Keep What You Earn

In this episode, I get candid about a topic that's been on my mind—what sets a CFO apart from a traditional accountant. I'll dive into my biggest fear as a CFO: not delivering enough value and being seen as just another run-of-the-mill accountant. We work hard to differentiate our services, positioning ourselves as strategists who happen to be accountants, and I'll share why this matters.   From d...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and mentor Lori Harder, the podcast host of 'Earn Your Happy' and the founder and CEO of Gloci. Lori shares her incredible journey from an in-debt high school dropout to a multimillionaire serial entrepreneur. We dive deep into her experiences, from her initial venture in fitness and network marketing to the challenging yet rewarding pivot from her first...

Let's dive into my journey to becoming a finance professional, insights on cash flow forecasting, the nuances of financial metrics like P&L statements, and strategic investments to grow your business.   We also discuss the emotional aspects of financial management and how to navigate the metrics that truly matter for your business's health. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the financial side of...

Today, I dive into crucial considerations for investing in businesses, applicable whether you're an investor or a business owner seeking capital. Drawing from a recent conversation with a friend receiving numerous business proposals and pitch decks, I created a comprehensive checklist of factors to evaluate. I emphasize understanding financials, team management, unique expertise, profit management...

We dive into my journey from a childhood influenced by my father, who was a CPA to becoming a successful business owner and financial educator. I share invaluable insights on how entrepreneurs can better manage their finances, the importance of tax planning, and the common mistakes to avoid. We also touch on the importance of mindset in financial success and the necessity of diversifying both reve...

We all struggle with, and often avoid the topic of losing clients, but the truth is, it happens to everyone. I reflect on why we lost a key client, the mistakes I made, and how confidence without competence can be damaging in business. Discover the importance of self-awareness, honesty with clients, and collaborative communication.   I'll share how these lessons have shaped the way I approach clie...

In this episode, we dive into the power of good data in business decision-making. You'll learn how better data can validate your intuition, remove emotional biases, and help you make strategic decisions that drive growth and profitability. Discover the importance of focusing on key performance indicators without getting lost in the minutiae.   I'll share my personal experiences with data-driven de...

In this episode, I share my passion for understanding my clients' goals beyond just the numbers. Inspired by a podcast from Mike King, I dive into the five drivers of behavior: goals, dreams, aspirations, fears, and uncertainties. Join me as I explain how these drivers influence business decisions and why it's essential for financial advisors to acknowledge them fully. Discover how you can enhance...

Let's address a common pitfall many entrepreneurs face—sunk cost bias. I discuss how this bias can lead you to continue investing time, money, and energy into projects or paths that are no longer beneficial, simply because you've already invested so much in them. I'll explain how you can identify this bias, why it's important to recognize the costs of inaction and opportunity costs, and how to giv...

In this episode, I dive into the topic of industry niches, sharing why I chose not to limit myself to a specific industry and how focusing on core values instead has driven the growth and success of my business. Learn about the importance of identifying who you want to serve, not just by their industry, but by their attitudes, behaviors, and alignment with your core values.   Discover practical ti...

Today, I am re-sharing an episode from when I was the guest on the 'She Believed She Could' podcast. I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the host, Allison Walsh. I share my journey into accounting, which began on a dare from my father. Little did I know that demystifying financial management for small business owners would become my passion.   We discuss the importance of proactive financia...

In this episode, I'm diving into the critical differences between profit and cash flow, comparing cash flow to the metabolism of your business's money. I'll share some of the most common mistakes I see business owners make that can sabotage their cash flow—like paying off credit cards too early or being too relaxed about collections.   I'll also explain why prioritizing employee payroll over other...

Dive into this conversation I had on "The Abundant Accountant" podcast with Michelle Weinstein. As a fractional CFO and business owner, I have been thriving by using podcast appearances as a lead generation. I share my journey running my own fractional CFO practice, and how leveraging podcasts has helped me achieve a fivefold increase in annual recurring revenue.   We dive into the nuts and bolts...

Don't miss these three must-ask interview questions that can save you from costly hiring mistakes. Learn the importance of understanding a candidate's strengths and weaknesses, gathering insights from their past feedback, and recognizing their core values to ensure a great fit for your team. Whether you're new to interviewing or looking to refine your hiring process, this episode offers actionable...

In this episode, I dive into why as a seasoned CPA and accountant, I have chosen not to handle my own bookkeeping. I share insights on the importance of outsourcing, drawing from my personal experience. Listen in to understand why delegating bookkeeping tasks, even if you're capable of doing them yourself, can lead to better business decisions, more efficient operations, and ultimately, greater su...

In this episode, I dive into one of the most challenging conversations you'll face as a business owner – informing your employees about your business exit. I discuss the importance of timing, transparency, and empathy when breaking this news. Understand the impact this conversation can have on your team and learn strategies to maintain stability and morale. From managing expectations to negotiatin...

I'm diving into an important topic for all business owners: managing employee expenses. Whether your employees are current expense-makers or you're anticipating future growth, it's crucial to establish clear policies now.   I'll share practical tips on defining reimbursable costs, setting spending limits, and creating a seamless expense reimbursement process. Ensuring these guidelines are in place...

Raising capital for your business? Drawing from my experiences with various business owners, I highlight effective strategies and common pitfalls when approaching investors. I emphasize the importance of presenting a clear value proposition, backed by solid market data and realistic financial projections.   Learn how to target investors who resonate with your mission, showcase your business's uniq...

Many business owners are overwhelmed by the current marketing hype around S corporations, and it can be confusing to cut through the noise. I explain why, in certain cases, staying with a C corporation might be more beneficial. I also highlight key tax differences between the two corporate structures. From understanding flat corporate tax rates to the implications of double taxation, I break down...

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Courtney Tarrant, the COO and owner of The Ad Girls, a female-focused Facebook and Instagram advertising agency. Courtney shares her journey of building a thriving business that has generated over $40 million in revenue for clients through a unique messaging-first methodology.   We dive deep into her focus on maintaining consistent profitability with 35-4...

Today we're taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of business valuations. Having studied this intricate subject over the past year, I am excited to demystify the process for you, explaining it through the lens of a CFO.   From selling your business to buying out a partner or navigating estate planning, understanding business valuations is key. I'll share practical scenarios and valuable in...

In today's episode, we're excited to bring you a top guest replay from 2024 that shines a spotlight on the incredible journey of Kat Norton, also known as Miss Excel. Joined by your host, Shannon Weinstein, Kat takes us through her inspiring transition from corporate life to building a seven-figure business without even starting with funnels.     Together, they explore how Kat's unique blend of cr...

Today, we're diving into one of our top guest episodes of 2024, featuring financial planner Sean Mullaney. Sean brings expert insights on the often debated topic of Roth versus Traditional retirement accounts, particularly tailored for small business owners looking to optimize their retirement savings. We'll break down the core differences, and Sean will share why both account types have their mer...

This episode features a powerful replay conversation from 2024 with Ro Shah, a sales coach for women in finance. Ro shares her expertise on why sales is a key wealth-building tool, addressing common challenges like imposter syndrome, undervaluation, and over-reliance on referrals.     Listeners will learn about proactive client engagement, the significance of mentorship, and effective lead generat...

In this episode, Shannon talks with Mike Abramowitz, an expert with over 20 years' experience and author of nine self-help books, about integrating AI into business processes.     They discuss the hurdles of delegation, valuing tasks, and optimizing teams using systems like AI. Drawing parallels to McDonald's streamlined operations, Mike highlights the 10-80-10 strategy, blending human effort and...