Milán Golovics – Hungarian VC: Government Funding Ruined Startups
In this episode, James sits down with Milán Golovics, founder of BAO Contracting and a former VC associate turned startup operator/CFO, to unpack the realities of building and funding hardware in Central & Eastern Europe. From Hungary’s unique venture landscape to rethinking a “hardware-only” sale into a subscription model, Milán shares crisp, tactical lessons for seed-stage founders – and the CFOs who support them.
Alina Rivera – Purpose-Driven Business: Balancing Profit and Impact
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Alina Rivera, founder of Advising Puerto Rico and fractional CFO, to explore how purpose-driven operators can build commercially strong companies and meaningful community impact. From documenting procurement processes in construction to guiding hospitality entrepreneurs through cash flow, budgets, and people-first policies, Alina shares the playbook she uses to turn scrappy growth into sustainable scale – without losing the mission.
Peter Piluk – Programmer Turned CFO Reveals Why Most ERPs Fail
In this episode, James sits down with Peter Piluk, a fractional CFO with a programmer’s mindset, to unpack what really matters in ERP rollouts, how just-in-time thinking rescued a niche manufacturing service during COVID supply shocks, and why every owner should build a company that’s sale-ready – even if you never plan to sell. They also touch on Canada–U.S. tariff chatter, running a firm with your spouse, and Peter’s “how, not no” approach to client problems.
Stuart Jamieson – CFO Discovers $50M Fraud
James Kennedy sits down with Stuart Jamieson, founder/partner at Unbridled Advisory, for a globe-spanning tour of “special ops” finance: Big Eight audit beginnings, 120+ acquisitions, PE carve-ups, shutting union plants the right way, sniffing out accrual games that fake EBITDA, outsourcing production to Asia, and even steering a taxi-medallion liquidation after a buyer’s shocking murder (yes – the same killer later caught after Versace). Stuart also shares lessons from a productivity-challenged Spain assignment, a hurricane-leveled BVI venture he tried to rebuild, and how he now helps founders with CFO services, M&A prep, and capital raises – without broker-dealer baggage.
Iberly Abreu – Inside Turks and Caicos: How Resort Purchasing Really Works
In this episode, James Kennedy chats with Iberly Abreu, Purchasing Manager at South Bank (part of Grace Bay Resorts, Turks & Caicos). Iberly shares her path from FedEx and hotel operations to running purchasing for a luxury, guest-obsessed island resort. We dig into import-dependent supply chains, inventory discipline, and the realities of sourcing everything from linens to last-minute kosher items – plus how ProcurementExpress.com streamlines approvals, budgets, CapEx, and contingency spend in a fast-moving hospitality environment.
Donny Mashiach – CFO Reveals His 90% Client Win Rate Secret
James Kennedy sits down with Donny Mashiach, founder of Warrior GP, to unpack how he’s importing an investment-banking “deal team” model into the fractional CFO world. Donny shares how he consistently closes prospects with a pre-work, presentation-led pitch, how he aligns incentives so everyone wins, and a concrete case study where he unlocked $750k of cash by fixing inventory turns at an eCommerce retailer. They also touch on walking away from “wrong” venture terms, seasonality planning, and why founders should expect their exit to feel personal – and stressful.
Scott Geller – The Staffing Business Cash Flow Death Trap (And How to Escape)
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Scott Geller, CEO of Path Predict LLC and fractional CFO, to unpack the nuts and bolts of running and scaling staffing firms. Scott explains why staffing is really two sales pipelines (candidates and clients), how cash flow can get crushed by weekly payrolls and 30–90 day receivables, and the practical levers owners can pull – pricing, margins, funding – to stay liquid and grow. He also shares a venture story: guiding a COVID-era sports-tech startup past a so-so VC offer to a stronger strategic exit by building runway, discipline, and options.
Corey Friedman – From Corporate Burnout to Hospital Mogul in 10 Years
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with fractional CFO Corey Friedman to unpack two meaty finance arenas: (1) buying and turning around distressed hospitals, and (2) making nonprofit dollars go further with strong grant governance. Corey shares how to read the real story in financials, what diligence looks like when acquiring a hospital, and the practical ways nonprofits can satisfy funders while staying mission-first.
Eamon O’Sullivan – How This Accountant 5X’d His Business Valuation
James Kennedy welcomes back Eamon O’Sullivan, partner at OSA McQuillan, to unpack how he transformed a traditional, deadline-driven accounting practice into a “service-as-a-subscription” model. Eamon shares the playbook: moving from feast-or-famine annual work to predictable monthly revenue, switching referrals to marketing-led growth, going remote, and the billing tech that makes it hum. If you run a professional services firm (accounting, legal, fractional CFO, consulting), this one’s a blueprint for a calmer business with better margins.