Garon Goodspeed – QuickBooks to NetSuite: The REAL Nightmare
This week James sits down with Garon Goodspeed, co-founder of Treaty Oak Financial Services, to explore three essential areas every finance leader should understand. First up: what it’s like to prepare for an IPO – and then walk away just before the bell rings. Next, Garon shares battle-tested advice on designing sales compensation plans that motivate teams without blowing the budget. Finally, Garon reflects on launching his own fractional CFO practice and reveals what fueled its rapid growth in just a few months.
Whether you’re scaling toward a liquidity event, managing a fast-moving sales team, or thinking about starting your own CFO consultancy, this episode is packed with lessons from the trenches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!