. And I think that's super admirable of entrepreneurs and why they're the backbone, right? To make the world go round because we're constantly looking at identifying,

“Hey, this is a problem. Let me find a solution for it.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Kirsten Screen. After completing her post-graduate clinical training in 2004, Kristen started her first business after noticing a significant lack of support for registered dieticians attempting to launch their professions. Although that business never took off, she had just begun her entrepreneurial path. Before starting an IT software and consulting company with her spouse in 2013, Kristen worked as a corporate nutritionist for several large utility companies. In 2016, a vast data corporation paid several million dollars to acquire the IT software and consulting firm they founded.

In this episode, we'll talk about Kirsten's entrepreneurial experience, how it led her to where she is now, and how the lessons she learned along the way helped her position herself to offer strategic counsel to developing businesses, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“It's not a clock out, five o'clock on Friday kind of thing. Your business is probably going to be on your mind all the time. Even if you turn it off and tune out over the weekend. I'm not sitting at my computer on the weekend, and I spend time with my family.

I do all of those things. But is it always in the back of my brain? Yes. Because do I constantly have ideas about it? Yes. But that also to me is because I love my business. If you build it in a way you love, you're okay with it being on your brain all the time. So, my advice or the questions that I think most people don't ask is, are you willing to be in this for the long haul and understand that you're building with a multi-year plan in place.”

- Kirsten Screen

Ever Heard of A CEO Day? Is It Necessary?

You may become even more productive in your work and personal life by setting up time in your calendar for yourself with no deadlines. CEO days are not exclusively for executives at large corporations. You don't have to be a business owner to enjoy a CEO day. Being more deliberate with how time is spent during the day can help anyone juggle several obligations and wants to progress toward their goals.

Andrea says you are the team's cheerleader when you are the boss. You need to motivate everyone; you need to gather the troops. And how will you ever assume that job as the CEO of your company if you are burned out and unable to find that inside yourself?

“I think not enough people talk about that. Because as a leader, you are really the cheerleader. You've got to rally the troops; you've got to get everybody motivated.

And if you are burnt out, and you can't find that in your own self, how are you ever going to take that and be that role as the CEO in your business?”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Kirsten Screen?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekirstenscreen/?hl=en

Website: https://kirstenscreen.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenscreen/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIgwfbjOLnwCnTg2vWP10g

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourfitnessRD

Episode 31: Mastering Evergreen Marketing and DM Selling Ft. Rose Radford

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 06:53:44 +0000

Episode 31: Mastering Evergreen Marketing and DM Selling Ft. Rose Radford

“So I scripted what was working for me at the time and then shared them with my demo system. [I said] use your intuition here as well. Here's our ideal client for each of these offers. Here's what makes them an ideal client, best to ask questions around this, this, and this. And then, if they answer these sorts of things, then we want to send them that way.”

- Rose Radford

In the fast-paced world of digital entrepreneurship, staying ahead of the curve and finding effective sales strategies are crucial for sustained business growth. In this episode of the podcast, our conversation centered around two powerful techniques: evergreen marketing and DM (Direct Message) selling. Joined by guest Rose Radford, the creator of the Millionaire Girl Next Door, the discussion unveiled valuable insights and practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to optimize their sales processes. Let's dive into the key takeaways from this episode.

Evergreen Marketing: Consistent Sales for Long-Term Success

Rose Radford, a former McKinsey consultant turned digital CEO and trusted industry-leading coach, introduced the concept of evergreen marketing. Unlike traditional launch-based strategies that rely on periodic spikes in sales, evergreen marketing aims to generate consistent and predictable revenue streams. It revolves around systematically refining and optimizing your sales approach over time.

At the core of evergreen marketing is the development of a strong offer, one that resonates with your target audience's needs and desires. By continually testing and iterating on your offer, and leveraging data analysis and customer feedback, you can fine-tune your messaging and maximize results. This data-driven approach allows for more informed decision-making, enabling you to make incremental improvements and achieve a significant return on investment.

DM Selling: Building Meaningful Connections and Driving Sales

The conversation then shifted to the often-misused world of DM selling. Rose Radford shared her expertise on how to avoid the pitfalls of spammy and ineffective direct messages. Instead, she emphasized the importance of building authentic connections with potential clients. By understanding their needs, pain points, and aspirations, you can engage in meaningful conversations that lead to sales.

Gone are the days of relying on fake scarcity or fear-based tactics. Rose stressed the significance of providing genuine value and solutions to potential clients. By adopting a client-centric approach and personalizing your messaging, you can establish trust and credibility, ultimately converting leads into loyal customers. The key lies in leveraging DMs as a platform for building relationships and delivering value rather than a mere tool for self-promotion.

Combining Strategies for Comprehensive Sales Success

“So when you sit, imagine for every dollar in revenue you bring into the business, you're going to turn that into 100% that you allocate between your cost of goods sold, your general and administrative expenses, your marketing, and your profit. When we say profit, that actually goes to service any existing debt the business has, that's also paying taxes, that's reinvesting into the business.”

- Andrea Jenson

One of the highlights of the podcast episode was the exploration of how evergreen marketing and DM selling can be combined to create a comprehensive sales strategy. By integrating these two approaches, entrepreneurs can achieve a balance between consistent revenue generation and personalized client support.

To learn more about Rose check out the links below:

https://www.roseradford.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/rosekirbycoach1

https://www.instagram.com/iamroseradford/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-radford/

Episode 30: Tips for Streamlining Expenses and Maximizing Growth Ft. Morgan Chavis

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 21:05:19 +0000

Tips for Streamlining Expenses and Maximizing Growth Ft. Morgan Chavis

“I'm so glad that you have this segment. I am in the process of scaling my business. We are in the phases of sourcing businesses up to fill our micro storefront spaces, and in that, I think it's really easy to spend a lot of money. So I’d be happy to know how a CFO, like yourself can impact eliminating waste?”

Morgan Chavis, The Lusso Brand

Scaling a business can be an exciting but challenging endeavor. As you expand your operations and open new avenues for revenue, it becomes crucial to manage your finances effectively and eliminate any wasteful spending. In this blog post, we will explore strategies to streamline expenses and maximize growth during the scaling process. We will draw insights from a conversation with Morgan Chavez, CEO of Lusso Brands, as she shares her experience and seeks guidance from a CFO. Let's dive in!

Separate Books and Budgets:

When scaling your business, it is essential to treat different entities or locations as separate entities, even if they operate under the same tax ID number. This allows you to analyze the financials of each business unit individually, identifying areas where expenses can be optimized. By utilizing a highlighter review exercise, you can classify expenses into green (essential), yellow (questionable), and red (unnecessary). This exercise helps you identify potential areas of waste and develop a plan to eliminate or optimize those expenses.

Learn more about Morgan Chavis:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lussoceo/

https://www.instagram.com/lussoceo/

https://www.thelussobrand.com/

Episode 29: Five Different Phases of Business ft. Allison Maslan

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:39:04 +0000

Episode 29: Five Different Phases of Business ft. Allison Maslan

“And a year went by and it was just crickets. And I was like, what am I doing wrong here? And that's when I met you and realized,

“Oh, sales and marketing, That's a real thing.”

And it was a skill that I absolutely had to learn and I'm still honing that craft because it is such an important part of running a business, but it's just kind of funny. You could be the best-kept secret. But unless you have all the tools to be a business owner, your kind of just floating in the water with no wind to push your sails along.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Allison Maslan. Alison Maslin is the CEO of Pinnacle Global Network and the Wall Street Journal and bestselling author of “Scale or Fail”, which Damon John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank have endorsed. Since the age of 19, Alison has built ten profitable businesses. Her company, Pinnacle Global Network, has been named one of the nation's fastest-growing companies by INC5000. With their unique technique, the Scale-It method, Alison and her group of accomplished business mentors helps CEOs and founders scale their businesses, accelerate their success, and build more fulfilling lives.

In this episode, Allison discusses what she observed and helped other business owners through while expanding her own enterprises, the different phases of business according to her book "Scale or Fail," and the importance of CFO in scaling a business, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“There are other people that are smarter than you in certain things. And so, as I began to trust my team and really just choose very smart, skilled people to come on, the business grew so much faster. And the more I got out of the way and let them do their magic, the things that they are trained with, they actually do much better.

So, with me away, they had to figure it out. I feel better. I'm more rested. I got to really sleep in today.”

- Allison Maslan

Five Different Phases of Business

The five stages of business growth are experienced by all new businesses and start-ups, regardless of size. Every small business will face obstacles to overcome at every level of its development. Knowing where your company is in the cycle can help you identify the solutions you need to implement, develop growth plans, and make future plans.

There are new barriers to conquer at every step of business development. As a business owner, you might feel as though you're constantly in need of funding and assistance—at every stage. Every individual you hire to help you at each phase of the business life cycle has the potential to either waste your time and money or effectively execute the work and advance your goals.

“It's so great to give a visual, something for the business owner's brain to kind of latch onto and go,

“Oh, that makes sense!”

That's why I'm feeling the symptoms of all of these things at each phase. And for them to go,

“Okay, there is a path to get to the next level.”

Now I just need to, as you said, do the assessment, here are the things, check them off, because we like to check boxes as business owners, as entrepreneurs.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Allison Maslan or Pinnacle Global Network?

Website: https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmaslan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisonmaslan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonsfans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmaslan/

Episode 28: Creating and Safeguarding Generational Wealth in The World of Business ft. Len Garza

Tue, 30 May 2023 01:43:52 +0000

Episode 28: Creating and Safeguarding Generational Wealth in The World of Business ft. Len Garza

“As an entrepreneur, you're spending so much time and energy to create an asset. That ultimately, at one time, that asset is going to set you up for retirement and/or create that generational wealth that you'll pass on to your children.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Len Garza. Len is the founder of GARZA, a law firm dedicated to defending the financial interests of individuals, families, and business owners. Numerous media outlets, such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, Law Insider, CBS News Radio, Inc. Magazine, and many others, have spoken with Len. A lecturer who is frequently asked to speak on a variety of subjects, such as family businesses, wealth planning, wealth preservation, and legacy asset protection. Len takes pleasure in enlightening his neighborhood and assisting business owners and their families on the road to accumulating and safeguarding generational wealth.

In this episode, we'll talk about the characteristics of successful business owners that Len has observed, the asset protection advice he gives his clients, and Len's top advice for entrepreneurs who are considering selling their companies in the next three to five years, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“We need to figure that out and make sure any bylaws or any corporate documents that you have that everything has been done properly, right? And everything's lined up. And if it hasn't, we can correct that. Typically, we can correct that. Some things take longer to correct than others. Some things may take a few weeks, some things may take a few months, right? So that's why it's so important, at least from the legal end, it helps a lot if we're not already going through diligence with a seller on the other line.”

- Len Garza

Creating and Safeguarding Generational Wealth in The World of Business

The first step in accumulating wealth is to increase your net worth. Making a plan for how your wealth will be transferred to and passed down to future generations is part of building lasting wealth.

According to Andrea, as business owners, we devote a lot of time and effort to building assets that, in the long run, will enable us to enjoy retirement and pass on riches to our offspring.

Building and preserving wealth requires knowledge that only some consumers possess. If you are wise with your money, your daily decisions can pile up and lead to long-term riches. Knowing your back pocket may make all the difference, whether choosing the ideal mix of assets for your investment portfolio, knowing what kind of savings vehicles to utilize for your savings, or understanding how to launch your own business.

“As an entrepreneur, you're spending so much time and energy to create an asset that ultimately at one time, that asset is going to set you up for retirement and/or create that generational wealth that you'll pass on to your children.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Len Garza?

Website: https://lgarzalaw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lengarza/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/len.garza.98

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenGarza4

Episode 27: Systems and Processes: How Important Are They to Your Business? ft. Lori Spillane

Wed, 24 May 2023 02:26:19 +0000

Episode 27: Systems and Processes: How Important Are They to Your Business? ft. Lori Spillane

“One of the things that we, say,

“Hey, you can get off of this sell, sell, sell, train, reoccurring revenue.”

And so, having different types of revenue streams also is going to help solve that and it’s going to increase their valuation by having that reoccurring revenue.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Lori Spillane from Lori Spillane & Co. Lori helps her clients enjoy their luxurious lifestyles while working less and earning more. She's based in Southern New Hampshire. She is a wife and mother who spends most of her free time honing her dance skills and tending to her outdoor garden. Lori works with business owners currently making six figures to help them reach seven figures, employ their dream team, develop as stronger leaders, and make informed financial decisions.

One of the things we'll cover is about hiring people who are there just for the money or people who are there for the mission. According to Lori, cultivating an environment that values employees is essential to long-term retention.

In this episode, we'll talk about Lori's approach to helping her clients see the value of investing in their employees' education as a building block for their company and the main challenges they encounter once they hit the seven-figure sales mark, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“You can hire people who are there just for the money, or you can hire people who are there for the mission. And so, creating a culture that nurtures them is crucial for keeping those employees long-term. Because if you have a revolving door of employees where it's like a new employee every three months, it's going to be incredibly expensive because you're not just talking about wages and taxes, you're talking about training costs and not to mention it's going to increase your unemployment rate.”

- Lori Spillane

Systems and Processes: How Important Are They to Your Business?

Are you interested in expanding your company? It's essential to pay attention to your systems and processes! These are the foundational elements of any business, giving it structure, support, and the guarantee of efficient operations—all of which can increase employee satisfaction and happiness.

According to Andrea, the fact that their systems, processes, and project management software are so well-organized has been instrumental in the expansion and scaling of their business. Though, not enough business owners value that aspect of their operation.

“If somebody were to come in and look at our systems, processes, our project management software, like, that part of the business is so buttoned up and that is really what's helped us to grow and scale the company. And I don't think that enough business owners, respect that piece of their business.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Lori Spillane?

Website: https://lorispillane.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempowered.ceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.spillane.3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-spillane/

Episode 26: How SOP Accounting & Finance Processes Can Make You Millions

Mon, 15 May 2023 23:01:12 +0000

Episode 26: How SOP Accounting & Finance Processes Can Make You Millions

“Your money is the lifeblood of what you do, how you do your business, how you pay your team, how you pay your bills, how you pay your taxes, all of those things. And so, what I would like to, recommend, encourage, and provide some guidance on is how to set up SOPs in your business for the financial functions that you do?”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss how SOP accounting and finance processes can make you millions.

Your ability to do what you do, run your business, pay your employees, pay your bills, and file your taxes depends on how much money you have. Andrea would like to urge you to establish SOPs for your company's financial operations and to offer some advice on how to do so.

So, in this episode, we will discuss how SOP accounting and financial processes can generate you millions of dollars and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“So, in our accounting firm, when we work with clients, that's one of the very, very first things that we do. They don't get to go out of onboarding until they have SOPs in place for every single function. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, how the accounts are coded, and how the month end takes place.”

- Andrea Jenson

How SOP Accounting and Finance Processes Can Make You Millions

In the field of accounting, consistency and dependability are critical. You can accomplish that goal by using a defined procedure for finishing assignments.

The Cashflow CFO ties together loan statements, reconciles cash and credit card accounts, and examines the various debt schedules. To ensure they have an SOP for every aspect of how money enters their client's business, they carry out all these tasks monthly and tie payroll quarterly to the reports submitted with the government.

“So, we're doing the reconciliations of the cash accounts and the credit card accounts. We're tying out loan statements. We're looking at all the different debt schedules. We're doing all of these things on a monthly basis. We're tying out payroll, on a quarterly basis to the reports that are filed with the government to make sure that we have a SOP in place for every single piece of how money moves in through that business.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Episode 25: Inspiring the Next Wave of Female Entrepreneurs ft. Natalia Graf

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Episode 25: Inspiring the Next Wave of Female Entrepreneurs ft. Natalia Graf

Mon, 08 May 2023 19:00:05 +0000

“Sales is huge for any business to get started. You've got to be able to get out and have the hustle, and then the digital marketing. So, what a great set of skills to bring into a market that had such a need for the apparel you've developed and it's super cool.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Natalia Graf. She is an entrepreneur with over 12 years of expertise in various businesses. She has a wealth of experience developing brands, products, and go-to-market plans for businesses. Natalia developed a digital marketing firm before launching her now seven-figure brand SYNC Equestrian, where she assisted businesses in expanding through brand creation and innovative advertising strategies. Using her skills in digital marketing, Natalia led the introduction of her own brand, which is now worn by many professionals and amateurs worldwide.

One of the things we'll cover is having a warehouse for your inventory and what your game plan is if you don't want to get a warehouse. Natalia thinks some people can even get away with getting storage rooms which are a lot cheaper than operating and owning an entire warehouse.

In this episode, we'll discuss Natalia's distinctive requirements for the things she makes, the future of her brand, and how she handled the pressures on her (personally) as an entrepreneur as her company has grown rapidly, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“I think the most beautiful thing about being an entrepreneur is unpredictability. I don't like routine and I love freedom, and I think the luxury for me also is freedom. Being a business owner in a digital space gives you a lot of freedom because we have built a machine that's running itself in a way,

So, sales are coming in, packages are going out, all those things are being handled, and I can focus on what I love to do, which is advertising.”

- Natalia Graf

Inspiring the Next Wave of Female Entrepreneurs

Not so long ago, the thought of a woman owning a business would have been ridiculed. It's not difficult to imagine given that there are still individuals who behave in such a manner, but times have undoubtedly changed. Many women have overcome the societal limitations that were placed on them during the past few decades and around the world to become powerful business executives.

Andrea believes that entrepreneurs like them are undoubtedly paving the way for the next generation of female entrepreneurs to emerge and simply explore what's possible.

“I think entrepreneurs like us are definitely setting the path for the younger generation of female entrepreneurs to come up and just see what's possible.

For them to kind of just say,

“Hey, I can do whatever I want to do as well.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Natalia Graf?

Website: https://syncequestrian.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syncequestrian/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syncequestrian/

Episode 24: Financial Management for Growing Businesses

Mon, 01 May 2023 19:00:15 +0000

Episode 24: Financial Management for Growing Businesses

“If your pricing is set incorrectly, then you essentially tying your hands behind your back on how profitable and fast you can grow your business and smooth out that cash flow roller coaster.

If you're on the roller coaster. This is one of the reasons why, it all points back to some variation of your pricing being set incorrectly.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this solo episode as I discuss financial management for growing businesses.

One of the primary reasons clients hire a team, such as a fractional CFO team like ours, is that they realise they've outgrown their current finance team or solution that they have in place, something that we frequently hear from clients after they begin working with us.

In essence, when they reached the six-figure, seven-figure, and multimillion-dollar thresholds. It becomes quite necessary for them to have a more knowledgeable and seasoned financial staff.

So, in this episode, we will discuss in-depth financial management for expanding businesses and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Bookkeepers are trained to code your QuickBooks account, to pay your bills, to send invoices to your clients, follow up on outstanding payments, process your payroll, and things like that.

And so, when you ask for the elevated skill set, you're often met with just a blank stare.”

- Andrea Jenson

Financial Management for Growing Businesses

A chief financial officer must possess more than simply a thorough understanding of accounting and finance principles. It entails having an in-depth knowledge of a company's operations and those of its sector to assist it in being profitable and competitive.

For Andrea, it's such an honour to serve the market as they do. She takes great pride in it and is incredibly grateful for the chance to assist these business owners in realising that what got them here isn't going to be the thing that gets them there. And often, that's their team.

According to Andrea, knowing what level of financial sophistication your company requires is critical.

“It's such a great opportunity to serve the market in the way that we do and we take such pride and are so thankful for the opportunity to help these business owners to understand how what got you here, isn't going to be the thing that gets you there. And oftentimes that's their team.

So, it's important to understand, what your business needs as far as the level of financial sophistication.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-my-cleaning-companys-podcast/id1062977028

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

Episode 23: A Path to Entrepreneurship Success ft. John Kepley

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 19:00:08 +0000

“I think it's super important as entrepreneurs to understand where your skills are and where your weaknesses are, right?

And surround yourself with, the complimentary people that are going to make the company whole.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is John Kepley, an award-winning entrepreneur with a 20-year track record of founding several businesses and products. In 2016, John left his most successful business, TechNet, Inc., and established Handshake Investments as a holding company. John has also been a member of the EO Entrepreneur organization for 13 years. From 2016 to 2017, he served as president of the organization's Nashville chapter.

One of the things we'll cover is finding your tribe in entrepreneurship. Particularly in online communities, joining a tribe or founding one has become an infinite possibility. Every type of community is present here. In particular, business tribes and communities are crucial for your growth since you gain access to help and resources.

In this episode, we'll talk about John's entrepreneurial experience, if he ever sought erroneous metrics that failed to advance the business and the similarities he notices across companies with revenues between $3 - $6 million, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“I do subscribe to the fact that I work on my strengths. I don't try to work on my weaknesses anymore. I realize who I am. I'm proud of that today, more so than I've ever been. And I go, you know what?

I'm just going to be me. Right? And that's okay. That's my skill set. I'm going to amplify that skillset and then go from there.”

- John Kepley

A Path to Entrepreneurship Success

It can be tempting to give your business your all as an entrepreneur. However, performing each work only halfway well is a curse rather than a compliment. Would you purposefully employ someone who could only do their job 1/2 well?

According to Andrea, you are much more satisfied and joyful when you spend time doing what you intend to be doing. That permeates all of your interactions in the company, including your ties with clients and vendors.

"We don't have to be experts at everything," says Andrea.

“When you spend your time doing what you’re supposed to be doing, you are a lot more content and happy, and I think that really permeates through all of the different interactions that you have in the business.

All of your different client relationships, vendor relationships, everything, right? So, I think there's a lot of truth to that. And also, we don't have to be great at everything. Whoever said that they did not have your best interest at heart.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with John Kepley?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkepley/

Website (Aspera Life): https://www.asperalife.com/

Website (Fidelis Ideas): https://www.fidelisideas.com/

Website (TekC): https://www.tekc.co/

Episode 22: Understanding the Significance of Your Profit Margin ft. Christopher Wick

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:00:11 +0000

“As entrepreneurs, we know that what got you to where you're at, usually is that grit and determination, and whatever you're doing, you're really good at it, because people just keep buying from you.

So, then it becomes, as your business, evolves, that's when you really get to bring in the experts to prop you up and support you in where your weak spots are. A lot of times that is the accounting and the finance.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Christopher Wick. Christopher is a heart-centered businessman and has a knack for numbers. Christopher is an entrepreneur who, by age 30, had helped over 500 businesses and received over 14 accolades. Christopher has founded, acquired, and sold several companies in marketing, e-commerce, real estate, retail, and investing.

We'll discuss several topics, including what distinguishes one business from another that Christopher could consider investing in, buying, or collaborating with. Any industry has several companies offering similar or comparable services to the same clientele. The companies with the best chances of success stand out from the crowd and convince customers to choose them over rivals.

In this episode, we'll talk about the cost of goods sold, his experience working with businesses with a financial staff versus those without, and what makes an outstanding entrepreneur. All that and more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“What is truly part of my cost? Even if you're a consultant, even if you're a coach, there is a direct cost to that, and that should be in the cost of goods sold.

So, you've got better control over your margins. And of course, the Yellow Brook Road, I want to take people down, is the better your margins, the better your valuation, and the better your valuation, the better exit you're going to have in your business, which is super attractive and super fun.”

- Christopher Wick

Understanding the Significance of Your Profit Margin

It's critical to keep track of your profit margins and be aware of them. Your company needs to generate revenue to stay afloat, and keeping an eye on your profit margins will help you determine how well the business is doing and whether it has room to expand. You should be aware of your profit margins whether you run a large corporation or a small business.

One of the first tasks Andrea gave their CFO clients involved analyzing their margins and making their business profitable.

Your business's profit margin provides information on how much money it produces, how healthy it is overall, and whether it is having issues.

“We're talking about making your business profitable and understanding your margins. Huge! That's one of the first exercises we put our CFO clients through is we have them spell out every single position, anybody in their company that touches it, to deliver on the sale.

Any material, if it's software you have to buy specifically to deliver on that sale, it goes in COGS for our analysis. Because if your COGS is 40 to 50% of your sales price, you're sitting pretty. But a lot of people, as you say, are kind of cheating themselves because they're not capturing the full picture of what it takes to deliver on that sale, and therefore they think,

“Oh, I don't understand why I don't have any money.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Christopher Wick?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermwick/

Website: https://sayyesenterprises.com/home-page-a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayYesEnterprises/

Episode 21: The CFO's Crucial Role in Selling Your Business ft. Gabrielle Juliano-Villani

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:00:10 +0000

“That might be something that a lot of business owners don't realize when they're going into these conversations. I've seen both sides of this.

First, is that they're just so excited that somebody's interested in purchasing their company, that they'll just say yes to just about anything.

Second, that I've seen is that there's like an emotional tie to the business that they maybe didn't even recognize was there.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Gabrielle Juliano-Villani. Based in Sarasota, Florida, she works as a consultant, coach, entrepreneur, and educator. She has more than ten years of experience in the mental health area and focuses on stress, chronic medical problems, and trauma. In 2021, when she became aware of her burnout, she sold her successful group therapy practice and set out on a mission to inform other company owners about the negative effects stress has on our daily lives.

One of the things we'll cover is the five things you can do to set your business up to be acquired. Companies that effectively plan almost invariably end up with the highest sales valuations. Even if a company is not ultimately purchased, preparing for a sale can increase its worth.

In this episode, Gabrielle shares the discussions she had with the buyer when they inquired about purchasing the company as well as the things she would do differently if she were to sell her company again.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Even if you never want to sell or you think you don't, you should always act as if you want to, because that is really what's going to make your practice or your business more profitable.

If you're always thinking in the back of your head like, should I do this or should I not do this? And you're thinking like, would somebody want to buy my business if I just bought some piece of machinery that costs $800,000? That might make you pause for a second. And so, I always encourage people to do that and that would've helped me too because there are things I could have done differently and maybe documented a little bit better.”

- Gabrielle Juliano-Villani

The CFO's Crucial Role in Selling Your Business

The selling of their business, for many business owners, is the culmination of years of labor and is likely to be the biggest and most significant transaction of their lives. It is crucial to negotiate the best price and ensure that the sale is carried out smoothly because there is a lot of money on the line, including maybe the founder's retirement security.

According to Andrea, a number of their clients approach them and express a desire to close their businesses or sell them. So, Andrea's team sets everything up and gets everything in place. Andrea believes it would have been wonderful if Gabrielle had an experienced CFO at her side back then who could have held her hand and guided her during the selling process.

“We've had several of our clients come to us and say,

“My goal is I want to exit.”

And we're like,

“Awesome! Let's do it!”

So, we work backward and get all the things in place and everything set up. And I will say, in hearing your story [Gabrielle’s], what would've been amazing for you is having a CFO next to you that has been through it and can hold your hand and say,

“Okay, here's what's going to come next, and then they're going to ask for this. Let's get all this stuff together and things like that.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani?

Website: https://gabriellejulianovillani.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellejulianovillani/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gjvconsulting/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/createanabundantgrouppractice

Episode 20: Advantages of Working from Home for Employers and Employees ft. Shaun Enders

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:06:44 +0000

“Retaining employees that you might have not been able to keep before had you not embraced this new model [is an asset]. It costs so much. I don't think business owners realize the cost to attract, train, and onboard, a new team member vs. the cost that you don't incur when you're just able to keep those good “A” players on your team.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Shaun Enders from Transition Staffing Company, a full-service recruitment agency that offers clients coast-to-coast coverage for IT, Accounting, and Finance positions. Sean has had a firm for the past 17 years, and for the past three years, I've had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Sean. It has been amazing to see his rapid development and all of his professional and personal successes.

One of the things we'll cover is the most remarkable lessons Shaun learned along the way of running his own business. One of your life's best and most enjoyable experiences will surely be running your own business. But in addition to the accomplishments, money, and high fives of joy, there have also been tears, doubts, and lessons learned.

In this episode, Shaun discusses the moment he decided to grow his firm, the time he saw his business would profit from hiring a CFO, and the advantages of working from home.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Sometimes you're living somebody else's idea of success, right? We see Inc. Magazine or we'll see, for bigger companies, Forbes or Fortune, and you just see success happening in the business realm. And so, you just go,

“Oh, well I want that.”

But, number one, why do you want that? Have a clear vision of what that is.”

- Shaun Enders

Advantages of Working from Home for Employers and Employees

Working from home offers many advantages to employees, including increased flexibility and no commute. Employees might be happier with this remote working arrangement, but companies might also greatly benefit from it. Companies prefer a work-from-home arrangement for various reasons, including decreased overhead expenses, enhanced employee morale, and increased productivity.

Staying competitive requires allowing employees to work from home. Many job seekers may expect this as more firms start to permit entirely or at least partially remote work situations.

Employers may wish to introduce some form of remote work option for their business to retain their present employees and draw in the top talent. While many jobs require you to work in an office setting, there are many others that you can perform entirely from home.

“I think as a lot of companies move to a more hybrid model of having remote team members. Services like ours keep your employment numbers low, right?

So, you're not paying all those extra fees, office overhead is also one that you don't have to incur. And, having a company like ours we're already dialed into the remote model. It gives you that peace of mind that you're not trying to train somebody to do something that's not natural to them.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Shaun Enders?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunenders/

Transition Staffing Group: https://www.calltsg.com/

Facebook (Transition Staffing Group): https://www.facebook.com/CallTSG/

LinkedIn (Transition Staffing Group): https://www.linkedin.com/company/transitionstaffinggroup/

Email (Transition Staffing Group): info@calltsg.com

Episode 19: How to Boost Your Business's Credit Score ft. Kenney Conwell

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:00:15 +0000

“The clients that we've seen, where we've worked with them for a length of time and have gotten all of those things cleaned up and ready to go into their bank.

And their bankers love them and they love us, which at the end of the day you're investing in services that you're going to get that make your life easier as an entrepreneur. And so, things like what you do, what we do, it's just such a vital piece of running a business and having all that stuff.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Kenney Conwell. Kenney is the prosperous owner of MyMoneyEDU, a business that offers financial education and has assisted customers in repairing their credit and using debt to increase their wealth. Over the past 16 years, Kenney has been a successful financial planner.

One of the major things we'll cover is the difference between personal credit and business credit. Keeping business and personal credit separate can be challenging for small businesses, especially when you own the company. Even if you are the only employee at your company, experts advise making a distinct division between your personal and business finances. This includes developing company credit in addition to personal credit.

In this episode, we'll discuss the different levels of business credit, some excellent credit resources you must check out, and the definition of an MCA, and more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Being an entrepreneur, I wanted to do something that I knew would help people and then I understood that,

“Hey listen, if you want to be an entrepreneur, you probably have to have a good handle on your finances because they kind of go hand in hand.”

And that's kind of like how I got my start. And at the time I couldn't continue to cut grass in college. So, I needed to find a new path on what I wanted to do, and it just ended up being like financial services and I just kind of just kept at it and learned so much, helped a lot of people since then.”

- Kenney Conwell

How to Boost Your Business's Credit Score

Are you a business owner who isn't getting the support you require from lenders? Are vendors demanding requirements that you find to be wholly unreasonable? Perhaps because of a low company credit score.

There is more to your company's credit score than just a number. It may have a significant impact on how well your company does. Lenders, suppliers, and other creditors can rapidly determine if a business will pay its obligations on time by looking at its credit score.

According to Andrea, many business owners believe that all they need is a line of credit to be successful. But, to improve your business credit score, you first need a line of credit and then a trading account credit between businesses.

“I think a lot of business owners just think,

“Oh, I need a line of credit and then I'm good.”

But really, in order to strengthen your business credit score, you need to tap into at least two of those, right? The trade account credit between business to business and then the line of credit.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Kenney Conwell?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenneyconwell/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneyconwell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrMoneySavvy/

MyMoneyEDU: https://www.mymoneyedu.com/author/kconwellemoneysavvy-com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kenneyconwell?lang=en

Episode 18: Building A High-Performing Sales Team ft. Chris Urbanski

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:00:09 +0000

“Makes me think of one of my favorite books, called “Make Them Beg to Work for You”, and in that book, the author is talking about, finding out what their personal goals are in life and see if it's in alignment with the position that you are interviewing or hiring for.

Is this going to help them further reach their goals? Is this going to help them get there in some shape form, fashion kind of thing?”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Chris Urbanski. He will be speaking to us today about building a sales team. Chris is based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He hires, develops, and oversees the top door-to-door sales representatives in the nation. He has a wealth of practical knowledge about salespeople hiring, training, and motivating. Every business owner constantly seeks ways to increase sales, and you need a sales team to do that.

We'll discuss various topics, including what Chris discovered about the current state of the salesperson hiring market and the standard screening questions he uses. Talented salespeople are in great demand, and this trend isn't expected to change anytime soon. But what's interesting is how hard it is for businesses to fill these positions.

In this episode, we'll talk about the kind of onboarding and training they offer, the qualities that hiring managers should emphasize in their job ads to lure prospective candidates, and Chris's reliance on data to keep things running smoothly.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“Gathering data is huge. I think that's the best way that you can make the fastest positive change. And I think, just being disciplined to gathering data and like I said, prescribing that and training based off that.”

- Chris Urbanski

Building A High-Performing Sales Team

Each company needs a solid and successful recruitment policy, especially when hiring salespeople. The most incredible staff that can continuously sell goods and services must be hired if you want to improve your company's sales performance. Andrea's clients are constantly considering new approaches to boost their revenue and achieve the sales targets they've established for their sales staff. Creating a hiring profile and knowledge of your team's critical tasks is one of the first steps in selecting a top-notch sales team. Your hiring procedure needs to be organized and focused. Simply put, you need a staff that can increase your business's profitability.

“I know that sales are something, being a CFO, we talk to all of our clients and they're always looking at what are the different ways that I can increase my revenue.

And hit those sales goals that they've set out for themselves, for their sales team, if they have one. And really just understanding the driver of the revenue coming into the business.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Chris Urbanski?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-urbanski-872753260/

Grit Marketing: https://www.gritmarketing.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisurbanski555/

Instagram (Grit Marketing): https://www.instagram.com/the___grit/

Episode 17: The Power of Data on Company Management ft. Oscar Chavez

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:00:15 +0000

“I think if you're going to make that investment to bring in an advisor to give you the guidance, then you better implement what they have told you because you said it yourself, you couldn't pay me enough.

You couldn't afford me to come in and implement what I'm telling you. And so that's where it's the grit. It's that sweat equity, I'll give you the advice, but you have to be the one that pushes the buttons and implements it in your business.”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Oscar Chavez, an international keynote speaker, Amazon's #1 bestselling author, entrepreneur, and Executive Leadership Coach to the ASX Top 100 CxO's and ambassador for A21 Foundation.

One of the things we discuss is how he effectively used fractional CFOs to assist their clients in achieving their goals and setting up the necessary tools to begin tracking the metrics. A fractional CFO is your secret weapon when you need financial skills beyond what your present team can provide. They will help you achieve your objectives. Without hiring someone full-time, you gain insightful information and concentration, which is undoubtedly advantageous for your company.

In this episode, we'll also talk about Oscar's transition from a singing career to his current position, the types of business owners he usually draws to the group, and the most important lessons he discovered while assisting and observing all these other enterprises.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“The thing that is still blocking most business owners, and again I hate to say this, but it's “MINDSET”. It's that willingness for accountability. It's that discipline of going back to the action plan and going through that action plan, step one, step two, step three, and just doing it.

So, I feel like there's a real lack of discipline there because they're so stuck in the weeds that whatever happens on a day-to-day basis just hits them and then they go focus on that thing and they're just completely living a reactive life as a business owner. So, if business owners want to really scale themselves out of where they are, they really have to become proactive and they have to be really disciplined when it comes to planning and the execution of that plan.”

- Oscar Chavez

The Power of Data on Company Management

Today, data may be more valuable to any organization than any single item. The volume and sophistication of data available have grown exponentially, becoming a valid driver of competitive advantage across all business sectors, even though accountants and those in charge of managing an organization's finances have always relied on gathering and managing basic information. According to Andrea, a business that has solid, precise data will grow far more quickly than one that merely throws money at issues without trying to understand their causes. Businesses nowadays gather more data than ever from their operations, supplier networks, production processes, personnel interactions, and customers. Yet knowledge is more than just information. It will only be valid if data can be transformed into helpful insight and productive business results.

“A company that's got good clean data is going to be able to grow at a much smoother rate than somebody who's just throwing money at a problem, trying to fix it, and really doesn't understand the root of the problem.

And so, it's just this cycle that they go through.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Oscar Chavez?

APEX Business Summit: https://www.oscar-chavez.com/apex57980985

Website (The Boardroom): https://www.theboardroomglobal.com/go

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoscarchavez/

Website (Growthly Group): https://growthlygroup.com/

Website: https://www.oscar-chavez.com/dominate

Episode 16: The Real Cost of a Poor Hire Ft. Dave Fox

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 20:41:36 +0000

“I think most business owners in the beginning, just do a little bit of everything, right? Jack of all trades. You get to a point where it's the opportunity cost.

I can continue to do my own invoicing and continue to do the things that I'm doing but I'm missing out on opportunity costs to be working on the business, out making the sales or networking connections, and things like that. So, I think that all entrepreneurs have that similar journey where you get to a point where you're like, wait a minute, this doesn't make sense for me to keep doing it.

And then you start bringing in experts in that role.”

Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Dave Fox, the founder, and CEO of Focus Global Talent Solutions, who serves the Fortune 500 market by offering specialized IT talent in data science, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing. In addition, Dave is a certified NFT specialist and a blockchain enthusiast.

We'll discuss various topics, including the most essential lessons Dave had learned over the past five years and some of the issues he was dealing with when he decided to hire a part-time CFO. Hiring a fractional CFO has been an effective way for many businesses to get a senior executive's knowledge and direction while navigating challenging situations. A fractional CFO might take on duties like creating the company's financial planning, managing cash flow, raising money, and producing financial results, among others, because this specialist will oversee the organization's economic well-being.

In this episode, we'll also talk about how a fractional CFO benefited Dave's firm and how crucial funding is as the organization enters the muddy middle (2 to 5 million range), and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

Episode 15: Why You Should Hire a Fractional CFO ft. Ann Campeau

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:00:12 +0000

"I think that's also one of the components that make people shy away from bringing in a financial professional is they think,

“Oh, well, they're going to speak in all this technical jargon that I'm not going to understand as a business owner.”

Or maybe they feel like,

“I don't want to feel stupid, I'm really smart, so how can I feel so stupid when it comes to my numbers?”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Ann Campeau from Strut Bridal Salon and Garnet & Grace Bridal Boutique. Anne started her own bridal salon 14 years ago and has grown it to four sites in Arizona and California.

We'll discuss a variety of topics, including what Ann discovered about the financial world that she hadn't known before and the secret to operating a prosperous business. Ann has managed the company for the past 14 years, during which time there have been numerous proud successes, memorable events, and milestones. Along the way, there have also been a lot of difficulties and failures.

In this episode, we'll also highlight how frequently they utilize cash flow forecasts in their businesses, Ann's advice for folks who feel incompetent when it comes to business numbers, her tips for a business owner who wants to go to the seven- and eight-figure range, and much more!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“One of the things entrepreneurs worry about is the cost of hiring an expert and sometimes you have to ask, what's the cost of not hiring an expert, right? That's really an important number to at least think about and there are ranges of hiring. You can hire somebody who's super high level and that might cost you a lot.

Or like I said, I have a logo designer who charges me 200 bucks and I only need files from him once in a while. And that is a really easy expense. But I know I'm getting quality work and I am only paying when I need it.”

- Ann Campeau

Why You Should Hire a Fractional CFO

While businesses can handle their accounts independently, employing a part-time CFO is a great choice. An outsourced CFO or a fractional CFO is part-time or temporary financial expert firms hire to oversee their finances. These experts concentrate exclusively on the vital fields of accounting and finance. Andrea's service was created in a fractional capacity because most business owners don't have the funds or need for a full-time CFO. Hence, the Cash Flow CFO enters the picture. They can offer speedy analysis and valuable financial data that keep organizations operating and expanding. Employing a fractional CFO will be advantageous regardless of how big or how little your business is. You can expand your company by addressing specific financial difficulties with their help.

“Our service was born in a fractional capacity because most business owners between the 1 and 10 million don't have a budget for a full-time CFO, nor do they need a full-time CFO.

So that's where we come in. We're able to at a fractional level, provide that quick insight, actionable financial information that keeps them going and growing their businesses.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Ann Campeau?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncampeau/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.campeau/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acampeau

Strut Bridal Salon: https://strutbridalsalon.com/

Facebook (Strut Bridal Salon): https://www.facebook.com/StrutBridalSalon

Pinterest (Strut Bridal Salon): https://www.pinterest.com/strutbridal/

Instagram (Strut Bridal Salon): https://www.instagram.com/strutbridal/

Garnet & Grace Bridal Boutique: https://garnetandgrace.com/

Facebook (Garnet & Grace Bridal Boutique): https://www.facebook.com/garnetandgrace

Pinterest (Garnet & Grace Bridal Boutique): https://www.pinterest.com/garnetandgrace/

Instagram (Garnet & Grace Bridal Boutique): https://www.instagram.com/garnetandgracebridalboutique/

Episode 14: Learning from your business mistakes ft. Angie Oven

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:20:18 +0000

“Opportunity cost is one that you can't get back, right? So, if you're spending your time doing the wrong level of action in your business that’s a problem.

“I've done this. Oh, I'll just figure it out and I'll do it myself.”

By the time I figure it out and actually get the project done, I probably could have outsourced it for a fraction of the cost”

- Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Angie Oven from the Bridal Gallery, a bridal boutique in Salem, Oregon. Angie also works as a business consultant at the local small business development center and also a co-director at Engaged, where she mentors and educates other wedding boutiques to help them become more profitable.

We'll talk about Angie's background in the wedding industry, how she became a wedding advisor, and how working with a CFO allowed her to pursue her other passion projects, such as the coaching and mentoring she offers to other company owners. You may invest in other crucial aspects of your organization by working with a part-time CFO and saving money in the process. Working with a financial expert that can provide data entry, bookkeeping, and CFO services all in one solution is quite advantageous.

In this episode, we'll also discuss how marketing increased and expanded Angie's revenue as well as the changes she made to the company that has allowed her to keep growing.

Join us to learn the whole story!

“You guys have had the job of keeping me on a budget, and that's another thing that I've really valued. You guys have built out my dashboard.

It's really easy for me to track and see where I'm at when it's in black and white. If I am out of money to buy inventory, I am out of money. I'm not going to call and say, I overspent because that would be scary to me. I don't feel like it's a parental relationship because we're partners, but I feel a sense of accountability there that I haven't had before.”

- Angie Oven

Living and Learning in Business

The trial-and-error method of doing business allows business owners to experiment with different tactics, make mistakes, and learn from them. The technique gives you the ability to use errors as stepping stones to grow your company. It also enables you to recognize a plan that is ineffective for your company and discard it. According to Andrea, experiencing life and learning are crucial to success in a company; but, for business owners to truly internalize this lesson, they need to have burned their hands on fire a few times. You must realize that every business concept has potential before you launch your enterprise. It's normal to discover when starting your business that you don't know how to accomplish as many things as you believed.

“Live and learn, right? We kind of have to burn our hand on the fire a few times as business owners to really have that lesson ingrained in us.”

- Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Angie Oven?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-oven-a9a87418/

Website (The Bridal Gallery): https://bridalgallerysalem.com/

Facebook (The Bridal Gallery): https://www.facebook.com/bridalgallerysalem/

Instagram (The Bridal Gallery): https://www.instagram.com/bridalgallerysalem/

Pinterest (The Bridal Gallery): https://www.pinterest.com/bridalgallerysalem/_created/

Episode 13: How to attract and retain top talent ft. Jen Perera

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 21:01:24 +0000

“It's that red carpet or white glove type service that I know you guys offer. We offer it and we only bring in clients that are the same way, because we want that boutique feel. That is really where the business owners get to have that deep sigh of relief of like, “Okay, I feel taken care of.” That's what we thrive on.”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Jen Perera with Our Benefits Coach, who focuses on strategic benefit strategies, first with recruitment and later with retention of employees. Jen has spent the last 14 years working in the insurance industry.

One of the topics we'll explore is how to find and keep great talent since it's well-known that most business owners struggle with it. Businesses today need to work much harder and pay closer attention to innovative strategies for luring and keeping top talent, particularly in light of concerns about rising inflation and a future crisis. CEOs and boards must pay close attention to what matters most to combat excessive employee turnover: employee happiness and retention.

We'll talk about how Jen got her start in the insurance business, why you need someone who can help you build the best plan possible by helping you consider all the options, and how Jen's services have evolved as our team has gotten bigger!

Join us to learn the whole story!

“If you, the business owner were to get hurt or sick. You are not able to work. Yes, your business can keep paying you, but then do you have to pay someone to do your job? There are disability policies on the outside marketplace that cost well over a grand a month, you can run those through the benefits, through the company, and pay for your whole company for less than you would pay for your own individual policy.”

-Jen Perera

Benefits of Retaining an Employee vs. Recruiting

Anyone who has ever worked in a business is aware of how difficult it is to attract and retain the best employees. Business owners must take every step possible to ensure that their top performers stay with them for as long as possible in one of the most difficult hiring markets we've ever seen. Do you believe that keeping your current staff rather than hiring replacements can be advantageous for your company? Andrea believes that keeping an employee is far more economical than hiring a new one. Therefore, as an employer, you should consider all of the numerous techniques that you can implement to help you keep this team in which you have already expended a lot of money, time, and energy.

“So, it's much, much, much more cost-effective to retain an employee than it is to hire a new one. And so, as an employer, you want to be looking at all the different strategies that you can put into place that will help you retain this team that you've invested so much money and time and energy into already.”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Jen Perera?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjenperera/

Website: https://ourbenefitscoach.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurBenefitsCoach/

Episode 12: How to Grow and Run a Profitable Retail Business Ft. Michelle McFarland

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 20:00:11 +0000

How to Grow and Run a Profitable Retail Business

“How much mental brain space can you get back by having a financial team supporting you and managing that whole pillar of your business? Has it freed you up to do other, maybe more creative things in the business or focus more on some of the other functions that, as business owners, we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis?”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is Michelle McFarland from Berkeley, Michigan-based bridal retailer The Wedding Shop. Michelle also oversees a coaching program for other wedding shop owners and serves as the Better Bridal Group president. Michelle has been in the wedding industry for the past 23 years and has a ton of knowledge and advice to impart on developing and managing a successful retail business today. One of the things we'll cover is how to deal with the pandemic's impact on the retail industry and the various developments that will affect our business but over which we have little control. Since the government requested that everyone confine themselves and significantly curtailed in-person customer interaction in stores, the retail sector, in particular, has been negatively impacted.

In this episode, we'll discuss Michelle's career path in the bridal industry, her biggest obstacles throughout the epidemic, and much more!

Join us to know the whole story!

“During the shutdowns or even reopening. So yes, we were not essential. That is for sure. And being closed was very scary.

Being closed and not having income for two months into a retail store. That's very hard. I know a lot of businesses were able to continue operating. We were not, I had to juggle my team and pay them and keep them busy during that time. And there were many other things to consider about reopening too.”

-Michelle McFarland

Decision-Making in your Business

A business's success depends on its ability to make decisions, big and small. The urge to solve a problem or seek a future opportunity drives decision. Making informed judgments requires gathering the appropriate information and feedback from essential parties.

In business, according to Andrea, we must decide what to do, stick with it, and see it through. It's okay if it doesn't work; we can always go back and make changes. But if you want to see the results, be committed and give it time.

Every day we make decisions for ourselves. As soon as you open your eyes, decision-making begins. All day long, people make decisions of all sizes.

“Make a decision, stick with it, and see it through.

And then, as you said about the appointments, if it doesn't work, that's fine, you can always go back and change it. But commit, and let it run its course to see its results.”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Michelle McFarland?

Website: https://theweddingshoppe.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theweddingshoppemi

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/weddingshoppemi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingshoppemi/

Episode 11: Why Your Business Needs an Elevated Financial Team

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 19:01:02 +0000

Why Your Business Needs an Elevated Financial Team

As businesses grow and cross important milestones such as reaching the six-figure, seven-figure, or multimillion-dollar marks, the need for a more advanced and experienced financial team becomes imperative. This is when many business owners realize that they have outgrown their existing financial team or solution. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why businesses need to upgrade their financial team and how a fractional CFO team can help.

Outgrowing Your Existing Financial Team

Many business owners start with a bookkeeper to manage their finances, but as the business grows, they require more advanced reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and job costing. When they ask for elevated reporting and forecasting from their bookkeeper, they are often met with a blank stare. This is because bookkeepers are trained to handle specific tasks like coding QuickBooks, paying bills, sending invoices, and processing payroll, and are not equipped to provide advanced financial advice.

The Importance of a Higher-Level Skill Set

As businesses grow, they require a higher level of financial sophistication to make informed decisions about growth, profitability, scaling, and pricing. If you're at the seven-figure mark or beyond, it's essential to have a team that includes a fractional CFO to provide a forward-looking view of your business and strategic advice on how to be more profitable. A fractional CFO team can help you understand the data that your financial statements aren't providing, and how to make the best financial decisions for your business.

The Benefits of Working with a Fractional CFO Team

A fractional CFO team brings a wealth of experience to the table and can help take the guesswork out of growing your business. They can provide guidance on when to hire, how much you can afford to hire, and whether you should rent or buy a building. Moreover, they can help you determine if your pricing is set correctly, which sets up every other function in your business's financial model. If pricing is incorrect, it can restrict the growth and profitability of your business and impact your cash flow.

In conclusion, as your business grows, it becomes essential to upgrade your financial team to support your growth and help you reach your financial goals. A fractional CFO team can provide a forward-looking view of your business, provide strategic advice, and take the guesswork out of growing your business. If you're interested in learning more about our services, please book a call to chat with us and learn more about your business and financial growth goals.

Episode 10: When do I need a CFO? ft. Giles Fabris

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:00:09 +0000

“I'll spend a thousand dollars all day long if I know my profit from that client over their lifetime is going to be an exponential amount of that.

Well then that makes sense, right? You're paying up upfront to bring them in, but you know that you're going to deliver services to them that far exceed that acquisition costs.”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Joining me today is our guest Giles Fabris, who is a scaling mentor for Pinnacle Global Network. Giles has been coaching for 34 years and has assisted hundreds of high-level CEOs in scaling their businesses to major sizes. One of the questions that we are going to discuss and I know that a lot of business owners are wondering about this as well is "When do I need a CFO in my business?" A difficult balance has always existed when deciding when to appoint a CFO. If you recruit too soon, you might not be able to afford them; if you hire too late, you might miss out on opportunities to propel the company forward.

In this episode, we talked about the cost of acquiring new clients, outgrowing your bookkeeper, and the clarity a CFO offers.

Join us to find out more!

“Who knows what's in stock for 2023? The landscape can change in a heartbeat, right?

And if you understand your numbers, right? He or she understands their numbers, right? Stands a significantly better chance of prevailing and less stress too.”

-Giles Fabris

Managing Your Revenue Accordingly

One of the most crucial business decisions you make is the cost of your good or service. At best, setting a price that is too high or too little may restrict the expansion of your organization. At worst, it might significantly impact your sales and cash flow. Andrea advises that you should price your goods and services in line with what it actually costs you to provide them. If you don't, then you won't be able to afford all the additional expenses and you won't have the proper margins in your firm. You must ensure that the price and sales levels you choose will enable your firm to be profitable when setting your prices.

“When you look at the hiring, it's a competitive market out there.

The job market is super competitive, and if you don't set your pricing according to what it costs you to truly deliver that product or service. You're not going to have the right margins in your business and you're not going to be able to afford all the other things besides delivering on the sale.”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Want to get in touch with Giles Fabris?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilesfabris/

Pinnacle Global Network: https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/meet-the-team/

CFO Coffee Talk: Financial Roadmap ft. Marla Reynolds, and Jess Buzzell

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 18:20:10 +0000

“I know that where we are right now in the new year, we're smack in January and it's a perfect time to have this conversation. Because a financial roadmap is something that's going to set up your business for the rest of the year, for the remaining 11 months.

So, you'll build this in January and you'll refer to it as you continue on through the rest of the year.”

Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. I'm thrilled to have two of our excellent CFOs join me for our "CFO Coffee Talk" today. I want to introduce Marla Reynolds, and Jess Buzzell who will join us for the first time for a Coffee Talk.

Today, we'll talk about financial roadmaps, including what they are, what they signify for your business, and how much they will make your life much easier. These roadmaps, also known as strategic financial plans, are crucial for coordinating objectives since they inform stakeholders about longer-term financial results. In this episode, Andrea, Marla, and Jess will discuss the financial roadmaps they are generating for their clients and how to plan a revenue target to develop a financial roadmap.

Join us to learn more!

“We're with some of them (clients) that are further along now in their journey with us. We've had the data now to look back at the historical data that we've collected, and now we can improve upon that for the future years and the longer-term strategy.

So, we're just constantly refining that business model and that recipe and making it better.

And it's just super exciting.”

Marla Reynolds

Financial Roadmap as a Recipe for Success

For businesses, a financial roadmap is a crucial tool. Companies can use it to track progress and spot possible issues because it gives a clear and comprehensive snapshot of the company's financial condition and future possibilities. Achieving financial success can be challenging. But Jess genuinely believes that a corporation or organization needs to concentrate on its financial roadmap because she knows, based on experience, that this is the secret to success. To succeed in the long run, your company must overcome many financial obstacles. But we can address these difficulties, and the company can experience financial stability and expansion with a solid financial roadmap.

“And us being able to have them focus on what are your long-term goals? What are your long-term plans? Let's make sure you meet these, kind of bring them back, right? Like,

“Hey, hey, that's awesome, but let's focus on your financial roadmap because we know that this is the recipe for success.”

So that's something that I've noticed has been really helpful actually I've had a couple of my clients come right out and say that like,

“Oh, thank you so much for bringing me back, that's why we have you.”

Jess Buzzell

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Want to get in touch with Marla Reynolds?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlalreynolds/

Want to get in touch with Jess Buzzell?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbuzzell229/

Episode 8: Can my Business Afford That?

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:26:09 +0000

“Have you ever in your business, thought to yourself, hmm, “Can I afford that in my business?” Well, let me tell you, if you have a dialed-in budget and a forecast, you will know at a moment's notice whether or not you can afford that.”

-Andrea Jenson

Today we are throwing back to one of our favorite videos from 2022. The question so many business owners find themselves asking… “Can my Business Afford That?”

From deciding about a new hire to purchasing new supplies, you have probably asked yourself this question before. A structured budget and cash flow forecast can help you decide. But there is one piece of the puzzle that might be missing. Andrea reveals what that missing piece is.

What is the Missing Piece?

I know a lot of business owners, and you're probably saying, “Hey, I have a budget, I have a forecast. I still don't know if I can afford that.” Well, let me tell you what the missing piece is.

The missing piece is somebody on your financial team that is tracking how much you've spent and how much is left in each of your budget categories. As a business owner, you should have a financial team that you could shoot off a message to and immediately know if you have room in the budget.

The solution is at the beginning of the year you set with your financial team and with your CFO your revenue goals and your profit goals. Then your CFO says, Let me go and create a budget for you. We'll review that together and we will set the budget for the year.

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Episode 7: Key factors for Employing a Fractional CFO with Shannon Brown

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 20:00:13 +0000

Coffee with Shannon Brown (Key factors for employing a Fractional CFO)

“We're always looking at ways to maximize efficiency, and also the lead time to take somebody from the outside and train them into that role, you're going to be spending a lot of extra money versus what Shannon just said.

You've already got that person, just figure out who it is. Go find out who's your social media queen on their personal side.”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Here with me today is Shannon Brown from Centric Marketing. I'm thrilled to speak with Shannon because her firm has recently had a significant development in terms of the services, the branding, and all the excellent stuff.

An expert team may need to be outsourced or hired since organizations may not have the internal know-how or expertise to extend their operations significantly. So with that, in this episode, we tackled the advantages of hiring an expert in a certain field, may it be marketing or accounting, and the deciding element that led Centric to conclude that it was time for their organization to undergo a major branding overhaul. We also go through how their decision to have a big branding makeover influenced the transformation of their company's vision and how hiring a Fractional CFO significantly assisted their organization's accounting requirements.

Join us to find out more!

“I just had a conversation last Friday, with my Fractional CFO about mergers and acquisitions and it's like, I would've never thought I would've been there, but now that I have the expertise by my side, it's amazing.”

-Shannon Brown

Key factors for employing a Fractional CFO

Integrated and coordinated financial operations, involving accounting, financial analysis, cash flow management, budgeting, maintaining checks and balances, and matters like capital structure, investment management, and financing, are all under the CFO's purview. Few midsize organizations may be able to pay for the privilege of a full-time CFO; thus, a fractional CFO is a practical and advised substitute for a full-time professional. According to Andrea, hiring one is like having a senior-level person by your side who can guide you through every step of the process. The benefits of hiring a part-time CFO include adding a tenured financial expert to the table for a portion of the cost of a full-time employee.

“It's like having that senior level person, that can hold your hand and kind of walk you through what if we did this, and what if we did this?”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Want to get in touch with Shannon Brown?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brownmarketingstrategies/

Website: https://centricmarketing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centricsandiego/

Episode 6: Benefits of Outsourced Accounting with Mike Campion

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 20:00:14 +0000

Coffee with Mike Campion (Benefits of Outsourced Accounting)

“When you talk about increasing a business's valuation, reoccurring revenue is in the top 5 of that. So that's really cool that your model has that built into it. And then it has simplicity. So that's the other piece that I think is important to take away.

You don't have to have a complex business model. It can be simple and profitable and enjoyable and effective, and you don't have to keep frankensteining it into all these other things that we see some business owners doing. That's where the discipline, I think, definitely comes into just kind of go,

“This is working. I'm going to let this run and do its thing.”

-Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! We have a special episode today because my friend and client Mike Campion, the owner of "Grow My Cleaning Company," is joining us. I've had the privilege of journeying beside him for a time, seeing how he has influenced the lives of countless owners of cleaning businesses. Join us in this episode as we look back on how we first met, Mike's company situation at the time we started working together, and the importance of knowing that you have a solid team behind you and that your accounting needs have been taken care of. We also discuss the risks associated with outsourcing a company's accounting function, which is tricky because it entails managing cash flow. Come and join us to learn more!

“Get clear on your goal and if your goal is like, I want to grow and be profitable, do the boring stuff for an unreasonable amount of time.

If you just want to have fun and be an entrepreneur, you're like,

“I have money. I don't need that.”

Then do what makes you happy.”

-Mike Campion

Benefits of Outsourced Accounting

You as the CEO assume all the roles. You have worked hard to expand your business. However, at this stage of your business, you are confused by payroll, tax deadlines, receipts, invoices, and spreadsheets. Andrea believes that the best way to relieve yourself of this time-consuming process is to outsource accounting tasks. To improve their cash flow, shorten the entire cycle time of their processes, and determine the most and least profitable product lines for potential future expansion plans, many businesses have now opted to outsource their accounting responsibilities to specialized individuals.

“The hassle of trying to train somebody in something that's not your core expertise, managing them, and then just having that extra, just one other division or function of the business that you have to be constantly thinking about versus like you're saying, having it outsourced and having the structure in place where everything is documented in SOPs and whether it's me doing it or somebody on my team, they're going to do it the exact same way that the process was built.

So, for you as the client, it's that seamless interaction. So that's really cool.”

-Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Want to get in touch with Mike Campion?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-my-cleaning-company/

Website: https://www.growmycleaningcompany.com/

CFO Coffee Talk: Setting Up an Annual Budget ft. Marla Reynolds

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:32:14 +0000

Coffee with Marla Reynolds

“As we move into the new year, it's important for business owners to take a little bit of time out of their busy schedule to sit down and take a little bit of inventory and decide what were some of the things that really worked this past year and what are we looking at as we move into the new year?”

Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Here with me today is Marla Reynolds, one of our team's outstanding CFOs. And in this episode, we'll discuss the steps we take with our clients to prepare for the budget discussion and the questions we pose to get them thinking about their financial goals for the upcoming fiscal year. Typically, businesses begin their planning in the final quarter of the current year. But how do you start having those serious, high-level discussions about revenue targets and any significant adjustments, like adding additional employees or creating a new division? We also emphasize the importance of budgeting as your reliable financial blueprint for the coming year. Join us to gain more information!

“It's important to take some time to sit down and really think these things through because we know that without a clear end goal, you're just spinning your wheels and you really aren't getting that traction that you can achieve if you have this plan in place.”

Andrea Jenson

Setting your company’s annual budget

One of the most crucial financial parts of a business is creating an annual budget, although this step is frequently skipped. According to Andrea, some business owners tremble a little when they hear about budgeting. Planning a company's budget is a crucial process that is regularly overlooked by certain businesses. Why is it so crucial then? Well, largely because it is a procedure that gets your business ready to respond to important inquiries about what the upcoming year will entail.

“When we say budget, I think some business owners get a little bit squeamish and they're like, “Ooh, I don't want that. You know, that's too much stress to think about”. But it's just like, if you were going to be driving your car and you're driving from destination A to destination B, if you don't have a roadmap, you're going to end up who knows where. Right?”

Andrea Jenson

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

Website: thecashflowcfo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kQopRCt9TEbgYjmqA4SMQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/

Episode 4: Closing out the Year

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:30:59 +0000

Today we're going to talk about something that is super relevant for this time of year.

We are all looking ahead at closing out this year, and determining what our goals are going to be for the following year. So it's a great time to take stock of what's happened in your business. What has created successes, and what were some of the misses from a financial perspective that you had? Did you reach your quarterly goals? Did you reach your annual goals?

Once you take a look at where you've been, it's easier to determine where it is that you want to go forward.

Episode 3: Management Dashboard

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 20:00:12 +0000

“A management dashboard is a report that you will look at monthly, that will give you the financial KPIs of your business.

So, the management dashboards that we use for our clients, we love to color code them, and we make them visually fun to look at. And so, they're getting a wealth of information at the same time, it's something that they enjoy and they want to continue to look at.”

Episode 2: When is the Right Time to Hire?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 19:52:52 +0000

“One crucial thing for business owners to understand is the budget for each of those different buckets. So, the first thing we do with our clients, for example, when setting up the allocation of the percent to each of these buckets, is looking at the actual cost to deliver what I'm selling.”

Andrea Jenson

Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Today, I talk about one of our most watched videos on YouTube about knowing when you can afford to hire a new team member and how much you can afford to pay them. At one time or another, every person in business has found themselves wondering what they should consider when adding more staff to their team and determining how much they will pay them. In this episode, I detail the key factors to consider for your company, how to spot shortages and the best budgeting options. We also review the categories that can help a business owner decide when and how much to pay a worker. Join me and learn more details!

Episode 1: What is a CFO?

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:36:23 +0000

Episode 1: What is a CFO?

“Imagine that you're the business owner, and you're driving down the road in your car. Sitting in the backseat behind you looking out the rear view window of your car is your bookkeeper, your accountant, and your tax preparer. They're looking at historical data. They're telling you where you went, how much you spent, and they have a historical viewpoint of the business's activities. Sitting in the front seat next to you, the business owner who's driving the car is your CFO. They're looking out the front windshield telling you what's coming up, how to plan, and how to be profitable.”

Andrea Jenson

Hello and welcome to The Cash Flow CFO Podcast, hosted by Andrea Jenson from The Cash Flow CFO. This is the show that explores the financial side of running a business for people who want to maximize profitability and scale with confidence. If you want to make smart financial decisions based on data and put more of your hard-earned profits into your pocket, this is the podcast for you!

On today’s episode, Andrea takes the time to break down exactly what a CFO is, why you need one in your business, what they do, and all the technical terminology related to their position within a business. CFO stands for Chief Financial Officer, and they are the highest level financial executive in your company. They are responsible for the overall financial strategy, cash flow, and financial planning.

Episode 90: Building a Business That Thrives Without You with Jen Eckhardt

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:00:13 +0000

"The builder's paradox... is what happens when success boxes you in and creates a ceiling on your growth because the success that you've built is built on you and what you're good at."

- Jen Eckhardt

Welcome back to a new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast! In this episode, we’re exploring how to build a business that can thrive without you. Our guest is Jen Eckhardt. Jen helps Founder-CEOs of service businesses design companies that don’t depend on them—so they can step back, scale smart, and exit strong. Her clients routinely cut their operational workload by more than 95%, build teams that run the business without them, and increase their company’s value by 3–5x. Jen’s proprietary frameworks resolve the Builder’s Paradox™—that painful place where success makes you indispensable—so founders can reclaim their time and create a business that thrives with or without them.

Join us to learn the whole story!

"There's a whole lot of involuntary exits that happen... And if that forced sale happens, you're not gonna get the value unless we do these things that prepare you all along the way."

- Jen Eckhardt

The Builder's Paradox

In this episode, I had a fantastic conversation with Jen Eckhardt about a common trap many business owners fall into. We talked about what Jen calls the “builder's paradox,” which is when your own success boxes you in. This happens when the business is built all around you and what you're great at, making it impossible for you to step away. When you become the center of everything, it actually puts a ceiling on how much your company can grow.

Changing Your Role

Jen explained that to break free, you have to go through a personal change she calls the “entrepreneurial evolution”. This means you have to change your role from being the main "builder" to becoming an "ambassador" for your business. It doesn't matter what new systems or processes you put in place; if you aren't ready to embrace this new role, you'll stay stuck. You have to be ready to let go of doing everything yourself.

Making Your Business Repeatable

A big step in this process is to stop creating custom work for every single client. Jen advises creating a “signature offer” that is your main, repeatable service. When you sell the same thing every time, it becomes much easier for your team to deliver the work without you. It might sound strange, but a scalable business is often a "boring" business because it's so predictable, and that's what allows it to grow bigger than you.

Building a Business That Lasts

Finally, Jen pointed out that the very things that give you freedom now are the same things that create real, sellable value in your company. By building systems and a team that can run the business without you, you create an asset that someone else would want to buy. This isn't just for a future sale you might plan; it's also important for unexpected life events. Having a business that doesn't depend on you protects your family and your legacy.

"I've discovered the very things that we do to create value in your company, to create asset value so that you can sell it are the same things that give you freedom now."

- Jen Eckhardt

Want to get in touch with Andrea Jenson?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cash-flow-cfo/