How CFOs can drive profitable growth through finance and customer focus

In this episode of the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast, Myles Corson speaks with David Homonoff, CFO at Feast & Fettle, about what it takes to lead finance in a fast-growing business where culture and customer experience are deeply intertwined.  David shares how Feast & Fettle's success stems from a simple yet powerful idea: make decisions through the lens of the customer. He explains why treating the customer as the North Star shapes nearly every decision, from pricing and expansion to how the organization thinks about retention, profitability and long-term value. Rather than chasing growth at any cost, the conversation explores how finance leaders can use their operating model to make thoughtful trade-offs as complexity increases.  The episode offers an inside look at the modern CFO mindset. David reflects on why strong fundamentals are essential, but not sufficient, and why some of the most important work happens outside the spreadsheet. He talks candidly about testing new ideas, learning from experience and willingness to adjust course when something no longer makes sense. Throughout the conversation, David highlights the importance of building teams that take ownership, stay curious about technology and are prepared to navigate uncertainty, illustrating how today's CFOs are evolving from financial stewards into true business leaders.  Follow the EY Better Finance: CFO Insights podcast for more conversations with global CFOs and finance leaders. Find out more on ey.com/betterfinance.   Key takeaways:  Understand how strong finance fundamentals and operational discipline create the foundation for sustainable, profitable growth.  Discover why treating the customer as the North Star can help CFOs balance expansion, pricing and investment decisions without compromising quality or culture.  Learn how embracing innovation, including AI, while leading with integrity can enable finance leaders to navigate complexity and create long‑term value.  © 2026 Ernst & Young Global Limited