This week, James Kennedy speaks with Jeff Lowenstein, Co-Founder and Fractional CFO at Free to Grow CFO. They dive into how the e-commerce space has evolved into the new path to entrepreneurial success and the opportunities it offers for aspiring business owners.
Jeff shares his journey in the e-commerce world, from leading M&A efforts at Boosted Commerce to co-founding a successful app for Shopify merchants. With years of experience in strategic finance at companies like Etsy and Caesars Entertainment, Jeff now focuses on helping direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands scale profitably through Free to Grow CFO, an outsourced CFO and bookkeeping service.
Episode Highlights:
- Unlocking Hidden Revenue: Jeff discusses how he helped one client discover $400,000 in forgotten revenue, showcasing the profound impact a fractional CFO can have on a company’s profitability.
- The New American Dream: Why e-commerce has become the gateway for entrepreneurs to achieve financial freedom and the relatively low barriers to entry for starting a business.
- Scaling Smartly: Jeff shares practical strategies for avoiding common pitfalls when scaling a DTC brand, such as overspending on ads, buying too much inventory, and hiring too quickly.
- Cash Flow Mastery: The importance of maintaining healthy cash flow while scaling, and how Free to Grow CFO’s “Free to Grow Process” ensures businesses stay profitable as they grow.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to Maximize Profit in E-Commerce: Tips on how to identify hidden revenue streams and increase cash flow.
- Common Scaling Mistakes: Jeff breaks down the biggest mistakes DTC brands make when trying to scale and how to avoid them.
- Strategic Financial Planning: The importance of accurate financial reporting, forecasting, and dashboarding to make smarter business decisions.
- M&A and Funding for DTC Brands: How Jeff advises businesses on mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising efforts to ensure they are getting the best deal possible.
Jeff’s passion for supporting entrepreneurs shines through as he shares his unique approach to helping DTC brands scale alongside profitability. His extensive experience working with hundreds of brands has equipped him with the financial and analytical tools modern consumer brands need to succeed.
