Growth Under Pressure

What does it take to scale a business with the same discipline learned in the military? In Episode 20 of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Tyrus Shivers, Founder and CEO of Legacy Wealth Capital Group, to share the real, unfiltered journey of entrepreneurship. From serving in the United States Air Force to becoming a partner in seven companies, Tyrus explains how military discipline, systems, and structure shaped the way he builds and scales businesses today. He also opens up about what most founders do not talk about. The failure, the debt, the pressure, and the mental toll that comes with growth. He also opens up about what most founders do not talk about. The failure, the debt, the pressure, and the mental toll that comes with growth. In this episode, you will learn: -How military discipline and systems translate into real business growth -The reality behind fast growing companies and why many fail -How to scale from $1M to $10M with the right people and infrastructure -The mindset shift from operator to investor -Why most entrepreneurs make emotional and costly decisions -The truth about social media success versus real business fundamentals -How to stay resilient under extreme pressure -Book and resource recommendations every founder should know If you are a founder, entrepreneur, or operator looking to grow your business, this episode will challenge how you think about scaling.   🎧 Listen now to learn what it really takes to grow under pressure. 👍 If you found this valuable, make sure to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with topics you want us to cover next.   #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #StartupScaling #FinanceAdvise #financetips #financeleadership #mentorship #inspiration #investing #cfo #accounting #Leadership #FounderJourney #MilitaryToBusiness #businessstrategy #businesstips #scaling #GrowthUnderPressure #PrivateEquity #RealEstateInvesting #StartupLife #BusinessPodcast #CEOmindset     Chapters 00:00 Tyrus Shivers: From Military to Entrepreneur 05:52 Navigating the Real Estate Landscape 13:12 Discipline and Systems from Military to Business 25:55 Growth Under Pressure: Real Stories of Entrepreneurship 27:11 Navigating Pressure in Business 29:32 The Importance of Mentorship and Honesty 32:28 Building Resilience Under Pressure 37:12 Decision-Making Strategies for Entrepreneurs 42:54 Childhood Influences on Entrepreneurial Spirit 49:18 Perspective on Hard Work and Challenges 52:53 Key Resources for Founders Under Pressure 55:06 0321.mp4       🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results   If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls discussed in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.   Connect with Eric Josovitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josovitz/ Watch more podcast episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01dHCWwlIvyHyJVG_G0E7yBBRA_DSn4A&si=xX4EDVtxUjUpnxVd  

Want to learn how to raise capital, build powerful relationships, and succeed in real estate investing? In this episode of the Growth Under Pressure podcast, host Eric Josowitz sits down with investor and entrepreneur Victor Menasce to break down the real strategies behind capital raising, trust-building, and long-term success. Victor shares how he transitioned from a career in tech and microprocessors into real estate investing during the 2008 recession—and how he used relationships and strategic thinking to build a thriving investment business.  💡 In this episode, you'll learn: The 5 key principles of raising capital successfully Why relationships matter more than deals How to build trust with investors The truth about "passive income" in real estate How to handle pressure and uncertainty in business Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just getting started, this conversation is packed with real-world insights you can apply today.  📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on business, investing, and growth under pressure. #RealEstateInvesting #CapitalRaisin #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #InvestingTips #cfo #finance #leadership    key  topics Transition from tech to real estate Principles of capital raising Importance of relationships and trust Handling high-pressure situations in projects  sound  bites "Real estate is much more predictable" "You never know how it's gonna go" "Always develop multiple alternatives" Chapters 00:00 From Tech to Real Estate: A Career Shift 05:54 The Art of Capital Raising 11:56 Building Trust and Relationships 18:08 Navigating Challenges in Real Estate 23:53 Lessons from Experience and Mentorship 30:08 The Importance of Metrics and Continuous Learning  

Most founders focus on scaling companies. Gary Calnan is building an entire economy  in space. In this episode, Gary shares his journey from finance and entrepreneurship to becoming a pioneer in space resource recovery and infrastructure. From early curiosity sparked by shuttle launches to working with Fortune 1000 companies, his path ultimately led him to the frontier of space innovation. We explore how space debris, asteroid mining, and in-space manufacturing could unlock the next industrial revolution  and why the space economy today looks a lot like the early days of the internet. Gary breaks down his framework for space resource value chains, including the idea of building "steel mills" in space, and explains how modular technologies are creating scalable opportunities for startups. He also shares insights on resilience, navigating uncertainty, and why embracing failure is critical in frontier industries. This episode is for founders, innovators, and anyone curious about the future of space, technology, and entrepreneurship. 🚀 Key Topics: Transition from finance to the space industry Space infrastructure & resource utilization Startup challenges and resilience Space mining, recycling, and debris economy Leadership under uncertainty The future isn't just something to watch  it's something to build.

In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, host Eric Josivits engages in a compelling conversation with Jen Berrent, founder and CEO of Covenant, an AI-native law firm. Jen shares her unique journey from being a big law partner to a senior executive at WeWork, where she navigated the company through its hyper-growth phase. She discusses her passion for tackling hard problems and her fascination with entrepreneurship, which has shaped her career path. Jen emphasizes the importance of merging legal expertise with business acumen, a theme that resonates throughout her professional journey. As the conversation unfolds, Jen delves into her transition from general counsel to COO at WeWork, highlighting the operational challenges and the need for effective legal translation within a fast-paced startup environment. She reflects on the intense demands of working in a hyper-growth company, the balance between legal and operational roles, and the importance of maintaining a human element in the evolving landscape of AI in law. Jen also shares insights into her current work at Covenant, focusing on building trust with clients and leveraging AI to enhance legal services while ensuring quality and accessibility. In this episode, Eric and Jen delve into the evolving landscape of startup funding and the pressures that come with it. They discuss the trend of founders opting to bootstrap their businesses to significant annual recurring revenue (ARR) while maintaining profitability. Jen emphasizes the importance of raising only what is necessary and the discipline required in managing funds effectively to avoid pitfalls like down rounds. The conversation shifts to the concept of runway, where Jen shares insights on the balance between spending and strategic growth, highlighting how tight financial constraints can foster innovation and focus in startups. As the discussion progresses, Jen recounts her experiences with pressure in high-stakes environments, particularly during her time at WeWork. She reflects on the importance of clear communication during crises and the necessity of taking a moment to articulate challenges rather than retreating in fear. The episode concludes with Jen sharing her personal strategies for managing transitions in her career, emphasizing the value of curiosity and embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth. The conversation is rich with practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of leadership and decision-making under pressure. takeaways "I've always really been interested in hard problems." "You have to know the business needs, but you also have to know the legal context." "Being a partner in a law firm provides a lot more balance than being in the thick of a hyper-growth company." "We really try to put that sort of strategic layer on top of a QA layer so that there is an experience of software." "We replace outside counsel; we think big law is great for elite legal work." Raise only what you need. Tight financial constraints can foster innovation. Clear communication is crucial during crises. Embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth. Curiosity drives career transitions. Sound Bites "I've always really been interested in hard problems." "You have to know the business needs, but you also have to know the legal context." "Zero balance." "Raise only what you need." "The crime is in the cover-up." "A founder under pressure should always communicate." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Jen Berrent and Her Journey 02:38Transitioning from Law to WeWork 06:43The Role of General Counsel vs. Outside Counsel 12:43The Challenges of COO in a Hyper-Growth Company 16:01Current Focus at Covenant and AI in Law 23:10Covenant's Approach to Legal Services 27:31The New Era of Startup Funding 29:06Managing Runway and Financial Discipline 30:20Growth Under Pressure: Jen's Experiences 39:21Navigating Career Transitions 43:01Daily Practices for Managing Pressure 47:17Working with Visionary Founders

Nino Maisuradze joins Eric Josovitz to share how growing up during a civil war shaped her resilience, curiosity, and leadership style. From finance leadership in global payments to stepping into CEO responsibility and now advising companies as a fractional CFO, Nino breaks down what it really means to "tell the story" behind the numbers—and why long-term success depends on clarity, calm judgment, and satisfaction across stakeholders. Show Notes Nino Maisuradze is a finance and operations leader in the payments industry who now works as a fractional CFO for growing companies. In this conversation, Nino explains how early life instability taught her that most problems are temporary—and solvable. She shares why she's obsessed with separating signal from noise, how the best finance leaders translate numbers into a story the business can act on, and what changes when you move from director/VP to the C-suite. Nino also unpacks a Growth Under Pressure moment from early in her C-suite journey: carrying responsibility when leadership shifted unexpectedly, navigating a difficult year, and learning to stay calm, pragmatic, and decisive even without perfect information. Finally, she closes with a contrarian metric she checks consistently: satisfaction—because cash tells you if you survive today, but satisfaction tells you if you'll last. — 🌟 Highlights Growing up in a civil war: why instability teaches resilience, support, and perspective "Most problems are temporary": learning to solve what's in front of you Career philosophy: not attached to titles, drawn to complex problems, open to learning through mistakes Finance as storytelling: "Don't tell me it's up 2%—tell me the story" Signal vs noise: how focusing on facts makes decisions pragmatic and straightforward CFO as business partner: what numbers mean for the next level of the company The jump to C-suite: the weight of responsibility and how to carry it without unnecessary pressure CFO → CEO transition: being close to customers, the business, and the operating reality The value of trust and relationships in hard conversations Growth Under Pressure: leading through uncertainty and a difficult economic year Operating principle: tune out noise, focus on stakes, decide without perfect info Boardroom truth: why speaking plainly elevates conversations and speeds decisions Rapid fire metric: satisfaction (employees, customers, board, stakeholders) Leader principle: don't confuse activity with productivit

Episode Description Alex Johnston joins Eric Josovitz to unpack his journey from investment banking in Madrid to leading operations and finance at Glorify, a Christian devotional and worship app. They talk about burnout, career pivots, why "profits-first" training can still be a powerful foundation, and what it really takes to scale a mission-driven subscription business through shifting investor expectations and economic cycles. Show Notes Alex Johnston is the Global Head of Operations and VP of Finance & Operations at Glorify. In this conversation, Alex shares how his early career in investment banking shaped his work ethic, standards, and decision-making—while also pushing him toward a more fulfilling, mission-driven path. He explains the operational realities of scaling from "zero to one to one hundred," why hiring (and firing) is unavoidable for operators, and how startups can avoid the trap of chasing growth at the expense of unit economics. Alex also offers candid advice on fundraising: reading the fine print, working with lawyers, and remembering that investor incentives can change overnight. Finally, he shares a Growth Under Pressure moment stepping in during a CEO burnout period, navigating board dynamics, and stabilizing the company through uncertainty. — 🌟 Highlights From UK → US college → investment banking in Madrid: the "best experience I'd never want to do again" Burnout, self-reflection, and the pivot question: what work is actually fulfilling? Book recommendation that helped shape the transition: The Second Mountain Why Glorify stood out: massive market + meaningful impact on daily lives The real operator lesson: nothing prepares you for the day-to-day of scaling (0 → 1 → 100) Hiring and firing as core operational responsibilities (hire slow, fire fast) Empathy in transitions: supporting people when it's not a fit and helping them land well The startup trap in boom times: raising big money, hiring too fast, buying "nice-to-haves" The shift from growth metrics to what matters long-term: unit economics + path to profitability Leaky bucket theory: growth spend doesn't work if retention and monetization lag behind Balancing mission and economics: scholarships + sustainability (you didn't start a nonprofit) Investor reality check: incentives and "goalposts" can change at the drop of a hat Fundraising advice: read the small print, work with lawyers, and remember investors are selling too Growth Under Pressure: stepping in when the CEO burned out, managing board/shareholders, and navigating internal power dynamics Culture builders: celebrating failure, modeling vulnerability, and building pattern recognition early Rapid fire: KPI (CAC for paid users), disconnecting routines, and a founder principle—know your weaknesses and ask for help — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro: Eric welcomes Alex Johnston (Glorify) 00:00:24 — Alex's background: UK → US → investment banking 00:01:16 — "The best experience I'd never want to do again": banking lessons + burnout 00:01:40 — The Second Mountain + life coach: the pivot toward fulfillment 00:02:07 — The coffee that changed everything: joining Glorify 00:03:17 — Profits-first → people-first: why the mission mattered 00:04:06 — Long hours and burnout in Madrid 00:05:28 — Should you still "push hard" in your 20s? Alex's take 00:07:52 — Why nothing prepares you for scaling a company day-to-day 00:09:15 — Hiring and firing: the operator realities 00:10:04 — "Hire slow, fire fast" + empathy in tough conversations 00:12:15 — Banking vs advisory: decks, valuation, and strategy support for SMEs 00:14:40 — Life today: family + remote work realities 00:18:19 — Early-stage mistakes: flashy software, offices, and scaling too fast 00:19:35 — Series B boom times: "money was growing on trees" (Nov 2021) 00:20:14 — Goalposts move: growth metrics vs profitability + monetization 00:22:08 — Unit economics foundation: CAC, LTV, payback period 00:23:50 — Leaky bucket theory + Duolingo analogy 00:25:10 — Scholarships + balancing mission with economics 00:26:08 — Investor warning: think for yourself, prioritize long-term viability 00:26:57 — Stakeholder vs shareholder theory 00:28:51 — Read the small print: lawyers, incentives, and investor dynamics 00:31:24 — Build for sustainability: fundraising won't always be available 00:34:03 — Growth Under Pressure: CEO burnout → stepping in during Series B 00:37:38 — Shareholder reactions, transparency, and communication 00:39:40 — Internal power dynamics + protecting the team from board-level turbulence 00:46:44 — Culture: celebrating failure + modeling vulnerability 00:50:55 — Childhood influence: empathy, "class clown," and the fire to prove people wrong 00:55:09 — Rapid fire: KPI (CAC), book/podcast recs, and leader principle 00:58:14 — Close — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls discussed in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.

Episode Description Ken Wimberly joins Eric Josovitz to share how his path from Navy service to real estate and entrepreneurship ultimately led to building Laundry Luv—a laundromat concept designed around families, community service, and childhood literacy. They discuss early business failures, the importance of focus, and what it really takes to turn a local operation into a scalable franchise with impact. Show Notes Ken Wimberly is a veteran, real estate operator, and entrepreneur who has built and rebuilt multiple businesses across his career. In this conversation, he explains the lessons from a failed first venture, how he found traction in land brokerage and investing, and why he narrowed his focus to Laundry Luv. Ken also shares how Laundry Luv differentiates through clean, family-friendly stores and monthly community activations, along with a candid Growth Under Pressure moment about shutting down a funded mobile app, navigating depression, and rebuilding with transparency and better health. — 🌟 Highlights How a "perfect location" can still be a bad deal: the real estate lessons that sank Ken's first venture Bankruptcy at 30: humility, hubris, and why "no advisors" is an expensive strategy The rebuild: 11 months to the first deal, then compounding momentum in brokerage and investing The trap of running too many businesses at once—and why focus wins Laundry Luv's differentiation: clean, bright, family-first stores (kids' play areas, books, rocking chairs) Laundry as a "Trojan horse for service": monthly community activations and local partnerships Childhood literacy as an operational KPI: tracking books given away per store Co-parenting after divorce: aligning on rules/values, putting kids first, and using a neutral counselor Growth Under Pressure: shutting down a funded app, investor conversations, and the recovery journey Franchising truth: documenting what was intuitive, restructuring entities, and building "business-in-a-box" Scaling impact: the 100-store goal and plans for international expansion — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro: Eric welcomes Ken Wimberly 00:00:31 — Ken's origin story: Navy → degree → early career in finance/real estate modeling 00:01:44 — First business venture: licensing a pizza concept 00:02:03 — The real estate mistakes: oversized space, weak negotiating, no advisors 00:03:15 — Bankruptcy at 30: the hard reset and key lessons 00:03:57 — Entering land brokerage: taking a commission-only bet 00:05:08 — First commissions: the grind, then a breakthrough deal 00:05:35 — Scaling through real estate + learning entrepreneurship through Keller Williams 00:08:21 — "What not to do": too many ventures at once, then pulling back to focus 00:11:55 — Today's split: real estate stays, but laundry becomes the main mission 00:14:03 — Community activations: backpacks, screenings, gift cards, free laundry days 00:16:05 — Becoming a franchise: documenting systems and building repeatability 00:16:45 — Why Laundry Luv is different: designing for families (and comfort) 00:20:14 — Literacy mission: books, kids' spaces, and giving back at scale 00:23:50 — Parenting philosophy: communication, emotional intelligence, and respect for kids' voices 00:29:49 — Co-parenting after divorce: alignment, values, and consistency across households 00:34:23 — Growth Under Pressure: shutting down the app after raising capital 00:39:44 — Depression and recovery: transparency, health, supplements, and support 00:47:31 — The franchise build: legal restructure + investor alignment 00:52:05 — 100-store vision: scaling both business and literacy impact 00:58:01 — Rapid fire: KPI (books given away), book recs, founder under pressure principle 00:59:14 — Close — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls discussed in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.

Episode Description A long-time CPA partner Brandon Verner joins Eric Josovitz to unpack what real tax strategy looks like for high earners and business owners: start with your life and your goals, then optimize the taxes. They talk through common "pay less tax" questions (including turning a home into a rental), why the right strategy depends on whether you actually want the operational burden (like being a landlord), how wealthy clients diversify over time, and what Brandon learned during a firm merger that collided with an unexpected leadership transition. The episode also covers client retention and "key person risk," how audits tend to get triggered, and Brandon's practical advice to never leave deductions or expenses behind. Show Notes Brandon Verner is a tax partner and CPA who has spent 25 years in public accounting, working primarily with small businesses and individuals and guiding clients through tax planning that connects business returns to personal returns. In this conversation, he explains why "how do I pay less tax?" is the wrong starting point if the decision doesn't fit your lifestyle, why real estate can be a strong strategy only if you're willing to operate it, and why many top earners stay focused on their core business until they have time to diversify. Brandon also shares a Growth Under Pressure moment during a firm merger when his father and long-time firm leader suddenly became unable to work, forcing an accelerated client transition and highlighting the retention risk that comes with relationship-based services. — 🌟 Highlights Why the best tax decisions start with lifestyle and risk tolerance, not deductions "Don't let tax wag the dog": the landlord question behind every rental "strategy" What Brandon sees in real returns: owner income flowing from business entities into personal planning Why many high earners stay concentrated in their operating business until they have bandwidth to diversify A Growth Under Pressure moment: navigating a merger while a key leader suddenly couldn't work The reality of client retention when the primary relationship contact changes, and how to reduce key person risk How audits tend to be "pointed" toward where the IRS believes money is on the table Brandon's default advice: don't leave deductions (or business expenses) behind—share more, not less Rapid fire: a podcast recommendation (The Money Guy) and the founder under pressure principle: take a breath — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro: Eric welcomes CPA partner Brandon Verner 00:00:17 — Brandon's path into accounting and why it clicked 00:01:28 — Early career choices: public accounting vs private industry 00:04:58 — 25 years in: why tax stays "intuitive" but always changing 00:07:44 — Leading through change: merger dynamics and decision-making in a bigger firm 00:09:41 — What Brandon's tax work covers: individuals, S corps, partnerships, and planning 00:10:42 — Typical client range: ~$1M to $50M revenue (and why ownership structure matters) 00:11:24 — "How can I pay less tax?" and why that's not the first question 00:12:16 — Rental strategy example: "Do you want to be a landlord?" 00:13:01 — Vacation rentals vs long-term rentals: when it works (and when costs eat the upside) 00:14:08 — Diversification: why focus often beats scattered investing (until you have time) 00:16:01 — Growth Under Pressure: merger timing + sudden inability for Brandon's father to work 00:19:20 — Client transition and retention risk when the primary relationship changes 00:21:09 — Introducing "other faces" at the firm without triggering client anxiety 00:23:09 — What Brandon expected from the merger vs what actually changed day-to-day 00:25:13 — Being the calm in a crisis: empathy, breathing room, and a step-by-step plan 00:26:15 — Mistakes and IRS notices: setting expectations and managing the timeline reality 00:27:10 — Audits today: targeted selection and why representation matters 00:32:40 — Rapid fire: deductions, expense capture, Money Guy podcast, and "take a breath" 00:34:59 — Close — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls described in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.

Show Notes Eileen Tobias is a CFO and finance leader who helped take NetSuite public in 2007 and Dropbox public in 2018, and later served as CFO at Komodo Health while it remained a private, later-stage health tech company. She explains what truly changes when a company goes public, why strong processes and consistent metrics matter long before fundraising or diligence, and how scenario planning helps leaders stay steady when growth slows and cash gets tight. — 🌟 Highlights Why FP&A has become a common path into the CFO seat as the role shifts toward strategic finance What changes when you go public: broader accountability, quarterly cadence, and increased scrutiny IPO prep is more than a one-day milestone, it requires readiness across leadership, employees, and governance Why early-stage teams chase revenue first and postpone process, and how that catches up during fundraising or M&A The risk of "metric shopping" and changing KPI definitions instead of fixing the underlying business performance A Growth Under Pressure moment: going public before the Great Recession and navigating churn and slowed growth How finance leaders plan for volatility with scenario planning, cash focus, and a prioritized list of investments — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Eileen's background: liberal arts to public accounting and tech finance 02:10 — From early cloud adoption to today's AI wave in finance 04:10 — Getting to the CFO seat through FP&A and long-term mentorship 07:25 — Two IPOs, two playbooks: NetSuite (2007) vs Dropbox (2018) 10:40 — What companies trade off when they become public: cadence, scrutiny, and long-term focus 12:49 — What it takes to prepare for an IPO beyond "ringing the bell" 15:50 — Advising earlier-stage companies and building a financial foundation early 17:04 — IPO readiness: scale expectations, profitability focus, and Rule of 40/50 talk 19:42 — Early-stage versus later-stage operations: revenue urgency vs repeatable processes 22:36 — Clean financials and consistent metrics: why diligence gets harder when records are messy 24:57 — The recession-era pressure test: resilience through churn and slower growth 34:11 — Tools, AI, CEO–CFO dynamics, and rapid-fire closing questions — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls described in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.

Annie Eaton is the CEO of Futurus, an extended reality (XR/VR) company that started from an Atlanta meetup in 2014 and grew into enterprise training work with customers like Delta, Walmart, and Mars. She shares the cash-flow volatility of project-based services (including layoffs and stalled deals) and how she's building a licensing model to create more predictable recurring revenue. — 🌟 Highlights How education-first selling and partner referrals led to enterprise customers like Delta, Walmart, and Mars Why Annie won't celebrate a deal until the contract is signed, especially with long enterprise sales cycles Narrowing the business to hard-skills safety and process training and why manufacturing makes ROI easier to measure A customer reported employees trained in VR operating 18% more efficiently than traditional training after six months The Delta deicing training that scaled proficiency checks from 3 to 150 people per day per site in VR Building recurring revenue with ZR Industrial, a licensable library of OSHA-based safety training simulations Letting go of control earlier, plus how maternity leave became the forcing function to build backups and trust the team — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Landing big customers through referrals and partnerships 00:38 — Annie's background and the meetup that sparked Futurus 01:23 — Early consulting engagements and turning VR interest into a business (2014) 04:00 — The CEO job: constant education and setting expectations on what VR can and can't do 05:55 — Degrees, self-teaching, and hiring for skill over credentials 09:16 — Inbound and partner-led growth, plus a newer outbound motion that stays educational 13:24 — Focusing on manufacturing safety and process training and proving ROI with metrics 16:00 — Delta's deicing proficiency program and scaling training in VR 18:59 — The push for recurring revenue and the launch of ZR Industrial licensing 21:48 — Cash-flow scares, layoffs, and deals getting delayed or canceled 27:58 — Tools, hardware, and where AI fits (and doesn't) in XR production 39:27 — Founder lessons: delegating earlier, offsites, and the weekly metric Annie watches — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results  

Fractional CFO Darryl Baker shares how taking Insys Therapeutics public in 2013 and scaling its fentanyl sublingual spray product (Subsys) into over $300M in annual revenue by 2015 collided with DOJ scrutiny, leadership fallout, and bankruptcy. He unpacks what helped him lead through broken trust and personal uncertainty, plus the simple weekly discipline he uses with every client: cash position and a 13-week cash forecast. — 🌟 Highlights Why interpersonal "translator" skills matter as much as technical strength for CFO-level leadership How Darryl thinks AI will amplify finance, but still needs human judgment and risk context The Insys "growth under pressure" moment: rapid growth followed by DOJ scrutiny and a company bankruptcy Leading through broken trust, tense internal dynamics, and personal fear of legal fallout The family lesson he emphasized at home: integrity, honesty, and choosing the people you surround yourself with What he would do differently: be less trusting and push harder on uncomfortable questions The weekly metric he checks without fail: cash position and a 13-week cash forecast — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — AI + human judgment: why finance still needs people in the loop 00:43 — Early influences and why he chose accounting and finance 02:27 — Ernst & Young, CPA roots, and building a foundation for the CFO seat 04:52 — The "translator" CFO: technical skill plus interpersonal leadership 10:43 — Fractional CFO life in Scottsdale and the value of variety 11:58 — Anuncio Medical: the Reflow Mini device and why the mission matters 14:28 — A $6M Series A raise in progress and what fundraising looks like up close 15:08 — Board work at NeoLight and working with an NFL investor (Ben Roethlisberger) 20:11 — AI in healthcare: data, proof, and responsible interpretation 22:31 — Insys Therapeutics: 2013 IPO, Subsys growth, and the opioid scrutiny wave 32:34 — Dinner-table conversations: integrity, influence, and surrounding yourself with good people 37:40 — Lessons and rebuild: skepticism, purpose, and staying calm "in the pocket" — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results  

Joe Testouri is an entrepreneur, strategist, and host of the Grappling With Growth podcast who built an AI-focused agency and education business after early hustles, pivots, and a devastating financial scam. His story shows how founders can recover from crisis, adopt AI to scale more efficiently, and stay grounded through discipline, humility, and customer obsession. — 🌟 Highlights Building a business from childhood hustles and side projects to a full pivot into AI systems and automation The £53K bank scam that almost wiped out his cash and how he fought to make payroll and keep the team together Why becoming obsessed with customer experience is the real lever behind lifetime value and growth How AI agents, automation, and custom workflows are replacing low-value tasks and making small teams more efficient The role of humility, consistency, and health—reinforced by jiu-jitsu and a serious back injury—in navigating founder pressure Why founders must stay curious, collaborate instead of compete, and reject "victim mentality" when things go wrong — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Defining growth: getting 1% better and leading with integrity and compassion 02:20 — Lessons from hosting Grappling With Growth and learning from founders around the world 04:30 — Childhood entrepreneurship, getting bullied at school, and quitting banking to start his own agency 09:50 — From ad agency to AI consultancy: rebranding, blue-ocean thinking, and focusing on efficiency 17:00 — Building AI-powered outreach, scheduling agents, and improving customer experience and LTV 24:30 — Practical AI tools founders can use daily (Whisperflow, Fireflies, Gamma, and more) 33:00 — Growth under pressure: losing £53K to fraud, scrambling for payroll, and getting the money back 44:20 — Finance discipline, the value of strong accounting partners, and why founders shouldn't DIY everything 48:40 — The real founder journey: health scares, burnout risk, and engineering healthier team cultures 55:40 — Jiu-jitsu, humility, and why business isn't a zero-sum game 59:00 — Rapid fire: watching cash balances, a must-read book, and advice for founders under pressure — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls described in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage.  

Eric Sheinkop built Music Dealers into the world's largest commercial music provider serving Disney, McDonald's, and Coca-Cola before successfully exiting. He then raised $25M with his wife Judith, a former Coca-Cola executive, to launch Desire Company, now the leading content provider for Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. From discovering McDonald's royalty checks weren't a mistake to coming up $20K short on payroll, Eric reveals why the founders who win are those who treat their mission like religion and their ego like poison. 🌟 Highlights World's largest music dealer: 600+ clients including Disney, McDonald's, Coca-Cola The 2008 goldmine: Replaced $1M famous songs with $10K indie tracks McDonald's royalty revelation: "My brother said 'Do that again'" $20K short on payroll: The moment that defines every founder Coca-Cola exec to startup reality: Judith's six-month wake-up call Ego tax: "I opened 7 offices because the business card looked cool" $25M raised, 30 employees, 7000 sq ft studio—second time's the charm Mission as North Star: "When you see our seal, you know it's real" ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Music industry calling: Wanted the business, not the stage 03:00 — The royalty discovery: McDonald's checks that changed everything 07:00 — Financial crisis opportunity: How 2008 created Music Dealers 13:00 — Desire Company today: Dominating retail media networks 20:00 — Growth under pressure moment: Payroll crisis and empty bank 24:00 — Partner pressure: When Judith left Coca-Cola for startup life 29:00 — Expensive education: Product-market fit should come first 33:00 — Leadership evolution: From ego to empowerment 39:00 — Protecting the partnership: Family time and bathroom business bans 43:00 — Lemonade legacy: Teaching 3-year-old Stiles entrepreneurship 47:00 — Mission focus: "Never compromise on why you started" 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results

Jon Caldwell built a brand from zero to a profitable exit after serving in the infantry in Afghanistan. When a 4-month Dragons Den delay created a working capital challenge, he self-funded through a software sales role, hitting 120% of quota while scaling his company. Now the founder of 3Victor, he shares the unconventional path that taught him why disciplined execution beats perfect strategy.   🌟 Highlights Dragons Den sweep: All 5 Dragons made offers The 4x inventory bet: Calculated risk that returned 3-4x wholesale growth Exit timing: "Either grow aggressively or get out" - knowing when to sell B2B growth playbook: Outbound → Content → Paid (in that exact order) Military to startups: discipline and transition Focus beats everything: Why saying no to shiny objects accelerates growth The $200 ChatGPT investment that replaces a $50K employee   ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & dual childhood dream: military + entrepreneurship 03:00 — From SDR to founder: selling sensors → selling pet supplements 07:00 — 3Victor today: B2B go-to-market consulting & AI revolution 14:00 — Growth under pressure: The Dragons Den working capital crisis 17:00 — Strategic pivot: Self-funding through sales role (120% quota achievement) 20:00 — Behind Dragons Den: puppies, pin-stripes, and 45-minute pitches 26:00 — Cash flow lessons: "I didn't know fractional CFOs existed" 29:00 — Exit timing: friend's acquisition sparks the conversation 33:00 — Focus vs. shiny objects: The most common founder mistake 38:00 — Rejection philosophy: "Every great founder faces immense rejection" 44:00 — Rapid-fire: Zero to One & "Keep your cool under pressure"   🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results

John Olsen built and sold multiple healthcare ventures, including EncompassRx, a specialty pharmacy that reached over $500 million in annual revenue and exited to CVS. He shares how rapid growth nearly collapsed the business under its own weight, and why rebuilding three years of books became the turning point that reshaped his approach to leadership, balance, and financial discipline. 🌟 Highlights "First in, last out": why nobody should care more than the founder Open-door > top-down: trust, empathy, and letting people make mistakes Balancing babies: building a company with a newborn, and how communication at home keeps it together Culture by design: expectations, honesty about startup intensity, and unusually low early turnover The near-miss: attempting a recap without audit-ready books (and why rebuilding 3 years of financials changed the company) Pen to paper: lists, morning cadence, and one KPI John checks daily Chaos mindset: the Mario Andretti quote John kept on his desk From pharmacist to CEO: how empathy for patients translates to leadership ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & setup: pharmacist → founder → multiple exits 01:00 — CEO fundamentals: trust, empathy, open-door, practice what you preach 03:00 — "First in, last out": founder ownership & work ethic 05:00 — Family vs. startup intensity: boundaries, communication, the week-two pregnancy 09:00 — Pharmacist empathy → leadership under pressure 10:00 — Handling emotion: owning mistakes, reconciling; building resilient culture 14:00 — Demand outpacing cash: the midnight faxed check 15:00 — Recap wake-up: rebuilding three years of books and what changed 18:00 — Do finance early: accrual / GAAP, margin visibility, investor readiness 28:00 — Operating in chaos: John's Mario Andretti mindset 31:00 — Morning routine: kids, dog walk, coffee, workout; podcasts to clear the mind 37:00 — Daily cadence / KPI & "no meetings before 10 a.m."; quick-fire + wrap 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results

Eric sits down with his Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach, Roan, a former UFC fighter turned head instructor, to talk about grit that's forged on the mats and carried into business and life. From getting smashed by older training partners in Rio to building a thriving kids program in Alpharetta, he shares how consistency, faith, and community turn dark seasons into growth—and why "pressure makes diamonds." — 🌟 Highlights "Pressure makes diamonds": turning losses into lessons Growing up near the favelas and finding confidence through jiu-jitsu Consistency over motivation—show up even when you're sore Coaching kids 3–5: patience, play, and preparing them for life Word-of-mouth > ads: why character compounds lifetime value Faith under fire: Psalms, three fights in one night, and winning anyway Parenting & leadership parallels: protect less, prepare more — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & Roan's journey from Rio to UFC to head coach 04:40 — Getting "smashed," showing up, and the compounding effect of consistency 08:05 — Dark seasons: losing parents young, choosing resilience over excuses 12:05 — Life in/near the favelas: community, joy, and perspective 14:10 — Why he built a 3–5 year-old program (and how patience is trained) 18:30 — Designing classes for focus, fun, and life skills (not just medals) 21:40 — Bullying to boundary-setting: how BJJ changes timid kids 24:55 — Transferring mat confidence to boardrooms and tough conversations 28:10 — "Pressure makes diamonds": CEOs, faking it vs. building it 30:05 — Competing with Eric: preparation, family support, and first medals 32:20 — Attendance > excuses: show up, drill, or watch—just be there 34:20 — Pain and progress for over-40s: why growth always costs something 35:15 — Growth Under Pressure moment: faith, Psalms, and winning a 3-fight night 41:00 — Building the gym organically: culture > headcount, referrals > ads 43:20 — Retention, LTV, and why the "right" students/clients stay longer 44:35 — God's role: guidance in low points, courage in hostile arenas 50:10 — Finish the sentence: "A man under pressure should always… make diamonds." 51:10 — Wrap & part two teaser — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results  

Rennie Curran transformed from NFL linebacker to leadership coach, teaching executives that natural leadership is a myth. He reveals how serving others, building consistent habits, and "operating at the level of your vision" creates breakthrough moments in business and life. — 🌟 Highlights Challenges leadership perfectionism with servant mindset Operates at vision level before opportunity Builds rapport through active listening first Feeds the master, not the dog Treats drips of influence like compound interest — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & setup 00:23 — Redefining leadership beyond perfection 09:32 — Influence compounds like water erosion 14:41 — Film study translates to business 17:49 — The drip effect of consistent action 24:19 — Building buy-in through active listening 30:58 — Operating at the level of your vision 41:35 — Childhood lessons shaping entrepreneurial success 46:43 — Morning routine: devotion, prayer, journaling 49:29 — Book recommendations for leaders 54:50 — Advice to 9-year-old self 56:17 — CTA & wrap-up — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results

Brett Gelfand built a multimillion-dollar cannabis packaging empire by 25, then nearly lost it all when an entire shipment of containers arrived soaking wet and unsellable. Instead of folding, he pivoted — eventually creating the cannabis industry's first specialized collection agency and a credit-reporting platform now used nationwide. From his early leap from executive assistant to CEO during Colorado's cannabis boom, Brett shares unfiltered lessons on when to cash out, how to trust your instincts on partnerships, and why solving problems beats chasing passion. — 🌟 Highlights Spotting the packaging gap in the cannabis market Landing an exclusive deal with Canopy Growth Surviving the "wet container" disaster that almost bankrupted him Pivoting from packaging to collections after an exit Building a credit reporting platform for the cannabis industry Why passion is overrated compared to solving real problems — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & setup 03:34 — From executive assistant to CEO at 24 08:12 — Building PAC case and finding product-market fit 11:45 — Landing Canopy Growth and the wet container crisis 16:28 — Lessons from reinvesting everything vs taking profits 22:07 — Transitioning to collections and credit reporting 27:41 — Why passion might not matter as much 31:33 — Trusting your gut on partnership splits 35:18 — One friend's sauna business vs eight dreamers 38:52 — Using AI tools and staying sharp 41:19 — Wrap-up — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results  

Maney Mazloom built EncompassRx from zero to nearly $500 million in annual revenue in just six years. But explosive demand for a new hepatitis C drug nearly sank the company, leaving him checking the mail multiple times a day, just to keep cash flowing and patients supplied. 🌟 Highlights How to scale to $500M without losing control What to do when cash flow lags behind growth Why a co-CEO model can accelerate scaling Balancing patient care with investor pressures The hidden costs of delaying financial systems ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & setup 02:45 — Leaving corporate pharmacy to build something better 08:20 — Recognising the entrepreneurial mindset as an employee 14:30 — Managing explosive growth and cash flow crisis 22:15 — Co-CEO partnership dynamics and decision making 28:40 — Scaling KPIs from revenue to profitability 35:10 — Building a pharmacist-centric service model 40:25 — The critical mistake of delaying proper financial systems 47:30 — Current ventures and economic concerns in real estate 52:00 — Wrap-up 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Maney's story is proof that rapid growth without financial infrastructure is challenging. If you're scaling and want to avoid the same mistakes, check out AdaptCFO's free resources below. Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results

A product rushed to market. A hack that compromised 30,000 users. And a founder forced to hit pause before it was too late. In our debut episode, four-time founder Tanner Haas reveals how a string of challenges — from losing money on protein powder sales at 18, to driving Uber to stay afloat, to recovering from a near-fatal beta launch — shaped the disciplined approach that saved his fourth startup, Freedom Chat. He shares the lessons every founder needs to hear about building a real foundation and making smarter bets with scarce resources. — 🌟 Highlights Loses money on every protein powder sale at 18 — and what it taught him about margins Keeps startup dreams alive by driving Uber during a brutal pivot Recovers from a hack that compromised 30,000 beta users Stops chasing growth and invests in product development first Stretches cash runway by hiring fractional talent instead of full-time staff — ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 — Intro & setup 01:30 — Discovering privacy concerns and founding Freedom Chat 03:45 — Raising $1.25M pre-seed and product validation 06:20 — First business failure and the Uber pivot 10:15 — Beta launch hack and the dark moment 14:30 — Slowing down and building the right foundation 19:00 — Managing cash burn and knowing every expense 24:20 — Fundraising realities and investor relationships 29:45 — Fractional vs full-time hiring strategies 32:00 — Book recommendations and daily CEO habits 34:00 — Wrap-up — 🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog Adapt CFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results