Episode

Merushka Chetty

Aaron Mills – The Transparency Secret to 3X Growth!

This week James sits down with Aaron Mills, founder and CEO of Daaxit, to discuss the realities of running a profitable construction business – and how the right financial strategy can be the difference between barely surviving and scaling with confidence.
Aaron shares his journey from 20 years in the construction industry to founding his own successful fractional CFO firm. Together, they dig into smart pricing strategies, incentivizing field teams, and how he helped one business owner go from burnout to working just one day a week.
Stick around to the end to hear Aaron’s surprisingly controversial business hero pick – and why it inspires him to push further every day.

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Jamie Odegaard – The Dark Truth about Buying Businesses

This week James sits down with Jamie Odegaard, founder of Aardvark, to unpack what he calls an “inflationary war story” – from swinging a shovel in high-end construction to launching a thriving fractional CFO firm.
They explore Jamie’s unconventional journey, how he navigated a failed acquisition, the harsh realities of private equity partnerships, and how his firm helps small creative and service businesses build real financial health.
Jamie also shares his thoughts on popular business influencers, the value of gross margin clarity, and why invoicing on time might be the most underrated financial lever of all.

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Salvatore Tirabassi – How to Make Your Sales Team 10X More Effective

Today, James sits down with private equity expert Salvatore Tirabassi.
They explore what makes a founder investable, how private equity firms assess opportunities, and the key elements that drive value creation post-investment. Salvatore reflects on his career in investment banking and private equity, and what it really takes to scale a business with confidence.
Packed with wisdom from years of working with founders, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering taking on outside investment – or preparing to pitch.

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Sarah Philabaum – Why Most Coffee Shops Fail – (And How to Beat the Odds)

Today, James sits down with Sarah Philabaum from BuildYourBooks.com.
They dive into the financial ins and outs of running a successful coffee shop, from managing cash flow to navigating tricky budgeting decisions. Sarah shares her journey in supporting small business owners through bookkeeping and CFO services, and offers practical advice backed by real-world experience.
Don’t miss Sarah’s exclusive cash flow spreadsheet – created just for podcast listeners – and her game-changing insights for coffee shop owners looking to thrive in a competitive market!

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Are Startups Dying? The Brutal Reality of VC in 2025

Today, James sits down with Aarish Shah from Emerge One.

They discuss Aarish’s remarkable journey in building a successful fractional CFO business in just four years, growing to over 25 consultants.

Aarish shares his transition from traditional finance roles to becoming a fractional CFO, the inception of his podcast, and the importance of relationships and data in business.

Don’t miss Aarish’s incredible experiences in places like Papua New Guinea and his thoughts on the current venture capital landscape!

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

How to Build a Scalable CFO Firm (And Actually Sell It!)

In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James sits down with Chris Mosa, Chief Strategy Officer at Graphite Finance.

They explore the intricacies of building and scaling a fractional CFO business, focusing on how Graphite Finance optimized their model for growth and value. Chris also shares his personal journey from professional services to joining Graphite’s leadership.

Their conversation covers essential strategies for managing client relationships, pricing models, and financial forecasting, offering a deep dive into the operational challenges and successes of building a sustainable, scalable financial services firm.

Tune in to learn the key factors that differentiate a successful fractional CFO practice from the rest!

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

How This CFO Saved $100,000 in Expenses Per Month

In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James engages in a compelling conversation with Jane Kiatkina from Modo Finance.

They explore Jane’s dynamic journey from being an intern in finance to founding an agency specializing in providing fractional CFO services to startups. Jane shares her hands-on experiences dealing with various aspects of finance, including accounts receivable, financial planning and analysis, and the challenges of budgeting in fast-growing companies.

Tune in for insightful anecdotes and practical advice for navigating the financial complexities of startups.

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Is Your Bookkeeper Stealing From You?

In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James welcomes Audrey Godwin from The Audrey Company.

They take a deep dive into the importance of picking your ideal customers and the impact of doing so for business success. Audrey shares riveting stories about fishy bookkeeping and her career journey, from working as a CPA to becoming a fractional CFO.

They also touch on safeguarding against embezzlement, the unique challenges faced by female founders in the business world, and the moral and ethical framework provided by the Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on creating a sustainable and integrity-driven business.

Read More »
Merushka Chetty

Striking Gold or Losing Millions: Inside Junior Mining

In this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James interviews Philip Knowles from Apini Consulting to explore the world of junior mining.

They discuss the roles and risks involved in junior mining, the importance of fractional CFO services, and how funding is critical for exploration and development.

Philip shares insights on cost control, building relationships, and navigating the complex processes of licensing and listing on stock exchanges. Tune in for some deep insight on the intricacies of the junior mining industry and the strategies for financial success.

Read More »