SMB FinanceOS
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THE THREE HIDDEN CYCLES THAT RUN EVERY BUSINESS
The 3 Hidden Cycles That Run Every Business Every business owner loves momentum. Growth feels good… revenue’s up, headcount’s up, energy’s high. You’re hiring, launching, expanding. The engine’s running hot, and it feels like you’ve finally cracked the code. But then something shifts. What used to work… stops working. Margins tighten. You’re busier than ever but somehow less profitable. The team’s worn down, and the spark that fueled your early years fades into exhaustion. That’s because...
THE MYTH OF A SOLID SYSTEM: PARENTING, BUSINESS, AND RISK
THE MYTH OF A SOLID SYSTEM: PARENTING, BUSINESS, AND RISK Two weekends ago, I had both of our boys to myself. One is three (almost 4) and the other one and a half. We had a big morning planned: the zoo, lunch out, and paying outside in the afternoon. I got them both dressed, packed the stroller, and it felt like everything was going perfectly. I told the boys to put their shoes on and unlocked the back door to head to the garage. Then, right as I stepped out, I caught the unmistakable smell....
THE FIVE STAGES OF FINANCIAL MATURITY
THE FIVE STAGES OF FINANCIAL MATURITY Every week, I get the same questions in my inbox: “We just hit $X what do we need next?” “Should I hire a CFO?” “Our books are fine, but I feel like I’m flying blind. What’s missing?” They’re all variations of the same question: what’s next for my finance function? And it’s a good question. Because too many business owners either build too soon and add layers of complexity before they’ve nailed the basics or wait too long, letting chaos and uncertainty...
HOW TO FRAUD-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS
HOW TO FRAUD-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS Last week Tai Lopez was accused of running a Ponzi Scheme. If you’re not familiar who Tai Lopez is, consider yourself blessed. Tai Lopez became known as the guy who ran a YouTube ad with his sports cars, but then pivoted to bookshelves in his garage to say he valued “knowledge” more than the nice things. All while renting mansions and luxury toys to sell his course on acquiring “knowledge.” Now he and his partner are now facing SEC charges for allegedly...
THE HIDDEN REASON AMAZON TOOK OVER THE INTERNET (AND 10 WAYS IT CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS)
THE HIDDEN REASON AMAZON TOOK OVER THE INTERNET (AND 10 WAYS IT CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS) In the early days of the internet, no one could figure out how to actually sell something online. We had static sites, but no real commerce happening. Even once they “figured it out,” spending money online still felt hard and risky. Every checkout felt like airport security: take out your wallet, set your laptop aside, shoes off, belt off, fill out the form, and please… don’t miss a field or you’ll be sent...
THINK YOU DON’T NEED A CFO YET? THINK AGAIN.
THINK YOU DON’T NEED A CFO YET? THINK AGAIN. When most people picture a CFO, they imagine a bean counter. Someone buried in spreadsheets, fussing over budgets, or nitpicking every expense. That’s the stereotype. But that picture is outdated and misleading. Today’s CFO is less accountant and more strategist. Many of the best CFOs don’t even come from traditional accounting backgrounds. They’re operators, investors, and communicators who use finance as the language to guide strategy. And here’s...
WHY YOUR CPA IS FAILING YOU (AND IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT)
WHY YOUR CPA IS FAILING YOU (AND IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT) I have conversations with business owners all the time about their accounting and finance teams, and more often than not, people are confused about the role of their CPA. They’ll say things like, “My CPA handles my books,” and assume that means every financial need of the business is covered. Others proudly post jobs for controllers, CFOs, or even staff accountants, and list “CPA required” as a qualification, when in reality the license...
WHAT DO A CPA AND CFO ACTUALLY DO?
CPA vs CFO vs Controller: Who Actually Does What? I’ve had the conversation time and again… “My CPA isn’t doing what I need them to do.” When I ask, they’re typically looking for more than a financial filing from a CPA. Tax season comes, a return gets filed, and everyone goes back to their day jobs. Then, I talk to people about being a CFO. “So you are like an accountant but more?” Yes… but no. And that $5 million revenue business with the CFO? You’re likely overpaying someone to code...
THE BELIEF THAT BANKRUPTED KODAK (AND MIGHT BE KILLING YOUR BUSINESS)
The Belief That Bankrupted Kodak (And Might Be Killing Your Business) In 1975, Kodak invented the first digital camera. It wasn’t until around 1990 that digital cameras were really put out to the public and until the late 1990s that they really became a “thing.” And as this story is as old as time, you likely know Kodak didn’t initially release the digital camera… they actually missed the wave. Think about that. The company that had defined photography for a century held the keys to the...
THE SILENT KILLER OF GROWTH: COMPLEXITY
THE SILENT KILLER OF GROWTH: COMPLEXITY Watch on YouTube We didn’t set out to make things complex. We set out to say yes. Yes to new product lines. Yes to customer requests. Yes to ideas from smart team members. And slowly, almost invisibly, yes turned into too much. The creep is quiet. One product becomes three. Three becomes nine. Nine becomes seventeen, each with slightly different specs, pricing models, or service workflows. The goal was to grow, to expand, to capture the opportunity in...
Get smarter about business finance in 5 minutes a week. Join 35k+ business owners and leaders learning financial statements and growing their business, for free.