Fire Chief Mastermind: Solving Real Challenges Together
Fire chiefs across the country face an ever-evolving set of challenges: from securing funding and managing grants to tackling firefighter safety concerns and addressing recruitment
Fire chiefs across the country face an ever-evolving set of challenges: from securing funding and managing grants to tackling firefighter safety concerns and addressing recruitment
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.
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.
Featuring Debbie Rosler, Fractional CFO at Burkland What happens when a startup CEO “borrows” $1.5 million from their own company – and no one notices
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.
In this quick video, we break down how each platform fits into your financial workflow, what makes them different, and why using them together gives
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.
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.
If you’ve ever wondered whether ProcurementExpress.com and Bill.com are competing platforms – or whether you need one instead of the other – you’re not alone.