May 9, 2024

The Audacity of Authenticity with Karen Stephen

On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Karen Stephen, Fractional CFO at SoulCFO. Karen brings a refreshing perspective on the hidden power of authenticity in business, exploring how embodying one’s full self at work can transform professional environments and personal satisfaction.
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Audacity of Authenticity with Karen Stephen
Loading
/

Show Notes

In this episode James sits down with Karen Stephen, Fractional CFO at SoulCFO. Karen brings a refreshing perspective on the hidden power of authenticity in business, exploring how embodying one’s full self at work can transform professional environments and personal satisfaction.

About Karen: Karen Stephen is a visionary Fractional CFO and financial empowerment coach whose approach transcends traditional finance. As a chartered accountant since 2011, Karen has consulted for high-value organizations but now focuses on aiding e-commerce and digital businesses. She is passionate about leveling the financial playing field and offers unique insights into the ethical and mental health impacts of financial decisions. Karen empowers especially women entrepreneurs to handle their finances with confidence and acumen.

What You’ll Learn:

  1. Embracing Authenticity in the Corporate World: How bringing your whole self to work can revolutionize business culture and personal growth.
  2. Ethical Finance: Understanding the broader impacts of financial decisions beyond the balance sheets.
  3. Empowerment through Financial Education: Strategies for fostering financial confidence, particularly among women entrepreneurs.

Episode Highlights:

  • “Karen, can you describe a moment when authenticity played a pivotal role in your professional journey?”
  • “What are some common misconceptions about financial decisions that you think need addressing in today’s business environment?”
  • “How do you tailor your financial advice to ensure it’s not only financially sound but also ethically and psychologically supportive?”
  • “What advice would you give to someone looking to bring more of their authentic self into their professional life?”

Beyond her role at SoulCFO, Karen’s commitment to financial empowerment and ethical considerations make her a unique voice in the world of finance. Drawing upon her rich background in finance education and psychology literature, Karen offers tailored advice that considers all facets of business and personal growth.

This podcast is tagged under:

The Gross Profit Podcast

More Episodes

Merushka Chetty

Hillel Steiner – This Israeli CFO Secret Could Double Your Profits

This week James sits down with Hillel Steiner, founder of ProfitUp Financials and a fractional CFO based in Israel, to discuss the surprising advantages of working with international finance talent. Together, they dive into the differences between U.S. and Israeli business cultures, what founders often get wrong about funding, and how having a strong financial strategy can be the difference between staying stuck and scaling up.
Hillel also walks through a real-life case study of a BI company stuck in a high-revenue, low-profit cycle – and how he helped them transform by refocusing their service model and aligning their team more efficiently.
Stick around to the end for a massive bonus offer from Hillel that’s perfect for growing service-based companies.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Patrick Arnold – 7M Sales, Zero Profit: The Fix 

This week James sits down with Patrick Arnold, Director of Client Advisory Services at Elliott Davis, to explore the power of Client Advisory Services (CAS) and its game-changing impact on business profitability. Patrick shares an engaging case study of how he helped a golf cart business in South Carolina go from stagnant growth to seven-figure annual distributions – all by optimizing inventory, restructuring financial processes, and leveraging technology for smarter decision-making.
They also dive into the role of CAS in modern accounting, the evolution of public accounting firms to include more strategic, forward-thinking advisory, and how business owners can unlock hidden cash flow by better managing working capital.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Chris May – Fake CFOs Exposed: How to Spot the Difference

This week James sits down with Chris May, founder and CEO of Quadrant Advisory, to explore what separates real CFO strategy from everyday accounting. From turning around a $50M political consulting firm to navigating tricky incumbent finance teams, Chris shares practical advice for business leaders and fractional CFOs alike.
Together, they unpack key finance tools like sensitivity analysis, working capital management, and how to tell whether your books are just “done” – or actually useful. Chris also walks us through his own acquisition of a bookkeeping SaaS and what it taught him about keeping services laser-focused.

Listen Now »