In this episode James Kennedy sits down with Kyle Smith, founder of Strata Advisory and seasoned fractional CFO, to explore what it takes to help fast-growing service businesses thrive. With a background in management consulting and a knack for navigating complex financial waters, Kyle breaks down the strategies he uses to guide his clients toward clarity, confidence, and profitable decision-making.
They discuss building financial infrastructure from scratch, the difference between being busy and being successful, and why most business owners need to stop trying to do it all.
Stick around to the end to hear Kyle’s take on how fractional CFOs can make themselves indispensable to the CEOs they serve.
About Kyle Smith:
Kyle Smith is the founder of Strata Advisory, a boutique fractional CFO firm focused on helping professional service businesses bring order to their finances and scale with intention. With deep experience in consulting and financial strategy, Kyle supports founders who are ready to move beyond gut decisions and start running their companies on numbers that make sense.
What You’ll Learn:
- The “Invisible Ceiling” Problem: Why many service businesses hit a wall when they hit 7 figures – and how to push through with better financial structure.
- Financial Storytelling: Kyle’s approach to translating complex data into simple, CEO-ready insights that drive smarter decisions.
- When to Hire Help: How Kyle helps founders know the right time to hire a bookkeeper, financial controller, or fractional CFO.
Episode Highlights:
“Growth hides a lot of problems – until the revenue slows and the cracks start to show.”
“You need more than a profit and loss statement. You need a financial map to know where you’re going.”
“Good finance isn’t about saying no – it’s about giving you the confidence to say yes to the right things.”
More about Kyle’s Role:
At Strata Advisory, Kyle works hands-on with founders to provide financial visibility, support strategic planning, and improve operational decision-making. Whether it’s guiding a team through a cash crunch or preparing for an acquisition, Kyle’s goal is always the same: create clarity and calm in the chaos. His clients rely on him to turn financial confusion into confident leadership.
