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.
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.
Michael O’Shea – How This Programmer Built Multiple Million-Dollar Startups
James Kennedy sits down with Michael O’Shea, co-founder & CEO of Pulse Market, to unpack how CFOs can get ahead of non-financial sustainability reporting. From CSRD, ESRS, SECR and double materiality to auditor readiness and supplier due-diligence, Michael explains the emerging reporting stack – and why robust data lineage matters as much as the numbers. They also touch on his earlier startups (from Silicon Valley CRM to an Irish spread-betting platform), lessons from a private-equity roll-up, and the culture/values work that shaped Pulse.
Malcolm Carradus – How I 6X’d a $300M Company to $2 BILLION
James Kennedy sits down with global finance leader Malcolm Carradus to unpack the business of events – from content-led conferences to transaction-driven trade shows – and how he helped scale Informa Markets into the world’s largest events organizer. They get into cash-flow mechanics, venue risk, gross-margin control, and the leadership shift finance teams need when each show runs like its own business. Along the way: wild on-site stories (including a venue demolished three weeks pre-show), why trade shows can command premium EBITDA multiples, and the fractional-CFO playbooks Malcolm now uses with clients.
Kevin O’Brien – The Red Flags Every CEO Ignores Until It’s Too Late
James Kennedy sits down with Kevin O’Brien, CPA, CFA and founder of Gray Feather CFO, to unpack how he led a $2M EBITDA swing in a single year for a $10M+ distributor – moving from – $500K to +$1.5M. They dig into when EBITDA is useful (and when it’s “BS,” per Charlie Munger), the nuts and bolts of KPI-driven turnarounds, and why a fast, five-day month-end close is non-negotiable.