Investment-Grade CFO Services from Someone Who’s Been in Your Shoes
Investment professional turned business owner. I combine analytical expertise with the hard-won wisdom of someone who’s actually run a business.
What challenges keep you up at night?
“We are growing rapidly and I’m running out of cash“
“I’m not sure if I’ll have enough money to make payroll or pay my bills next month“
“I don’t feel I have the right financial data“
“Someday I want to sell or step back, but I don’t know how to get the business ready or increase its value“
“There’s so many employees and vendors I need to work with to understand my financial situation, and its frankly both time consuming ad overwhelming“
“I see numbers from my bookkeeper, but I don’t really understand what they mean for my business decisions“
“I’m wearing too many hats. I’m running the business and also trying to figure out the numbers — and it’s exhausting“
“I don’t know if I can afford to hire, open a new location, or expand — I’m just guessing“
“Banks or investors ask for reports I don’t have — I feel unprepared and overwhelmed“
My Story: From analyst to owner-operator
The frustrations and challenges listed above – as well as many more – are challenges I either faced myself or heard first-hand from fellow business owners.
After almost two decades as an investment professional analyzing businesses and other investments from the outside, I thought I understood what it took to run a company. I left a comfortable career managing investment research for a boutique management firm in the Bay Area and spent a year evaluating hundreds of small businesses across various industries before acquiring a business. I managed the entire deal process – due diligence, negotiations, deal structure, and capital raising.
While I thoroughly enjoyed being an entrepreneur, I quickly learned that being an owner-operator is completely different from analyzing businesses – and at times incredibly lonely. I was fortunate to have smart, experienced advisors who provided valuable guidance. But even the best advisors weren’t close enough to the day-to-day operations to help me navigate the weekly challenges – the cash flow decisions, the operational nuances, the tough calls that couldn’t wait for the next quarterly meeting. While I had the skillset and experience to operate as my company’s CFO, I had to manage many of the other aspects of the business and did not have time for the many financial analyses and improvements I would otherwise have made.
Having experienced these challenges and seen how many other business owners struggle with similar issues, I realized how much owners need someone who truly understands both sides – the rigorous financial analysis and the operational reality. From this experience and understanding, I developed a passion for helping owner-operators navigate the financial uncertainties of managing a small business. By combining my CFA and investment background with real owner-operator experience, I offer the analytical rigor you would expect from a seasoned finance professional with the practical wisdom that only comes from actually running a business. I’ve been where you are – wearing the CFO hat while trying to run the business, making decisions with incomplete information, and yes, losing sleep over cash flow.
When you’re running a business, you need more than just financial reports – you need someone who understands what it feels like to wonder if you’ll make payroll, and who can help you build the financial foundation for sustainable growth. Moreover, you need that person to be with you on a weekly basis, not just quarter by quarter.
I know how heavy the financial side of running a business can feel. My role is to take that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on leading and growing with confidence.