Protea Conversations

Meet Georgia! In this conversation, Zane speaks with Georgia Athanasiou, founder of Bay Area CFO Consultants, about her extensive experience in finance and consulting. They discuss the evolution of fractional CFO work, the importance of understanding profitability and cash flow, and Georgia's career journey from public accounting to consulting. Georgia shares insights from her time at fast moving...

Meet Lori Beth! In this conversation, Zane interviews Lori Beth Merrill, a professional fiduciary, who explains the vital role fiduciaries play in estate planning and management. Lori Beth shares her personal journey into the field, the services fiduciaries provide, and the emotional dynamics involved in working with families during sensitive times. She emphasizes the importance of having a solid...

Meet Lisa! In this conversation, Zane interviews Lisa Hannah, a vice president at Berghof Realty Corporation, specializing in estate transition and legacy planning for vineyard and winery owners. They discuss the complexities of wealth transfer, the role of women in real estate, and the importance of education and mentorship in navigating these challenges. Lisa shares her diverse career journey, i...

Meet Tailor! In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane interviews Tailor Hartman, founder and CEO of Satellarity Accounting. They discuss Tailor's unique journey into accounting, the importance of advisory services, and the impact of technology on the industry. Tailor shares his experiences transitioning from private to public accounting, the challenges he faced, and the decision to start his...

Meet Jacob! In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane interviews Jacob Giroux, a newly minted CPA and senior tax associate at Axley and Rodey. Jacob shares his inspiring journey from a criminal justice background to becoming a CPA, highlighting the challenges he faced while balancing work and study. He discusses the importance of perseverance, the bittersweet feeling of passing the CPA exams,...

Meet Kellie! In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane interviews Kellie Parks, a passionate advocate for cloud-based accounting. They discuss Kellie's journey in the accounting industry, the importance of community, and how technology is transforming the field. Kellie shares her insights on the role of bookkeepers, the significance of interpersonal skills in accounting, and her transition fro...

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane Stevens interviews Ruby Steinberger, an estate planning attorney with a unique and unconventional journey to law. Ruby shares her early experiences, including the loss of her father and her exposure to trusts, which inspired her to pursue a career in estate planning. She discusses the importance of empathy in her practice, the challenges of attending l...

Carter Welch shares his greatest struggle on the path to success. Listen to the full episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/proteaconversations/1523309/ Connect with Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carterwelch/

Meet Chris! In this conversation, Chris Williams, CEO of System 6, shares his journey from finance to leading a successful outsourced accounting firm. He discusses the importance of community, the unique ecosystem of buying small businesses, and the appeal of the accounting industry. Chris emphasizes the significance of culture and leadership in business growth, as well as the challenges faced dur...

Mark Corum shares his greatest struggle on the path to success. Listen to the full episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/proteaconversations/1517769/ Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcorum/

Meet Molly! Zane Stevens interviews Molly Varangkounh, the Chief Sanity Officer, who shares her journey from an entry-level accountant to the president of a family-owned tractor parts business. Molly discusses the importance of curiosity, effective communication, and building trust in leadership. She emphasizes the need for businesses to understand their numbers and the value of collaborative lead...

Andrea Christensen shared the best advice she wishes she had received before starting out in business. Listen to the full episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/proteaconversations/1513443/ Connect with Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-christensen-ccip-clic-wcip-25287834/

In this conversation, Zane Stevens interviews John Fenton, a seasoned leader in the accounting and coaching sectors. John shares his journey from a 30-year career in accounting to becoming a leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of vision, resilience, and relationship-building in both sports and business. He reflects on his experiences in Division 1 football, the lessons learned about teamw...

Meet Rory! Zane speaks with Rory Henry, a certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor, about the integration of behavioral finance and holistic wealth management. Rory discusses his journey from tax professional to wealth management, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a client's financial life. The conversation delves into the evolution...

Meet Vipul! Zane Stevens speaks with Vipul Seth, Managing Director of AdvancedTrack Outsourcing. They explore Vipul's journey from a family business background to becoming a transformative leader in the accounting industry. Vipul shares insights on the evolving role of accountants, the importance of technology in enhancing client relationships, and the vision behind his successful outsourcing firm...

Introducing Caleb Jenkins, the 2024 Insightful Accountants Pro Advisor of the Year. We Caleb's journey in accounting, his early influences, and the importance of community service. Caleb shares insights on wealth management, values-based investing, and the significance of having a vision and direction in one's career. The conversation highlights the impact of family support, personal growth, and t...

In this episode of Protea Conversations, host Zane Stevens engages with Dr. Eugene Dilán, a clinical psychologist and leadership expert. They explore Eugene's journey from a challenging upbringing in Brooklyn to becoming a successful consultant. The conversation delves into the importance of human connection in business, the transformative power of leadership, and the mission behind Dilan Consulti...

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane speaks with Jamie Skinner, a fractional controller and CFO, about her journey into accounting, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of process improvement in financial operations. Jamie shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate role to consulting, her passion for helping small businesses, and her insights on work-life bala...

Terrell Turner, founder of TL Turner Group, shares his journey in the accounting industry and the importance of curiosity and gaining diverse experiences. He emphasizes the value of focusing on experiences rather than chasing titles or money. He also discusses the significance of understanding the human nature element in accounting and finance and how it can make you a valuable business partner. H...

Meet Bryan! Bryan Coryell, an accomplished attorney and pianist, shares his journey through law and music, insights into legal compliance, and the evolving landscape of trust and estate law. He discusses the balance between his legal career and artistic pursuits, highlighting the parallels between studying music and practicing law. His focus on trust and estate law involves a personal and practica...

Meet Adam! Adam Lean, founder of the CFO Project, shares his journey from being an accountant to starting his own e-commerce business and eventually offering CFO advisory services. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the future and helping business owners improve their cash flow. Adam believes that accountants should shift their focus from compliance work to providing valuable advisory ser...

Stacey Feldman, partner COO at FullSend Finance, shares her journey in the accounting world and the lessons she learned along the way. From majoring in accounting to working at startups like PopSockets, Stacey's career has been defined by her adventurous and ambitious spirit. She emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities, taking initiative, and being comfortable asking questions. St...

Meet Krystalynn! Krystalynn Schlegel, an insurance advisor, shares insights on the role of insurance in personal financial risk management and the challenges of the insurance industry. She also discusses her family-run insurance brokerage, her involvement in a managing director role, and her experiences in the restaurant business and Provisors. The conversation delves into the complexities of insu...

Meet Zak! In this conversation, host Zane Stevens interviews Zach Swad, a wealth advisor and founder of Swad Wealth Management. They discuss the role of a wealth advisor, Zach's journey in the financial sector, and the principles of wealth management. Zach emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, considering all aspects of a client's financial life. He also highlight...

Meet Bill! Bill Vick, a Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, shares his insights and experiences in finance and leadership. He discusses his transition from a career in education to financial services, the changes in the industry over the years, and the importance of meaningful communication in a world of overwhelming information. Bill also talks about his role as a Vistage Chair and the value of p...