In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we’re joined by Lisa Curtis, the dynamic founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. Lisa’s journey began during her Peace Corps service in Niger, where she struggled with finding nutritious food. A group of local women introduced her to moringa, a superfood that helped tackle malnutrition—and that simple solution later became the foundation of her thriving business. Recognizing the potential of moringa as both a powerful source of nutrition and a way to support the livelihoods of small farmers, Lisa began her journey in partnership with these farmers. She set out on a mission to introduce this superfood to the global market. As Kuli Kuli grew from a grassroots effort to an international brand, Lisa Curtis faced challenges such as consumer education and fundraising for her mission-driven company. Key TakeawaysAligning your company's mission with both profit and purpose is crucial for long-term success, especially in the CPG industry.Finding a product that resonates with your passion and values helps create a more meaningful and mission-driven business.How Kuli Kuli collaborates with women farmers in developing countries to create positive change in the food industry. Achieving scale in the CPG industry is essential to drive cashflow positivity and optimize economies of scale across supply chain and manufacturing.Kuli Kuli leveraged a variety of financing strategies—crowdfunding, angel investors, grants, and customer loans—at different stages of growth, each tailored to the company's needs at the time.Episode Highlights[04:20] – Lisa’s Peace Corps journey and discovering the power of moringa to found Kuli Kuli Foods.[10:05] – The early challenges of building Kuli Kuli and securing funding.[14:45] – The challenges and rewards of introducing a new superfood to the U.S. market. [17:20] –  Developing a successful pricing and margin strategy to achieve growth and profitability while staying true to the mission. [19:30] – Understanding each retailer's game and creating a pricing strategy for each one. [20:30] – Unexpected direct costs that undermine the margin and Kuli Kuli’s ability to learn from experiences around distributor’s fees. [25:00] – How to create and maintain an ethical and impactful supply change and the value of high-chain diversification to manage quality.[28:15] –  How Kuli Kuli integrates social impact into its business model working closely with each group of local farmers.[29:50] - Expand and grow Kuli Kuli’s business model to other superfoods.[31:20] - Lisa discusses the challenge of reaching profitability in the CPG sector, emphasizing how difficult it is to make money when you're a small business.[31:48] -  Lisa shares how Kuli Kuli navigated financing challenges by using a mix of different financing paths. [36:20] - Negotiating loan terms and finding investors that align with your mission. ResourcesKuli Kuli Foods website: kulikulifoods.comLisa Curtis' LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?If you enjoyed today’s episode and want to dive deeper into how women entrepreneurs are creating sustainable and impactful businesses, make sure to subscribe to Her CEO Journey. We deeply appreciate your thoughts, so don't hesitate to share this episode with your network and help us expand our impact even further!

Key TakeawaysThe Importance of Financial Planning: While Sarah enjoys branding and marketing, her experience highlights how vital financial planning is to long-term success. Early lessons from fundraising helped her keep profitability front and center as she built Chiwis.Understanding the CPG Landscape: Entering the CPG industry comes with its own set of challenges. Sarah delves into the importance of knowing your margins, pricing strategies, and building strong relationships with key players like brokers and retailers. Strategic Decision-Making for Growth: Data-driven choices are at the heart of Chiwis' success. Even when a product like the mango chip line was popular, Sarah discontinued it because of slim margins—a clear example of making tough calls for long-term gain.Building a Scalable Brand with Purpose: Building a scalable brand takes thoughtful planning. For Sarah, partnering with the right co-manufacturers and leaning on industry expertise has been instrumental in positioning Chiwis for sustained growth.Balancing Growth & Profitability: Goodman’s strategy focuses on identifying the optimal balance between rapid growth and sustained profitability Working with large retailers like Costco allowed her to achieve both goals.Managing Cash Flow: Understanding cash flow is critical in the CPG industry, especially when working with large retailers with extended payment cycles. Sarah shares strategies for managing these gaps and building strong relationships with vendors.Shifting Funding Priorities: As investors shift their focus towards profitability, Sarah advises founders to come prepared. Know your numbers, track your costs, and be ready to present a compelling story around your product’s value and potential..Episode Highlights[3:50] Sarah discusses her early career in the music industry and her transition to the nutrition space, ultimately leading to the creation of Chiwis.[7:10] Challenges faced in the early stages of Chiwis, including R&D costs and achieving profitability.[11:30] Importance of margins over markup and how collaborating with sales brokers and distributors is crucial for scaling a CPG business.[19:30] Finding a co-manufacturer during the pandemic and the complexities of scaling production while maintaining product quality.[23:10] She explains her decision to partner with co-manufacturers rather than own a production facility, allowing her to focus on brand building.[27:30] Growth strategy and Chiwis vision, including potential acquisition opportunities.[30:40] Insights on managing cash flow, margins, and negotiations with partners in the CPG industry.[35:50] Sarah reflects on the changing investor landscape and the importance of being prepared with a pitch deck when seeking funding.ResourcesChiwis website: chiwis.coFollow Sarah Goodman on LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedInConnect With Profit ReimaginedExplore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInSubscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform.Discover if our Fractional CFO Services Are Your Perfect Fit with this simple quiz.

In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we sit down with Venessa Stonehouse, the founder of Mindful FÜD. Venessa’s journey from running a food truck to creating a successful plant-based brand is nothing short of inspiring. Mindful FÜD isn’t just about tasty vegan products—it’s about making a positive impact with every bite, including their unique honey alternative made from upcycled apples. Join us as Venessa shares her insights on scaling a business in  the CPG industry, building a brand that’s both sustainable and innovative, and securing crucial partnerships with major retailers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, Venessa’s tips and stories are packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Discover the story behind Mindful FÜD, the challenges Venessa has overcome, and her vision for the future of plant-based food.Key TakeawaysEntrepreneurial Journey: Venessa Stonehouse's entrepreneurial journey started at a young age with a food truck business and has evolved into her current venture, Mindful FÜD.Challenges in the Food Industry: Venessa faced various challenges, including finding a co-packer, scaling the business, and navigating the complexities of the food industry.Financial Planning: Financial planning is essential for CPG businesses. Venessa discusses bootstrapping and using financial modeling tools.Co-packing Partner: Finding the right co-packing partner is crucial. Venessa's experience highlights the importance of careful selection and negotiation.Margins: Understanding margins is essential in the low-margin CPG industry. Venessa emphasizes factoring in all costs before setting prices.Retail Relationships: Building relationships with retailers can lead to significant growth. Venessa's experience with Save-On-Foods demonstrates this.Rejecting Deals: Saying no to deals that don't align with your business goals is important. Venessa turned down offers from Costco and IGA.Marketing Strategy: A strong marketing strategy is essential for CPG brands. Venessa uses Amazon as a marketing tool and reinvests profits into marketing.Investor Alignment: Finding an investor who aligns with your vision is crucial. Venessa focuses on partnering with investors who offer more than just funding—they bring valuable expertise and connections to the table.Financial Discipline: Strong financial discipline is essential for entrepreneurs. Venessa learned this from a young age.Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and financial tools is crucial for making informed business decisions.ResourcesMindful FÜD website: mindfulfud.comMindful FÜD on Instagram: @mindful_fudFollow Venessa Stonehouse on LinkedInInvestment platform FrontFundrConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Enjoyed This Podcast?If you enjoyed this episode and found it inspiring, we'd love for you to share it with your community and leave a review. Your support helps us keep bringing you the stories and insights that matter to women in business. 

The Power of Upcycling: Kimberle Lau on Sustainable Food ProductionIn this episode of Her CEO Journey, we sit down with Kimberle Lau, the inspiring founder of Bake Me Healthy. Kimberle shares her journey from management consulting to the beauty industry and ultimately, her passion project of creating a sustainable, plant-based baking company.Key TakeawaysSustainable Entrepreneurship: Kimberle's journey demonstrates how personal experiences can fuel entrepreneurial ventures with a sustainable mission.Social Impact through Food: Bake Me Healthy's commitment to using upcycled ingredients and fighting food waste highlights the positive impact businesses can have on society.Navigating the Food Industry: Kimberle's insights into the challenges and rewards of starting a food business offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.Financial Strategies for Startups: Learn from Kimberle's experiences with pricing, distribution, and fundraising as she navigates the complexities of scaling a food business.The Power of Personal Passion: Discover how Kimberle's love for baking and her commitment to sustainability have driven her entrepreneurial success.Episode HighlightsKimberle Lau's Entrepreneurial Journey:[04:00] From management consulting to the beauty industry and ultimately, founding Bake Me Healthy.[05:52] Motivated by personal health challenges and a desire to create healthier baking options.[08:55] Committed to sustainability and using upcycled ingredients.Creating a Plant-Based Baking Company:[11:00] Developed a range of allergy-friendly baking mixes, including brownie, pancake, and waffle mixes.[11:38] Used coffee cherries as a unique and sustainable ingredient in her brownie mix.[15:23]  Used ugly produce that farmers and stores were going to throw away as a way to fight food waste.[17:35] Faced challenges with pricing, distribution, and payment terms, especially when working with larger retailers.[19:50] Clarifies the misunderstanding around upcycling food, it is not necessarily cheaper. [22:10]  CPG margin in the food industry.Lessons Learned:[27:30] The importance of carefully selecting retail partners and negotiating favorable terms.[27:50] The challenges of scaling a food business, including cash flow management and distribution logistics.[34:53] The value of building relationships with investors and industry professionals.[40:00] The importance of staying true to your brand's values and mission.ResourcesCraving a delicious and healthy treat? Discover Bake Me Healthy.Tired of food waste? Download Too Good To Go AppInterested in food science and sustainability? Learn more about the Drexel University Food Lab ProgramConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Enjoyed This Podcast?If you enjoyed this episode and found it inspiring, we'd love for you to share it with your community and leave a review. Your support helps us keep bringing you the stories and insights that matter to women in business. Connect with Profit ReimaginedExplore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInSubscribe to our podcast

Welcome back to Her CEO Journey, the podcast empowering women entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses that make a difference!Throughout this season's Finance for Change series,our host Christina Sjahli has been breaking down complex financial concepts and translating them into actionable strategies for mission-driven founders like yourself. As a founder with a social impact mission, you understand the importance of financial health. It's the foundation that allows you to turn your passion into a powerful force for good. But managing the financial side of things can feel overwhelming, especially as your business grows.In today's episode, Christina is going to explore a solution that can change the game: the power of a fractional CFO. Many founders mistakenly believe their accountant or bookkeeper can handle everything. While these roles are essential, a fractional CFO brings a whole new level of strategic expertise to the table.Key Takeaways:A fractional CFO is a strategic financial partner, not just a bookkeeper. Think of a fractional CFO as your financial confidant, someone who can translate your vision into clear financial roadmaps. Fractional CFOs provide cost-effective expertise, allowing you to focus on your mission.Fractional CFOs can help with cash flow management, financial statement analysis, budgeting, and problem-solving.Episode Highlights[01:15] The Difference Between a Fractional CFO and a Bookkeeper: A fractional CFO translates your strategy into financial roadmaps, while a bookkeeper focuses on record-keeping.[02:55] Proactive Cash Flow Management: A fractional CFO helps you forecast and manage cash flow, preventing financial disruptions.[03:55] Financial Analysis – Deeper Insights: They can help you decipher financial statements and identify potential issues.[05:00] Data-Driven Budgets and Forecasts: Fractional CFOs use their expertise to create financial roadmaps for informed decision-making.[06:05] Collaborative Problem-Solving: Working together, you can analyze metrics, test strategies, and address challenges proactively.[08:10] Improved Efficiency and Resource Allocation: A fractional CFO handles financial reporting, freeing you to focus on core mission-driven activities.[09:16] Risk Mitigation for Sustainable Growth: They can identify and assess potential risks to safeguard your financial health.[10:23] Unique Financial Expertise: Gain access to specialized knowledge in areas like mergers and acquisitions or investor relations.So, whether you're feeling overwhelmed by cash flow management, struggling to decipher financial statements, or simply want a strategic partner to guide your growth, a fractional CFO could be the missing piece you've been searching for.ResourcesConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Explore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Forecasting is naturally imperfect.It is imperfect because businesses are always changing, and economic conditions are always shifting.So, as a founder, you have to be ready to adapt and deal with uncertainty.Today, our host Christina Sjahli will take you into the world of forecasting.In this episode, Christina will guide you through the art of forecasting by breaking down the key steps to creating an intentional forecast, even with the understanding that things can change along the way.  She talks about why forecasting is essential for any business.Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, grasping the essence of forecasting can serve as a formidable asset in ensuring your business's success.  Keep in mind, forecasting isn't just about predicting numbers; it's about shaping the future of your business with purpose and clarity.Let's jump in!Key Takeaways:Benefits of a good forecast:Early identification of deviations from predictions (positive or negative).Understanding the cause of these deviations.Ability to adapt quickly based on potential scenarios.Forecasting can help you:Predict future resource needs to support your mission-driven initiatives.Stay ahead of the curve and adapt to unexpected situations.Align your financial growth with your social impact goals.Make strategic investments that fuel both profitability and positive change.Start with Impact: Define the impact you aim to achieve so you can prioritize accordingly.Gather and analyze data:  Analyze historical financial data and consider historical operational data. Understand what happened and the reasons behind it. Then assess potential future scenarios based on external factors (economy, market, marketing efforts). Finally, determine how to achieve goals without compromising your values.Utilize a Forecasting Tool: Input the gathered information and assumptions into a financial forecasting tool.Regularly Update the Forecast: A forecast is a living document that improves over time with updates.Episode Highlights[02:30] Forecasting is an imperfect process.[03:33] Start with impact - Why you started this business in the first place.[05:12] Gather information - historical financial and operational data[06:34] Analyze the Data[07:10] Build Assumptions[08:05] Utilize a Forecasting Tool[08:30] Regularly Update the ForecastResourcesConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Explore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInDiscover if our Fractional CFO Services are your perfect fit by taking this quiz.Enjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

If you're building a mission-driven business, there's one particular number you definitely need to check. Understanding this number will quickly pinpoint any issues in your business and determine if you're building a sustainable, profitable venture.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we demystify the significance of this essential metric for business vitality: Gross Margin.Join our host Christina Sjahli as she unveils the power of this metric, teaches you how to calculate it in minutes, and explains what it tells you about your pricing, costs, and overall financial sustainability.  Access the path to informed decision-making and build a thriving business that resonates with your purpose!Listen and move from panic to power. Key Takeaways:Gross Margin Explained: It's a profitability indicator representing revenue minus the direct cost of delivering your service or product.Calculating Gross Margin Percentage: Revenue minus Cost of Goods Sold divided by Revenue.Interpreting Your Gross Margin:Below 30%: Potential issues with pricing or cost of goods sold (too high or too low).Too High Cost of Goods Sold: May indicate missing costs or unadjusted pricing.Too Low Cost of Goods Sold: May indicate incorrect pricing not reflecting all costs.Resources for Further Exploration:Listen to our Pricing Series (Episodes 160-163) on Her CEO JourneyProfit Reimagined's Fractional CFO ServicesProfit Reimagined CFO services can be a game-changer when it comes to understanding and optimizing your gross margin and pricing strategy. A fractional CFO brings deep financial expertise to the table by analyzing your financial data to pinpoint areas where your cost of goods or services sold might be inflated or where your pricing might not be fully capturing your value. Having a fractional CFO will help you develop strategies to streamline your operations, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and implement data-driven pricing models that ensure you're covering your costs and generating healthy profits.Episode Highlights:[00:54] Introduction to the importance of a single number for business health.[01:33] Understanding Gross Margin.[02:45] Calculating Gross Margin Percentage and why it is important.[03:25] Interpreting Your Gross Margin: What a low percentage tells you.[05:20] Resources for further exploration on pricing and financial solutions.Resources:Connect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Check out Profit Reimagined's Fractional CFO ServicesTurn your purpose into profit, visit our Website and  LinkedInDiscover if our Fractional CFO Services are your perfect fit by taking this quiz.Enjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious, even though your business is profitable? Perhaps this unease stems from uncertainties about your cash flow – a crucial financial aspect that often confuses many mission-driven CEOs.  Fear not!  This episode of Her CEO Journey serves as your comprehensive cash flow masterclass, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to confidently manage your business's financial health.Join our founder, Christina Sjahli, as she delves into practical techniques for closely monitoring your operating cash flow.Christina will walk you through the art of cash flow management, empowering you to take proactive control of your business's financial well-being.By the end of this episode, you'll be a cash flow pro, ready to:Extend your runway and breathe a sigh of relief.Make sound decisions based on real financial data.Prioritize effectively and stay true to your mission.Are you ready to become a cash flow master? Let's get started!Bonus: We've got a Practical Guide for Busy Founders like you with even more cash flow wisdom and common forecasting mistakes to avoid. Grab it in the show notes!Key Takeaways:In this episode, you'll learn:Profitability is a crucial indicator of a healthy business, but it's not the only factor for financial stability. Efficiently managing cash inflows and outflows is the secret to maintaining healthy cash flow.Profitability Matters: Profit is important, but it doesn't guarantee a business will have enough cash on hand to operate smoothly.Cash Flow Management is Key: The real "core principle" is in managing cash flow effectively. This involves ensuring a steady stream of incoming cash (inflows) while minimizing unnecessary outgoing cash (outflows).The 3 types of cash flow every CEO should understand (investing, financing, and operating - we'll focus on the big kahuna: operating cash flow)How to monitor your cash flow and discover your runaway date (the day the well runs dry!)The power of cash flow modeling: play "what-if" with your finances and prepare for anything!Episode Highlights[00:54] Cash Flow as a concept and a process [01:15] Big mistake: use bank balances to manage cash flow[02:44] The three types of Cash Flow: investing, financing and operating.[03:38] Three Operating Cash Flow steps[04:00] Monitor Cash Flow and find your runaway date[04:30] Manage Cash Flow[05:30] Model Cash FlowResourcesConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Check out Christina’s Fractional CFO ServicesExplore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Imagine this: You've built a thriving business, your sales are climbing, and on paper, you're incredibly profitable.  But then, reality hits. Payroll day arrives, and suddenly you're scrambling to find the cash to cover it. Does this scenario sound familiar? It's what many founders experience—the profit versus cash flow paradox. While profit might seem promising, cash flow tells the real story about your business's financial health.In this episode, our founder and host of Her CEO Journey, Christina Sjahli will clarify the difference between profit and cash flow. Christina will explain why profit and cash flow don't always go hand-in-hand, and equip you, a mission-driven founder, with the knowledge to use both effectively for wise and sustainable business decisions.  Ditch the financial frustration and join us as Christina reveals the secrets of true financial health for your business!Key Takeaways:Profit (net income): The remaining amount after deducting all costs from revenue. It reflects the profitability of your business model, marketing strategy, pricing, and cost management.Cash flow: The movement of money in and out of your business. It tells you about your cash collection habits, supplier credit utilization, inventory levels, and external financing needs.Profit doesn't equal cash: Profit is calculated based on accrual accounting (revenue recognized at sale, even if cash hasn't been received), while cash flow reflects actual cash movement.Profitability and cash flow are independent: A profitable business can have negative cash flow and vice versa.Founders need both: Analyze both profit and cash flow to make informed decisions about your business.Episode HighlightsThe story behind profit: How a healthy profit indicates a strong business model, effective marketing, and efficient cost management.The cash flow conundrum: Why founders might struggle with cash flow despite showing a profit on paper.Accrual accounting vs. cash accounting: Understanding the timing difference between revenue recognition and cash receipt.Profit vs. cash flow stories: How each metric provides valuable insights into your business health.Why both matter: The importance of using both profit and cash flow analysis for effective business management.ResourcesConnect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Check out Christina’s Fractional CFO ServicesExplore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Patrice's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs, showcasing the profound impact of blending passion, purpose, and strategic planning to build a successful and meaningful business.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, our host Christina Sjahli welcomes Patrice Mousseau, founder and CEO of Satya Organics, a company dedicated to creating effective and sustainable skincare products. Patrice unfolds her inspiring journey from media personality to entrepreneur, driven by a personal need to find natural remedies for her daughter's eczema. She delves into Satya Organics' commitment to social good, building a diverse workforce, and navigating the dynamic world of international expansion.Key Takeaways:From passion to purpose: Patrice's  journey underscores how personal experiences can ignite entrepreneurial ventures. Values-driven business: Satya Organics prioritizes quality, sustainability, and social responsibility, demonstrating that businesses can be profitable while making a positive impact.Building a diverse team: Patrice emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals from different backgrounds.Going global: Expanding internationally comes with its own set of challenges, but Patrice believes it can be less daunting than expected by focusing on connecting with advisors and then finding the right partners and aligning with your values.Strategic growth: Patrice's experience showcases the importance of a balanced and thoughtful approach to financial strategy, utilizing various resources to achieve sustainable growth.Episode Highlights[04:33] Patrice's journey from media personality to founder of Satya Organics.[08:14] Cultivating a business culture centered on purpose, values and sustainability.[10:14] Evolution of the product and packaging always at service of community and environment.[14:19] Sourcing simple and high quality is the key.[17:50] Prioritizing opportunities that align with your values while letting go of those that don't. [21:32] The crucial role of advisors in business international expansion growth.[24:51] Top recommendation: work on your margin for healthy finances[30:20] Partnering with suppliers that align with the mission and values.[33:10] Patrice's proudest moment on her impact journey.[36:50] Returning to the community to drive innovation. ResourcesTo learn more about their products and mission visit Satya Organic’s Instagram   and WebsiteConnect with Patrice Mousseau on LinkedIn Connect with Christina Sjahli on LinkedIn Explore Profit Reimagined and discover how you can turn purpose into profit: Website and  LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Dionne Laslo-Baker, the founder and CEO of Deebee’s Organics, is a fellow certified B Corp dedicated to revolutionizing snacks. With a background in medical science and as a mother, she embarked on a mission to provide organic, flavorful, and nutritious snacks for families.In this episode, Dionne delves into the highs and lows of growing a business from scratch. She offers valuable insights into overcoming regulatory hurdles, embracing cultural diversity, and the pivotal role of advisors in business expansion.But what truly sets Dionne's story apart is her unwavering commitment to a purpose-driven culture and sustainable business practices, which has not only propelled Deebee’s Organics to international success but also made a lasting impact on the industry.Tune in to this episode of Her CEO Journey to discover more about Dionne’s path to building a sustainable global enterprise while staying true to her core values.Here's what you'll discover:Learn how advisors can influence your business in the long term and where to find the ones you need.Explore the importance of fostering a purpose-driven culture in your business and how it can mitigate risks.Discover strategies for managing your business on a global scale, especially when dealing with foreign markets.Episode Highlights[02:36] Dionne Laslo-Baker’s CEO Journey[06:42] Creating a Culture[12:14] From Science to Snacks to Scale[16:17] The Critical Role of Advisors in Business[23:12] Focusing on One Market[28:23] Supplier Diversity[34:59] Differing Challenges at Different Levels of Success[38:26] Dionne’s Proudest Moment On Her Impact JourneyResourcesGet organic treats from Deebee’s OrganicsConnect with Dionne Laslo-Baker: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Amanda Klucowicz serves as a Senior Relationship Manager at Export Development Canada. She is dedicated to helping Canadian businesses break into international markets. With EDC's tailored tools and solutions, navigating global waters becomes more manageable, ensuring not only profitability but also the long-term security of your company.In this episode, Amanda delves into crucial topics such as EDC's criteria for Canadian companies, the customized solutions they offer, and essential preparations for business owners venturing into international markets. Customized solutions are especially vital for businesses committed to social impact or seeking B Corp certification, as their challenges often differ significantly from traditional businesses.Join us on Her CEO Journey to explore EDC's strategies for global market entry.Here's what you'll discover:Discover how EDC tailors assistance specifically for your Canadian business.Prepare effectively for partnering with EDC to enter international markets.Explore which of EDC's solution buckets is the right fit for you.Episode Highlights[02:20]Amanda Klucowicz’ Journey[05:21] What EDC Does for Canadian Businesses[09:10] The EDC Experience[12:59] EDC’s Solutions[24:08] What a Business Should Know Before Approaching EDC[33:58] International Business: It’s PossibleResourcesWork with Export Development CanadaConnect with Amanda Klucowicz: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Meet Ashlee Froese, the driving force behind Froese Law, serving as its Founder and CEO. Leading this cross-border legal firm, Ashlee adeptly steers through diverse industries, specializing in key areas like branding, corporate, and commercial law.Ashlee embarked on her legal journey with a clear mission: to empower clients with comprehensive information for informed business decisions and to demystify the legal space, making it accessible to a broader audience.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Ashlee Froese delves into the intricacies of contract writing for international business. While local contracts might seem straightforward with all parties governed by local laws, the international landscape introduces complexities such as:Which laws apply? How does culture come into play? Does ethical approach vary between countries?Join us in this episode of Her CEO Journey to learn the nuances behind contract writing on the international stage.Here's what you'll discover:Learn the essential elements that go into writing contracts for international business.Discover the several factors a company must contemplate before venturing onto the global stage.Understand the nuanced approach required for negotiations and drafting a business contract with international counterparts.Episode Highlights[03:01] Ashlee Froese's CEO Journey[08:18] Fundamental Requirements for International Operations[12:53] Nuances in Domestic Vs International Contracts[17:09] Talking Strategy With Clients[18:24] The Cultural Component[19:55] Protecting Client Interests[25:22] International Considerations for B Corps[29:49] The Strategy Behind Contract Writing[33:40] Negotiating From Step OneResourcesWork with Froese LawConnect with Ashlee Froese: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Each review you write helps us reach more women in business. Your insights are invaluable—share this with your friends and amplify the impact! Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to turn purpose into profit? Transform your financial strategy and embark on a journey toward a sustainable and thriving business. Schedule a chat with the team today!

Navigating the global landscape is crucial for Canadian businesses due to the country's relatively small population — which means that most of your customers and clients are outside the country.In this episode, Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada, shares her expertise in guiding local companies towards international success. She sheds light on leveraging the Trade Commission Service for market entry beyond Canada.Whether you're a Canadian or international company, Sara's insights in this Her CEO Journey episode offer valuable guidance for those venturing into international business.Tune in to discover key considerations for companies transitioning from local to global markets.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Gain insights into the role of Canada's Trade Commission Service in supporting international business.Understand what your company needs to know before entering markets abroad.Explore the specific challenges faced by women-owned businesses when operating globally.Episode Highlights[03:37] Sara Wilshaw's Journey to Becoming Chief Trade Commissioner[07:34] Taking Businesses to the International Stage[11:16] What the Trade Commission Does to Support Businesses[15:04] Entering the International Market[18:34] Challenges Women-Owned Businesses Face When Going International[21:01] Going International: A Walkthrough[27:26] Becoming an International Business[28:53] Diversification and Inclusion[34:50] The Story of WaterShed MonitoringResourcesWork with the Trade Commission ServiceConnect with Sara Wilshaw: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Ever wondered where your money really goes?As a purpose-driven business, you do your best to put your money toward your mission and the world you envision. But every business relies on money, and that involves systems, like processing fees.A virtual CFO can help track every cent of your business's finances. You might be surprised to find a significant percentage going to something as ordinary as processing fees.That's where Shizuka Buckley of Giv Local steps in. Processing fees are okay—they're crucial in today's business world. But Shizuka turns those fees into a force for good in her communities.Join us in this episode to learn more about what goes on in payment processing and how Shizuka is changing it for the better!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find inspiration in Shizuka’s drive to create a payment company that works not for profit, but for the mission.Learn how to overcome the challenges inherent to running a nonprofit.Clarify the opacity surrounding payment processing — and what that means for your business.Episode Highlights[02:40] Shizuka’s CEO Journey[06:48] The Muddiness Of Payment Processing[10:42] What Sets Giv Local Apart[15:50] The Challenges Of Doing Things Differently[18:43] How Giv Local Works[21:03] Growing Giv LocalResourcesGivLocalConnect with Shizuka Buckley: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

In many companies, the main goal is to maximize profits, often overlooking the needs of people and the environment. But that's neither sustainable nor ethical. Liz Rojic experienced this in the fashion industry and bravely decided to challenge the norm. With MZ Made, she crafted a business model that prioritizes mutually beneficial relationships for both the company and its artisans. As entrepreneurs, our focus should be on creating a positive impact rather than just chasing the highest profits.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Liz shares her experiences in building a company grounded in humanism. She emphasizes the importance of adhering to core principles, even in the face of challenges. Join us to gain insights into the significance of cultural values in products, the concept of slow fashion, and how to establish a company that truly embodies its values.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn what it takes to create a humanist company that puts people and the planet ahead of profit.Find inspiration in Liz’s journey of creating a slow fashion brand founded on the principles of fair trade.Discover the kind of funding that’s best for small businesses for good.Episode Highlights[03:21] Liz Rojic's CEO Journey[07:58] A Question of Practicality[15:10] Putting Profit Last in a Labour of Love[19:10] Keeping Principles First[20:42] Funding That Fits Your Values[26:39] Rooted in Justice and Fair Trade[28:43] The Living Wage As A Human Right[30:48] How to Price For The PeopleResourcesUse discount code: HERJOURNEY on the MZ Made online shopMZ MadeConnect with Liz Rojic: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

In a world filled with plastic and single-use packaging, how can we reduce our impact on the environment? We often purchase, use, and discard products daily, but the zero-waste movement encourages both consumers and business owners to be more environmentally responsible.This reflects the values that Allisha Heidts aimed to promote when she founded Chickpeace, a zero-waste refillery. This holiday season, join our special holiday series on Her CEO Journey to embrace mindful gift-giving. Discover how to embark on your zero-waste journey and integrate these important principles into your business with Allisha. From your daily essentials to the gifts you purchase during this season of giving, let's make more responsible choices that benefit the world. Join us in this episode to explore how you can incorporate zero waste and sustainability into your business this upcoming holiday season!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Be inspired by Allisha’s journey and her passion for sustainability and the zero-waste movement.Learn how to bring sustainable values into how you run your business and grow revenue.Become a more responsible and conscious shopper every day, especially this holiday season.Episode Highlights[03:13] Building a Business With Values: Allisha’s Journey[08:03] Sustainability in the Pandemic: The Beginnings of Chickpeace[12:10] Sustainable Shopping Online[13:50] How Chickpeace Chooses Their Products[16:50] Filling the Gaps in the Community With Chickpeace[21:19] Building a Business That Profits and Cares[26:21] Making the Journey Towards Zero Waste[34:45] Conscious Gift Shopping with Zero Waste[38:05] Allisha’s Proudest Business MomentResourcesUse discount code: BCORP15 on the Chickpeace online storeConnect with Allisha Heidt: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Every founder has a team behind them, working together to make the whole business successful. If you're a business owner, you care not only about growing your company but also about your employees' well-being. This includes making sure they earn a living wage and have the support they need. But to make such a big change, you must first ensure your business is prepared. That's where financial planning comes in, a crucial part of building a sustainable business.Over the past four episodes, the Living Wage Series has showcased conversations with remarkable women in business, delving into the implementation of living wages. As we conclude this series, our host, Christina Sjahli, reflects on the valuable insights and experiences shared by each guest. She also emphasizes a critical aspect — the significance of financial planning. As a CFO, Christina breaks down the essential steps in financial planning that empower you to make significant changes like introducing a living wage.If you're keen to ensure your business is ready to start the journey towards a living wage, join Christina in this last episode of the Living Wage Podcast Series.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Recall meaningful insights from the past four episodes of the Living Wage Series.Understand the importance of financial planning as a business owner.Follow the steps of financial planning to make sure you’re ready to implement a living wage or make any big change in your business.Episode Highlights[00:00] Looking Back At The Living Wage Series Episodes [03:10] Series Highlight: The Role Of Financial Planning in Implementing Living Wages[04:09] Step 1: Understand Your Overall Business Financial Health[05:56] Step 2: Perform Costing Exercise[06:55] Step 3: Evaluate Your Pricing[07:49] Step 4: Prepare a Financial Forecast[08:58] Step 5: Prepare a What-If AnalysisEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

Creating positive change sounds like a good idea — and one effective way to achieve it within your company is by implementing a living wage. However, like any worthwhile endeavor, it requires careful planning. Good intentions are a starting point, but thoughtless action can lead to unintended consequences.In the fourth episode of our Living Wage series, we delve into Mari Parker's experiences as the COO of Boldr, where they raised baseline pay to a living wage. We've discussed the importance of living wages for ethical business owners; now, let's explore the implementation process.Providing a living wage shouldn't jeopardize your business. In fact, it can enhance your company's sustainability if integrated effectively. Join us to discover how your business can make this transition.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Create sustainable change in your business that can continue to evolve and meet the challenges of the times.Gain insights into designing an ethical methodology for implementing living wages and new business models.Don’t let setbacks deter you from being a positive force in the world — discover how Boldr used a huge setback as a learning opportunity for the company and its teams.Episode Highlights[03:13] Mari Parker's Roundabout Journey[10:27] Why Boldr is a Better BPO[14:41] What You Need for Sustainable Change[20:20] Differentiating Living Wages and Fair Compensation[27:13] Operating with Transparency[33:49] Absorbing the Impact of Change[38:05] How to Implement Living WagesResourcesBoldr ImpactConnect with Mari Parker: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

At the heart of ethical employment lies our commitment to providing fair compensation to our workers. By fair, we mean more than just meeting the minimum wage. We're dedicated to offering living wages, enabling our employees to lead financially stable lives, free from undue financial stress. This extends beyond wages; it encompasses essential aspects such as healthcare and family well-being. But our responsibility as ethical employers doesn't end when our workers retire from our company. We don't treat our employees as mere tools, used and then discarded when they no longer directly contribute to profits.In our ongoing Living Wage series, we delve into two critical aspects: ethical labour practices and pension support for our valued workers. Joining us in the third episode is Joanna Maiden from SOKO Kenya, who shares her journey of establishing an ethical clothing manufacturing company in Kenya. She went beyond addressing labour and wage concerns; she made sure her people were looked after even during challenging financial times.Join us now on this journey towards ethical employment practices. By doing so, your business can not only thrive financially but also uphold ethical values every step of the way.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Embrace the Courage: Pensions may seem like an additional expense for businesses, but discover why they're an investment well-deserving of your attention.Unlock Valuable Insights: Explore Joanna's journey as she navigated the path to guarantee fair compensation for her employees, not just during their employment but even beyond. Sometimes, it starts even before they become part of the team!Sustain the Ethical Revolution: The definition of an 'ethical employer' continually evolves as we encounter fresh challenges in the modern working world. Stay informed and be part of the ongoing revolution in ethical employment practices.Episode Highlights[03:34] The Effect of a Teacher: Joanna’s CEO Journey[09:11] Transparency in the Fashion Industry[12:04] Limiting Consumption — The Hows and Whys[14:19] Addressing Labour Issues in the Fashion Industry[20:14] How to Be an Ethical Employer[37:11] Continued Support for WorkersResourcesSOKO KenyaSOKO ShopConnect with Joanna: LinkedIn.Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

Success in business is a complex recipe, unique to each company and influenced by various factors. Similarly, the path to fair compensation isn't a one-size-fits-all equation. While numerous websites provide data on what constitutes a fair living wage, they often fail to consider an individual's specific needs and circumstances. The question of what truly defines a living wage demands a deep dive into the data.Our journey into the Living Wage Movement continues as we explore the concept of pay equity. In the second episode of this series, we sit down with Maiya Holliday to understand her innovative approach to ensuring a living wage through pay equity. Unlike a rigid, standardized pay system, Mangrove carefully considers several factors related to each employee's unique needs and situation.Discover how, as an employer, you can use the principles of pay equity to ensure that every member of your team receives compensation that empowers them, regardless of their location.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover how to balance impact, success, sustainability, and a fair living wage within your company through the lens of pay equity.Learn  from the insightful questions that Maiya had to explore and ask when addressing fair compensation in an impact-driven business.Don't settle for the minimum — find out how your company can ensure a high quality of life for its people while maintaining excellent levels of success.Episode Highlights[03:17] Maiya’s Journey from Self-Taught Coding to Mangrove[11:44] How Mangrove Fits in the B Corp Framework[15:03] Defining Pay Equity[24:05] How Mangrove Created Pay Equity[38:54] Answering the Question of Fair Pay[44:29]Steps to Building a Sustainable Impact BusinessResourcesMangrove Web DevelopmentConnect with Maiya: LinkedIn.Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

Creating meaningful impact as a business is more than just ensuring your customers receive the best services and products. It's also about creating a positive impact on the lives of your employees and the communities you serve. One powerful way you can achieve this is by embracing the concept of a living wage. This transformative approach ensures that individuals can lead healthy lives, with access to basic needs like shelter and nutritious food. No longer will anyone struggle to make a living; a living wage paves the way for dignity and stability.Our journey into the Living Wage Movement begins here. We delve into what it truly means to implement a living wage and the profound effects it can have on your team. Joining us is Michelle Murray, the CEO of Living Wage For Us, in this inaugural episode.Michelle's insights shed light on the attainability of a living wage, dispelling any daunting myths. As time progresses, the benefits of this endeavor can become a reality for all.We firmly believe that a life of dignity should be the norm, not the exception. Gain a deeper understanding of the living wage as we explore its impact and consider becoming a part of this movement.3 reasons why you won't want to miss the full episode:Transform your business, empower your employees, and uplift your community by embracing the living wage standard.Don’t be daunted. Michelle guides you through the steps to initiate a living wage culture within your business.Find out how financial planning is crucial in your journey towards having a living wage.Episode Highlights[03:19] Michelle’s Winding Journey Towards Living Wage[11:56] Defining Living Wage[17:29] Steps Towards Achieving a Living Wage[20:55] The Best Time to Start the Journey[23:00] The Benefits of Living Wage[26:44] The Gaps in the Living Wage Movement[34:16] How Living Wage Contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals[41:43] The Importance of Financial Planning in Achieving a Living Wage[46:14] Working with Living Wage For USResourcesLiving Wage For USGlobal Living Wage CoalitionConnect with Michell Murray: LinkedIn | Email | Contact Us Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

As a woman entrepreneur, you have the power to lead a profitable business that makes an impact. You'll hone your skills, take action and make authentic decisions that will put you on your own path to success. It may be a difficult journey ahead, but fortunately, the stories of successful women in business can guide your way. Take inspiration from the trailblazers who show you the possibilities of changing the world as a woman business owner. Her CEO Journey Podcast tells these stories that inspire people on their own CEO journeys. In this episode, we celebrate 200 episodes of smart tips and exceptional guests on the show. Each episode shows you that it's possible to make a profit and make an impact at the same time. We look back at these interviews that truly inspired listeners and left us with new learnings and hope for a better world built by women in business.What’s your favourite episode? Join us in celebrating 200 episodes of women empowering women here on Her CEO Journey!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Remember what it means to grow slowly and build a business in Kresse Wesling’s journey.Help create opportunities and empower other communities as a business owner with Fatima AlvarezListen again to Masami Sato's journey of helping businesses all around the world make an impact together.Episode Highlights[00:04] Celebrating 200 Episodes of Her CEO Journey[01:48] Episode Highlight: The Journey of Kresse Wesling [05:40] Episode Highlight: The Journey of Fatima Alvarez[11:30] Episode Highlight: The Journey of Masami SatoResourcesA Rescue Mission: Changing the World through Rescue, Transformation and Donation — The Journey of Kresse WeslingSomeone Somewhere: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty - The Journey of Fatima AlvarezBuilding Sustainable Impact In Your Business With the B1G1 Initiative - The Journey of Masami SatoConnect with Kresse Wesling: LinkedIn | Elvis & KresseConnect with Fatima Alvarez: LinkedIn | Someone SomewhereConnect with Kresse Wesling: Website | Profile | B1G1Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteConnect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Many businesses strive to create lasting social impact. To pursue this mission, you can invest in multiple endeavors and work with as many groups as you prefer. However, there’s one step you need to take for your efforts to truly matter. Listen to the people you want to serve; understand their needs. Alicia Wallace is the co-founder and COO of All Across Africa. She was driven to help people even before the organization's founding. By working with African families, they’ve created and refined a people-powered approach to enriching lives. And she’s joining us in this episode to share how they made this possible. Alicia also talks about the value of revenue and impact partners for social enterprises.Do you want to maximize your business’s potential and fulfill your purpose? Make sure you tune in to this episode to learn more!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the power of listening to make a significant impact.Learn about the importance of revenue generation for social enterprises.See the value of getting expert help to boost your impact.Episode Highlights[03:05] The Origin Story of All Across Africa[11:57] Building All Across Africa’s Cooperative Business Model[20:54] The Operations of All Across Africa[23:17] Working with Non-Public Benefit Corporations[29:20] Growing Revenue, Expanding Impact[33:33] The Cooperative Business Model & Impact Strategy[42:43] Impact Strategy Creation & Impact Reporting[46:47] Alicia’s Proudest Moment in Her Impact JourneyResourcesLearn more about All Across Africa: Website | LinkedInConnect with Alicia Wallace: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Learn more about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

How do you know if your company is creating the difference it wants to be in the world?There’s a powerful quote by Peter Drucker, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” For a social impact business for whom the mission is paramount, knowing your impact is critical. Enter impact reporting: an impact report measures and tells your company’s story. It’s a powerful tool that can help grow several aspects of your company.In this episode, Polina Pinchevsky, CEO and co-founder of Unit of Impact, talks about what you can do when you keep track of the difference you’re making. She shares how she and her co-founders saw the need for an impact-reporting platform and founded Unit of Impact. Together, they make it easier for small businesses to measure their impact and understand what they can do to grow their profit and their impact.Curious about how you can keep track of the impact your business makes? Tune in to this episode to learn more.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover creative ways to use your impact reportFind an easier way to collect your data and track your impact with Unit of ImpactLearn to focus and understand the difference you’re making with your impact report.Episode Highlights[02:18] Polina’s Journey Into Social Impact Businesses[10:08] The Value of Impact Reporting [13:42] Keeping Up With Data Collection[15:19] How Unit of Impact Makes Impact Reports Easy  [19:12] Different Aspects of Unit of Impact [27:57] Eight Steps to Creating Your Impact Report [32:16] Focusing Your Impact [38:01] The Future for Unit of Impact ResourcesLearn more about Unit of Impact: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | BlogRound Peg creative agency founded by Polina PinchevskyOliver Russel branding agency founded by Russ StoddardWeFunderNew Leaf PaperConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

What does it mean to be a climate-positive company? Is it easy to become one?Aiming for a goal that seems unclear — or even detrimental — is hard. Many business owners tend to focus on profit. They keep their company running, create a great product, and have excellent sales. Why focus on the environment when it eats into profits?But as companies, we can do more. And what's more: being an environmental solution doesn't cut into your profits — it increases them.In this episode, Tesh Randall of Raglan Food Co. is here to inspire you to take action and dream big. She talks about how her company became New Zealand’s first Carbon-Zero-certified yogurt company and is set to become Carbon Positive in the near future. She shares tips on how to start a carbon-zero company and what to take into consideration. She also shares how you can impact your people, community, and environment, while still making a profit.If you want to learn more about how you can make an impact with your business, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn how your business can become a Carbon-Zero Certified company, just like Raglan Food Co. Realize the importance of finance and profits when creating an impactful business.Discover the journey of Tesh and Raglan Food Co. and learn from their insights and challenges. Episode Highlights[02:17] Tesh’s Journey to Raglan Food Co.  [0:555] Businesses’ Responsibility to the Environment [07:39] What a Carbon-Zero Certified Business Looks Like[11:53] What’s Next for Raglan Food Co.?  [14:17] Raglan Food Co.’s Challenges [15:54] How the Finances Work [19:10] How Investors Affect the Business  [23:56] What Tesh Learned  ResourcesLearn more about Raglan Food Co.: Website I Instagram I Facebook   Connect with Tesh: LinkedIn    Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Your spending can change the world. How you spend your money makes a difference. Conscious consumerism, if done by enough people, can make huge leaps toward solving our current climate crisis.Businesses have the biggest impact on the climate, but consumers are the reasons behind their choices. We speak and vote with our wallets. Business-as-usual practices will persist if they see no benefit to change. Once they see consumers demand sustainability, the rest will follow.  In this episode, Cathryn Peirce dives into how something as everyday as our credit card transactions can change the world. As the co-founder and CEO of Carbon Zero Financial, she helps consumers realize the carbon footprint of their purchases and start taking action. Join us as Cathryn talks about Carbon Zero Financial's mission to simplify carbon-neutral living and make it the new standard. If you want to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint with your purchases, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn how your purchases and transactions can be the solution to climate change. Find out how we can change consumption habits towards sustainable alternatives. Discover how Carbon Zero Financial works, improve your spending habits and link you to a sustainable marketplace. Episode Highlights[02:35] Cathryn’s Journey [04:16] Behavior Change and Carbon Zero Financial  [05:33] The Power of Your Spend and Carbon Zero Financial [08:25] Carbon Zero for Small Businesses [11:22] What is Carbon Sequestration [14:29] How to Think About Carbon Impact [15:43] Change is Possible [18:57] How Carbon Zero Financial Works [22:54] Cathryn’s ReminderResourcesLearn more about Carbon Zero FinancialConnect with Cathryn: Website I LinkedIn I Instagram I Twitter I Email  Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

All business owners and humans living on the planet make an environmental impact. When the planet faces problems like climate change, we are also affected. It's up to us to be aware of the planet's struggles we face today and be part of an environmental solution.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we invited Jenny Morgan, Market Development Manager of Tradewater, to share their solutions to the climate crisis. She talks about how they reduce the world's carbon footprint. Jenny also explains what small and big businesses can do to reduce their carbon emissions and how we can work together to make a positive impact. If you want to discover how you can do your part in helping save the planet, join us in our conversation with Jenny.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand why climate risks threaten profitability.Learn how a business can determine its emissions and go carbon neutral — or even carbon negative!Discover how any business can contribute to an environmental solution to the climate crisis.Episode Highlights[02:20] Jenny’s Journey to Make Impact With Tradewater[05:05] Tradewater’s Immediate and Impactful Solutions[11:22] How Businesses Can Make an Environmental Impact[13:29] The Pros and Cons of Carbon Financing[16:22] Going Beyond in Reducing Carbon Emissions[19:36] Working With Tradewater[23:23] B Corporations for Climate Impact and Awareness[27:30] The Challenges in Making an Environmental ImpactResourcesTradewater and its free business calculatorConnect with Jenny: LinkedIn | EmailConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Do you know what's in your beauty products? You may think of the active ingredients and their effectiveness in your beauty routine. Do you ever think about whether they have microplastics in them and how your packaging is most likely single-use? Most people think plastics are limited to things we can see — from plastic bags to plastic bottles. The truth is that microplastics are everywhere in the beauty industry. For example, nylon is often used to make products feel smoother. In this episode, Jo Chidley shares her journey to reduce plastics in the beauty industry through Beauty Kitchen and Re. She shares that 95% of beauty packaging is single-use — and most of them never get recycled. Faced with this problem, she created Re, a reuse packaging infrastructure supporting Beauty Kitchen and other beauty brands. If you want to learn more about how to reimagine the beauty industry and how you can start applying a circular economy concept to your business, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how the beauty industry uses plastics not just for their packaging but also as beauty product ingredients. Learn how Beauty Kitchen and Re are changing the standards in the beauty industry by using sustainable materials and the circular economy concept. Understand how reuse is the future of packaging and how your business can apply the concept. Episode Highlights[02:35] Introducing Jo and Beauty Kitchen [05:55] How Big Businesses Work [08:33] How to Make Sustainability Part of Your Business [11:04] What are Microplastics? [14:31] Rethinking Beauty Packaging [21:26] The Beauty of Reuse [24:54] Transition to Reuse Packaging [29:08] How Business can Apply a Reuse Model [31:15] BCorps vs Cradle to Cradle [33:36] The Importance of Certification ResourcesCheck out a previous Her CEO Journey episode, Saving the Earth Through Compostable Packaging - The Journey of Kate FlynnBeauty Kitchen: Website I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram I Youtube I TikTok I LinkedIn. Re: Website I Twitter I LinkedInB Corporations: WebsiteEllen MacArthur Foundation: WebsiteCradle to Cradle Institute: WebsiteConnect with Jo Chidley: LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy?  Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

Almost every product-based industry uses plastic — including the food industry. However, it also significantly contributes to pollution, harming the environment and humanity. As business owners, our decisions about how we run our business can help reduce our plastic footprint. Switching to plastic-free might be challenging, but it makes the world a better place.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Kate Flynn, Co-founder and CEO of Sun & Swell, talks about how they continue to evolve and innovate to find an answer to the plastic problem. She talks about her journey as a pioneer of compostable packaging and the challenges they overcame along the way. Kate gives great insights and tips about how businesses can find ways to improve packaging and help reduce their plastic footprint.If you want to learn more about how you can make an impact with a profitable business, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the challenges in making the switch from plastic to compostable.Discover how Sun & Swell balances doing good and making a profit.Find out your options for making your business more sustainable.Episode Highlights[02:45] How Kate Started Her Journey[06:18] A Company That’s More Than Just Profit[109:19] Sourcing Organic[11:30] Sun & Swell’s Products and Innovation[17:27] Adapting to Compostable Materials[25:10] Revolution for Food Packaging[26:38] Balancing Mission and Profitability[28:35] Stepping Away From Plastic PackagingResourcesSun & Swell WebsiteApple Pie BitesFudge Brownie BitesConnect with Kate Flynn: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

How can a business be both profitable and a force of positive change in the world? Most entrepreneurs think they need to choose one or the other. But this isn’t true! More and more businesses are seeing the possibility of doing both at the same time, without sacrificing profit for impact.One vital area of environmental impact is plastic waste. We produce 300 million tons of plastic waste every year, and 14 million tons end up in our oceans.  In this episode, Maria McDonald from United By Blue dives into how environmental impact is at the core of their business model. She talks about their one-for-one model, the Quit Single Use policy, and vendor and manufacturer agreements. Maria imparts her journey and shares the possibility of businesses changing the world one less plastic at a time. If you want to learn how you can balance profitability and environmental impact for your business, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand how a business can be profitable without compromising their environmental impact. Learn how your business for good can reduce plastic waste.Realize how environmental impact can be the heart and soul of your business model.Episode Highlights[02:11] Maria’s Journey to United By Blue [05:29] How United By Blue Works[10:44] How Pricing Works in the Fashion Industry [14:42] The Quit Single Use Pledge  [20:57] United By Blue’s Experience with Cutting Out Plastic [27:30] Sustainability and the Supply Chain[31:30] The Difficulties of No Single-Use Plastics  [33:52] Brand Partners and Sustainability [40:34] How Sustainability Works with Finance[46:16] United By Blue’s Cleanups[49:56] A Future Without PlasticResourcesUnited By Blue: Website | Facebook | Instagram  Connect with Maria: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Profit Reimagined: LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

Is life without plastic really possible? With all kinds of plastics integrated into our daily lives, it’s impossible to never use plastic. So many people think living a plastic-free life rests on our individual shoulders, but what we really need is collective change. If we can’t rely on just our individual efforts, where should we start?In this episode, Chantal Plamondon shares her journey of founding Life Without Plastics, offering alternative products to plastic. She uses her platform not only to offer products but also to educate her audience on how to reduce plastic consumption and exposure. Chantal also shares practical tips on how you can start creating a life without plastic and find ways to be better. If you are looking for a way to reduce your plastic waste and consumption, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the negative impact of our heavy reliance on plastic items.Understand the common misconception about living a plastic-free life. Discover ways to reduce both plastic consumption and exposure in your everyday life. Episode Highlights[01:40] Why Chantal Launched Life Without Plastic[04:02] The Purpose of Life Without Plastic[10:00] How to Be Better [13:13] The Common Misconception About a Plastic-Free Life[16:43] Recommendations to Reduce Plastic Consumption[19:06] Small Steps to a Plastic-Free Life [23:05] Life Without Plastic’s Business and BCorp CertificationEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with the TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

Many entrepreneurs believe building a profitable business is not possible without harming the environment. This is simply untrue. There is a way to create profit while also actively reducing your plastic, water, and carbon footprint. You can contribute by educating your consumers about more sustainable ways of living.In this episode, Anie Rouleau shares her journey as the CEO of Unscented Co. She founded a profitable home and body care business that protects the environment. Anie uses her company as a force for good. She is continuously redefining the notion of cleanliness to sustain a more eco-conscious lifestyle. All the while, Anie educates other business owners on how to reduce their environmental footprint. She believes that they can still grow their profit by using mission-driven financial strategies. Listen as Anie tackles how sustainability and profitability can co-exist in business.If you are looking for a way to turn your company into a more eco-conscious organization, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how you can create profit for your business in an environmentally sustainable way.Understand how a good business model affects the sustainability of a mission-driven business.Learn about the different ways you can reduce your plastic, water, and carbon footprints.Episode Highlights[03:35] How Anie Started Her Journey in Pursuing Environmental Awareness[09:36] The Products that Started Unscented Co.[12:32] Going 100% Plastic Free[15:11] What’s in the Pipeline for Unscented Co.[18:18] Understanding Business Finances to Control Growth[20:45] Creating a Sustainable and Profitable Business Model[27:09] Reducing the Business’ Carbon Footprint29:24] How to Start Living a More Sustainable LifeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with the TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

Rural communities have a simple way of life. Many people living here focus on creating a better life for their families and community. However, they lack opportunities to gain financial stability and move to big cities to support their families. Fortunately, we can change this narrative. Businesses like Someone Somewhere work to create an economic, cultural and social impact on indigenous communities that strive to grow.In this episode, Fatima Alvarez, the co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of Someone Somewhere, joins us to talk about making an impact in different communities. We explore their business model and how it teaches artisans to improve their craft and lead an organization. Fatima tells the story of empowerment, growth and change within the communities as they take control and become leaders of their lives.Tune into the conversation to learn more about how business can create opportunities and have a lasting impact on indigenous communities.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the four stages for artisans in the Pathway Business ModelFind empowerment as a woman in business to support your family with businessDiscover how you can stay profitable and keep up with the competition while making a social impact.Episode Highlights[03:11] The Roots of Someone Somewhere[12:21] The Pathway Business Model[19:49] Leadership in the Artisan Community[25:21] Empowering Women Artisans[32:10] Making a Profit and an Impact[36:50] Keeping Up With The Competitive Market[42:43] Having a Climate Neutral CertificationEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Peace is something valuable to have in the community. So many people experience having their peaceful lives taken away from them and struggle to rebuild their lives. From war and crime to family and personal matters, our peaceful lives can crumble at any moment. Fortunately, businesses can play a part in promoting peace in the community!In the second episode of our Christmas series, Susan Morrison joins us to talk about how their business promotes peace. Peace By Chocolate is a business that values peace and aims to share it with the world. Today, they’re successfully working towards promoting peace. Susan tells the story behind the business and why they want to share their message of peace through chocolates. She shares what they do to give back to the community through their business practices and programs.If you want to learn about the value of peace and how you can give back to the community, tune in to this episode!And if you are still looking for wholesome holiday presents, you can use the Her CEO Journey exclusive code: “MISSION15“ for a one-time 15% discount on their website. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Listen and learn from the story of the Hadhad Family and why peace is vital for every person or community.Discover how purpose-oriented branding can make products stand out among others.Find out how you can give the gift of peace this Christmas seasonEpisode Highlights[02:40] Susan’s Journey Into the Food Industry[05:30] The Story of the Hadhad Family[08:33] Rebuilding the Business Piece by “Peace”[12:08] What Makes Peace By Chocolate Stand Out [13:39] The Community Behind the Business[17:42] Giving the Gift of Peace this Holiday SeasonEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

Do you think a business can be both profitable and a force of positive change in the world? The answer is a resounding yes — you don't have to sacrifice profit or impact. Entrepreneurs worldwide have innovative ideas and products that meet the needs of different communities. However, businesses still need to keep an eye on your finances. Balancing profitability and making an impact is a challenging role you need to play.In this episode, Seungah Jeong dives into how she kept the heart of the company while making a profit as the president and CEO of MPOWERD. She shares her journey and tells the stories of how their business has benefited over 3 million people worldwide. Join us as Seungah talks about the mission driving MPOWERD and the business model that makes it all possible to be a business for profit and for good.If you want to learn more about how you can make an impact with a profitable business, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the importance of getting to know and adapting to the people you want to help.Find out how business and innovation can solve the world's problems.Discover the power of the consumers and help outside the business to stay profitableEpisode Highlights[03:01] Seungah’s Journey with MPOWERD[08:30] MPOWERD's Mission[17:46] The Impact of Business and the Consumers[25:09] Empowering Change[32:04] The Future of MPOWERD and Innovation[34:46] Educating and Inspiring the Next Generation[36:57] Keeping the Business Impactful and ProfitableResourcesUse discount code “HERCEO” for a 20% discount on MPOWERDMPOWERD websiteMPOWERD Give Luci Donation ProgramMPOWERD Products:Luci Solar Bike Light SetLuci 44” Solar String LightBuild-Your-Own Luci KitLuci ColorLuci Base LanternLuci CandleViri Rechargeable BatteriesConnect with Seungah: LinkedInConnect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit ReimaginedReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team at any time.

What happens when the economy drastically shifts? Will your business survive? We’ve seen this in the wake of the pandemic where companies were forced to change or close. This is where forecasting comes in. Most people think forecasting is future-proofing and predicting the future in some way, but that’s not the case. Instead, forecasting is a continuous process that allows you to know when you need to change. Don’t leave it up to chance. We’re taking you through the six steps of intentional and purposeful forecasting and how it can help you make better business decisions, even when times are tough. If you want to learn how you can use forecasting to protect and grow your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the importance of forecasting and how it can help you make decisions. Learn the 6 steps of intentional and purposeful forecasting.Find out the most important step that most business owners forget about when doing forecasting. Episode Highlights[01:04] What is Forecasting? [02:28] Step 1: What’s Your Impact? [04:29] Step 2: Data Gathering [05:44] Step 3: Data Analysis   [06:33] Step 4: Make Assumptions    [07:58] Step 5: Financial Forecasting     [08:15] Step 6: Update the Forecasting  Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time

Are you a small business owner aiming to increase your positive impact on the community and the world? You likely already have plans for your company's growth. However, as you scale, the tools that served you as a smaller business won't be effective or sustainable. You'll need a better way to bridge your financial data and future business goals. That's where Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) plays a role.In this episode, Viviana Borzuchowski tackles the relevance of using an FP&A tool to set up your business for sustainable growth. She shares her knowledge and insights on financial management that she has gathered through years of experience working with different business organizations. Listen as Viviana explains the whys and hows of FP&A, specifically highlighting why business forecasting software is more effective than typical spreadsheet monitoring. If you want to learn more about how FP&A works, tune in to this episode now!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the challenges of financial clarity faced by many small business owners.Find out how FP&A helps businesses use their financial data to achieve business goals.Understand the reasons business owners struggle with FP&A.Episode Highlights[03:07] Viviana’s Journey Working with Jirav[07:05] Defining FP&A[11:24] The Limits of Excel Spreadsheet[12:30] What Jirav Serves to Clients[17:44] Common Struggles Business Owners Face with FP&A[20:19] Understanding Your Business Model and Goals[21:39] Why You Need a Fractional CFOResourcesConnect with Viviana: LinkedInFind out more about Jirav: Website Connect with Christina Sjahli: LinkedIn Find out about Profit Reimagined: LinkedIn | Website Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

So you’ve decided to become a B Corp. Congratulations! You’re taking an important step in advancing corporate responsibility and sustainable practices. But before you dive in, you need to prepare. Becoming a business for good requires significant planning. However, the rewards are more than worth it!In this conversation, we discuss how businesses can prepare for the new BIA. We explore maximizing the Impact Assessment to create better practices and processes for your company. We discuss the new requirements for B Corp Certification, so businesses can prepare for them now.If you want to learn to prepare for B Corp Certification, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the challenges in getting a B Corp Certification.Find out how to streamline your processes and maintain sustainable practices.Understand and prepare for the upcoming changes in the Impact Assessment.Episode Highlights[02:35] Updates on Cultivating Capital[05:33] Challenges in Getting a B Corp Certification [08:16] Knowing What You Need to Focus On[10:29] How to Keep Up the Momentum[13:55] Navigating the Changes in the Impact Assessment[19:46] The Impact on Small Businesses[21:53] Preparing for the Upcoming Changes[24:31] How a Fractional Chief Impact Officer Can HelpEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Maximizing profits doesn’t have to come at the cost of increased and negative environmental impact. In fact, environmentally friendly companies may find that they reduce costs and increase profit margins when they hit their sustainability goals.There are many paths to success, but for Claire Watkin, that means doing business different, and doing business better. Claire Watkin is the Managing Director of Trendsetter International, a certified B Corporation that produces high-quality and environmentally friendly bedding products. Claire Watkin and Trendsetter International’s journey to success is a grand journey of constant change and improvement, proving that the key to success lies in adaptability and continual monitoring of your business. They also showcase the benefits of having a strong financial strategy that begins before a financial year rolls around.Episode Highlights[05:02] Claire Watkin’ CEO Journey[07:48] Becoming a Certified B Corp[11:06] Challenges of Getting B Corp Certification[12:18] Continually Evolving Standards[18:26] Balancing Purpose and ProfitResources:Profit Reimagined™ Inc. is now a Certified B Corporation™!Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit Trendsetter International’s WebsiteYou can find Trendsetter in the US here, or in the UK here.Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™ Team.

Investing in your workers is one of the smartest things you can do for your business. When you invest in your employees, you're investing in the future of your company. A well-trained, motivated workforce is essential to any businesses' success. By doing so, you're also investing in yourself. It can lead to increased profits, improved morale, and a better overall work experience for everyone involved.Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse, a luxury upcycled accessories brand and a passionate sustainability advocate, recognizes that being a CEO and a remarkable leader demands investing in employees. She made certain that her employees felt seen, heard, and secure as she expanded Elvis and Kresse without any external funding.If you want to learn how to make your business sustainable while also investing in your employees, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how sustainability drives profitability.Learn how you can build an upcycled business without any external funding.Collaborate with your employees, with agencies, and with like-minded brand owners to scale up your business.Episode Highlights[03:32] The Awakening of the Entrepreneur[06:48] Maximizing Venture Capital[09:32] Upcycle and the Environment[13:32] Balancing Planet and Profit[16:04] Funding the Startup[23:38] Developing the Best Workforce[32:09] Financial PlanningEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With The Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our team.

When you’re running a business, it’s tempting to view your employees as expendable resources. After all, you’re the one taking all the risks, so you should be the one calling all the shots. But if you want to create a sustainable business, it’s important to remember that your people are your most valuable asset.Susana Guerra of Legacy Vacation Resorts understood that valuing the talent and purpose in your company gives you a competitive edge. When she became Corporate Director of Talent and Purpose at Legacy Vacation Resorts, she persisted in creating a people first culture where employees are treated fairly, kindly, and equitably so that they—and the company itself—can truly thrive.Employees are valuable to a company. But what many business owners don’t know is how to properly nurture and value their people’s skills and abilities. If you want to find out how to unlock your employees’ potential and bring success to your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the importance of creating a people first culture.Learn how to put your people first through empathy, communication, and equitability.Find out why you need an employee loan program and how to implement it.Episode Highlights[03:42] From HR to Corporate Director[07:43] Steering Toward a Values Aligned Company[09:58] Challenges in Dealing with the Labor Aspect[13:21] The Power of Empathy and Effective Communication[20:35] Treating People Equitably[21:37] Why Employee Loan Programs are Important[29:24] Difficulties in Implementing a Loan Program[34:14] How to Implement Loan ProgramsEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With The Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our team.

One of the first things a leader will look for when hiring someone is their abilities. What are their skills? What level of education did they reach? Have they worked in a particular field before? These are all excellent questions to ask — after all, realizing your vision requires having the best talents on your team. But what are we really asking for when we interview a potential hire? When you look at an applicant’s resume, there’s a specific thing that defines whether you decide that one person is better than the rest: their experiences.Eden Laurin of Nyssa understood that a person's experiences are critical to their performance and capacity to align with a company's vision. As she built Nyssa, she held true to that idea to ensure that her team would be the best at their jobs while also being cared for by the company.Find someone who’s been in your shoes, and you’ve found someone who aligns with your mission. If you’re looking to discover how to craft a robust company culture, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the value of shared experiences.Learn what to look for when you want someone to align with your mission and vision.Find out why the best employees are people who understand what you’ve been through.Episode Highlights[03:47] From a School to CEO and Founder of Nyssa[11:43] Solving ‘Unmentionables’[16:24] Adapting to the COVID Pandemic[18:50] Diversifying Products[20:59] The Value of Shared Experiences[29:02] Building the Culture and Team you Want[36:36] From a Personal Place: Eden’s UnmentionableEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Any leader wants their business to become successful. If you’re running a mission driven business, you’ll want to drive social change, too. So you might focus on strategy and profit more than anything else. But what most people tend to forget is that there is a gap between strategy and results—and people are the ones who bridge that gap.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Lisa Hannum from Beehive shares her journey in building her own people centered business. Investing in people creates driven, empowered, and thriving employees. And that creates a driven, empowered, and thriving business.Put people first and success will follow. If you want to learn how to invest in people and create sustainable growth and social impact, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the benefits of putting people first.Learn the key elements and concrete steps in creating a people first culture.Find out why you need to hire a financial partner as early as now.Episode Highlights[02:36] How and why Lisa built Beehive[05:23] The thought process behind people first[09:56] Creating a culture of flow[19:03] How to create a people first culture[26:02] Challenges in building a people first culture[32:23] Why salary transparency is key[40:04] Finding a financial partner[47:26] How small businesses can invest in peopleEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Many business owners worry about loss of profit because of the sustainable changes they may want to make. However, sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive. When you know your business, focus on the right factors and make the small changes towards creating a positive impact, you can achieve better business outcomes. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Cindy Bohlen from Riverwater Partners shares her journey into sustainable investing. In the past, she never knew that sustainability created better outcomes in business. She discusses the benefits of focusing on ESG factors and how you can make small changes to become more sustainable and profitable.If you want to learn how you can further secure your business’s data, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how sustainability drives profitability.Learn how you can collaborate with your stakeholders to improve your sustainability.Find out the small changes you can make towards a positive impact and better business outcomes.Episode Highlights[03:30] Cindy’s CEO Journey into sustainable investing.[05:23] Proof that sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive[08:23] The spectrum of ESG investing and its different forms.[14:57] The link between sustainable factors, better outcomes and profitability.[17:53] The three pillars of sustainability.[22:28] A collaborative approach between stakeholders and businesses for positive impact.[26:00] Focusing on critical factors for sustainability.[30:02] The vital role of a CFO in strategy and sustainability.[33:56] How non-financial factors actually have a financial impact.[41:54] What you, as a mission-driven business owner, can do to create positive change.Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the team.

So you’ve managed to grow your small business into a thriving enterprise.First of all, congratulations!But with greater success comes more responsibilities, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for you to manage everything on your own. Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed with all of your duties. Or your business is going through a big project or shift. Or maybe you're having trouble smoothening those wrinkles in your finances.That’s where fractional CFO services can help.By bringing experienced financial expertise into your company, fractional CFOs can help you make smarter decisions to increase profitability and sustainability. And in the case of Community Credit Lab, fractional CFO services helped them in their acquisition process.In this solo Her CEO Journey episode, Christina shares the journey of one of their clients, Community Credit Lab. As a mission-driven CFO, Christina is passionate about helping clients succeed and amplify their impact. So she shares the reasons why Community Credit Lab had decided to enlist the help of a fractional CFO and the value you can get from them.If you're thinking about getting fractional CFO services but are unsure of the practical value they bring to your business, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn from the journey of Community Credit Lab.Understand how a fractional CFO streamlines acquisitions.Find out what you can accomplish when you work side by side with a fractional CFO aligned with your mission and values.Episode Highlights[01:33] About Community Credit Lab[03:15] Why They Enlisted Profit Reimagined’s Fractional CFO Services[04:44] What Community Credit Lab Accomplished Through Our Partnership[07:31] Three Lessons You Can Learn From CCL’s SuccessEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

Many business owners wear all the hats, particularly in growing companies. Doing all the duties yourself seems like the best use of your time. After all, you know your company best, right?However, the truth is as your business grows, more and more things can slip through the cracks — especially if some of your duties are outside your field of expertise.In this solo Her CEO Journey episode, Christina shares a practical case study in which Profit Reimagined helped a client overcome financial trouble. As a mission-driven CFO, Christina wants to ensure that your business for good succeeds. Thus, she’ll also share four critical steps any business owner should take to ensure stability and success in their business.If you’ve been considering the benefits of a fractional CFO for some time now but want the proof that it works, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn four critical steps to maintaining profitability.Find out practical, actionable steps a fractional CFO can take to ensure your business success.Understand the optimal relationship between a business owner and a fractional CFO.Episode Highlights[01:21] Martha’s Financial Problems[06:19] How Profit Reimagined Helps Solve Your Financial Problems[10:43] Three Things You Can Learn from Martha’s SuccessEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

You know what they say: if you want something done right, do it yourself.But what happens when you're so bogged down with the daily operations of your business that you don't have time to focus on long-term strategy? That's where a fractional CFO comes in—and it might be the best decision you ever make for your business.However, hiring a fractional CFO isn't a quick fix to your financial adversities. A fractional CFO can help protect your company from costly mistakes and help it grow into the successful business you always dreamed it could be — but it's a strategic move. And as with any strategic asset, it's critical to understand when to utilize it or invest elsewhere.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Christina will share the powerful reasons why you should invest in a fractional CFO and how to hire the right person for this critical role.If you want to find out if you should invest in a fractional CFO, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find out five critical reasons to hire a fractional CFO.Understand at a glance the value a fractional CFO brings to your company.Learn four reasons a fractional CFO might not be best for you at the moment.Episode Highlights[02:45] Why You Should Invest in a Fractional CFO[05:01] Why You Should NOT Invest in a Fractional CFO[07:49] How to Hire the Right Fractional CFOEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

As a business owner, you know there are a lot of important decisions to make, and not enough hours in the day to make them all. That’s why it’s crucial to have someone you can trust to help you make sound financial decisions for your business. Enter the fractional CFO.But don’t let the name fool you: a fractional CFO isn’t just for businesses that are struggling with their finances. In fact, there are a number of benefits to having a fractional CFO—regardless of your business’ size or stage of development. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Christina will share the seven benefits of investing in a fractional CFO.If you want to learn how a fractional CFO can help you reach financial stability and elevate your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the benefits of hiring a fractional CFO.Discover how a fractional CFO can help with your finances and mission.Determine whether or not you need a fractional CFO.Episode Highlights[02:23] Benefit #1: Proactive Planning for Smoother Cash Flow [03:26] Benefit #2: Analyzing Financial Statements [04:31] Benefit #3: Better Budgeting and Financial Forecasts [05:37] Benefit #4: Problem Solving Together[07:40] Benefit #5: Saving Time and Resources[08:49] Benefit #6: Reducing Overall Business Risks[09:55] Benefit #7: Unique Financial ExpertiseEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined team.

As a mission-driven entrepreneur, you want to ensure your finances are in order so your business can continue to serve its purpose. A common concern for founders like yourself is how to overcome and recover from financial adversity. When this happens, your first thought may be to focus on marketing and sales to reach your financial goal. While profitability is vital, it’s simply one part of the equation. You should also get your finances checked and optimized. While you or your finance team may do this yourself, it might be a better idea to hire a fractional CFO.Running a social impact business is no small feat. Supporting it during economic downturns is even harder. Not everyone has the financial know-how to deal with these issues effectively. With their skills in financial planning, a fractional CFO can help your business reach new heights while navigating through changes in a dynamic market. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand how your business can benefit from hiring a fractional CFO.Receive top tips on how a fractional CFO can help you overcome financial adversity.Analyze your business and see if your company is ready to maximize fractional CFO services.Episode Highlights[01:00] What to Do About Financial Adversities[03:25] What Is a Fractional CFO?[04:33] Does your Business Need a Fractional CFO?[09:51] How Profit Reimagined Helps Your Social Impact BusinessEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our team.

Welcome back to the Growth Podcast Series inside Her CEO Journey. Over the last few weeks, starting from Episode 164 to 172, we share the puzzle pieces you need to grow a sustainable and profitable business. But none of these strategies matters unless you as a founders is ready to understand the financial numbers of your business. We are not talking about many numbers; only one number matters. And this one number can tell you if you are growing a sustainable and profitable business. You're listening to Her CEO Journey, the business finance podcast for mission-driven women entrepreneurs. I'm your host, Christina Sjahli. If you are new here, a big, warm welcome. If we are not connected on LinkedIn, please reach out and say hi because that's where I hang out and share my business finance tips. If you have been listening to this podcast for a while and you are a regular listener, I want you to know I appreciate you. My podcast won't be around without your support. This is a free weekly show where my guests and I want to inspire you to balance between mission and profit to create an impact in this world and to achieve financial equality through your business for good.As mission-driven founders who are busy scaling your business, unfortunately, like it or not, you still need to understand your financial numbers. No other option. But we will make it simple for you. In this solo episode, we will share with you one number and by understanding this one number, you will quickly find out where is the problem. The one number that matters to you and your business is called the gross margin. So what is a gross margin, and how can you calculate your gross margin? Most importantly, once you calculate it, what can this number tell you about your business's financial health? What is Gross Margin?Gross margin is a simple formula of revenue minus the cost of goods sold. Your cost of goods sold is the cost of delivering your service or product. And from this simple formula, you want to calculate the gross margin percentage simply by taking the result of revenue minus the cost of goods sold divided by revenue. If your profit and loss statement is structured correctly in your accounting system, you don't even need this formula because the profit and loss will show you what is your gross margin. It can be easily identified. Once you calculate the gross margin percentage, then what is this percentage really telling you? Now, if your gross margin is 30% or lower, it tells you two possible issues.If your gross margin is 30% or lower, it tells you two possible issues. Number one is your pricing. Your pricing is likely incorrect. Number two, your cost of goods sold is either too high or too low. A higher cost of goods sold, if it's not matched with higher pricing, then it can result in a gross margin percentage lower than 30%. Now the opposite is also true. A lower cost of goods sold can mean you have not identified all the direct costs needed to serve your customers or to create your product. Hence, your pricing is also incorrect. If you are interested to learn more about pricing directly from other female founders, find the Pricing Series inside Her CEO Journey, which starts in Episode 160. Another option for you is to connect with the Profit Reimagined team, and our fractional CFO can help you figure out if the issue with your gross margin is related to pricing or related to your cost of goods sold. Connect with us at the profitreimagined.com/letschat.And that brings us to the end of another episode. 

Managing a business and going through a major transition are difficult enough on their own. But if your business is going through a huge financial shift, then that’s even more challenging. With the stress that comes with it, you might struggle with making the right calls and coming up with good plans for your business.In this episode, Julie Martinez shares her journey and how she assists female founders through financial transitions. She discusses women entrepreneurs’ struggles, the essentials of creating an exit plan for your business, and why you need a financial advisor.If you want to learn how you can empower your business and create an effective exit strategy, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the struggles of female founders and how to overcome them.Discover the importance of financial self-care and how to practice it in your business.Find out the factors to consider when creating an exit plan for your business.Episode Highlights[05:10] Julie’s Journey[10:44] Working with Female Founders [13:37] The Struggles and Challenges of Female Founders[17:31] Financial Self-Care [22:29] Preparing Your Exit Strategy[28:20] Julie’s Final AdviceEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined™ TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined™ Team.

How often do you track your business’ finances? Do you know what your numbers are telling you? As a business owner, it’s essential to understand your numbers and what they imply.In this episode, Christina shares her tips and insights on creating a robust financial statement that will attract investors and lenders. She explores the connections between the three financial reports that every business founder has to make and provides tips on how to make them.If you want to learn how to improve a business’s legal aspect toward sustainability, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the connection between transactions and the three financial reports.Learn how to create a robust financial statement.  Find out what investors and lenders are looking for — and resolve any cash flow issues that might drive them away. Episode Highlights[11:58] Christina’s Background [14:58] The Importance of Historical Data [18:37] The Key Components of an Income Statement[22:24] Why Investors Look at Balance Sheets[27:11] Creating a Robust Financial Statement[30:10] Connecting the Numbers[37:38] What Lenders Look For[42:47] Christina’s Tips[46:13] Critical Areas of Cash Flow[50:27] Tracking Your Cash Flow[55:09] Top Takeaways From the EpisodeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With The TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined™ Team at any time.

You have your business’s finances in place. Now, what’s next? Believe it or not, scale-up and SME founders often forget the legal aspect of the businesses and this can cause a myriad of problems if not immediately resolved. Angie Redecopp discusses the legal aspect of businesses — another commonly forgotten puzzle piece in companies. She shares how purpose-driven founders can influence their legal structures, governance, and contracts with suppliers and investors to include sustainability. If you want to learn how to improve a business’s legal aspect toward sustainability, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the importance of having a solid legal aspect in purpose-driven businesses.Learn the basics for starting the legal and sustainability aspect of a business.  Discover the role of lawyers in progressing a business to become protected and sustainable. Episode Highlights[04:25] Angie’s Journey [06:24] SMEs and Sustainability [09:33] Role of Legal in Incorporating Sustainability [12:31] Ensuring Alignment to the Business’s Purpose [14:24] When to Hire a Board of Directors or Advisors [15:30] Benefits of Sustainability[17:25] Lawyers in Supply Chain[22:53] Importance of Having Value-Driven Business[25:36] Things to Look Out For in Contracts[29:17] Legal Documents For Incorporating Sustainability[32:51] Starting the Legal Aspect of a BusinessEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined™ Team.

Most small to medium business owners think that the software and hardware they use are secure when it comes out of the box, but that's a dangerous mistake! Good cybersecurity and data security need more than hiring an IT specialist, sometimes taking up to a year to secure a company from data threats.In this episode, Jenn Diesi shares the importance of building cybersecurity, especially for small businesses. She builds on her years of experience in information security and provides simple yet game-changing ways to secure and protect your company’s data. Listen as Jenn debunks the common misconceptions about information and data security.  If you want to learn how you can further secure your business’s data, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the why and how of investing in data security for your small business.Learn the difference between information technology and cybersecurity.Find out small steps that will have a significant impact on your company’s data security.Episode Highlights[05:14] Building Geek Girl Tech[07:38] Data Security as a Human Right [09:22] Common Misconceptions About Cybersecurity[14:04] Building Data Security in Small Businesses [20:21] Information Technology Versus Security[22:27] Steps to Securing Your Data[24:35] Importance of Securing Emails and Drives[27:57] Simple Ways to Further Secure Business Data[31:00] Data Security and Profitability[37:47] Importance of Software Updates  Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With The TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined™ Team.

How often do you consider your employees' happiness? Business owners can become engrossed in handling other aspects of their business that they might disregard their people. Your employees are an integral part of your company. Profit depends on client satisfaction, which hinges upon the quality of your products and services. If your employees are unhappy, then the quality will decline — and so will your revenue and customer experience.In this episode, Etienne Morris discusses the importance of employee engagement and how it helps a company succeed. She shares her insights and actionable steps to keep your employees happy and engaged while increasing revenue. She also suggests metrics that you can use to track employee engagement.If you want to create an environment conducive to the happiness and engagement of your workforce, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the relationship between employee engagement and company success. Discover the approaches and programs to nurture employee engagement. Find out how to increase and measure employee engagement.Episode Highlights[05:02] Etienne’s Career Journey [07:09] The Importance of Employee Engagement [11:29] Outsourcing and Recruiting [18:01] Employee Coaching[23:21] Reach, Spark, and Ally[30:19] How to Measure Employee Engagement[32:25] Key Factors in Building a Happy, Engaged Workforce[33:44] The 20% Flow State Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with the Profit Reimagined™ Team.

How do you want to grow your business? Almost every founder has thought about scaling their business. Mission-driven founders should also think about growing their business since it offers many benefits, including spreading your mission to reach more people who are most in need of it. Outsourcing can be a great way to elevate both your business and your mission, but finding the right people is not as easy as you might think.In this episode, Rita Rodrigues talks about the thorough process that Work For Impact uses to match freelancers with clients. She emphasizes the importance of finding freelancers genuinely aligned with your company's mission and values. Your business and mission will thrive when you have a team of motivated people with the same goals.If you want to find out how to connect with purposeful people to grow your business and spread your mission further, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Determine how to find purposeful freelancers aligned with your mission and values. Discover the top five rules in outsourcing people. Learn how to build solid and successful relationships with freelancers.Episode Highlights[04:29] Rita’s Professional Journey [08:59] How Work For Impact Outsources Freelancers [14:36] The Benefits of Outsourcing [19:29] Quality Control and Transparency[23:42] Top Five Outsourcing Rules[27:53] What Roles Should Be Outsourced[29:07] How to Build Successful Relationships with Freelancers[33:06] Setting Fair Rates [36:04] Looking at the Bigger Picture[37:50] How Work For Impact Structures PricingEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™ Team.

The demand for outsourced expertise is rising. Whether you’re a new, smaller business looking to grow or a bigger company that needs specialized expertise, outsourcing can be a significant tool in your company’s kit.Outsourcing is a potent tool for addressing these concerns and can help grow your team in ways that will positively impact the business's profitability and sustainability. The key to effective outsourcing is creating a financial strategy that fully uses your outsourced team's abilities.Michelle Hirons is the founder of HigherRing, a certified B corporation that provides savvy U.S.-based outsourced operational support to companies needing expert human resources. Its mission is to be a catalyst for a more sustainable business world. Based on Michelle's CEO journey, here are some insights on growing a profitable and sustainable business through outsourcing.Episode Highlights[04:10] Michelle Hiron’s CEO Journey[07:28] Incorporating B Corp Certification Values within Your Team[11:42] How to Manage a Virtual Team Effectively[14:28] Walking Clients through the Process of Outsourcing[17:33] How to Help Clients Manage a Virtual Team Effectively[19:13] Hiring Roles for a Growing Business[20:58] Strategies for Outsourcing Pricing[22:59] Different Outsourcing ModelsResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy for the Her CEO Journey™ podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit HigherRing’s WebsiteReach out to Michelle: LinkedInEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™ Team.

With the proliferation of social justice across various platforms worldwide, many businesses are now attempting to implement pay equity in their compensation structures. However, as a business owner, you have more options than simply implementing pay equity plans for your employees. Instead, consider incorporating anti-oppressive pay into your framework for determining employee compensation.Kate Dixon established Dixon Consulting, a certified B corporation on leadership development and total rewards consultancy. They specialize in compensation solutions, service pricing advice and salary negotiation coaching. Here are some insights on compensation structures with an anti-oppressive framework based on Kate's CEO journey.Episode Highlights[04:11] Kate Dixon’s CEO Journey[06:09] Differentiating Anti-oppressive Pay From Equity Pay[08:35] How to Start Adopting Anti-oppressive Pay[10:54] Strategies in Implementing Anti-oppressive Pay in Compensation Structures[29:13] Understanding What Transparency Means[30:34] Balancing Compensation Structures and ProfitabilityResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit Dixon Consulting’s WebsiteReach out to Kate: [email protected] the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™ Team.

Building a conscious business is different from building a traditional one. Conscious businesses emphasize the personal relationship between the buyers and the company. Traditional marketing techniques, which feel inauthentic, do not work on conscious buyers.Share on Purpose, Inc., founded by Terri Maxwell, provides the professional needed services to create, launch, and invest in companies with innovative, meaningful solutions. Maxwell is also the founder of Shift/Co — a business growth community for conscious entrepreneurs who want to expand their business success and make the world a better place. Based on Terri's CEO journey, here are some insights on growth and scalability. Episode Highlights[03:37] Terri Maxwell’s Journey[06:32] Running a Traditional Business vs. a Conscious Business[08:30] The Six Phases of Conscious Business Growth[14:15] The Five Toolkits of the Business Simple Method[18:40] Is the Business Simple Method Easy?[35:17] Terri’s Philosophy EntrepreneurshipResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit Share on Purpose, Inc.: Website and Shift/Co: WebsiteReach out to Terri: Website | LinkedInEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™ Team.

When it comes to pricing, many entrepreneurs make the mistake of focusing solely on revenue. Higher revenue doesn’t equate to higher profitability. When constructing your pricing model, it’s imperative to focus on your bottom line. Giving too much weight to your top-line number may even lead you to lose out on money without even realizing it.Using a bottom-line growth approach, Leslie Bradford-Scott established Walton Wood Farm, a company that offers consciously-crafted and thoughtfully-packaged personal care products. Here are some insights on finding the right pricing strategy for your product or service, based on Leslie’s CEO journey: Episode Highlights[03:36] Leslie Bradford-Scott’s Journey[13:39] Revenue vs. Profitability in Business[18:29] Factoring in Overhead Costs[25:30] Knowing Your Process[28:37] Walton Wood Farm During Covid[32:57] Being an Entrepreneur Later in LifeResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy on the Her CEO Journey™  podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit Walton Wood Farm: WebsiteEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™  Team.

Pricing your product or service while staying true to the causes your business espouses is a challenging task. A strong pricing strategy incorporates a broad range of factors, and the ones you want to focus on will depend entirely on your business values and ethics.Co-founders and sisters Neige and Pippa Blair established Routine — a company that makes natural products for your face, body, hair, and home. Here are insights on how you can determine your own based on Neige and Pippa's CEO journey on Routine's pricing strategy for their products.Episode Highlights[03:56] Neige and Pippa Blair’s Journey[07:05] From $500 To International Distribution: The Pricing Strategy[12:27] Building Trust With Financial Institutions[17:03] Forward-Looking Planning[19:41] Why Understanding Cash Flow Is Critical[21:04] Routine During Covid[27:44] Balancing Profit And ImpactResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy on the Her CEO Journey™  podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInVisit Routine Olfactory Lab: WebsiteEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™  Team.

Why compete when you can innovate? Many entrepreneurs drop their prices as low as they can to compete with existing products on the market, but that's a sure-fire way to lose out. Instead of fighting for a market you don't even want, take a new angle: what makes your product better? What makes it different? What does your customer want, and what price are they willing to accept? When you price around those ideas, your business will be capable of weathering any economic storm.In this episode, Christina invites Toni Desrosiers to talk about how an effective pricing strategy can help manage a company's growth. They also tackle the correct pricing structure for a company looking to do business for good: making a profit is good, but you can make a change too. Finally, Toni highlights the essence of finding the right investors for your business. Do you want to know what revenue model is right for your business? Stay tuned to this episode! Episode Highlights[03:27] The Journey of Abeego[06:46] Toni’s Bootstrapping Strategies[09:03] Growing Business During Challenging Times[14:33] Racing to the Bottom[17:23] Abeego’s Downsizing[20:55] About SheEO[27:46] Toni’s Key Takeaways from the Dragons’ Den[32:02] Paying Employees More Than a Living Wage[35:03] Generating Profit and Creating Impact[39:30] Increasing RevenueResources:Visit our website for more insights on choosing the suitable revenue model and pricing strategy on the Her CEO Journey™  podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInConnect with Toni: LinkedInVisit Abeego: Website | InstagramEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™  Team.

Driving profit for your business is always tricky. There are so many factors to consider that you might feel overwhelmed or, worse, end up focusing on the wrong thing, both of which can significantly harm your business. Thus, choosing the right revenue model will lay the foundation that’ll secure a future where your business grows alongside your social impact.In this episode, Christina talks with Tara Spalding about the things you need to consider in choosing your revenue model. They dive deep into metrics, runways and breakevens, pro forma and historical data, and everything else that factors into finding the right model that’ll lead your business toward profitability.If you want to find the right revenue model for your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Determine the right revenue model for your business.Learn how to create and leverage historical data and pro forma.Discover the metrics that you need to track.Episode Highlights[03:58] What BoomStartup Does[08:51] Focus on the Customer[12:56] Choose One Business Model[18:19] The Six Elements in Choosing a Business Model[24:28] Revenue Models: What Are Companies Missing?[27:34] Observing Historical Data[30:51] When You Need a Pro Forma[33:10] Hiring People[36:12] Three Key Financial Components[42:42] Growth Correlation[45:25] Runways and Breakeven Points[50:38] Tracking KPIsResourcesVisit our website for more insights on choosing the right revenue model and pricing on the Her CEO Journey™  podcast.Connect with Christina: Website | LinkedInConnect with Tara: LinkedInWatch the webinar and presentation slidesBoomStartupEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™  Team.

Growing a business doesn’t have one-size-fits-all methods. While most business founders lean towards quick profit business models, it doesn't always align with their mission. For some companies, steady, long-term growth is key to success. And this is where the concept of patient capital comes in.In this solo episode, we sum up the conversation we’ve had with our guests over our Patient Capital series. We reiterate what patient capital is and debunk its misconceptions. Then, we lay down critical questions business founders should answer before venturing into patient capital funding.Do you want to know if patient capital funding is right for your business? Stay tuned to this episode! Episode Highlights[1:48] What is Patient Capital? [3:16] The Goal of Patient Capital[4:56] How Fast Do You Want to Grow?[5:39] What Kind of Capital Do You Need?[6:38] Is Your Business Ready to Receive Patient Capital?[8:13] Does Your Funder Have a Clear Understanding of Your Social Impact Mission?[9:19] Do You Need Growth Capital?Resources:Visit our website for Her CEO Journey™’s Patient Capital series!The Ins and Outs of a Venture Capital Fund Part 1 & Part 2 - The Journey of Vonetta YoungVenture Capital For Good: Investing in Social Impact with Lyndsey BoucherleThe Right Investment is Key: The Value of Capital for Mission-Driven Business with West TenthBetter For All Stakeholders: Impact Investing and Investment Cooperatives with Lizette PeñaHow to Heal the Planet and Create Shared Value for People with Regenerative Finance — The Journey of Mindy ChristensenChanging the World Starts with Finding the Right Lending Partners — The Journey of Caryl LevineRegenerative Finance for Good Ingredients, Businesses, and Planet — The Journey of Caroline DuellEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Ready to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our Profit Reimagined™  Team.

Relationships are a critical element of business. It is crucial to choose a financial partner who has a deeper understanding of social businesses instead of primarily transactional ones. If you want a sustainable, responsible business, you need financial partners who understand and believe in your vision. In this episode, Caroline Duell discusses how she built her green business — and why she needed the right financial partner to do it. She also discusses how to develop responsible enterprises and bring profit while minimizing negative consequences. Finally, we discuss why — and when — you should get a CFO for your business.If you're wondering how a financial partner helps your company grow without compromising your values, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the benefits of social capital financing in growing your business Recognize the significance of selecting financial partners who share your company's goalDiscover the value of bringing a chief financial officer to your businessEpisode Highlights[06:30] From an herb garden to a multi-million-dollar business[10:10] Building a business without compromising values[14:09] On becoming carbon neutral[20:04] Aligning value and authenticity with capital financing [22:24] All Good’s capital financing journey[26:02] RSF Social Finance [33:26] Community Pricing Gathering: RSF Social Finance [37:16] When to hire a Chief Financial Officer Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With the Profit Reimagined™  TeamReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with our team.

Starting a business is daunting enough. Add a mission to it and it becomes all the more challenging. Mission-driven businesses often have a hard time finding partners, whether lenders or investors, that understand their mission. If they don’t, it can lead to drastic results for their business and those they want to serve. Finding people who understand your mission will help you find a community that will support you and helps you thrive. In this episode, Caryl Levine shares her journey with Lotus Foods and how they partnered with RSF Social Finance. With the right partnerships, they were able to make the change they wanted to see in the world. You can create your own social impact — you just need to find people who are aligned with your mission and committed to helping you push it forward.If you want to find partners that will help you elevate your business and spread your mission, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn how Lotus Foods is changing how the world grows rice.Discover why choosing the right lenders is beneficial for your mission.Find out why businesses need both patient capital and debt.Episode Highlights[05:18] How Lotus Foods Started[08:40] Introducing Black Rice to the American Market[10:10] More Crop per Drop[13:11] Reaching Small Scale Farmers[16:47] Economic Impacts[19:03] Bootstrapping Lotus Foods[21:27] Working with RSF Social Finance[24:42] How RSF Social Finance Has Helped Lotus Foods[29:48] On Capital and Community Pricing[33:48] Ken’s Insights as a Financial Planner[35:15] Working with a Fractional CFO[35:54] Caryl’s Final AdviceResourcesHer CEO Journey™ Patient Capital Series:The Ins and Outs of a Venture Capital Fund Part 1 & Part 2Investing in Social ImpactThe Value of Capital for Mission-Driven BusinessImpact Investing and Investment CooperativesHow to Heal the Planet and Create Shared Value for People with Regenerative FinanceConnect with Caryl: LinkedIn | WebsiteEnjoyed This Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, please leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact our team through LinkedIn or schedule a discovery call with our Profit Reimagined™ experts. You can also suggest topics you’re curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. 

Investors and founders each have their own goals and priorities. It’s important for founders to find an investor that aligns with their missions and goals. On the other hand, it’s important for investors to find founders that are committed to putting in the work to grow their business and create social impact.In this episode, Mindy Christensen explores integrated capital and debt as a tool for growth. She explains how RSF Social Finance operates differently than traditional finance systems by looking at businesses and risks in a holistic manner. She also discusses the benefits that community pricing meetings offer investors and borrowers, and the different criteria that investors and borrowers must meet.If you want to find out about how integrated capital and debt can help grow your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about integrated capital. Discover the benefits of community pricing meetings. Find out how debt can be used as a growth tool.Episode Highlights[04:46] Mindy’s Journey [04:46] How RSF Social Finance Is Different From Traditional Financial Services [09:05] Defining Integrated Capital [14:17] Community Pricing Gathering[14:17] How RSF Social Finance Finds Investors[23:50] Defining Patient Capital[23:50] What Covenants RSF Social Finance Is Looking For[27:24] Debt and Modest Growth [33:54] Assessing Borrowers[39:38] Expected Financial MaturityResourcesRSF Social Finance websiteConnect with Mindy: LinkedInEnjoy this Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact our team through LinkedIn or schedule a discovery call with our Profit Reimagined™ experts. You can also suggest topics you’re curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Early-stage enterprises can establish their businesses how their founders envisioned them in a safe environment with patient finance. In other words, investors are willing to sacrifice short-term gains in exchange for longer-term profit and impact. Their investors become partners in attaining common financial and non-financial goals through investment money, as well as broad networks for marketing and distribution, strategic guidance and mentorship, and later-stage financing, using a patient capital approach to patient capital.Lizette Peña explains how Kachuwa Impact Fund avoids putting pressure on its partners without requiring excessive development in this episode. She also compares and contrasts the Kachuwa Impact Fund to regular venture capital firms.If you're thinking of starting a business or taking an interest in impact investing, then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights[05:34] Becoming A Director of Kachuwa Impact Fund[07:22] Kachuwa Impact Fund Making Pressureless Partnership Possible[10:26] Finding Investors Who Will Accept Long-Term Return[15:16] What Sets Kachuwa Impact Fund Apart From Other Venture Capital Firms[21:32] What Kachuwa Impact Fund Looks For[25:38] Profitability And Revenue[32:39] Defining Success[40:26] Lizette’s Recommendations on InvestingResources:Visit our website for more insights on designing an ownership structure that aligns with your company vision, and check out the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Get your 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with our team! Set up a time here!Want to start investing or want to pitch your business? Visit Kachuwa Impact Fund’s website to know more about them.Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know; help them find financial empowerment and create sustainable, social impact in the world.For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Many founders often compromise their mission to grow their business. Creating wealth and social impact at the same time is no easy matter. If you’re looking for a way to raise capital while also staying true to your mission, the best way would be to find an investor that’s aligned with your purpose. In this episode, Lyn Johnson and Sara Sparhawk talk about the gender wealth gap and how they seek to empower women founders. They discuss the pros and cons that their finance background gave them in creating a solid financial model and managing cash flow. Finally, they emphasize the importance of finding the right investors.If you want to raise or invest in a home-based business, this episode is for you!Episode Highlights[05:28] Lyn’s Journey [06:33] Sara’s Journey [08:49] The Gender Wealth Gap [10:19] Helping Women Create Wealth[12:45] How West Tenth Started [16:26] Capital Raising Journey[18:41] Criteria for Investors[21:56] How to Balance Business Growth and Mission [26:15] Finance Background and Capital Raising [29:46] Building a Financial Model [34:22] Managing Cash Flow[40:32] Reporting to InvestorsResourcesHer CEO Journey™ Patient Capital Series:The Ins and Outs of a Venture Capital Fund Part 1The Ins and Outs of a Venture Capital Fund Part 2Venture Capital For Good: Investing in Social ImpactChat with a Fractional CFO and receive the benefits of a CFO here!Forecasting Guide — Create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Connect with Lyn: LinkedIn | TwitterConnect with Sarah: LinkedInWest Tenth: Apple Store | Google PlayThe FoundryTechstarsEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

It can get easy to be swept away by the flow of the market and what other companies in your space are doing. When you see something succeed, it’s natural to want to try it too — after all, you need to get your ROI! But businesses for good are in it for more than just the money: their founders have a purpose. It’s critical to balance finances with making that social impact.In this episode, Lyndsey Boucherle discusses how Better Ventures invests in companies looking to make a positive change in the world. Unlike typical companies, they aim to uplift everyone, not just shareholders. She explains how they choose the best companies to invest in for their ROI while ensuring that their founders don't drift away from their purpose. Finally, she also discusses minimizing inequality for women in business.If you’re thinking of investing in a business, or want to create social impact, then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights[05:11] Becoming A Principal Of Better Ventures[08:46] Maximizing Value For All Stakeholders[12:50] Balancing Social Impact Against Growth[20:36] Supporting Women In Business[25:47] What Better Ventures Looks For In A Company[31:59] Lyndsey’s Advice On Building A BusinessResources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on designing an ownership structure that aligns with your company vision, and check out the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Get your free 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with Christina! Set up a time here!See how Better Ventures supports mental health at Prairie HealthLearn how Refiberd addresses the textile waste problem. Website | LinkedInConnect with Lyndsey: Website | LinkedIn | TwitterEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, do not hesitate to leave us a review.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact us through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with our team at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

There’s a lot to consider with any type of capital funding, and venture capital is no exception. It’s important to know your business and its goals before jumping into any type of funding. Before diving into venture capital, you must first understand its inner workings and the factors affecting it — but most importantly, you need to ascertain if it’s suitable for your business.This episode’s guest is Vonetta Young, a proud woman of colour and financial advisor who guides persons of colour and women searching for or looking to enter the world of venture capital funding. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we discuss how venture capital funding works, its expected outcomes, the important factors that affect it, and other funding options you can consider.If you are interested in learning about venture capital funding and becoming a venture capitalist or getting venture capital backing, then this episode is for you!Episode Highlights[04:47] How Venture Funding Supports Itself[07:14] Alignment of Incentives[09:44] Operating on Tight Funds[12:00] The Success Rate of a VC Portfolio[15:57] Financial Analysis for Funds[20:58] The Importance of Profitability and Sustainability[28:20] Funding Alternatives[36:02] Vonetta’s Final Advice to FoundersResources:Visit our website for more insights on cash flow and profit on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!How Does A Venture Capital Fund Work Part 1 - The Journey of Vonetta YoungChat with a Fractional CFO and receive the benefits of a CFO here!Download the Forecasting Guide so that you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Boston Impact Initiative FundMission Driven FinanceChordata CapitalVonetta Young Advisors: Website | YouTubeConnect with Vonetta Young: LinkedIn | Twitter | WebsiteEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?As a mission-driven female entrepreneur, you are capable of making a difference through incorporating giving into your everyday business operations. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Have any questions about business finance? You can contact us through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with our team at any time. For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Understanding the importance of a venture capital fund is critical if you're planning to fund a business. Financing is a significant step when you're starting up a company, but before you begin looking for venture capital, it's best to understand what it is.This episode's guest is Vonetta Young, a proud woman of colour and financial advisor who guides persons of colour and women searching for or looking to enter the world of venture capital funding. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we discuss what venture capital funding is and how it works. We also discuss what it takes to find the perfect business partner for your start-up, the difference between private equity and venture capital, and many more.If you are interested in learning about venture capital funding, its importance, and looking for the perfect business partner, then this episode is for you!Episode Highlights[5:59] Vonetta Young’s Journey[9:03] The Difference Between Private Equity and Venture Capital[10:30] How to Become A Venture Capitalist[12:17] How does An Angel Investment Help[13:20] Deciding on Partnerships - General Partner vs. Limited Partner[16:22] Determine The Level of Investment and Partnership[25:21] On Newer Fund Managers[28:37] Where to Find New Emerging Fund ManagersResources:Visit our website for more insights on cash flow and profit on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Chat with a Fractional CFO and receive the benefits of a CFO here!Download the Forecasting Guide so that you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Get financially ready at Vonetta Young AdvisorsLearn from Vonetta Young on her YouTube channelConnect with Vonetta Young: LinkedInEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Cash flow and profit could be confusing when you are venturing into business. Once you’re able to evaluate and understand their differences, you are sure to form a wiser business decision. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know, so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance and venture capital funding? You can contact us through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with us at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

With the ever-changing nature of business, it is difficult to determine the cash flow trend. However, we shouldn’t keep cash flow forecasting on the sidelines. Our business operation is vulnerable to risks and losses without efficient cash flow forecasting.In this solo episode of the Cash Flow Forecasting and Management Series, we discuss the top five common mistakes when forecasting cash flow. As we proceed, we can understand how effective forecasting yields financial gain for your business.Do you want to learn the ideal way to forecast cash flow? Stay tuned to this episode! Episode Highlights[3:22] Forecasting Expenditures Based on Past Results[4:48] Overestimating Sales Line[5:52] Clueless of the Cash Flow Conversion Cycles[7:06] Categorize Forecasting as a Finance Function[8:09] Lazy ForecastingResources:As a special gift for tuning it, get your free 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with Christina! Set up a time here or connect on LinkedIn!Get clear visibility of your business finances this 2022. Work with a Virtual CFO for 180 days to design your 13-Weeks Cash Flow, 12 Months Forecasting, Pipeline, and Financial Statement Review, so you have a clear path to purpose-driven profitability. Book for a call here.Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Cash flow and profit could be confusing when you are venturing into business. Once you’re able to evaluate and understand their differences, you are sure to form a wiser business decision. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey™ Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.To fueling the life you want to live,Christina

Cash flow management is the foundation of all business operations. Without proper financial management, your business is highly likely to face financial challenges. It is true that an entrepreneur is putting a lot on their plate and a lot at stake when running their own company. Thus, an effective accounting tool is crucial to reduce the risks of any mismanagement.In this episode, Sarah Isaacs, the co-founder and COO of NorthStar, imparts the benefits of implementing the right financial tools for a business to succeed. She recalls how Dryrun helped her establish her own business. Finally, she shares the features of Dryrun that contribute to her company’s development.Episode Highlights:[04:25] Sarah’s Journey To NorthStar[05:30] What is NorthStar?[07:44] The Growth of Small Companies[07:58] Sarah’s Struggles with Cash Flow and Management[11:32] QuickBooks and Dryrun Comparison[13:36] Before the Discovery of Dryrun[17:56] How Dryrun Helped Her Business[21:19] The Flexibility of Dryrun [22:18] What Dryrun Offers[23:43] Plan for the Future[28:09] About AvaTaxResources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on designing an ownership structure that aligns with your company vision, and check out the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Sign up for the free 30-day free trial with Dryrun to see how you can monitor, manage, and model your own company’s cash flow!Visit NorthStar.io’s website Connect with Sarah: Twitter Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?As a mission-driven female entrepreneur, you are capable of making a difference through incorporating giving in your everyday business operations. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Many entrepreneurs establish their businesses intending to earn for themselves or their families. But, having a company that also allows you to give back to your community can be a lot more fulfilling. It’s quite terrifying to start giving to others without the certainty of success with your business. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your business thrives while remaining generous to others.In this episode, Masami Sato, founder and CEO of B1G1, shares her journey of turning a small idea of a giving business into a global initiative. Her drive to make a difference in underprivileged communities inspires her to take this risk. She motivates others to do the same. Masami talks about the struggles she faced as she began her business and how she overcame them. She then reveals how other business owners can join the movement of giving back to their communities. If you are a business owner looking for ways to give back to the community, then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights[7:43] Masami’s Journey on B1G1[09:39] Lessons From Backpacking to Asia [11:36] How the Buy-One-Get-One Model Came to Be[15:26] Reason for Establishing B1G1 at Singapore [17:47] The Beginning of B1G1 [22:23] Struggles During the First Year [27:00] Projects Under B1G1 [30:06] Linking Operations to the Project[34:33] Spirit of Giving Within B1G1 MembersResources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on designing an ownership structure that aligns with your company vision, and check out the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!As a special gift for tuning it, get your free 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with Christina! Set up a time here!Create an impact through the B1G1 platform! Connect with Masami website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter. Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?As a mission-driven female entrepreneur, you are capable of making a difference by incorporating giving into your everyday business operations. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Cash flow and profitability are the lifelines of your business. When your business is starved of cash, it won’t sustain itself.Do you need the answers to your worries about strategizing your business?Business owners need to maintain a positive cash flow to ensure profitability. Without an effective cash flow, your business might dwindle to an extreme loss, forcing you to stop its operations.That’s when effective financial management comes into place. Financial management is a tool used to analyze information in a business for it to sustain and thrive. In this solo episode of the Cash Flow Forecasting and Management Series, we dive into the topic of monitoring, managing, and modeling cash flow as part of a business strategy. In this discourse, we focus on the benefits of operating cash flow to ensure financial security by studying each step.Do you want to adopt cash flow operations in your business? Stay tuned to this episode!Episode Highlights:[02:19] Types of Cash Flow[03:22] Operating Cash Flow[06:12] Benefits of Operating Cash FlowAs a special gift for tuning it, get your free 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with Christina! Set up a time here or connect on LinkedIn!Resources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on cash flow and profit on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Download this E-Book on Efficient Cash Flow Management so that you can monitor, manage and improve your business cash flow.Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Cash flow and profit could be confusing when you are venturing into business. Once you’re able to evaluate and understand their differences, you are sure to form wiser business decisions. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey™ Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.To fueling the life you want to live,Christina

Transparency is the key to growth. Without transparency, you don’t know your data — and even if you have data, you won’t know if it’s significant. Without analyzing your data, you can’t streamline or optimize your business, and sometimes might even land in legal trouble later on. What financial management needs and benefits from is a CFO to handle your finances, and the right tools to be effective.In this episode, Barb Easter, Director of Client Success at Dryrun, joins us to discuss CFO services and Dryrun. She shares the features of Dryrun and dissects what financial management and forecasting do for business growth. Lastly, Barb imparts her years of experience working with business owners.Episode Highlights:[04:03] Barb’s Journey: Education to Marketing and Finance[07:15] What Is Dryrun?[09:11]  What Financial Management and CFOs Can Do[13:36] When to Contract CFO Services[15:37] Recurring Problems of Businesses[21:11] How Dryrun Improves Financial Management[25:34] Dryrun’s Features[34:06] What You Can Do With Dry Run[39:53] Dryrun for Communication[43:15] Using Dryrun Effectively[47:29] The Challenge of Tackling Finances[49:58] Barb’s Closing Words of WisdomResourcesVisit my website for more insights on ownership structures on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!As a special gift for tuning it, get your free 90-Day Financial Strategic Planning with Christina! Set up a time here or connect on LinkedIn!Learn more about Dryrun and its software on their website.Get a better handle on your cash. Start your 30-day free trial now!Hear from Dryrun’s Cash Flow Confessional and other blog posts about what financial management and cash flow are.Quickbook, Xero, and Sage Intacct.Connect with Barb Easter on LinkedIn or reach her through her email at [email protected] the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey™ Podcast, hit subscribe and share!Write us a review! You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can learn what financial management steps they need to take.For more episode updates, visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Positive cash flow at the end of a cycle isn’t always a good thing. When you study your business, there are many terms that people like to throw around which can get mixed up. One common example is cash flow vs profit. These two terms sound similar, but in truth, tell very different stories about your finances.In this episode, we kickstart our new podcast series, Cash Flow Forecasting and Management Series. We define clearly the difference between profit and cash flow and why it's vital to understand both terms. We also discuss what it means to be profitable versus having a healthy cash flow. We'll delve deep into cash flow concepts using cloud-based forecasting software, entrepreneur and CFO perspectives.Do you want to know how to tie down cash flow and profit together smartly? Tune in to this episode to learn more!Episode Highlights:[02:08] What Is Profit?[02:39] Why Profitability Is Important[03:44] Profit Is Not About Cash[05:54] What Is Cash Flow?[06:51] Positive Cash Flow vs Profit in BusinessesResources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on cash flow and profit on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Chat with Christina and set up a time here!Download this E-book on Efficient Cash Flow Management so that you can monitor, manage and improve your business cash flow! Enjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Cash flow and profit could be confusing when you are venturing into business. Once you’re able to evaluate and understand their differences, you are sure to form a wiser business decision. If you enjoyed today's episode of Her CEO Journey Podcast, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

What is the definition of success? If you’re a mission-driven business for good, you know that success is about more than just the bottom line. However, you need to make a profit in order to survive and make a positive social impact. That’s where employee ownership comes in. Employee-owned businesses do better on average than their standard counterparts, and also do good for society.In this episode, Alison Lingane provides insights into the benefits of employee-owned companies. She also discusses ways to get into employee ownership, its financing structure, and the financial institutions to support the transition. Finally, she explains the relevance of financial record keeping, financial forecasting, and transition planning to various ownership structures.If you’re interested to know how your business can engage more employees and create a positive impact in the community, then tune in to this episode!Episode Highlights:[05:04] Alison’s Journey in Project Equity[06:26] Building a Program for the Urban Youth [07:17] Getting Her MBA at UC Berkeley [08:24] Alison Working for an Employee-Owned Company [09:21] About Project Equity[10:47] Why Employee Ownership Is Not Taught in Business School [12:00] Launching of The Global Social Venture Competition[15:18] Employee Ownership Increases Enterprise Value[16:11] Different Forms of Employee Ownership [20:01] Finding the Right Form [24:43] Difference Between ESOP and Worker Co-op[28:10] The Financing Process [31:32] How Employees Become an Owner[34:40] Transitioning to Employee Ownership[36:51] Bringing Capital to Your Business[37:49] Lending Institutions[43:23] The Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)[45:57] Does Credit Score Matter?[51:03] Engaging Employees During COVID-19Resources:Visit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on designing an ownership structure that aligns with your company vision on the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series!Chat with Christina and set up a time here!Download the Forecasting Guide so that you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Connect with Alison at LinkedInVisit Project Equity Take part in the Global Social Venture Competition!Learn more about the CDFI FundEnjoy the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Raising capital often entails giving up some measure of control over your company. Granting investors ownership isn’t always a bad thing, but when it happens, your business might drift further and further away from your company vision. As mission-driven entrepreneurs, that isn’t acceptable. Thankfully, there is a solution: alternative ownership.In this episode, Camille Canon, the co-founder and executive director of Purpose US, helps us navigate the tricky maze of ownership, governance, and money. She explains the concepts in ownership structure and alternative finance. Lastly, she clears up misconceptions about raising capital, reveals the secrets to creating a sustainable model for your business, and gives insight into the minds of investors.Episode Highlights[04:00] Camille’s Journey in Purpose US[06:37] What Problem Does Purpose US Address?[09:13] At What Stage Does Purpose US Help Entrepreneurs?[12:35] Does Being Series A Matter?[14:47] Firebrand Bakery: A Sustainable Model[17:27] Finding The Right Investors For Your Company Vision[19:10] Do Purpose US Investors Look For Similar Return?[21:21] The Field of Alternative Capital[24:20] The Importance of Financial Results[26:01] Demystifying Concepts in Raising Capital[27:37] Camille’s Parting AdviceResources:Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more insights on choosing the right ownership structure that aligns with your mission on the Her CEO Journey podcast series!Episode 137 | Steward Ownership: A Method for Preserving Business Owner’s Legacy and Purpose - The Journey of Sarah JoannidesChat with Christina and set up a time here!Download the Forecasting Guide so that you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Connect with Camille: Purpose websiteEnjoy this Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with the women you know so they can find financial empowerment and get their ideas into the world.Have any questions about business finance? You can contact me through LinkedIn or schedule a chat with me at any time. You can also suggest topics you're curious about for future episodes to help your business grow. Thanks for listening!For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Owning a business isn’t as easy as starting one and calling yourself the owner—you need to structure it to suit the company’s needs. There are lots of models that you can use, each with unique benefits, drawbacks, and advantages. Some companies prefer a cooperative model—it places great significance on camaraderie and information transparency. If your company values employee empowerment, you might want to use the cooperative model.In today’s episode, Amanda Bybee conducts an in-depth discussion of employee ownership and the cooperative model. From her firsthand experience and extensive knowledge, she shares the benefits and values of adopting employee ownership. Amanda also explores the issues, challenges, and strategies in a cooperative model and how it empowers people.If you're curious and want to find out if an employee ownership and cooperative model is right for you, then tune in to the full episode!Episode Highlights[05:00] Amanda’s Journey[07:18] What Made Amanda Join Namaste Solar?[09:58] The Power of Open Information Sharing[12:31] Shifting to an Employee-Owned Cooperative[14:21] Employee Owned vs Worker Cooperative[17:55] Finding the Right Investors[19:56] The Struggle in the Transition[24:03] How Amanda Felt About the Transition[26:18] Amanda’s Advice on Transitioning to a Cooperative[29:42] The Right Time to Switch to Cooperative[31:22] Starting Amicus O&M[35:03] What Amicus O&M Does[37:14] How Does Amicus O&M Make Money?[39:31] Internal Business Processes for Cooperative[42:59] Shared Services Cooperative vs. Worker Cooperative[47:09] The True Value of Cooperative[51:52] Employee Ownership as a Form of Empowerment[55:20] You Don’t Have to Be AloneResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey podcast series.Chat with Christina and set up a time here!Download the Forecasting Guide so that you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Download this Action Guide to help you understand the value of intellectual property as a vehicle for financial growth.Her CEO Journey Episode 140: The Journey of Linda PhilipsThe Great Game of Business by Bo Burlingham and Jack StackEqual ExchangeConnect with Amanda: LinkedInEnjoy this Podcast?Write us a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into the show, then do not hesitate to leave us a review. You can also share this episode with your network so they will know the importance of sound financial planning.For more episode updates, feel free to visit my website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Cooperatives are a great way to share not only profits but also responsibilities amongst a group of individuals. It’s often known for its one member, one vote rule. But did you know that hierarchy within a cooperative can be flexible according to the employees’ needs and desires? In this episode, we are joined by Corey Kohn, Dojo4 co-founder and co-op member. She shares how their software company transitioned from a traditional business model to a cooperative. While she initially had doubts about the cooperative model, its transformational effects on their employees’ engagement and their company’s growth solidified her trust in their decision. If you’re curious about how the cooperative model benefits founders, employees, and even communities, then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights[05:39] Corey’s Journey in Dojo4[08:02] Dojo4’s Transition Into a Cooperative Model[11:08] Employees’ Concerns About the Transition [15:14] Why Transition Anyway? [19:23] How the Cooperative Model Supports Future Growth [23:07] How the Cooperative Model Changed Dojo4[26:37] How Dojo4 Embraced the Shift to the Cooperative Model[29:51] Accounting and Financial Structure [36:10] Corey’s Advice on Transitioning Into a CooperativeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesLearn more about alternative ownership through Christina Sjahli’s Weekly Blog:Rethinking Profit as a Business Owner and Using Your Business for Good with Steward OwnershipTransitioning to the Perpetual Purpose Trust Model: What You Need to Know to SucceedDownload the Financial Modelling Guide so you can show investors how your company is going to look in the future! Dojo4: Website I Github I Twitter I Instagram     Corey Kohn: LinkedIn I Twitter I Email 

As a mission-driven founder, you want to make sure that the mission and purpose of your business do not get lost over time. After all, you want your business for good to provide excellent products or services to your customers for years to come. Luckily, there are different ownership models you can explore. Alternative ownership or steward ownership is a concept that can help ensure that your company’s decision-making processes are in line with your mission. You can also ensure independence. In this episode, we’ll be exploring the perpetual purpose trust model with Natalie Reitman-White. Learn how the perpetual purpose trust can stock ownership and transfer it to a trust with a well-defined mission. Find out why this model allows you to share the profits and returns not only with your shareholders but also with your stakeholders. Finally, identify the considerations you’ll need to transition to the trust model in your business.If you want to make sure your business stays on track for its purpose no matter what, then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights[05:55] Natalie’s Journey [09:28] Organically Grown Company’s Growth [11:52] The Perpetual Purpose Trust Model [17:13] How the Trust Model Works [21:38] Balanced Stakeholder Representation [22:45] How Shareholders Come In  [27:34] Investors in the Trust Model [29:59] How Conventional Business Models Work  [33:13] Other Stewardship Models  [36:15] The Golden Share Model[39:45] How Purpose Should Drive the Company[44:21] Transition to  the Trust Model [51:46] Changes in the Legal Structure[53:24] Finding Investors to Support the Transition[59:16] How to Look for Investors and Lenders [1:04:05] Know Your Purpose Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about alternative ownership through her Weekly Blog.Rethinking Profit as a Business Owner and Using Your Business for Good with Steward OwnershipDownload the Financial Modelling Guide so you can show investors how your company is going to look in the future! Organically Grown Company RSF Social Finance Natural Investments Purpose Evergreen CapitalThe Russell Family FoundationKelley FoundationOregon Community Foundation Alternative Ownership Advisors: Website | LinkedIn Connect with Natalie: LinkedIn   

As a mission-driven founder and business owner, you want to know that your company’s mission is still being carried out despite you not being active in it any longer. You may worry that as you exit, your business may be controlled by entities that aren’t in line with how you intended for your business to run. The founder’s dilemma may also trouble you. That is, you wonder if you’ll have to choose between liquidity and legacy. We’re here to tell you that your concerns are heard, and there’s a great way to address them.This episode’s guest tells us that you can choose both liquidity and legacy. Sarah Joannides joins us in Her CEO Journey™ to share the beauty of steward ownership. With steward ownership, you can lock down your business’s purpose and independence. Through it, you can empower and give value to your stakeholders, rethink your company’s profits, and ensure the health and vitality of your ecosystem.  If you’re a founder or business owner that wants to be prepared for your business’s future, then this episode is for you!Episode Highlights[05:59] Sarah’s Journey [08:40] The Founders’ Dilemma of a Business Owner[09:21] About Steward Ownership[10:53] The Founder and Business Owner’s Options Under Steward Ownership[12:58] When Does Steward Ownership Make Sense?[15:40] Preparing for the Transition to Steward Ownership[18:29] Financing Steward Ownership[23:27] The Four Major Models of Steward Ownership[29:40] Choosing the Right Form of Steward Ownership[31:23] When to Consider Steward Ownership [37:38] Giving Up Control in Private Equity vs Steward Ownership[40:22] The Profitability of Steward Ownership Businesses[44:57] Steward Ownership for Technology Companies[48:28] Steward Ownership Business vs Public Benefit Corporation[51:52] Steward Ownership Around the World[52:52] The 1, 2, 3s of Steward Ownership[55:30] Sarah’s Parting WordsEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create an improved finance strategy for your business!Exit to CommunityPurpose EconomyAlternative Ownership AdvisorsConnect with Sarah: LinkedIn | Email

Many mission-driven female founders fear having debt in their business. However, when done right, taking on debt financing is actually a great way to grow and expand your business. One way to conquer your fear of going into debt financing is to plan your steps before you even approach a lender. In particular, it would benefit you to have a debt and interest repayment plan in place. Through this, you know what to expect in your business’s financials. In this solo episode, I’ll show you how to think like a CFO when crafting your debt and interest repayment plan. We’ll dive deep into the financial questions that you need to ask yourself. Our end goal is to create a realistic financial forecast that determines whether or not debt financing is suitable for your business. So tune in to know more about how you can think like a CFO so that you can plan smartly for the growth and profitability of your business! Episode Highlights:[00:00] Why You Should Plan for Debt Repayment Before Going into Debt Financing[02:16] Think Like a CFO Step #1: Create a Debt Schedule[03:15] Think Like a CFO Step #2: Review Historical Financial Results[05:29] Think Like a CFO Step #3: Clearly Identify the Assumption to Build the Forecast[06:51] Think Like a CFO Step #4: Create the Forecast[08:02] CFO Services that Will Help You Go Through Debt FinancingEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

As a female founder and CEO, you might think that debt in your business is a bad thing. However, did you know that if you’re running a business, chances are, you likely already have business debt? One form of business debt is paying your suppliers a few days after they send an invoice. Now, this is a type of short-term debt financing strategy. There are many other ways you can leverage business debt finance to build and grow your business. You just need to learn how.In this episode, I’ll discuss the calculations you need for determining if your business is ready to take on debt as a financing strategy. Debt doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, there’s a wealth of possibilities you can explore if you have the right mindset. So tune in to this episode to learn more!Episode Highlights[01:35] Business Debt and Debt Financing[03:09] Thinking Like a Lender Tip #1: Debt Service Coverage Ratio[04:36] Thinking Like a Lender Tip #2: Business Debt-to-Income Ratio[05:25] Thinking Like A Lender Tip #3: Assessing Debt Payment[05:49] The Importance of a Financial Forecast[06:51] Making Proactive and Strategic Business DecisionsEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website for related episodes on the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast.The Circular Approach: Decreasing Plastic Waste with a Sustainable Business - The Journey of Plaine ProductChanging the Future of Business: Slow Growth and Sound Financial Planning are the Secrets - The Journey of BadgerUnderstand whether your needs fall under long term debt financing or short term debt financing with the previous episode of Her CFO Tips:Her CFO Tips: Financing Strategy Based on Short-Term versus Long-Term Capital NeedsDownload the Debt Service Coverage Ratio Calculator, so you can see if your business can handle debt! 

Many founders shy away from debt financing because of a lack of knowledge. However, debt financing can be beneficial to businesses with a steady cash flow and existing assets. When you play your cards right, you can secure financing for your business without having to give any ownership away. In this episode, I’ll show you how to match your short-term and long-term capital needs to the right debt financing option. Then, I’ll give you 10 options for how you can finance your business, depending on your situation. Finally, I’ll show you the keys to securing any type of financing. Once you get these right, you can save your business from paying higher interest rates while also fulfilling your needs. Tune in to the full episode to know how you can grow your business through debt financing! Episode Highlights: [01:12] Choosing a Financing Strategy[02:14] Short-Term versus Long-Term Capital Needs[02:39] Equity Financing versus Debt Financing[03:55] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #1: Trade Credit[04:43] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #2: Overdraft Financing[05:06] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #3: Revolving Loan[05:27] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #4: Invoice Financing[06:24] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #5: Purchase Order Financing[06:39] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #6: Inventory Financing[07:06] Short-Term Financing Needs Option #7: Payables Financing[07:56] Long-Term Financing Needs Option #1: Equipment Financing[08:36] Long-Term Financing Needs Option #2: Project-Based Financing[09:00] Long-Term Financing Needs Option #3: IP-Backed Financing[09:35] Keys to Any Financing Strategy[10:03] Why Female Founders are Reluctant to Choose Debt FinancingEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website for related episodes on the Her CEO Journey™ Podcast.Invoice Factoring: Financing Your Business Recovery and Growth with Prestige Capital - The Journey of Rachel HershChanging the Future of Business: Slow Growth and Sound Financial Planning are the Secrets - The Journey of BadgerGrowing Your Business with IP-Backed Financing - The Journey of Lally RementillaDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!

Having a trademark is fundamental to protecting your business assets and potential growth.A challenge that comes with growing your business is protecting ownership of your primary assets. And you can do this all by creating an identity that sets yourself apart from your competitors.In this episode of Her CEO Journey™, trademark agent and lawyer Cynthia Mason talks about the value of trademarks and how many business owners can benefit from registering for one. She discusses why a trademark is essential to assets and ownership. She also shares some great advice on naming your business, especially when you want to stand out. Finally, we learn about how to register for a trademark and common misconceptions around trademarks.Tune in to find out more about how trademarks can bring value to your business!Here are Three Reasons Why You Should Listen to the Full Episode: Learn about the benefits of having a registered trademark for your business.You will discover the common misconceptions of business owners concerning trademarks.Cynthia shares her advice on the step-by-step process of how to trademark a name.Episode Highlights[04:41] Cynthia’s Journey [05:30] What is a Trademark?[08:38] What Makes A Good Name [11:17] The Small Business Perspective on Personal Names[14:16] Selling Your Business Under a Personal Name[17:03] Types of Trademarks[18:01] Trademarking Your Methodology[21:40] Deadlines for Registering to Trademark a Name[24:33] Using the ™ Symbol[28:37] How to Trademark a Name[34:04] The Value of Having a Trademark Agent[36:39] Your Trademark Channel [38:30] Doing Research Before Using a Name[39:06] Common Misconceptions About Trademarks[43:32] Registering a Trademark without a Lawyer or Agent[47:15] Benefits of Registering Your TrademarkEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesGrowing Your Business with IP-Backed Financing - The Journey of Lally RementillaScaling Your Business and Attracting Investors: How IP-Backed Financing Can be Your Growth Strategy for Business - The Journey of Lesley GouldieDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create an improved finance strategy for your business!Find out more information on trademarks from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.Mason PC TrademarksMarkably®Connect with Cynthia: LinkedIn

Financing is a requirement for the growth of your business. However, traditional financing may not be the best option for the nature of your business. Luckily, there are different options available to you. Your unique ideas, processes, and technology can be protected in the form of IP. You can then leverage this IP portfolio for debt financing. Through this process, you’re able to scale up and attract more investment opportunities.Lesley Gouldie of Thornhill Medical joins us in this episode to discuss how her company leveraged IP-backed financing to ensure their growth. We learn why Thornhill Medical chose an alternate commercial lender over a traditional one for their financing strategy. We also find out the process of obtaining IP-backed financing and how we can use this to attract the right investors. Finally, we get some great advice on hiring a CFO or financial advisor and scaling strategically. Do you want to know how you can use IP for debt financing as a growth strategy for business? Then, tune in to this episode to learn more!Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find out the difference between debt financing versus equity financing.Learn how you can prepare for IP-backed financing as a growth strategy for your business.Determine critical steps in the financial planning process when scaling up.Episode Highlights[05:04] Lesley’s Journey[06:35] Why IP Matters to Thornhill Medical[08:39] The Basics of Patents[09:49] Thornhill Medical’s IP Strategy[10:44] Thornhill Medical’s Financing Strategy: Debt Financing with Quantius[12:49] IP-Backed Financing as a Growth Strategy for Business[14:08] Why They Didn’t Get Financing from a Regular Bank[16:56] Debt Financing versus Series A Equity Financing as a Growth Strategy for Business [20:18] Making the Company More Attractive to Investors[21:02] Preparations Needed for IP-Backed Financing[23:51] Financial Planning Process During Company Hypergrowth[26:47] The Importance of Having a Financial Background as a CEO[27:32] Why Startups Should Consider Working with a CFO[29:53] Lesley’s Final Advice on Scaling StrategicallyEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesUnlocking Financial Opportunities with IP: How to Patent an Idea - The Journey of Susan BlanchetGrowing Your Business with IP-Backed Financing - The Journey of Lally RementillaDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!Thornhill MedicalConnect with Lesley: LinkedIn

Many companies don’t realize the value of their intellectual property. Leveraging assets, such as an IP portfolio, is necessary for scaling businesses for growth. These days, venture capital investors, like BDC Capital, open opportunities for companies to receive IP-backed financing.In this episode of Her CEO Journey™, Lally Rementilla joins us to explain how IP-backed financing can scale your business. She also shares with us how her company provides financial support to businesses through their processes of valuation of IP portfolios.Tune in to learn how IP-backed financing can help grow your business!Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find out about the different types of IP-backed financing for intellectual property protection.Learn about the valuation process and how to create an IP portfolio.Determine the key factors in acquiring financing deals, protecting your intellectual properties and assets, and earning patents.Episode Highlights[05:51] Lally’s Journey[09:15] Joining Quantius and BDC Capital[12:30] Deploying Funds[14:37] Attracting Foreign Companies[15:38] Defining Intellectual Property[17:14] Debunking Misconceptions on Intellectual Property Protection[19:31] BDC on Expanding Their IP-Backed Financing[21:05] Providing IP-Backed Financing[24:55] The Three Methods of Valuing Assets[29:22] Preparing for IP-Backed Financing Funds[31:42] Doing a Scenario Analysis[35:33] Creating an IP Portfolio and Strategy[37:36] Other Factors That Influence Debt Financing[41:14] On Reporting Requirements[43:35] Structuring a Financing Agreement[46:42] Other Financing Costs to Consider[48:59] How Long Does IP-Backed Financing Take?[53:26] Blazing the Trail for IP-Backed FinancingEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesDemystifying Intellectual Property: IP as a Tool for Protection and Growth - The Journey of Patent Lawyer Isi CaulderBuild Your Business Reputation: Learn How to Protect Intellectual Property and Use IP Strategies - The Journey of Cassandra DerhamUnlocking Financial Opportunities with IP: How to Patent an Idea - The Journey of Susan BlanchetDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!BDC Capital: English | FrenchCanadian Intellectual Property Office

Filing and acquiring patents is not an easy feat. The process is expensive, time-consuming, and intricate. With so many things to consider, it's easy to be discouraged. However, it's important to remember that IPs are of great value to your company. If you want to become an industry leader, it's beneficial to learn how to patent your ideas.In this episode, Susan Blanchet shares first-hand knowledge on developing an effective IP strategy. We learn why you should invest in IP and how you can leverage your IP strategy for financing. We also find out how patent agents, strategists, and industry advisors can help you through the process.Listen to the full episode to know how to figure out the pieces necessary to develop the best IP strategy.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Gain a concrete idea of how to patent an idea. Learn how you can segment your IP.Understand the role of patent agents, strategists, and industry advisors in formulating your IP strategy.Episode Highlights[05:38] Susan's Journey into IP[06:41] Early Experiences in IP[07:51] How to Patent an Idea[09:59] Strategic Segmentation for Patents[13:35] Working with International IPs[15:18] The Role of Patent Agents[20:43] Multidisciplinary Approaches to IP[24:04] The Benefits of an IP Strategy[26:24] Susan's Financing AdviceEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey™ podcast.Demystifying Intellectual Property: IP as a Tool for Protection and Growth - The Journey of Patent Lawyer Isi CaulderBuild Your Business Reputation: Learn How to Protect Intellectual Property and Use IP Strategies with Cassandra DerhamDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!CanExportInnovation Asset CollectiveSustainable Development Technology CanadaLearn more about Origen Air: websiteConnect with Susan: Website | LinkedIn

Intellectual property allows founders and CEOs to have a firm hold of their business ideas and trade secrets. You may not realize it, but these intellectual assets hold intrinsic value. They help keep you competitive and innovative in an ever-changing market. That’s why it’s important to protect these assets with an IP strategy.Cassandra Derham joins us in this episode for an insightful chat on this matter. We learn the six strategic pillars of IP and examples of their uses. Next, we find out their importance and how we can apply these pillars to small businesses. Finally, Cassandra identifies some ways you can explore to use your IP assets for financing. Tune in to learn more about how to protect and leverage IP so you can scale your business!Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the six pillars of IP strategy.Discover how to protect your intellectual property, specifically, how to establish your know-how.Find out how to create an IP strategy that will help sustain your business and increase benefits in the long run.Episode Highlights[05:22] Cassandra’s Journey[06:25] What is Intellectual Property?[08:30] How to Protect Intellectual Property with a Strategy[17:12] On Trade Secrets[19:03] Know-Hows as Intellectual Property[20:47] Obtaining a Trademark[23:20] How to Protect Intellectual Property for Small Businesses[27:45] More Tips on How to Protect Intellectual Property[30:59] On Patent-Pending and Due Diligence[34:57] On Exit Strategies[36:14] IP-Backed Financing and How It Works [39:58] Cassandra’s Advice on Creating IP Strategies[41:11] Common Mistakes When Learning How to Protect Intellectual PropertyEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey™ podcast.Demystifying Intellectual Property: IP as a Tool for Protection and Growth - The Journey of Patent Lawyer Isi CaulderDownload the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better financial forecast and improve finance for your business!Connect with Cassandra: LinkedIn

Filing for intellectual property rights is unfamiliar terrain for some founders and CEOs. Beyond developing an IP strategy, most aren’t aware of its value and what it entails for their businesses. However, taking this precaution to safeguard your business is critical. It can not only save you money in the long run, but it can also provide you with many growth opportunities.Isi Caulder, a patent lawyer with experience planning IP rights for businesses, joins us in today's episode. She describes how she went from being an engineer to becoming a patent lawyer and why she chose to specialize in intellectual property. Isi also goes over the types of intellectual property, their value, and how we can apply for them. Later on, we learn what it takes to develop a sound IP strategy and how this can be attractive to investors. Finally, we understand the importance of working with a patent lawyer and how their expertise can help you ensure your company’s growth. Tune in to the episode if you want to learn about intellectual property and how to use it to your advantage.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the types of intellectual property and their differences.Discover the importance of IP and employing the help of IP lawyers in empowering your company.Understand how IP can be used as an asset that can open up more opportunities for financing your business.Episode Highlights[05:58] How Isi Became a Patent Lawyer[07:07] What is Intellectual Property?[08:23] Other Types of IP[10:48] How to Identify Your IP[12:12] Advice Around IP[13:24] Crafting an IP Strategy[15:15] Next Steps to Filing IP[19:30] Why IP is Crucial for Your Business[21:35] Funding Opportunities[23:55] How to Use IP for Financing[26:56] Why Employment Agreements Matter[29:03] Cost-Benefit Analysis for IP [33:17] Financing Using Trade Secrets[34:24] Parting AdviceEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources:Visit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey™ podcast series.Download the Forecasting Guide so you can create a better and improved financial forecast for your business!CanExportThe Government of Canada’s Concierge program: CENGN Connect with Isi: LinkedIn | Email | Twitter 

When thinking about growing businesses, you may often think it requires heavy financing. However, not having investors doesn't mean that your company cannot scale. There are many financing options available to you. For a business that wants to focus on its impact and purpose, slow growth may be the right fit for you.Slow growth means that you're strategic about where you put your finances. You invest in your purpose; you also use your profits as a tool to intensify your impact on people and the planet. This is precisely what Badger does.Rebecca Hamilton, Badger’s family owner and co-CEO, joins us in this episode. We learn the company’s background and its secrets to success and stability. Rebecca also shares how strategic planning and financial planning factor into the equation. Finally, we reexamine the importance of having a CFO guide you through your company’s finances. Tune in to get great insights that you can readily apply to your business to ensure its success and stability! Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about Badger: its inspiration, growth, and advocacy.Discover how Badger successfully grew into the business it is today through creative financial planning.Get a peek at the process of transition of leadership in business as shared by Rebecca. Episode Highlights[05:49] Badger’s Origins[07:52] Rebecca’s Background[13:07] Public Benefit Corporation Legislation[15:05] Badger Becomes B Corp Certified[19:01] Challenges During Badger’s Early Days[23:09] On Bad Margins[25:35] Balancing Product Complexity[27:40] Finding Your Niche [29:07] Badger’s Secret to Profitability [33:21] Badger’s Financing[37:38] Badger’s Strategic Planning and Financial Planning[40:25] How a CFO Can Help with Financial Planning[43:09] Lessons from TransitionEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey podcast series.Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp: The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha HukTry out the Cash Flow Conversion Calculator to determine if your business is experiencing a cash flow issue. Badger: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | WebsiteConnect with Rebecca: LinkedIn

Businesses exist to provide value to customers while earning profit in the process. Until recently, this approach took the form of pursuing profit at all costs. Nowadays, more businesses are committing to incorporating social and environmental objectives into their plans. It is possible for businesses to grow and profit while minimizing adverse impacts on people and the environment. The key is strategic thinking and innovation.As the founder of Meliora Cleaning Products, Kate knows this well. A company committed to using safe ingredients in its products, Meliora aims to positively impact the planet. In this episode, Kate discussed the approach she takes to ensure that sustainability is included in all aspects of her business operations. She also talks about lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory as strategies to reduce waste and increase efficiency. Finally, we discuss the importance of knowing your numbers and determining the right time to hire a CFO.If you want to know what it takes to maintain a profitable and sustainable business with the help of different systems, then tune in to this episode!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the environmental problem that Meliora addresses. Find out what lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory are and how they can help reduce waste and lower costs.Learn how Kate implements practices, techniques, and changes to grow a sustainable business and achieve her vision for the company.Episode Highlights[05:56] Meliora’s Roots[08:37] What Sets Meliora Apart[10:53] The Product Manufacturing Process[13:43] The Cash Flow Planning Process [16:08] Setting Meliora’s Pricing and Costs[18:00] Making Eco-friendly Decisions[19:20] Understanding Lean Manufacturing[23:21] How to Apply Lean Manufacturing[25:26] The Risks of Just-in-Time Inventory System[27:57] The Importance of Understanding the Supply Chain [29:51] How Lean Manufacturing Helped While Bootstrapping Meliora [30:45] Vision For Meliora[32:24] When to Hire a CFO Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesTry out the Cash Flow Conversion Calculator to determine if your business is experiencing a cash flow issue. Check out Meliora Cleaning ProductsMaker to Manufacturer by Kate JakubasVisit Christina Sjahli’s website! Learn more about innovating and scaling your business through the Her CEO Journey podcast series.Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp: The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk

All businesses begin with a purpose. Purpose serves as the heart of your business. Your business and the decisions you make should always reflect that purpose. Thus, it significantly impacts the entirety of your business — from the materials you choose for your products to the financial decisions you need to make.For Lindsey and Alison, their purpose of providing an environment-friendly alternative to plastic bottles and their desire to reduce their carbon footprint forms the core of their company, Plaine Products. They kept their goal in mind from start to finish, and you can see it reflected in all of their business decisions.Tune in to the episode for an insightful discussion on creating long-term profit and supporting your business with alternative financing. In this activity, you will gain a clearer perspective on making decisions that will benefit your purpose and profits.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:You will find out how much plastic waste has been damaging our planet and how we can make a difference.Learn how to face the challenges of innovating and financing your product, from research to development.Take inspiration from Lindsey and Alison's business journey — from scaling a sustainable business to providing solutions!Episode Highlights[05:57] The Beginning of Plaine Products[09:31] The Issues Plaine Products Addresses[10:13] Lindsey’s Blind Side[11:34] What Was Going on Before the Launch[13:27] The Biggest Challenge During Research Phase[14:23] The Beginning of a Sustainable Business[18:39] Managing Finances During Research [21:17] Challenges in Terms of Innovation, Product, and Process[24:24] Step-By-Step Processes in Scaling[25:35] Keeping a Sustainable Pace[27:28] Why a Loan and Not Investors? [28:50] The Structure of Debt Financing [30:46] Vision for Plaine Products[31:32] Metrics to Measure Progress [32:08] Going Global[32:32] When Your Business Needs a Part-Time CFO[34:45] Their Advice for Female FoundersEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli's website for more insights on business finance on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Download this Action Guide to help you make clearer business decisions that balance your purpose and profits.Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!

As business leaders, we bear the brunt of the stress and pressure that comes with running a company. So, many of us have the tendency to do everything on our own. However, running a business does not have to be this way. You won't be able to be an effective leader if you are overworked. Good thing you can ask for the help of a chief financial officer for your company. Contrary to popular belief, the role of a chief financial officer or CFO entails more than just looking at your numbers. Beyond financial management, a modern CFO helps you evolve your business. For this episode, we go through five key tips on how a CFO can reimagine your company's finances and align them with your mission. We talk about what a CFO does and how they can help business owners like you. Hiring a CFO can help your business fluorish in more ways than you realize.Listen to this episode to find out why you should hire a modern CFO for your business!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the role of a chief financial officer.Learn crucial tips on hiring the benefits of having a modern CFO as a trusted advisor.Find out the areas and aspects beyond financial management that a CFO can examine.Episode Highlights[01:50] What is the Role of a Chief Financial Officer?[03:16] Tip #1: Presents an Independent Viewpoint[03:55] Tip #2: Spots Critical Issues in the Business Operation[04:28] Tip #3: Provides a Business Plan and Strategy Aligned with Why You Founded the Business[05:30] Tip #4: Assists with Setting Goals and Targets[06:14] Tip #5: Brings Everything Together into Financial Results You Can Understand[06:51] The Benefits of Having a Trusted AdvisorEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli'’s website for more insights on business finance on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Chat with Christina and set up a time here!Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!

Your relationship with your investors shouldn’t end after you’ve successfully raised capital. It's vital to update them on the progress of your business. After all, they placed faith in you and your vision. Being proactive in letting your investors know where the money is going will build trust and strengthen investor relationships. You can do this by having a transparent and well-constructed mid-year financial review.In this episode, we will talk about three steps you should take to successfully create a mid-year financial review. Aside from impressing your investors, doing so can also help you spot problems and solve them promptly. If you want to build up your investor relationships and create accountability for yourself, then tune in to this episode!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Learn why doing a financial review after successfully raising capital can help you with investor relationships.Find out the three steps you need to take to craft a well-thought-out mid-year financial review.Understand the options that you, as a founder, have with regard to your business finance.Episode Highlights[00:00] Maintaining Investor Relationships After Capital Raising[02:18] Step 1: Review and update the assumptions in your financial model[03:23] Step 2: Prepare a financial projection for the next 12 months [03:40] Step 3: Review your working capital[04:07] Partnering with a CFO Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesAre you getting ready to raise capital? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business first. Download this quiz!

As a startup company, you may choose to bootstrap your funding. In fact, some business owners find it more comfortable to do so, as was the case for Michelle Eichner and her first company. From bootstrapping her company to success, she talks about her journey to creating a financial model that works. According to Michelle, it is important to make well-researched assumptions and reasonable predictions for business growth, such as when and where to increase or reduce your financial resources. Michelle also talks about why she eventually chose to raise capital externally for her second company. Building her digital product was a more competitive venture than her previous emailing platform. She explains why bootstrapping was no longer an option in this case. Furthermore, Michelle tackles the benefits of attracting investors and using special purpose vehicles.Do you want to know which type of funding is the best fit for your business? Listen to this episode to know more! 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Learn how Michelle transitioned from bootstrapping her business to raising capital and seeking investors.Explore how using special purpose vehicles can help you raise capital. well-researched business projections are crucial for your financial model.Episode Highlights[04:53] Starting as an Entrepreneur[06:44] Michelle’s Second Company[12:14] Bootstrapping for Pivotal Veracity vs Raising Capital for Digitile [15:24] What If Digitile Was Founded in the 2000s?[18:46] Choosing to Raise Capital for Digitile[20:32] Digitile’s Financial Model[23:09] The Changing Model of Digitile[27:39] The Benefits of SPVs[33:01] Determining the Amount of Investment[34:51] A Checklist for Capital Raising[37:02] Understanding Your Financial Numbers for a Well-Thought Pitch Deck[42:52] What Michelle Would Do Differently[48:02] Hiring a CFOEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesAre you getting ready to raise capital? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business first. Download this quiz!Download this Action Guide to help you determine the best type of funding for your business.

There are lots of benefits to using a special purpose vehicle or SPV to raise capital. However, you undermine these advantages if you don’t familiarize yourself with its legal aspects. Handling legal affairs may be intimidating, but it is a necessary aspect of any business venture. If you want to utilize the full potential of an SPV, you need to know how to navigate its legalities.In this episode, McCall Harris talks about the legal processes involved with SPVs. She also explains from a legal standpoint why it is a favourable alternative to venture capital funds. In addition, McCall talks about the steps involved in creating and dissolving an SPV. Finally, she provides details behind the legal documents essential in these processes.If you are a mission-driven founder who wants to try SPVs for your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Understand the step-by-step process of creating an SPV.Learn the documents you need for an SPV.Find out more about dissolving an SPV, whether in a successful or unsuccessful exit.Episode Highlights[05:24] Being a Lawyer and Specializing in SPV[07:43] What Is a Special Purpose Vehicle?[12:09] The Four-Step Process of Creating an SPV[13:47] Benefits of SPVs[15:29] Why Does a Cleaner Cap Table Matter?[17:50] Legal Documents You Need to Know[21:37] Drafting an Operating Agreement[26:01] The Terms Included in an Operating Agreement[28:03] Legal Aspects of Successful Business Exits[34:42] Unsuccessful Business Exits[38:44] Other ConsiderationsEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s for more insights on raising capital through equity crowdfunding on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Episode 118: Using a Special Purpose Vehicle as an Option for Capital Raising - The Journey of Katie NeilsonEpisode 119: Ensure Your Startup Growth: Tips on Capital Raising Using Special Purpose Vehicle And Strategic Development Are you getting ready for capital raising? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!Download this Action Guide to help you determine if an SPV is right for your business.Assure — The Special Purpose Vehicle Specialist: Website | LinkedIn

As a founder, you need to be strategic about your plans for startup growth. Capital raising alone won’t be the solution to your cash flow problems. Instead of focusing on this, you need to know if you’re building a sustainable and profitable business. Because no matter how successful you are at capital raising, it’s pointless if you don’t know how to deploy these resources.BoomStartup's Tara Spalding joins us to discuss the important things you need to keep in mind when raising capital to ensure startup growth. She emphasizes the importance of communication and transparency between BoomStartup and its clients. Through quarterly business surveys, they can track their clients' progress and suggest improvements along the way.Tara also shares the programs they have to help founders accelerate their startup growth. We also touch upon the importance of intellectual property and high growth potential. Finally, we learn the value of SPVs in the pre-seed round and CFOs in the seed round.If you want to know how an accelerator can be helpful to your startup growth, then this episode is for you. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover how BoomStartUp helps startups grow by giving them guidance and expert advice.Learn the different evaluation processes BoomStartup conducts to determine the progress and growth of its clients.Find out tips and strategies for intellectual property, capital raising, and when to hire a CFO.Episode Highlights- [06:18] Tara’s Background- [10:28] What BoomStartup Does- [12:59] What Low Barrier Means- [16:20] How to Join the Accelerator for Startup Growth- [19:17] Programs at BoomStartup - [24:53] Building an Intellectual Property Strategy- [31:14] High Growth Potential for Startup Growth- [36:37] Assessing Capital and Progress- [40:59] Using SPVs at the Pre-Seed Round- [47:13] What to Look Out for in the Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A Rounds- [50:15] Why it Makes Sense to Hire a Part-Time CFO Prior to and After the Seed RoundEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Episode 118: Using a Special Purpose Vehicle as an Option for Capital Raising - The Journey of Katie NeilsonAre you getting ready for capital raising? Identify the financial gaps that can stop you from building a profitable and sustainable business. Download this quiz!Connect with Tara: LinkedInBoomStartup — An action-oriented and change-making accelerator that empowers startup growth. Check out their programs:OpenUpPitchUpRiseUpAmplifyUp Check out these Boom backers:Assure

As a business owner, you need to raise capital to grow and scale your business. I always believe there are many different ways to raise capital. However, it is easy to get lost because of the various options. If you want to raise capital and get the flexibility to control outcomes, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) may be your answer.Today on Her CEO Journey, Katie Neilson discusses capital raising using a special purpose vehicle. She helps us understand this investment vehicle and the benefits this presents for founders and investors. Katie also shares some options you can explore if you’re thinking of using SPV to raise capital.If you are a mission-driven founder who is looking for a different method of raising capital, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Determine the difference between a special purpose vehicle and venture capital.Learn how a special purpose vehicle can help founders raise capital.Find out the benefits of a special purpose vehicle in capital raising.Episode Highlights[05:47] Katie's Journey in Co-Founding Assure[08:19] Katie and Her Co-Founder's Background[08:57] What Is a Special Purpose Vehicle?[11:50] What Is an Organizer?[12:41] The Difference Between SPV and Venture Capital[15:42] How Assure Managed to Lower the Cost of SPV[18:03] Hybrid Fund: A Combination of SPV and Venture Capital[23:51] The Benefits of Special Purpose Vehicle for Founders[26:32] Preparation for Fundraising[28:34] What Is a Syndication?[30:34] Key Takeaways in Fundraising through SVP[33:00] How to Set Up an SVP or Work with AssureEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Episode 117: Thinking of Capital Raising? Address These 5 Business Finance Misconceptions FirstDownload this Action Guide to help you understand the value of an SPV in raising capital.Getting ready for capital raising? Identify your financial gaps first by addressing these five business finance misconceptions. Download this quiz! Interested in setting up an SPV or working with Assure? Check out these options:BoomStartupAssure Syndicates

It takes hard work to move your purpose-driven business closer to your goal while ensuring that it’s sustainable. As you scale your business, you’ll realize that you need to be profitable to amplify your social impact mission. But before you think about capital raising, first and foremost, you need to understand why you need the extra capital. In this episode, I discuss five misconceptions — and a bonus sixth! — on business finance that can cloud your headspace. Clearing out these misconceptions can close gaps in your business finance process you may not even know you had. In doing so, you can make more strategic and informed business decisions for your company’s growth.If you are a mission-driven founder who wants to make the best business finance decisions, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Find out five (plus a bonus one) business finance misconceptions that can cloud your business decisions.Identify the gaps in your business and take steps to create solutions.Clear your headspace and make the best decisions for you and your business as you look into capital raising.Episode Highlights[02:14] Know the Five Misconceptions in Business Finance First Before Going into Capital Raising[05:10] #1: High Price and High Volume Equals High Revenue[06:42] #2: Fast Growth Means a More Profitable Situation and More Cash Flow[19:32] #3: Financing Resolves All Cash Flow Issues[11:23] #4: Financial Knowledge Equals Bookkeeping and Taxes[14:39] #5: Forecasts are Pointless[19:06] Bonus: Getting a Business Loan Is BadEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesVisit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Getting ready for capital raising? Identify your financial gaps first by addressing these five business finance misconceptions. Download this quiz! 

We all want what’s best for our company. However, our teams may execute things differently. Often, we see tension between our marketing and finance teams: our companies' creative and analytical branches, respectively. They may not see the eye-to-eye on the best way forward. Marketing may feel that finance is trying to cut their resources. In contrast, finance thinks that marketing is spending too much without measuring results. To resolve this conflict, we need to find a common language between the two sides.In this episode, we talk about how you can bridge the gap between marketing and finance through the perspective of a CFO. We share five important questions to ask your marketing team so that you can identify the financial story behind your marketing campaigns. Knowing the answers to these questions is vital data that you need for future decisions.   If you’re an entrepreneur looking to bridge the gap between marketing and finance, then this episode is for you! Start asking the right questions so you can get the results you want.  3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover the five questions you need to ask about your marketing process from a CFO’s perspective! Understand the importance of each metric and hear examples of how to apply them.   Learn the benefits of bridging your marketing and finance process.  Episode Highlights[00:02] The Common Gap In Marketing And Finance[02:45] Strengthening Your Marketing From a CFO Perspective[04:09] The First Question: Business Analysis [05:33] The Second Question: Number of Prospects[06:31] The Third Question: Lead To Client Conversion Speed[08:12] The Fourth Question: Conversion Rate Per Marketing Campaign[09:35] The Fifth Question: Bringing the Right Audience[10:24] Insights to Bridging Your Marketing And FinanceEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources:Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more stories on entrepreneurial journeys to success on the Her CEO Journey podcast.Episode 111 - Reimagining Business Finance: How a Holistic Approach Can Help You Improve Your BusinessDownload this Action Guide to help you understand the financial story behind your marketing campaigns in Toronto, Canada.

A website can be a bridge between your business and a potential client despite miles of distance. But people come from various walks of life — their abilities, needs, and wants all differ from each other. How can you pique their interest in what you have to offer? Joining us is Alisa Herr, CEO of Unity Web Agency. Alisa starts by sharing her journey and struggles to start Unity. She aims to show how important it is to create an accessible and sustainable website. Alisa also shares how her company implemented an equal-pay policy and what this means for her employees. Through all of this, you also need to remember that it’s vital to know your financial numbers so that you can make well-informed decisions for your company’s growth.With Alisa’s knowledge, you can equip yourself to face these challenges head-on. You now have more tools to grow your business and still look out for people and the planet. If you're in a position to make your business more accessible, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Gain valuable insights from Alisa’s journey to start her own web design business that promotes inclusivity.Learn how you can have an accessible and sustainable website.Find out what goals you can set to create a better and more inclusive environment for your team and your clients.Episode Highlights[05:50] Alisa’s Journey to Starting Unity Web Agency[08:54] The Difference Between Unity and Other Website Agencies[10:32] What an Accessible Website Means[12:53] How to Make a Website More Accessible[17:19] What a Sustainable Website Means[20:59] Partnership with Ablr [22:56] The Key Components of a Functional and Well-Designed Website [29:14] Unity’s Equal Pay Policy[34:30] Ensuring Business Profitability and Sustainability[36:38] Setting Short-Term and Long-Term Goals[40:07] Initial Struggles When Establishing the AgencyEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesReimagining Business Finance: How a Holistic Approach Can Help You Improve Your BusinessDownload this Action Guide to help you re-assess the value of an accessible and sustainable website as a part of your growth marketing strategy.Episode 112 - A Deep Dive into the Importance of an SEO StrategyEpisode 113 - Paid Advertising with EcosiaConnect with Alisa: LinkedInUnity Web Agency: Website | TwitterI Earn the Same Amount as My Employees - and That’s Okay by Alisa HerrWhole Grain DigitalEcosia Ablr

Do you know what it takes to build a successful brand? Perhaps you're looking for some practical solutions, or maybe you're in the process of building a brand but have met roadblocks. However, if you're not actively thinking about building your brand, then it's time to start. In addition to meeting your sales goals, there's so much more you can do if you have a clear idea of your brand's identity.Remember: your branding and marketing strategy evolves along with your financial strategy. Brand impact metrics help you forecast your revenue growth and make business decisions without making uneducated guesses. Your company’s brand reflects what you and your business believe in. Through it, you can strengthen your relationship with your customers, inspire and recruit talent, work with people whose vision is aligned with yours, and separate yourself from your competition.In this episode, Shelley Mayer discusses the importance of building your brand as a foundation to reaching your company’s full potential. She talks about the value of understanding the core purpose of your organization. Adhering to this can promote growth in your business. Additionally, Shelley discusses the importance of a partnership strategy. Organizations with the same core values and objectives can elevate each other in a mutually beneficial partnership. If done well, a partnership strategy helps promote awareness and growth.If you want more valuable tips on successful branding and partnership strategy, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Explore the fundamental strategies in building a successful brand and partnership strategy.Discover how Shelley developed her company, Ramp, to elevate the field of brand marketing.Learn more about Shelley’s partnership strategy and why business leaders need to consider acquiring one.Episode Highlights[07:18] Shelley’s Journey: Building Ramp[11:10] Definition and Misconceptions on Branding[13:42] Challenges in Building Ramp[15:43] Ramp’s B Corp Certification[18:48] Being Successful Without a Strong Brand[19:25] Signs of Untapped Potential[21:22] Benefits of Partnership Marketing[23:08] Steps to Building a Successful Partnership Strategy[30:05] Why a Partnership Strategy Might Not Work[31:02] Financial Journey of Building Ramp[34:16] Ramp Looking ForwardEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.ResourcesEpisode 111 - Reimagining Business Finance: How a Holistic Approach Can Help You Improve Your BusinessEpisode 112 - A Deep Dive into the Importance of an SEO Strategy - The Journey of Anna Colibri (Growth Marketing Series)Episode 113 - Paid Advertising with Ecosia: Grow Your Business and Increase Your Social Impact- The Journey of Ruby Au (Growth Marketing Series) Download this Action Guide to help you understand the value of building your brand and working with partners for growth.

Can social impact and profit go together? Balancing the two is challenging, and many companies find themselves choosing one or the other. However, Ecosia shows that it’s possible. Ecosia is a green search engine, and they found a way to get their paid advertising revenue work for their social impact goals — planting trees in some of the harshest places around the world.In this episode, Ruby Au joins us to talk about Ecosia’s positive impacts on the environment and paid advertising. She shares the sustainable projects that the company has started. Along the way, they’re able to generate high revenue. Ruby also reveals the goals and measures that will guide a business towards or away from its mission. Finally, we discuss how to get paid advertising work and how people can start partnering with Ecosia.  This episode is part two of the Growth Marketing Series. It aims to show you that business finance and marketing come together to focus on your purpose. If you invest in paid advertising, your marketing team should look at traffic- and conversion-driven metrics. Furthermore, they should also examine how each campaign results in revenue. Through this, your team becomes financial ambassadors, and you’re better able to make sound data-driven decisions.If you want to know more about how to get paid advertising work for profit and social impact, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the way Ecosia balances profit and social impact.Understand how your KPIs will always drive your decisions and investments.Learn practical tips on how to get paid advertising to work for you.Episode Highlights[06:40] What Led Ruby to Work for Ecosia[12:42] How Ecosia Works[16:51] The Stakeholder vs. Shareholder Approaches[19:52] The Main Mission of Ecosia[23:09] Are Your Goals Aligned to Impact?[32:21] Ecosia’s User Profile[36:06] How Paid Advertising with the Syndicated Partner Network Works[42:09] How to Get Paid Advertising to Work for You[49:13] Mission and Profit Can Go TogetherEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me.ResourcesFor more growth marketing strategies, visit the Her CEO Journey podcast series.Download this Action Guide to help get paid advertising to work for your business and increase social impact in Toronto, Canada.Episode 111 - Reimagining Business Finance: How a Holistic Approach Can Help You Improve Your BusinessEpisode 112 - A Deep Dive into the Importance of an SEO Strategy - The Journey of Anna Colibri (Growth Marketing Series)Purpose to Prosperity Club on ClubhouseConnect with Ruby: LinkedInStart planting trees with Ecosia; Download their mobile app.

As a business owner, you need to understand that finance is interconnected with other business activities. A holistic approach to business finance in Toronto, Canada offers significant returns to your business. Moreover, to maximize growth, everyone in your team should be a finance ambassador. Your marketing team should know the return of investment for the growth strategies that they use. Effective information management can help you determine future marketing spending. Among these growth marketing strategies, your company may benefit from search engine optimization or SEO. However, an SEO strategy may intimidate some business owners. You may not know much about it, but don’t let this stop you from exploring its potential. An SEO strategy can help your company grow in the long term.In this episode, Anna Colibri talks about the importance of a growth marketing strategy. She gives practical tips on developing an SEO strategy to generate more leads and achieve a higher conversion rate. Anna shares tips on what makes a good SEO strategy. She also talks about the necessity of financial knowledge in running a business.If you are a mission-driven founder who wants to learn more about the importance of an SEO strategy, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the particulars behind SEO.Discover the best way to develop an SEO strategy. Appreciate the importance of financial knowledge.Episode Highlights[06:59] Why Anna Started Her Digital Marketing Company[09:54] Prioritizing Marketing in a Business[12:15] Anna’s Experience in Marketing[14:29] Struggles Businesses Have with SEO[19:03] New vs. Established Businesses[23:03] Thinking Long-Term[25:55] Essential SEO Components[28:12] The Importance of Location[29:40] Creating Backlinks[32:51] Other Methods To Build Links[34:35] Why an SEO Strategy Is Worth It[36:41] How an SEO Strategy Relates to Sales[39:47] SEO vs. Paid Marketing[42:19] User Experience In SEO[44:08] Changes in Anna’s Financial KnowledgeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources:Download this Action Guide to help you understand the importance of and develop an SEO strategy for your business.Her CEO Journey Podcast Episode 101 - Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha HukHer CEO Journey Podcast Episode 111 - Reimagining Business Finance: How a Holistic Approach Can Help You Improve Your BusinessPurpose to Prosperity Club on ClubhouseConnect with Anna: LinkedIn | Instagram

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “business finance”? Is it money or getting revenue and sales? That’s what many people commonly think; however, finance is more than just numbers. It is deeply tied to our purpose and operations, so much that your financial statements can tell you if your purpose and profit are misaligned.In this episode, we talk about viewing business finance in a holistic way. We also examine why we need everyone in our team to become finance ambassadors. Creating this change can bring huge returns to your business, including company culture, purpose, and more. Any mindset shift starts with you, so get out there and take action!If you want to learn more about the holistic approach of business finance and finance ambassadors, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Understand why we need to change the way we view business finance.2.  Learn how business finance is connected to everything in our business.3.  Discover the power of finance ambassadors.Episode Highlights➤   [02:10] Why We Need to See Business Finance Differently➤   [04:55] The Golden Circle➤   [06:42] Connect Business Finance to Your Purpose and Operations➤   [09:24] Everyone in Your Team Needs to Be a Finance Ambassador➤   [13:15] The First Step a Founder and CEO Can Take as a Finance Ambassador ➤   [14:04] Results of the Mindset ShiftEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources:➤   Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more insights into business finance on the Her CEO Journey podcast series.➤   Chat with Christina and set up a time here!➤ Download this Action Guide to guide you in reimagining your business financial process in Toronto, Canada using the holistic approach.  ➤   Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek

Growing a company goes beyond passion and creativity. Women of colour, in particular, are at a disadvantage when it comes to raising capital, especially in Toronto, Canada. Pushing boundaries means having confidence in your vision and understanding of financial numbers to provide investors with concrete answers about funding.Your financial numbers are not your enemy. By switching this mindset, you can push boundaries, empower, and pave the way for future minority leaders and entrepreneurs.In this episode, Stacey Martin introduces her fashion brand, Stacey Martin Lifestyle. She shares her journey from building a business to growing it through equity crowdfunding. Stacey also shares the value of understanding your financial numbers. As a Black woman in the fashion industry, she understands that she’s at a disadvantage. Despite this, she acknowledges that her purpose is bigger than herself and persists in pushing boundaries.If you’re an entrepreneur or investor of a business for good who wants to know more about pushing boundaries, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Gain valuable insights from how Stacey is growing her business through equity crowdfunding.2.  Learn the importance of understanding the financials behind the company and hiring a dedicated CFO.3.  Discover how Stacey is pushing boundaries in the fashion industry as a woman of colour.Episode Highlights➤   [08:07] Stacey Martin on Building Her Brand➤   [10:21] Why Stacey Needed to Rebrand Her Business➤   [11:52] The Biggest Challenges Stacey Experienced When She Started➤   [12:40] Using Her Background as a Performer to Become a Better Entrepreneur➤   [16:17] Sustainability and Ethical Practices for Stacey Martin Lifestyle➤   [17:37] Why Stacey Chose Equity Crowdfunding➤   [19:28] How Stacey Will Use the Funds➤   [21:08] Future Plans for Financing, Expanding, and Exit➤   [24:16] How Stacey Understands Financial Numbers➤   [28:15] The Benefits of Understanding Financial Numbers and Hiring a CFO➤   [35:10] Looking Back➤   [38:56] The Effect of COVID-19 on Stacey’s Business➤   [41:05] Stacey’s Equity Crowdfunding JourneyEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources➤   Creating Successful Marketing Campaign to Raise Capital - The Journey of Trieste Reading➤   Raising Capital with FrontFundr: Due Diligence and Managing Finances - The Journey of Jaime McNally➤   Making Your Way Through the Legal Side of Raising Capital - The Journey of Julie Bogle➤   Create Your Financial Story Before Raising Capital - The Journey of Vivian Riley➤   Download this Action Guide to help you push boundaries by telling the story of your numbers.

Do you know where your business is going in a few years? Answering this question is crucial in equity crowdfunding and any capital raising. It’s not enough to know the past story (bookkeeping) and comply to pay your taxes every year. Financial forecasts are vital to show your investors that your vision is profitable and sustainable. But here's the tricky part: it's dynamic. You need to consistently update your numbers and adapt to an ever-changing business environment.In this episode, Vivian Riley talks about her preparations before raising capital with equity crowdfunding. She notes that having solid financial records, forward-looking view and marketing strategies helped her build her network of investors. We now have more opportunities and options when raising funds, and it’s important that we’re prepared every step of the way.If you want to be ready to raise funds for your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Learn the benefits of hybrid financing that includes equity crowdfunding.2.  Discover how historical data, financial forecasts, and consistent reviews can help you prepare to raise capital. 3.  Understand that investors need to be confident in both you and the business.Episode Highlights➤   [07:09] Vivian’s Experience and Business ➤   [14:47] Building Your Recurring Revenue ➤   [18:28] Hybrid Business Financing and Equity Crowdfunding ➤   [24:00] What to Do Before Raising Capital➤   [28:47] How to Build Reasonable Financial Forecasts ➤   [31:19] Key Steps to Investor Relationships ➤   [33:13] Helpful Tools for Business Finance➤   [39:33] Team Dynamics and Management in Times of Crisis➤   [47:42] Vivian’s Advice on When and How to Raise Capital➤   [49:57] Benefits of Creating Early Momentum and Strong Financials in Equity CrowdfundingEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources➤   Visit Christina Sjahli’s website for more insights on raising capital through equity crowdfunding on the Her CEO Journey podcast.➤ Download this Action Guide to help you create your financial story before raising capital in Toronto, Canada.➤   Her CEO Journey Equity Crowdfunding Series:Creating Successful Marketing Campaign to Raise Capital - The Journey of Trieste ReadingRaising Capital with FrontFundr: Due Diligence and Managing Finances - The Journey of Jaime McNallyMaking Your Way Through the Legal Side of Raising Capital - The Journey of Julie Bogle➤   Connect with Vivian: LinkedIn | Email➤   RenovationFind

Are you planning to scale your business? Perhaps you consider equity crowdfunding as a way to raise capital. While equity crowdfunding can help your business grow, first understand if equity crowdfunding can benefit your business. Furthermore, you have to be knowledgeable of the different sides of this capital raising, including the legal side. In this episode, Julie Bogle, an attorney from the Canadian law firm BLG joins us to discuss the different ways of raising capital. She notes the various exemptions and capital raising that will suit different kinds of investors. Julie encourages mission-driven female entrepreneurs and business owners to hire experts to fill in knowledge gaps in your team and lawyers to handle the legal side of your equity crowdfunding campaign. Learn to solve problems even before they appear!If you want to know more about the benefits of hiring experts and lawyers to ensure the success of your equity crowdfunding campaign, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Discover the different ways you can raise funds and the different kinds of investors available.2.  Learn the importance of rules and jurisdictions before you start your equity crowdfunding campaign.3.  Understand why it’s essential to hire experts and find a lawyer who’ll help you tend your crowdfunding campaign’s legalities.Episode Highlights➤   [06:34] Julie’s Background➤   [09:35] Raising Capital as Women Entrepreneurs➤   [12:22] Expand Your Focus➤   [14:31] Types of Investors and Ways to Grow Your Business Finances➤   [18:37] When Raising Capital through Equity Crowdfunding Makes Sense for Your Business➤   [21:47] Why Rules and Jurisdiction Matter in Equity Crowdfunding➤   [25:07] Know Your Exit Strategy and Cap Table➤   [28:25] Things You Need to Know When Researching on Funding Platforms➤   [33:44] Qualities of a Good LawyerEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources➤   Visit Christina Sjahli’s website to learn about managing your balance sheet on the Her CEO Journey podcast series.➤ Download this Action Guide to help you navigate the legal side of raising capital through equity crowdfunding in Toronto, Canada.➤   Learn more about equity crowdfunding from a marketing, business finance, and due diligence perspective by tuning into our previous interviews with Jaime McNally and Trieste Reading. 

As mission-driven female entrepreneurs, we know our companies inside and out. But do we know everything we need for growth? How much is your business worth? Can you really do everything alone? Do you have all the data you need?In this episode, FrontFundr's Jaime McNally joins us to share the processes FrontFundr's Venture team executes to help companies raise capital. She also discusses the role and importance of valuing a business in equity crowdfunding. We also touch on the best practices in managing finances and data and the process of raising capital through convertible debt.Tune in to the episode to learn how to learn the best practices for achieving growth!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Learn the role of valuing a business in raising capital.2.  Find out some of the best practices for business growth.3.  Identify the best deal structure and common struggles ventures experience when raising capital and how to deal with them.Episode Highlights➤   [02:55] Explaining key terminologies➤   [04:15] Why knowing your business’s worth is important➤   [05:26] Three processes to implement to determine the value of your business➤   [07:26] How FrontFundr works➤   [08:56] The benefits and risks involved in equity crowdfunding➤   [09:54] Handling business finances with your CFO➤   [11:03] Industries FrontFundr works with➤   [11:37] The Due Diligence Processes➤   [13:48] Where valuing a business comes in➤   [16:43] Raising capital through convertible debt and/or hybrid financing with FrontFundr➤   [18:10] Common struggles with ventures when raising capital➤   [19:46] From equity crowdfunding to initial public offering (IPO) Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources➤   Visit Christina Sjahli’s website to learn about managing your balance sheet on the Her CEO Journey podcast series.➤ Download this Action Guide to help you do your due diligence, manage your finances in Toronto, Canada, and put the numbers together.➤   Learn more about equity crowdfunding from a marketing perspective by tuning into our previous interview with Trieste Reading. 

As frustrating as it may seem, the reality is female business founders are significantly underfunded compared to male founders. Equity crowdfunding helps build community and excitement around a business.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Trieste Reading talks about effective marketing for equity crowdfunding. She introduces FrontFundr, a platform you can use to raise capital for your mission-driven business. She also talks about creating a great pitch deck to attract investors.If you’re a woman with a vision, aiming to create an effective market campaign for equity crowdfunding, then this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:1.  Learn about FrontFundr as an online platform you can use to campaign for your business and raise capital.2.  Discover the critical marketing pillars for raising capital.3.  Know about the importance of a target capital raise as a predictor of a successful campaign.Episode Highlights➤   [07:08] How Trieste's journey with FrontFundr Started➤   [10:35] How to get over risky investments➤   [14:22] How the funding landscape changed in the past year➤   [16:44] How FrontFundr helps in marketing your business➤   [19:32] What steps to take next➤   [22:42] Which companies can raise capital with FrontFundr?➤   [25:49] Customer vs. investor acquisition ➤   [26:48] Easy and hard industries in raising capital➤   [29:37] FrontFundr's role in raising capital➤   [30:15] Marketing pillars to raise capital➤   [33:45] The minimum following needed➤   [36:57] Successful vs. unsuccessful campaigns➤   [42:44] Creating a great pitch deck➤   [46:08] Advice on marketing for equity crowdfunding for female foundersEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeReady to transform your purpose into an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Resources➤   Visit Christina Sjahli’s website to learn about managing your balance sheet on the Her CEO Journey podcast series.➤   Download this Action Guide to learn more about marketing in capital raising in Toronto, Canada.➤   Learn about B-Corp Certified business and building business as a force for good by tuning into our previous interviews with B-Lab Canada, Kim Fuller, Annie Bright, and Cory Ames, and Carolina Miranda.

What does it take to turn your business into a force for good? To start, you need to have a powerful mission. You also need to offer services and products that help people. And you need to make a profit to affect change. But that’s not all. You also need to incorporate sustainability into your business model and practices. Making your business more sustainable isn’t easy, but it is possible—especially with help.  That’s where sustainability expert and B-corp consultant Carolina Miranda comes in. With her company, she helps businesses take the step from dreaming to action. In our conversation today, Carolina explains in detail the process of becoming B-corp certified, what the impact assessment means, and how to begin incorporating sustainable practices into your work. You’ll learn how service-based businesses can rethink their sustainability, what challenges you might face when conducting an impact assessment, and why it’s critical to prioritize profitability. About my guest:Carolina Miranda is the founder and CEO of Cultivating Capital, a certified B-corp that helps small businesses implement more sustainable business practices. As an entrepreneur and certified green business, sustainability, and B-corp consultant, Miranda works with business leaders from the ground up to rethink their company practices, prioritize sustainability, and start the journey of becoming B-corp certified. Her company is currently in the process of launching the B Impact Collective, a membership community designed to unite business leaders who are passionate about B-corp certification. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Carolina was drawn to the idea of B-corps (6:01)➤ How to focus on sustainability in business (9:41)➤ The best way to become a B-corp (12:53)➤ How to take advantage of the impact assessment (16:07)➤ The challenges you might face in assessing your business (19:38)➤ How service-based businesses can score B-corp points (28:00)➤ Rethinking your business model and practices (31:56)➤ How to maintain your B-corp certification (37:00)➤ Shifting your perspective on business finances (39:44)➤ Balancing sustainability with profit (45:11)Relevant episodes:➤ Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk ➤ Episode 102: How a B-Corp Marketing Agency Builds a Better Future - The Journey of Kim Fuller➤ Episode 103: What Grow Ensemble Learns in Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Annie Bright and Cory AmesContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Carolina Miranda:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Certified B-Corporation

What qualities do you need to make a difference in the world? Obviously, you need passion, motivation, and persistence, but you also need something else. Adaptability. To make a true impact with your business, you have to be prepared to adapt your mission and goals. That’s what Cory Ames and Annie Bright did with their company, Grow Ensemble. What started as a digital marketing agency for businesses turned into a global community dedicated to social and environmental change. In our conversation today, we talk about how Cory and Annie built and adapted their business and why they’re so passionate about sustainability. Along the way, you’ll gather insight on the challenges of becoming a B-corp certified business when your business is at a start-up stage and learn why it’s important to choose your customers and strategic partners with care. About my guests:Cory Ames is the CEO and co-founder of Grow Ensemble, a company that shares resources and sustainable solutions for environmental and social causes. Annie Bright is the co-founder and director of partnerships at Grow Ensemble. With backgrounds in digital marketing and law, respectively, Cory and Annie have built Grow Ensemble into a global community of individuals and businesses eager to sustainable solutions to major problems. They have a podcast, blog, partnership program, and directory of impact-driven businesses to support. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Annie became interested in immigration and supporting refugees (5:48)➤ How Cory learned about the B-Corp community (7:11)➤ How Grow Ensemble evolved from digital marketing services to impact solutions (10:02)➤ The process of preparing to become a B-Corp (12:01)➤ Managing your finances as an aspiring B-Corp (15:52)➤ How Annie and Cory choose the people they work with (17:55)➤ Balancing profit and impact (22:04)Relevant episodes:➤ Episode 101: Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk ➤ Episode 102: How a B-Corp Marketing Agency Builds a Better Future - The Journey of Kim FullerContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Annie and Cory:➤ Website ➤ Annie Bright’s Linkedin ➤ Cory Ames’ Linkedin ➤ Exclusive offer from Grow Ensemble➤ Certified B-Corporation ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

Business owners are told we can’t have it all. You can’t give back and increase your profits. You can’t devote your attention to your customers and take good care of your employees. You can’t have a socially-driven business that actually makes good money. Right? Wrong. The truth is: your business can do it all. You can be a force for good and still grow your profits. All it takes is a little extra strategy and dedication. No one knows that better than Kim Fuller, a social entrepreneur who made it her mission to work exclusively with clients who are making a positive difference in the world. In our chat today, Kim talks about her journey as a business owner, how she infuses social impact into every aspect of her work, and what it took to improve her company’s revenue by 175%. You’ll learn the importance of creating a bottom-up budget, why it’s crucial to get your team inspired by your goals, and what it takes to become B-corp certified. About my guest:Kim Fuller is the founder and CEO of Phil, a Montreal-based marketing agency that specializes in serving non-profit organizations. Kim got her start in advertising as a graphic designer, then eventually got the entrepreneurial bug and opened her own agency. Over the past 20 years, Kim has doubled her team, tripled her company profits, and become B-corp certified. Through her company work, Kim and her team are dedicated to five critical UN sustainable development goals: health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reducing inequalities, and climate action. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kim started her agency (6:17)➤ How to advertise social impact businesses (10:41)➤ The challenges of getting certified as a B-corp (16:03)➤ What Kim learned about business financing and growth (21:05)➤ Working with a B-corp bank versus a traditional bank (25:16)➤ How to incorporate social impact into your financial projections (29:13)➤ Aligning your finances with ambitious goals (32:33)➤ Choosing a UN sustainable development goal (34:12)➤ Kim’s advice for entrepreneurs who want to become B-corp certified (41:47)Relevant episode:➤ Embracing Purpose Entrepreneurship and Becoming a B-Corp - The Journey of Carla Heim and Kasha Huk Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kim:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Certified B-Corporation➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

Why did you start your business? Were you motivated to make more money? Were you eager to explore a new career path?Or were you driven by a powerful purpose? If you built your business with the goal of creating positive change, becoming a certified B-Corp could help you on your mission. B-Corp companies are businesses founded on a larger purpose. They’re businesses that care about their impact. And we’re not just talking about the impact of a single product or service. We’re talking about the way your business is run, how you treat your employees, and how you impact the communities you serve. Today, I sat down with Carla Heim and Kasha Huk, two B-Corp experts who’ve made it their mission to spread awareness about B-Corp and encourage interested entrepreneurs to undergo the certification process. In our conversation, you’ll learn what a B-Corp is, how you can become B-Corp certified, and why socially responsible businesses are actually more likely to make a profit.  About my guests:Carla Heim is the senior advisor of purpose entrepreneurship at the Business Development Bank of Canada, a B-Corp certified company. Kasha Huk is the country manager of B Lab Canada, the nonprofit organization that created the B-Corp certification for companies. Both Carla and Kasha are passionate about helping entrepreneurs join the B-Corp movement and build businesses that do good—for their customers, employees, and communities. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Carla and Kasha got involved with the B-Corp movement (6:57)➤ What a B-Corp is and how it’s different (10:09)➤ How to become certified as a B-Corp (14:32)➤ How you score your impact as a B-Corp (17:23)➤ What types of businesses can become B-Corp (23:26)➤ The challenges you might face getting certified (26:12)➤ Strategies to start improving your company organization (29:06)➤ How to set and measure KPIs (35:23)➤ How to manage your profit as a B-Corp (37:12)➤ Shifting the definition of “doing good” (42:26)➤ The challenges of running a socially responsible business (43:20)Relevant episodes:➤ How One Entrepreneur Started an Ethical Marketing Movement - The Journey of Sian Conway ➤ How Small Businesses Can Create Sustainable Impact in the World - The Journey of Masami SatoContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Carla and Kasha:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin➤ Carla Heim’s Linkedin ➤ Kasha Huk’s Linkedin➤ Certified B-Corporation➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

There’s one tool every entrepreneur needs to maintain growth and success. It’s not a special skill or an expensive product or even a team of amazing people. It’s accessible to everyone—at any time. The tool is simply the willingness to keep learning. After creating 100 episodes for this podcast, I’ve learned an enormous amount about what it takes to succeed in business while also creating a powerful social impact. But what it all comes down to is learning. Staying open to new ideas, furthering your knowledge on certain topics, and taking advice and lessons from your peers and mentors is critical to business success. I’m so grateful for all the incredible things I’ve learned from my guests over the course of 100 episodes, and I hope you’ve learned a lot, too. If not, it’s never too late to start! In today’s episode, I’m outlining the top five episodes that helped change my understanding or perspective on business and finance. In this episode I share:➤ The origin of the podcast (1:08)➤ What I’ve learned curating and compiling 100 episodes (6:00)➤ How my podcast and business visions have shifted (10:00)➤ My top 5 favorite episodes and what I learned, including the value of debt, using different types of financing, the importance of empathy, how to create sustainable impact, and how to balance profit and mission (13:35)Top 5 favorite episodes: 1. How the Canadian Government is Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses - A Special Interview with the Honourable Mary Ng2. Financing Your Small Business with Purpose - The Journey of Jill Earthy3. Scale your Company with One Powerful Tool: Empathy - The Journey of Sherry Deutschmann4. How Small Businesses can Create Sustainable Impact in the World - The Journey of Masami Sato5. How to Innovate, Adapt, and Grow Your Business - The Journey of Brandi DecarliContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Christina:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin Resources mentioned in this episode:➤ Apply Regional Relief and Recovery Loan (RRRF) for Canadian women entrepreneurs in BC➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 

When you think about your business’s impact, you’re probably focused on the services or products you provide. But that’s not the only area where you have the power to make a difference. How you brand and market your business matters just as much as what you offer your customers. No one knows that better than Sian Conway, an ethical marketing strategist and founder of Ethical Hour, who’s changing the way businesses think about their growth strategies.By adopting ethical marketing practices, you can serve your customers better, increase your social impact, and boost revenue. In our conversation today, Sian breaks down the importance of ethical marketing and shares her strategies for appealing to customers, effectively giving back, and meeting your financial goals. You’ll learn how to set smart goals, how to evaluate your business’s sustainability efforts, and how to get started with giving back in your business. About my guest:Sian Conway is an ethical marketing strategist and the founder of Ethical Hour, a global online community for ethically-focused business owners. Sian worked in startup incubation and corporate marketing before starting her own business and community of impact-driven entrepreneurs. Now, she helps business owners around the world figure out how to market their companies more ethically and match their social impact to their profit. In this episode we talk about:➤ Sian’s pathway to accidental entrepreneurship (7:35)➤ Creating a community around the ethical business (11:08)➤ How Sian approach ethical marketing (14:37)➤ How to create a marketing plan that caters to your customers (20:41)➤ How to introduce new ideas to your audience (27:51)➤ How Sian gives back (35:29)➤ Talking about your business impact effectively (41:22)➤ Why Sian has a climate change disclosure for her business (46:25)➤ The financial tools and processes Sian relies on (54:31)➤ Sian’s advice for other entrepreneurs (59:54)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to [email protected] with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Sian:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ Twitter➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Does your business have a global impact? No matter how small your operation is—or how local—you have the power to make a difference on a global scale. You don’t have to change your mission, your customers, or even your location. You just have to be intentional about what you do with your time and money. That’s what Stacey Kehoe realized when she started her company nearly a decade ago with a goal to give back. Today, her company is 20% finished with their goal of giving 1 million days to combat global inequality. In our conversation today, you’ll learn About Stacey’s background and how she balances profit and impact in her business. You’ll also gain insights on how to analyze your finances, why it’s important to set ambitious goals, and how to encourage your team to get excited about giving. About my guest:Entrepreneur and marketing expert Stacey Kehoe is the founder of Brandlective, a digital marketing agency based in London. Originally from New Zealand, Stacey worked in the travel industry with a handful of global brands before starting her own marketing agency. Over eight years, she’s built her company into a giving powerhouse that focuses on tackling the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of inequality. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Stacey started her company (6:57)➤ The UN goal Stacey chose to work toward and why (10:37)➤ How Stacey’s travel experience influenced her work (13:42)➤ The various charitable projects she’s worked on (17:57)➤ How to promote your business contributions gracefully (22:02)➤ Stacey’s one million days initiative (26:24)➤ Setting specific goals (28:44)➤ How to balance impact and profit (31:48)➤ The value of good financial advice (34:31)➤ Stacey’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (36:05)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to [email protected] with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Stacey:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Have you ever thought of your business as one single domino in a long line of dominos? No matter how it might feel, the truth is that your business doesn’t operate alone. Your company is part of a larger ecosystem and economy, one that thrives on mutual support and generosity. That’s how CEO Helen Campbell runs her company. She believes in compassion and kindness over profit and bottom line. That’s why she created a circular economy of giving within her company, one that has a global reach. In our conversation today, Helen talks about her business philosophy, healthcare background, and financial goals. As you listen, you’ll learn how great leadership can help empower employees to do their jobs better; why small impacts make a massive difference; and how to balance financial success with achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals. About my guest:Helen Campbell is the CEO of Knox Audiology in Melbourne. A former nurse and lover of travel, Helen eventually moved to Australia where she began working in a medical-surgical hospital and later became fascinated with hearing. Now, as the CEO of an audiology business, Helen travels the world giving back through her work. In this episode we talk about:➤ Helen’s background in nursing (6:32)➤ What Helen wanted to change within her company (8:14)➤ The power of making small changes (11:13)➤ How to help support other small businesses (17:18)➤ The importance of creating financial systems (19:41)➤ Supporting your employees in doing what they love (22:29)➤ Helen’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (24:58)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to [email protected] with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Helen:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

How can you create a company culture that prioritizes giving back? After all, it’s hard enough to build a positive company culture, let alone one that centers around helping others. However, with the right attitude and resources, it’s completely possible. That’s the thinking that fueled entrepreneur and former nurse Victoria Sylvester to develop and scale her company. The first thing Victoria did to lay the foundation for a culture of giving was to put her employees first. Creating a people-centered business helped her employees feel empowered to give back.  Today, Victoria and I discuss her people-first mentality and the road that led to her becoming a CEO. You’ll learn why profit and loss isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to business success; Victoria’s philosophy on delivering value in business; and how to give back as part of your daily operations. About my guest:Victoria Sylvester is the CEO of Acacia Training, a UK company that provides specialized educational training to people in the health and wellness sector. Victoria started her career in nursing, where she began training student nurses and healthcare support nurses. After seeing a market for career guidance, she started Acacia with her mom, who worked in the private healthcare sector. Victoria has since transformed Acacia Training into a publicly listed company that focuses on education as one of the UN’s sustainable development goals. In this episode we talk about:➤ Victoria’s background in nursing (5:53)➤ Why people are the center of Victoria’s business (7:14)➤ Why Victoria partners with B1G1 (13:27)➤ How Victoria used giving to help improve the company (15:24)➤ A trick to keep employees incentivized (17:57)➤ The UN sustainable development goals Acacia focuses on (20:05)➤ How to value your business beyond profit and loss (22:59)➤ Victoria’s advice to other business owners (27:16)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to [email protected] with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Victoria:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Every small business needs help. Some business owners need financial assistance, some need resources and exposure, and others need mentorship. But no matter how much help you need, you always have room to give, too. Because at the end of the day, the small business ecosystem can only thrive when small businesses help each other. That’s part of business coach and philanthropist Jody Johnson’s ethos. She knows small businesses are the backbone of the economy—and small business owners need support. In our conversation, we discuss how Jody transitioned from the medical field to the business coaching world, her philosophy on giving, and how she got involved with B1G1. You’ll learn how small impacts can go so far, why cash flow projection is the key to stability, and why women entrepreneurs have an edge when it comes to giving. About my guest:Jody Johnson is a business and executive coach at ActionCoach in Miami, a global business coaching franchise dedicated to helping small business owners grow their operations. As a clinical manager in the emergency department of a teaching hospital, Jody started a nonprofit called Healing Through Art, a program designed for at-risk populations. After taking a few business coaching courses, she eventually transitioned to becoming a coach full time. Now, she uses her coaching to empower small business owners and to give back through B1G1 contributions. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Jody became a business coach (6:36)➤ The strategy Jody used to get her first client (11:57)➤ Why Jody is passionate about small business coaching (13:05)➤ How Jody started giving back with her business (14:47)➤ The difference between performative giving and authentic giving (21:15)➤ The number one financial tool every business owner needs (24:01)➤ How Jody stays on track with her financial and giving goals (28:05)➤ Jody’s advice for other women entrepreneurs (30:27)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Get the R.E.S.U.L.T.S RoadMap - email to [email protected] with a subject line:Yes, Christina. Please do send me that RoadMap – it sounds interesting.Connect with Jody:➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

Is giving back part of your company’s business model? If it is, great! If it’s not, what’s stopping you? Building social impact into your business may seem tricky, but it’s totally doable.All it takes is a willingness to try.  That’s what Aisling Graham realized when she started her promotional marketing agency over a decade ago. Giving back was a part of her personal life, but she wanted to make it part of her business’s mission, too. In our chat today, you’ll learn how Aisling took a profit-driven business model and turned it into a giving machine. She also shares her philosophy on creating change; why tiny impacts help turn the tide for good; and the cash flow strategy that helps her business stay profitable. About my guest:Aisling Graham is the founder of Over the Top Promotions, a boutique promotional marketing agency that provides branding merchandise to IT businesses looking to stand out. With a strong marketing background, Aisling started her company in 2008. Over the years, she’s steadily grown it into a company that prioritizes sustainability and social impact just as much as it does client success. In this episode we talk about:➤ What Aisling’s company does for her clients (7:28)➤ How Aisling invests in sustainability through her work (9:35)➤ How she learned about global impacts (12:50)➤ Why splitting impact on global and local efforts is effective (14:57)➤ Aisling’s smart cash flow strategy (18:20)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Aisling➤ Website ➤ Linkedin ➤ Instagram ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals ➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

When you’re building a company, it’s normal to have a lot of goals. You probably want to put out a high-quality product or service, create happy customers, and turn a profit. But you probably also want to make a positive difference in the world. So, how do you do it? Building a business that has a strong social impact comes down to the small choices. Think: where you source your materials, how you package products, and how you brand your company.You can give back and make a difference by being intentional about your business’s processes and operations. That was Judit Banhegyi’s goal when she purchased her skincare company from a local business owner. In our conversation today, we discuss Judit’s immigration story, how her personal health journey inspired her to become a business owner, and what her social impact goals are. You’ll learn how to create a new kind of customer loyalty program, what it takes to stay profitable when you’re small, and why it’s important to start giving back now—no matter how much money you have. About my guest:Judit Banhegyi is the owner of Glowing Orchid Organics, a Canadian company that makes personal care products using organically sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. After moving to Canada from Hungary and experiencing health issues, Judit began changing her diet and reexamining the products she was using. Her interest in natural products eventually led her to purchase her company from a local business owner. Since then, she’s grown it into a sustainable organization with a strong social impact mission. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Judit started to change her health and daily habits (7:02)➤ How Judit came to own her business (11:05)➤ The importance of creating systems within your business (15:10)➤ The strategy Judit used to approach wholesalers (17:02)➤ How Judit made her company profitable (19:45)➤ Judit’s business sustainability goals (23:22)➤ Creating a loyalty program for customers to give back (25:36)➤ How other business owners can increase their social impact (29:12)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs built a start-up later in life — listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast Series. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Judit➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1

How can you create a positive social impact with your business? Making a difference might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it’s easier than you might think. You don’t have to change your entire business model to give back. And you don’t have to stop doing the work you do.You just have to commit to caring about a cause. That’s the philosophy that fuels entrepreneur Masami Sato’s global business movement. She realized you don’t have to do something drastic to make a big impact. You just have to be intentional with your time, money, and resources. In our chat today, Masami explains the revolutionary idea behind her business and shares how she got started as an entrepreneur. You’ll learn about the importance of giving back, why networking events are crucial to business growth, and how even the smallest changes to your operations can make a massive difference in people’s daily lives. About my guest:A longtime entrepreneur, Masami Sato is the founder and CEO of BUY1GIVE1, a global business giving initiative that helps companies create a stronger social impact with their work. After starting a food business 20 years ago and running several commercial enterprises, Masami had the idea for B1G1 in 2007. Since then, she’s turned the simple business concept into a global movement centered on giving back. In this episode we talk about:➤ Masami’s social impact food business (7:43)➤ How Masami created her business concept (11:15)➤ Her decision to make it a global business (14:28)➤ How to create value with a one-to-one model (17:40)➤ Masami’s two biggest struggles in growing her business (21:56)➤ The process of choosing charities to partner with (26:51)➤ How businesses can partner with Masami’s company (29:58)Keep ListeningHow these women founders and CEOs build a start-up later in life -  listen to Start-Up After Mid-Life Podcast SeriesContact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Masami➤ Creating more impacts through B1G1➤ LinkedIn➤ Masami Sato’s LinkedIn ➤ Facebook ➤ The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Is it possible to bounce back from near-bankruptcy in business? The short answer, of course, is yes.The longer answer is that it takes an incredible amount of persistence and strategy to recover from financial instability and become profitable again. That’s what Leslie Bradford-Scott learned when she brought her company back from the brink of bankruptcy. In our conversation today, Leslie and I talk about why she started her company at 49 years old, what led to her perilous financial situation, and how she scaled her business.You’ll gather insights on running a mission-driven business and pricing products correctly; learn how hiring a CFO and third-party logistics company can revolutionize your company; and discover why revenue isn’t the best metric of financial success. About my guest:Leslie Bradford-Scott is the founder and CEO of Walton Wood Farm, a company that makes bath and body products that have natural ingredients and funny messaging. After years of nighttime baths and experimenting with non-toxic beauty recipes, Leslie decided to create her own products. She has since grown Walton Wood Farm into a seven-figure company with personal values at its core, namely preserving the local history where she lives and bringing jobs back to her rural community. In this episode we talk about:➤ The inspiration behind Walton Wood Farm (7:08)➤ How Leslie started scaling her business (10:56)➤ Using personal funds to finance your business (15:18)➤ Why revenue isn’t the most important metric (17:17)➤ The importance of pricing products right (19:53)➤ How Leslie’s company almost went bankrupt (26:07)➤ The value of using a CFO (30:20)➤ How the pandemic affected her business (34:57)➤ Leslie’s tough-love advice to other entrepreneurs (36:49)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leslie➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn

How do you maintain profitability in a business? You might think the key is simply to bring in more revenue than you spend. Or limit your overhead costs. Or hike up your pricing. Or widen your customer base. While all those strategies are helpful, achieving consistent profitability comes down to something much more fundamental. Specialization. To run a profitable business, you have to do something unique and do it well. That’s what Leslie Polizzotto has done with her business, The Doughnut Project. Instead of trying to mimic her competition or recreate a success story, Leslie decided to carve out her own unique niche. In my conversation with Leslie today, we discuss the career transition she made in her 40s, how she grew her business through influencer marketing, and what she did to survive the pandemic. You’ll learn the importance of regular financial analysis and review, why it’s crucial to price your goods correctly, and how communicating with your employees can lead to higher profit and retention. About my guest:Leslie Polizzotto is the co-founder and owner of The Doughnut Project in New York City, a hand-crafted, small-batch doughnut shop that prides itself on unique flavors and alcohol-infused glazes. A former attorney and lifelong foodie, Leslie moved to New York and left her career in law to throw herself into entrepreneurship. Now, she works at the doughnut shop full-time and has grown it into a beloved local establishment. In this episode we talk about:➤ Leslie’s career before starting her company (6:38)➤ What makes Leslie’s donuts unique (8:01)➤ The benefit of starting a business in your 40s (10:21)➤ What to know before opening a brick and mortar (15:02)➤ Figuring out how to price your products (19:21)➤ How business changed during the pandemic (25:23)➤ Why your finances determine the success of your business (28:36)➤ The key to business growth (31:14)➤ Leslie’s philosophy on teamwork and communication (33:00)➤ Leslie’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (36:20)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leslie➤ Website ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn

How do you successfully transition between two entirely different career paths? There are a few smart ways, including taking time off or educating yourself. But one often-overlooked strategy doesn’t require making any big changes. It just requires combining your interests. That’s what Leeza Zurwick did when she transitioned from her job as a special education teacher to the CEO of a mission-driven company. In our chat today, Leeza and I discuss the power of starting a company in your forties, and how you can balance social impact with profit as a business owner. You’ll learn why it’s important to maintain multiple streams of revenue, how planning ahead financially can help you grow faster, and what it takes to persevere through tough times. About my guest:Leeza Zurwick is the CEO and founder of Happy Gut, a company that produces and sells water kefir products designed to help improve gut imbalances and issues. Leeza was a special education teacher for over 20 years before starting her company out of pure curiosity and passion in 2017. After a successful trial run, Leeza quit her full-time teaching job and dedicated herself to growing Happy Gut. Today, she sells her water kefir products in stores and online to customers in Canada and the U.S. Her newest product is a flavor infusion water kefir. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Leeza became interested in water kefir (7:26)➤ What encouraged Leeza to take the leap into entrepreneurship (11:51)➤ What it means to run a social impact business (13:32)➤ The transition from domestic selling to international (18:05)➤ The difference between selling wholesale versus online (21:34)➤ Leeza’s key to successful growth (24:52)➤ The financial strategies that keep Leeza on track (28:23)➤ Leeza’s advice for other women entrepreneurs (33:13)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Leeza➤ Website ➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn 

When is the best time to start your own business?  Is it when you’re straight out of college, when you’re entering your first job, or when you turn 30?You may think the opportune time is when you’re early on in your career, but the truth is: it’s never too late to start your own business. That’s what Nita Tandon realized when she had an idea for a product that would revolutionize her life. Though Nita had already built a successful career in health and pharmaceuticals, she decided to switch gears and become an entrepreneur. Today, Nita and I discuss how she started her company, why she’s such a proponent of asking for help, and what financial strategies led to her success. You’ll gather insight on building a passionate audience, tweaking your product, debt for business growth, paying off debt, and becoming even more financially savvy. About my guest:Nita Tandon is the founder and CEO of Dalcini Stainless, a company that makes chemical-free stainless steel housewares. After working in nursing homes and the pharmaceutical industry for years, Nita became curious about BPA and its widespread use in household products. After realizing there wasn’t a market for non-plastic chemical-free containers, she decided to try her hand at creating the product she wanted. Now, her company manufactures and sells award-winning safe, simple, and sustainable housewares.In this episode we talk about:➤ Nita’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur (6:10)➤ The benefit of starting a business in your 40s (10:14)➤ Nita’s unique approach to growing her business (12:36)➤ The financial lessons Nita learned (16:21)➤ The different factors to consider when pricing products (20:10)➤ How the pandemic has affected Nita’s business (24:47)➤ Why you should rethink your idea of debt (29:06)➤ The importance of understanding your financial statements (31:39)Keep ListeningHow to rebuild your business after tough times - listen to Humility & Resilience podcast series.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Nita:➤ Website➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn ➤ Twitter

How do you turn a business disaster into a successful new career? You need humility, resilience, and drive, but you also need something else:Passion. Passion for your business’s mission and the work you do. That’s what Laura Wright figured out when she paid off the debt from her failed real estate business, and decided to change course. Today, Laura and I discuss her entrepreneurial background, her business philosophies, and her approach to financial management. You’ll learn how to sell your services better, why long-term forecasting is helpful, and how listening to your intuition can make all the difference to your success. About my guest:Entrepreneur Laura Wright is the Master Coach and founder behind Epic at Sales, a program that helps women business owners improve their sales skills. Before starting her company, Laura worked in real estate buying, renovating, and selling properties. When the 2008 financial crash shuttered her business, Laura had to figure out a way to pay off her debt and rebuild. Now, she gets to use her passion for negotiation and relationship-building to coach people on sales techniques that result in greater income and stronger impact. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Laura got started in real estate (6:13)➤ Laura’s experience with the 2008 financial crash (10:16)➤ How she unintentionally got into debt (13:49)➤ How Laura began paying off her debt (17:12)➤ Laura’s approach to managing her finances (21:02)➤ The revenue model Laura uses for Epic at Sales (23:15)➤ Laura’s advice to other women entrepreneurs (24:54)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Laura:➤ Website ➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram ➤ LinkedIn ➤ Twitter ➤ YouTube

What does it take to turn a company saddled with debt into a profitable powerhouse? It takes patience, resilience, and careful planning, of course. But the most important quality is financial knowledge. That’s what real estate coach Kathleen Black realized when she became a 50% owner of a company drowning in debt. To pay off the company’s debt and start earning money, she needed to get her financial ducks in a row—and create a realistic growth plan. In our conversation today, Kathleen and I talk about her background, her approach to debt, and the financial lessons she’s learned. You’ll pick up tips on how to improve cash flow, how to get on the same page as your business partners, and what to do to build a five-year profit plan. About my guest:Entrepreneur, author, and speaker, Kathleen Black is one of Canada’s leading real estate coaches and trainers. She started her company, Kathleen Black Coaching, and Consulting, in 2015 after spending years in both real estate and coaching. Now, she mentors real estate agents and teams across Canada and the U.S. and leads the Ultimate Team Sumit, which is the largest team-specific real estate event in North America. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kathleen got into coaching (4:51)➤ Why it’s important to share a similar business strategy with a business partner (7:21)➤ The 3 factors Kathleen looks at for business success (8:45)➤ The strategy Kathleen used to get her company out of the red (11:23)➤ The different financials you should review each month and why (15:15)➤ How the right team can help you get ahead (21:30)➤ Kathleen’s advice for women entrepreneurs (23:00)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kathleen:➤ Website ➤ Kathleen’s new book: The Top 1% Life➤ Facebook ➤ Instagram ➤ LinkedIn ➤ Pinterest ➤ Twitter ➤ YouTube 

In business—as in life—setbacks are inevitable.But it’s how you recover from setbacks that determine whether or not you’ll be successful.That’s what entrepreneur and author Cristy Nickel realized after she lost all her personal training clients during the 2008 market crash. After paying off her debt, Cristy had to start from scratch to rebuild her clientele, but within one year, she earned her first million dollars in revenue. Today, Cristy and I talk about failure, resilience, determination, and growth as an entrepreneur. You’ll learn how to face your biggest business fears, how to persist in the face of difficulty, and why it’s important to ask for help.  About my guest:Cristy Nickel is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and the founder of Code Red, a nutrition program that helps people lose weight by eating real food. A longtime elite athlete, Cristy was the number two world-ranked boxer before becoming a personal trainer and celebrity nutritionist. Now, she coaches millions of people around the world on how they can lose 10% of their body weight each month without resorting to shakes, diet pills, fads, or diet foods. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Cristy paid for her college (6:10)➤ How Cristy became a personal trainer (9:36)➤ What happened to Cristy during the 2008 market crash (11:02)➤ How Cristy scaled her business (15:29)➤ The importance of asking for help (18:42)➤ What Cristy learned about managing her business’s finances (22:00)➤ Why it’s important to face your fears in business (24:55)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Cristy:➤ Website ➤ Facebook➤ Instagram ➤ LinkedIn ➤ Pinterest ➤ Twitter ➤ YouTube 

How do you pick up the pieces when financial hardship hits your business? There’s no perfect answer, but one thing is certain. You need a hefty dose of humility and resilience to rebuild and recover.That’s what entrepreneur Keri Murphy realized after she was forced to shutter her business during the 2008 recession. Once she made the decision, Keri started reflecting on what went wrong with her business—and what she needed to change moving forward. In our conversation today, Keri tells me about her background, her successful business coaching company, and her experience getting back on her feet after declaring personal bankruptcy.You’ll learn why it’s important to acknowledge your mistakes as a business owner, how you can pivot your business during hard times, and why it’s so crucial to take a proactive approach to managing your business finances. About my guest:Keri Murphy is the CEO and founder of Inspired Living, a company that helps entrepreneurs harness the power of video to grow their businesses. Prior to starting Inspired Living, Keri owned a modeling agency that she grew to nearly $1 million in revenue before shutting it down after the 2008 recession. Now, she’s an international speaker, media expert, and business mentor who coaches people on how to grow their businesses. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Keri became an entrepreneur (6:30)➤ How she felt when the recession hit (9:06)➤ Keri’s financial missteps (10:42)➤ How Inspired Living grew to its current success (13:34)➤ The changes Keri made to her business finances (17:26)➤ Keri’s advice for other women entrepreneurs on overcoming challenges (19:50)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Keri:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter➤ YouTube

What does it take to become an effective leader and scale a company? It’s not money or authority or drive. It’s not even intelligence or skill. In fact, it’s something much more unexpected: emotional resilience. The degree to which you can bounce back from adversity plays a big role in your level of success in business. Kim Ades, an entrepreneur and business coach, knows this to be true. In our short and sweet conversation today, Kim breaks down the three perspective shifts that shape effective leaders. You’ll learn about the power of resourcefulness, why delegation is key to getting stuff done, and how to challenge your own beliefs. About my guest:Kim Ades is the President and Founder of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine Software, which helps companies make hiring decisions using simulation-based assessment software. Kim’s fascination with all things leadership and performance eventually led her to start Frame of Mind Coaching, where she advises business owners, C-suite executives, and company leaders from all industries. Her work focuses on teaching others how to change their outlook and thinking patterns to get better results. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kim went from founding a software company to coaching (4:22)➤ The one trait all highly successful people have in common (6:10)➤ The three beliefs you need to possess to grow a company (7:55)➤ Kim’s coaching process (10:50)➤ The financial lessons Kim has learned (12:51)➤ Kim’s advice for women entrepreneurs (14:30) Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kim:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter➤ YouTube

What roadblocks keep womxn from advancing in business? It’s not a lack of intelligence, ambition, or creativity—it’s a lack of access. Having access to the right opportunities can make all the difference in someone’s career trajectory and social impact. That’s why entrepreneur Michelle Kwok built her company, FLIK. In our conversation, we discuss what FLIK is, how the platform helps advance womxn in business, and why community support is crucial to both professional growth and global progress. Beyond discovering the ins and outs of the FLIK portal, you’ll also learn the value of picking up different skills and why it’s important to recruit the right team when building a company. About my guest:Michelle Kwok is the co-founder and CEO of FLIK, a community that connects ambitious young womxn looking for mentors with female founders looking for apprentices. Before starting FLIK, Michelle was making brand marketing videos while attending medical school. After getting accepted to Next 36’s entrepreneurship program, she met her co-founder and began building the foundation for the FLIK portal.    In this episode we talk about:➤ How Michelle’s entrepreneur journey began (4:16)➤ Why Michelle started seeking out other female founders (9:31)➤ How Michelle and her co-founder funded FLIK (13:25)➤ How the FLIK platform works (15:50)➤ How to scale your business with FLIK (18:48)➤ Michelle’s message to female founders (21:44) Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Michelle:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Michelle Kwok’s LinkedIn➤ Twitter

Building a successful company can’t be done alone. It doesn’t matter how brilliant your idea is or how determined you are as a founder—to scale sustainably, you need a passionate, driven team. But how do you get your team to invest in your company’s growth? It all comes down to one often overlooked factor: empathy. Empathy is what Sherry Stewart Deutschmann used to build her $40 million company, LetterLogic Inc. In our conversation today, we dive into Sherry’s background, leadership philosophy, and unique take on profit sharing. You’ll pick up tips for hiring smarter, engaging employees, and learning how to evaluate your business finances and progress. About my guest:Sherry Stewart Deutschmann is a serial entrepreneur and author of the bestselling book, “Lunch with Lucy: How to Maximize Profits by Investing in Your People.” Sherry was also the CEO of LetterLogic Inc., a company she founded and grew to $40 million as a result of her revolutionary approach to leadership and profit-sharing. Now, Sherry advocates for other women entrepreneurs with her company, BrainTrust. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Sherry got started in entrepreneurship (4:46)➤ How she began building Lateral Logic (7:51)➤ Sherry’s profit-sharing strategy (10:05)➤ Why she does monthly financial discussions with employees (14:06)➤ Sherry’s advice for implementing a profit-sharing system (19:05)➤ Why criticism is crucial to growth (22:00)➤ How to build an effective leadership team (27:27)➤ The biggest business mistake Sherry made (30:47)➤ What surprised Sherry about business finance (34:30)➤ How sexism pervades the venture capital system (39:34)➤ Sherry’s advice for women entrepreneurs (43:04)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Sherry➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter

Growing a company requires capital—and the right investor can make all the difference. But who is the right type of investor? Someone who will contribute more than just money. After all, investing is a relationship at its core. As a founder, you need someone who can champion your idea, expand your network, and write a check. That’s what Marcia Nelson has come to realize in her career as a professional board member and advisor to family investment offices around the country. In our conversation, Marcia shares her background and talks all about impact investing. You’ll learn about family offices, partnering with family offices, the importance of cultivating a strong investor-founder relationship, why impact investing is taking off, and how to keep your investors happy as you grow.About my guest:Marcia Nelson is a family office professional board member and advisor. After working in education and women’s fashion magazines at the beginning of her career, Marcia got a job working as an executive assistant for a business management firm. Eventually, she decided to pursue her MBA. Now, Marcia works with family offices across the United States in impact investing. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Marcia’s CEO journey began (4:22)➤ The concept of a “family office” (8:00)➤ What social impact investing means (10:32)➤ How to measure the impact of a certain investment (14:51)➤ The importance of finding the right investor (17:09)➤ The number one mistake entrepreneurs make when investing (19:13)➤ The purpose of a financial projection for investors (21:23)➤ The value of non-equity investments (23:46)➤ How bottom-up investment works (27:46)➤ Marcia’s advice for women entrepreneurs (29:12)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Marcia:➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter

Founding a company might be a solo mission, but running a company isn’t. Successful founders know they need help to thrive. And good help goes beyond employees—it extends all the way to company leadership. That’s the philosophy that compelled Breen Sullivan, Sarah Feingold, and Kat de Haën to start their organization, The Fourth Floor. In my conversation with The Fourth Floor founders, we discuss just how critical it is to build a strong advisory board for your company. You’ll learn about The Fourth Floor’s mission to put more women in board positions; how getting legal advice can help your company scale; and how change starts in your own network.  About my guests:Breen Sullivan—an entrepreneur and general counsel—is the founder of The Fourth Floor, a membership community uniting female founders and professionals with the goal of increasing the number of women on advisory boards. Co-founder Kat de Haën is an inventor and entrepreneur who patented a popular consumer beauty product. Co-founder Sarah Feingold was the first lawyer hired at Etsy and the first general counsel at Vroom. All three women work together to host events, provide training, and facilitate networking opportunities for members of The Fourth Floor.   In this episode we talk about:➤ How the founders of The Fourth Floor came together (5:03)➤ The two main problems the founders wanted to solve (6:39)➤ Who’s welcome to join The Fourth Floor (10:24)➤ How the founders funded The Fourth Floor (16:53)➤ Why a good advisory board is so valuable (17:51)➤ Rethinking what it means to be a board member (21:40)➤ When startup founders should start seeking legal counsel (24:34)➤ The founders’ best advice for women entrepreneurs (28:50) Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with The Fourth Floor's Founders:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter

You need funding to get your startup off the ground, but how and where do you secure capital?One option is to look for investors.Angel investors and VC funds are always on the hunt for promising startups, but you need more than a brilliant idea to land an investment.You need a game plan.That’s what entrepreneur and investor Judy Robinett talks about in her latest book, “Crack the Funding Code.”In our conversation, Judy shares the dos and don’ts of pitching investors, including her tips for preparing your financials and selling your team.You’ll learn how to approach different investors, what makes a good pitch deck, and why communicating with investors is key to building a good long-term relationship.About my guest:A lifelong entrepreneur, Judy Robinett is a startup funding expert, super-connector, investor, and author of “Crack the Funding Code.” With over three decades of experience in corporate leadership, Judy has served as the CEO of private and public companies, worked in management roles at Fortune 500 companies, and invested in countless startups. Her latest book gives founders advice on what it takes to fund and grow their startups.In this episode we talk about:➤ How Judy got started as an entrepreneur (4:35)➤ Common mistakes people make when fundraising (6:20)➤ What investors look at when reviewing a pitch deck (11:17)➤ The importance of creating a funding strategy (13:43)➤ How to approach different types of investors (15:57)➤ The number one thing you need to prove to investors (18:16)➤ How to evaluate a term sheet from an investor (20:18)➤ How to improve your due diligence process (23:01)➤ The trick to communicating with your investors (26:42)➤ The two key questions to ask potential investors (28:31)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out the crowdfunding podcast series talking about equity crowdfunding and reward-based crowdfunding. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Judy:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter 

How do you give back when you’re building a business? There are countless ways, but one strategy is crowdfunding. More specifically, equity crowdfunding. By inviting people to invest in your business, you’re also giving them the opportunity to earn money from your success. It’s a win-win strategy. That’s what Martha Hernandez realized when she decided to use equity crowdfunding to raise capital for her company, madeBOS. In today’s episode, Martha and I chat about her background in human resources, her experience building a company, and why equity crowdfunding allowed her to go further than other forms of financing. As you listen, you’ll learn about the nitty-gritty financial and legal details behind running an equity crowdfunding campaign, plus Martha’s philosophy on running a people-first business. About my guest: Martha Hernandez is the founder and CEO of madeBOS, a tech company that uses a people-first approach to help small businesses simplify their human resources infrastructure. After working in human resources for over 20 years—mostly in recruiting and talent management—Martha realized the average employer needed more tools and resources to better support and manage their employees. To help, she developed madeBOS. Now, she works with small and medium business owners in every industry to improve their workplace culture and reach their goals.  In this episode we talk about:➤ How Martha started her company (4:36)➤ How madeBOS helps small and medium-sized businesses (11:55)➤ What business owners should think about when preparing to scale (15:47)➤ Why equity crowdfunding was Martha’s first financing choice (21:19)➤ Abiding by the rules in equity crowdfunding (26:37)➤ The reason Martha had such success with equity crowdfunding (29:39)➤ The legal and financial responsibilities of equity crowdfunding (32:09)➤ Martha’s biggest cost in running a crowdfunding campaign (35:10)➤ The lessons Martha learned about business (38:15)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out my conversation about Invoice Factoring from both the lender and borrowers perspective: Rachel Hersh, Sales Director of Prestige Capital, Lauren Picasso, Founder, and CEO of Cure Hydration and Ceata and Garrett Lash, Owners of PuffCuff LLC. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Martha:➤ Website ➤ LinkedIn 

How do you set your business up for fast, sustainable growth?It comes down to having enough resources. One of those resources is financing. You can scale quickly when you have multiple different types of financing to pull from. Think of equity crowdfunding, convertible notes, and friends and family fundraising. That was part of what led entrepreneur Kara Sam to succeed with her company, Bucha Brew. Today, I chat with Kara to learn about the benefits of equity crowdfunding and what it’s like to run a company in consumer packaged goods with no prior experience. You’ll learn about the power of word-of-mouth marketing, why it’s important to build a community around your product, and how to run a company with radical transparency. About my guest: Kara Sam is the CEO and founder of Bucha Brew, a company that makes craft kombucha. Kara stumbled into entrepreneurship when she began making her own kombucha after falling in love with the beverage on a trip to Hawaii. After landing a deal with Whole Foods, Kara began promoting her kombucha at farmers’ markets and online through equity crowdfunding. Today, Bucha Brew has over 1,500 accounts across Western Canada and is starting to expand into other countries as well. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Kara learned about kombucha (5:06)➤ The biggest challenges Kara faced early in her business (9:08)➤ How Kara financed the business in the beginning (13:03)➤ Using a convertible note for financing (15:31)➤ Tips for handling fast growth (23:04)➤ How equity crowdfunding works (27:52)➤ The challenges Kara faced raising money during a pandemic (34:02)➤ How to run a successful equity crowdfunding campaign (40:11)➤ The non-monetary benefit of equity crowdfunding (42:59)➤ Building a regenerative sustainable business (45:22)➤ Running a business with radical transparency (47:38)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out my conversation about Invoice Factoring from both the lender and borrowers perspective: Rachel Hersh, Sales Director of Prestige Capital, Lauren Picasso, Founder, and CEO of Cure Hydration and Ceata and Garrett Lash, Owners of PuffCuff LLC. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kara:➤ Website ➤ Instagram➤ Facebook ➤ LinkedIn

There are two key steps to business success: financing and building your audience. You may think the two goals are separate, but they don’t have to be. Traditional financing gets you money for your business, but crowdfunding gets you money and potential customers. That’s what entrepreneur and whiskey lover Rachna Hukmani figured out when she started her company, Whiskey Stories LLC. In my conversation with Rachna, we talk all about the non-monetary benefits of crowdfunding, including connecting with customers and creating opportunities for growth. You’ll also learn how to market without a huge budget, how to pivot your offerings during difficult times, and how collaborating with other businesses can help you expand your reach.  About my guest:Rachna Hukmani is a whiskey aficionado and the founder and CEO of Whiskey Stories LLC, a Michelin Guide-recommended luxury whiskey company that offers immersive, multisensory whiskey tastings and education. Before starting Whiskey Stories, Rachna worked in advertising, then got a job at Johnny Walker where she fell in love with the history and art form of whiskey-making. Today, in addition to her in-person and online whiskey experiences, she also has a whiskey membership club and sells whiskey-based colognes and hand sanitizers. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Rachna got interested in whiskey (5:00)➤ How Rachna uses whiskey to create a story (8:49)➤ The financing Rachna used to start her business (15:16)➤ The importance of authenticity and relatability in marketing (19:29)➤ One unique benefit of crowdfunding versus traditional financing (23:04)➤ How Rachna has shifted her business strategies during the pandemic (25:47)➤ How to communicate with your customers during this time (29:19)➤ Tips for keeping your cash flow steady (33:09)➤ How business owners can increase their media presence (35:08)➤ The importance of creating valuable business partnerships (39:56)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out my conversation about Invoice Factoring from both the lender and borrowers perspective: Rachel Hersh, Sales Director of Prestige Capital, Lauren Picasso, Founder, and CEO of Cure Hydration and Ceata and Garrett Lash, Owners of PuffCuff LLC.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with  Rachna:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter

How do you generate an audience who’s passionate about your business? Here’s the trick: You don’t. You focus on creating a community first. That’s what entrepreneur and community organizer Claire Wasserman did with her company, Ladies Get Paid. Instead of developing a service then searching for an audience to appreciate it, Claire set out to build a community, then created her business offerings around the community’s needs.In my conversation today with Claire, we discuss the value of networking, how crowdfunding can propel your business forward, and what quality you need to overcome obstacles in business. Get ready to learn Claire’s best business advice and tons of tips and tricks for making the most out of your crowdfunding campaign.  About my guest: Claire Wasserman is the founder of Ladies Get Paid, a private online network that provides tools and resources to 70,000 women worldwide who want equal pay and power in the workplace. Before building Ladies Get Paid, Claire worked in marketing and community outreach. Today, she uses her organization and networking skills to coach women on career issues, creates conferences for Ladies Get Paid, and start conversations around money and worth. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Claire started a panel for women to talk about money (4:33)➤ The power of word-of-mouth marketing and community outreach (6:03)➤ How Claire financed Ladies Get Paid at the start (9:54)➤ How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign (12:17)➤ What it takes to come up with your crowdfunding goal (16:36)➤ Bringing people together for online conferences (19:51)➤ Managing a community Slack channel (23:33)➤ How COVID-19 has impacted Claire’s business (26:48)➤ What has surprised Claire most about financing a business (29:26)➤ Claire’s advice for crowdfunding (34:33) Keep ListeningCheck out my conversation about Invoice Factoring from both the lender and borrowers perspective: Rachel Hersh, Sales Director of Prestige Capital, Lauren Picasso, Founder, and CEO of Cure Hydration and Ceata and Garrett Lash, Owners of PuffCuff LLC. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Claire:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Podcast - Friends who Talk About Money➤ Join the Institute of Higher Earning

How do you prove there’s a demand for your product or service before you launch?The answer: reward crowdfunding.Rewards-based crowdfunding can help you drum up excitement for your business idea, gather a viable target audience, and gain access to capital.Entrepreneur Sarah Sommers knows the power of crowdfunding firsthand. Today, I’m interviewing Sarah to talk about her company, IFundWomen, and why crowdfunding is such a good opportunity for business owners to raise capital and grow. You’ll learn about the different types of crowdfunding, how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign, why a strong network is so valuable when starting a business, and more.About my guest:Sarah Sommers is the co-founder and creative mind behind IFundWomen, a rewards-based crowdfunding platform for women-led businesses. Sarah has always been passionate about closing the gap for women in the creative economy. She continues to use her creative side to help women entrepreneurs get access to capital, community, and business coaching.In this episode, we talk about:➤ How Sarah transitioned from writing into crowdfunding (6:46)➤ How IFundWomen uses crowdfunding to uplift women entrepreneurs (9:05)➤ Why women entrepreneurs may overlook crowdfunding as an option (12:27)➤ How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign (15:45)➤ The common misconception about crowdfunding (19:31)➤ How the rewards aspect of rewards-based crowdfunding works (23:46)➤ Sarah’s advice for getting organized to fundraise (26:35)➤ Where you can learn more about IFundWomen (28:20)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out my conversation about Invoice Factoring from both the lender and borrowers perspective: Rachel Hersh, Sales Director of Prestige Capital, Lauren Picasso, Founder and CEO of Cure Hydration and Ceata and Garrett Lash, Owners of PuffCuff LLC.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time. Connect with the IFundWomen:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ LinkedIn: IFundWomen➤ LinkedIn: Sarah Sommers➤ Twitter

This past June, Tara McMullin, Founder of the What Works Network gathered the global community of small business owners to talk about the ways that money shapes our businesses, our lives, and our communities in the Money & The New Economy Virtual Conference. I was invited to join a panel with other women led-businesses, Lauren Caseli, and Susan Boles to talk about our money mindset and belief, how each of us manages money inside our businesses, how we approach things in our businesses. and how we work with others in managing their money. The panelist discussed the following topics:➤ The story behind how we got into the work we do and why it's so important (5:33)➤ What does a better conversation about money sound like and how can we start to initiate those kinds of conversations more often in our lives (16:27)➤ What is the idea of Her CEO Journey (20:05)➤ How can we better understand the connection between technology, operations and data in our own businesses (22:44)➤ When you are working with a business owner, what are some of the things that you do to create safety in that container (29:16)➤ Where does balancing between mission and profit go awry? How can we find this balance more constructively (34:40)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with :➤ Tara McMullin➤ Susan Boles➤ Lauren Caselli

Every business owner shares one key trait. Despite what you may think, that key trait isn’t determination, intelligence, or even creativity. So, what is it? Resourcefulness. Growing a business means you have to search for answers and solutions in every possible place. That’s exactly what Ceata and Garrett Lash have done to build their company, PuffCuff. In this week’s episode, I interview the couple about starting a business, expanding their demographic, and obtaining financing. You’ll learn the value of networking, what it takes to prototype a product, how to rethink your marketing strategy, and why invoice factoring can be a great financing option. About my guests:Ceata Lash is the founder and inventor of the PuffCuff Hair Clamp, and Garrett Lash is the CEO of PuffCuff LLC. Ceata revolutionized the beauty and hair industry when she came up with a comfortable, affordable tool to help style curly hair. Since then, she and her husband have landed a contract with Sally Beauty, expanded their distribution to global markets, and developed countless other beauty solutions. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Ceata came up with the idea for her business (5:00)➤ The first step Ceata took toward building her product (8:19)➤ How Ceata got her first loan (10:13)➤ Why they expanded the product to different countries and groups of people (14:27)➤ What it was like to win an award from Sally Beauty (18:11)➤ The importance of negotiating with your vendors (19:45)➤ The value of invoice factoring (21:25)➤ How Garrett made invoice factoring work for the business (24:08)➤ Why Ceata and Garrett didn’t use other types of debt financing (27:12)➤ The problem with microloans (29:59)➤ Ceata’s advice for women entrepreneurs looking for funding (32:24)➤ How to establish a system for managing your finances (34:19)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business?Check out my conversation the Disruptors series: Brandi DeCarli on innovating the farming industry, Neige and Pippa Blair on growing a passion project into a successful international brand, Kim Aitken on what it takes to finance capital-intensive businesses, and Toni Desrosiers on how equality has played a key role in the company culture at Abeego.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with the PuffCuff:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ YouTube➤ Pinterest➤ Twitter

How do you turn an idea into a bestselling product? There’s no straightforward path to success, but there are a couple essential tools you need in your back pockets. Among them? Strategy and financing. Entrepreneur Lauren Picasso relied on multiple types of financing—along with her passion and business intelligence—to launch her brand. Today, I interview Lauren about her company, Cure Hydration, and discuss what it took to create her first product, acquire fundraising, expand her distribution, and launch with success. You’ll learn how to create a pitch deck for investors, why pricing is critical, when debt financing and invoice factoring are useful, and why it’s important to take risks.About my guest: Lauren Picasso is an entrepreneur, marketer, and founder and CEO of Cure Hydration, a company that sells sports drinks and powders made from organic ingredients. Prior to starting her company, Lauren worked in fashion, e-commerce, and marketing at companies like Jet.com, Rent the Runway, and Google. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Lauren started her journey as an entrepreneur (6:12)➤ How Lauren financed her company for the first six months (12:47)➤ What you need to create an effective pitch deck (15:17)➤ Why it’s important to have a physical product for consumers (17:22)➤ Lauren’s philosophy with fundraising (21:41)➤ How to use your financing for long-term growth (24:17)➤ How to approach investors (27:26)➤ The importance of using data for rounds of funding (30:19)➤ How to improve your pricing model (32:37)➤ What you need to cover gaps in cash flow (34:44)➤ How invoice factoring can help (36:18)➤ What to look for when considering invoice factoring (40:17)➤ Why Lauren took on an SBA loan (44:17)➤ How to overcome rejection from banks and lenders (48:19)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing your growing business? Check out my conversation in the Disruptors series: Brandi DeCarli (farming from a box), Neige and Pippa Blair (natural deodorant), Kim Aitken (affordable housing), and Toni Desrosiers (breathable food wraps).Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Lauren Picasso:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn

What does it take to create powerful change? To disrupt an entire industry? To improve the lives of people in every corner of the globe? The simple answer: innovation. The more complicated answer, however, is a mix of innovation, strategy, adaptability, experimentation, and commitment to social change. That’s what entrepreneur and innovator Brandi DeCarli tapped into when she set out to disrupt the agriculture industry as we know it. Today, I interview Brandi about her revolutionary business idea, Farm From a Box, and how she grew the company into the global change-maker it is now. You’ll learn how to build social change into a business model, why it’s important to stay true to your goals, and how you can use different types of financing to your advantage. About my guest: Brandi DeCarli is the co-founder of Farm From a Box, a company that empowers communities around the world to grow their own food using clean technology. Before starting her business, Brandi was running her own nonprofit and working with the UN to build a youth empowerment center in Kenya. When she realized the community didn’t have easy access to healthy food, she had the idea to equip them with the tools necessary to grow their own food. Now, Brandi works with farmers, government officials, and experts in agriculture across the globe to provide communities with the resources to sustain themselves nutritionally and economically.  In this episode we talk about:➤ How Brandi came up with the idea for the Farm From a Box (5:24)➤ What the Farm From a Box concept means (7:40)➤ How the farming industry changed (15:01)➤ How to improve economic sustainability within communities (18:03)➤ How to balance profit with impact (19:47)➤ Why building localization into the business model matters (23:23)➤ Taking things into your own hands as a business owner (26:14)➤ How non-dilutive financing works (27:33)➤ How Brandi’s business evolved after COVID-19 (28:38)➤ The importance of reviewing your finances (32:02)➤ Brandi’s financing solutions (37:51)➤ What equity crowdfunding means (39:11)➤ What to think about before you get financing (41:08)➤ Brandi’s advice to other women business owners (43:14)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about how to balance between mission, financing, and profit? Check out my conversation with the Honourable Mary Ng about the importance of expanding opportunities and resources for women business owners, Neige and Pippa Blair on growing a passion project into a successful international brand and Kim Aitken on what it takes to finance capital-intensive businesses. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Brandi DeCarli➤ Website➤ Linkedin

What do you need to start a successful business? Is it business experience, determination, or financing? Neige and Pippa Blair would argue it’s passion. If you’re passionate about the products and services you put into the world, everything else just details. Today, I talk with the two sisters and entrepreneurs about what it takes to launch an idea, grow a company, and survive difficult times. You’ll learn how pricing your products right can help you grow, how debt financing can give you more freedom, and why it’s important to constantly be innovating.  About my guests: Neige and Pippa Blair are two women entrepreneurs disrupting the natural beauty industry. The scrappy sisters are the brains and creatives behind Routine, a line of natural deodorants and beauty products. After searching for a better natural deodorant, the two sisters started making their own products and launched them in arts markets across Canada. Since then, they’ve grown the brand into a cult sensation and landed international distribution deals. In this episode we talk about:➤ How Neige got into the deodorant business (5:34)➤ How Neige joined forces with Pippa (7:36)➤ Their sales and distribution strategy (8:42)➤ How to figure out what type of financing you need (11:13)➤ The process of securing debt financing (14:04)➤ The importance of creating forecasts and projections (18:08)➤ Sharing your business’s story with a lender (19:00)➤ The value of bootstrapping to help lenders trust you (22:02)➤ How their business changed during COVID-19 (22:48)➤ How innovative companies are getting ahead (24:12)➤ Reducing waste through refill programs (27:16)➤ The importance of accurate pricing to make an impact (29:32)➤ Getting funding from SheEO (32:13)➤ Their advice for other women entrepreneurs (36:40)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about how to balance between mission, financing, and profit? Check out my conversation with the Honourable Mary Ng about the importance of expanding opportunities and resources for women business owners, Kim Aitken on what it takes to finance capital-intensive businesses and Toni Desrosiers on how equality has played a key role in the company culture at Abeego.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Neige and Pippa Blair:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ YouTube

This week I talk with CEO and innovator Kim Aitken about how business owners can prioritize profit and social change. We discuss what it takes to finance capital-intensive businesses, how women entrepreneurs can take advantage of community financing opportunities, and why exporting can help you grow your business.Kim Aitken is the founder and CEO of Aitken Frame Homes and Aitken Innovations Inc. After moving from Ireland to Canada as an engineering graduate, Kim worked at an engineering firm honing her skills and learning the trade of construction. Later, when she was searching for resources to build her own home, she had the brilliant idea of creating a solution to simplify home construction—and Aitken Frame Homes was born. Now, Kim runs her successful construction company in addition to Aitken Innovations Inc., an education resource for architects, builders, designers, and engineers. In this episode we talk about:➤ Kim’s background in engineering (4:52)➤ How Kim had the idea for her business (7:09)➤ Weighing the cost of a loan against the value of equity in a property (10:14)➤ Why the construction industry has issues with cash flow (12:02)➤ The power of women business owners supporting one another (13:31)➤ What it’s like to apply for a SheEO venture (14:15)➤ What the Dragons’ Den process is like (17:38)➤ Writing an export plan (20:31)➤ Kim’s advice for women entrepreneurs looking for funds (21:19)➤ Why it’s helpful to listen to other business owners (22:30)➤ Looking at community opportunities for money (25:52)➤ The importance of listening to your gut (27:12)➤ How Kim’s company is pivoting right now (29:21)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing? Check out my conversation with Jennifer Cooke on how Export Development of Canada (EDC) can assist you in expanding your business beyond the coast to coast of Canada. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kim:➤ Aitken Frame Homes➤ Aitken Innovations Inc➤ Linkedin

This week I chat with the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, about the importance of expanding opportunities and resources for women business owners. We discuss the Canadian government’s funding initiatives and goals in the wake of COVID-19, why women entrepreneurs have faced more challenges during this pandemic, and the importance of pushing for international trade and growth. Minister Ng is the Canadian Minister of Small Business Export Promotion and International Trade. She has spent over 20 years working to increase access and create more opportunities for young people, women, and immigrants. When she decided to run for public office, she didn’t just want to improve representation in her field, she also wanted to make an impact on her country and the people she serves. Now, Minister Ng spends her days working to inspire women entrepreneurs, increase funding for women-led businesses, and offer resources for people looking to grow their operations. In this episode we talk about:➤ Why Minister Ng decided to get into politics (4:09)➤ Embracing diversity as a strength (7:09)➤ How the Canadian government is investing in women entrepreneurs (9:15)➤ Giving women entrepreneurs support during COVID-19 (11:02)➤ The importance of every business working together (13:12)➤ How women entrepreneurs can embrace debt financing (15:14)➤ Why we shouldn’t stop trading right now (17:05)➤ Why you should continue to push for growth during this time (19:42)➤ How women entrepreneurs have pivoted since COVID-19 (20:58)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about Export Development Canada (EDC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) are helping women entrepreneurs and small businesses? Check out my conversation with Jennifer Cooke, the Corporate Lead, Women In Trade of EDC about exporting and Laura Didyk, Vice President and National Lead Women Entrepreneurs of BDC about government financing programs available to Canadian small businesses. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Minister Ng:➤ Website ➤ LinkedIn➤ Instagram➤ TwitterResources:➤ Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)➤ WES Ecosystem Fund➤ Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Pl

This week I talk to Toni Desrosiers about the balance between creating a solid revenue stream with maintaining strong social values and financial approach that is best suited to your business. We also discuss the responsibilities of receiving grant money, the journey of finding a market for your product, and how employees' equality has played a key role in the company culture at Abeego. Toni Desrosiers is the founder, and the CEO of Abeego founded the company in 2008 with a vision to create a more efficient version of household plastic wrap. With over 10 years as a successful business owner and entrepreneur, she has shown great determination and perseverance in disrupting the food wrap industry. In this episode we talk about:➤ The journey Toni went on discovering how Abeego could become a profitable business (8:27)➤ How making a profit and creating a social impact coincide (12:05)➤ What Toni’s early experiences taught her about profit margins and managing finances (15:08)➤ How Toni approached selling Abeego to the market as a new product concept (16:09)➤ How Abeego looked before and after receiving external funding from SheEO (19:00)➤ The responsibilities of receiving grant money and how Toni utilized her industry knowledge to delegate finances (27:24)➤ Toni’s experience on the program ‘Dragon’s Den’ and the lessons she learned about building relationships with investors (29:26)➤ How receiving funding impacted Abeego and Toni’s tips for building a strong financial and cultural foundation (31:15)➤ Toni’s core values behind her hiring process and paying employees a liveable wage (33:41)➤ Advice for entrepreneurs looking to approach a rebrand of their company (38:05)➤ How Covid-19 has affected Abeego and influenced the way Toni has conducted her marketing moving forward (39:25)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about financing? Check out my conversation with Rachel Hersh on invoice factoring and Christine Chang on merchant cash advance or listen to my episode with Karen Fournier on government grants and incentives. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Toni:➤ Website ➤ LinkedIn➤ Instagram➤ Facebook➤ Twitter

This week I talk with entrepreneur Emily Kerr about debt financing during the COVID-19 crisis. We discuss why women business owners have historically resorted to using personal resources to grow their operations, how cash flow plays a role in business growth, and how you can take advantage of bank loans if you’re struggling during a crisis. Emily Kerr is a successful entrepreneur with a passion for finance, leadership, and small business. She’s the Vice-President of Business Banking at Bank of Montreal (BMO), where she leads a team of relationship managers who serve small to midsize businesses across the greater Vancouver market. Prior to working at BMO, Emily worked at Johnson & Johnson and Royal Bank Canada (RBC). She also led several large-scale heritage home restoration projects and completed her MBA with a certificate in social impact. Now, she’s dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs and business owners get the financing and tools they need to grow their operations. BMO is the oldest Canadian multinational investment bank and financial services company. Founded in Montreal, Quebec in 1817 as Montreal Bank, its head office remains in Montreal, with its operational headquarters and executive offices located in Toronto, Ontario since 1977.In this episode we talk about:➤ Why women business owners tend to fund from their own resources (12:47)➤ Two of the biggest hurdles women business owners face (14:06)➤ How BMO is helping business owners respond to the COVID-19 crisis (16:12)➤ What the Business Credit Availability Programs (BCAP) are (18:00)➤ The long-term effects of borrowing capital (22:47)➤ What business owners need to think about when considering bank loans (24:42)➤ How business owners can approach lenders (26:44)➤ How to think about revenue/sales forecasts during this time (29:00)➤ How businesses are pivoting right now (29:33)➤ How a lender reviews an applicant’s cash flow forecasts (31:18)➤ Where business owners can find more information on BMO loans and programs (35:48)Keep ListeningCurious to learn more about debt financing? Check out my conversation with Rachel Hersh on invoice factoring or listen to my episode with Karen Fournier on government grants and incentives. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Emily and BMO:➤ Website: BMO for Women➤ Website: Bank of Montreal ➤ Linkedin: Emily Kerr ➤ Linkedin: BMO

Karen Fournier is COO of Fundingportal, Canada's leading grant services, and solutions provider. Prior to joining Fundingportal's founding team, she was a parliamentary reporter in Ottawa and a weekly columnist for the Financial Post. Karen now works with hundreds of companies every month, primarily in the advanced R&D sector, to get funded. Don’t miss to listen to my conversation with Rachel Hersh about invoice factoring as a way to get funding for your business recovery and growth. In this episode, Karen shared:➤ Karen’s journey from a reporter to the COO of Fundingportal (4:55)➤ What is Fundingportal (6:36)➤ How Fundingportal helps small businesses in Canada, the US and the UK (7:21)➤ The different types of grants and benefits for each type (9:50)➤ What incentives mean (12:12)➤ There is no free lunch money (15:10)➤ What small businesses need to understand about grant writing (16:32)➤ How small businesses should strategically apply for grants (20:26)➤ Grant vs. crowdfunding vs. venture capital (24:40)➤ Does it make sense to fund and grow a business from grants alone (28:50)➤ At what stage of business makes sense to apply for a grant (30:20)➤ The big picture of external funding strategy (33:40)➤ What is a corporate investor (35:12)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Karen and Fundingportal:➤ Website➤ Linkedin: Karen Fournier➤ Linkedin: Fundingportal➤ Facebook➤ Twitter

Rachel Hersh is the Sales Director, North America for Prestige Capital. She has over 20 years of experience as a financial executive in the areas of commercial finance, factoring industry, and business development.Rachel has a successful track record of industry competence, familiarity with commercial finance industry aspects, and working with hundreds of companies. From start-ups to high-growth companies to turnarounds, to triumph business capital and growth capital as well as provide debtor-in-possession financing needs. She helps clients and the business community understand available financing options and how to best leverage their assets to gain liquidity for their businesses. But it all starts with being able to maintain accurate accounting systems.Rachel HershShe is an active member of the Commercial Finance Association and Turnaround Management Association. She is also International Factoring Association's (IFA), a commercial factoring association, active member . Rachel was selected as a Woman in Commercial Finance for The Secured Lender, Women in Commercial Finance issue by the Commercial Finance Association, and recognized as a Top Woman in Business on Long Island by Long Island Press. Don’t miss other episodes talking about the different types of alternative financing with Jill Earthy, Principal of Risery and interim CEO of Women’s Enterprise Centre of BC, and Christine Chang, CEO of 6th Avenue Capital. In this episode, Rachel shared:International Factoring Association & The Factoring Industry➤  Rachel’s journey into the invoice factoring community and world (5:29)➤  How invoice factoring works, turning your accounts receivable into cash (7:04)➤  The benefits of invoice factoring for small businesses (9:09)➤  Why invoice factoring isn’t widely used by small businesses (and why they don't approach a factoring company often) (16:00)➤  When invoice factoring is right for business activities (22:27)Prestige Capital➤  The simple underwriting and onboarding process with Prestige Capital (28:44)➤  The key terms on an invoice factoring contract with Prestige Capital (31:55)➤ The cost of borrowing for invoice factoring vs. traditional loan (33:40)➤ How to utilize invoice factoring strategically (34:46)➤ The different type of businesses who can take advantage of invoice factoring from finance companies (39:10)➤ Stay with your mission. Work with trustworthy partners (40:57)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Rachel and Prestige Capital:➤ Website➤ Linkedin - Rachel Hersh➤ Linkedin - Prestige Capital➤ Facebook 

Laura Didyk is Vice President and National Lead Women Entrepreneurs at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). In this newly created role, she leads the bank’s national strategy to support Canadian women entrepreneurs and ensures that strategy is integrated across the entire bank.BDC is the only Canadian financial institution devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs to help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services, and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Jennifer Cooke, Corporate Lead, Women In Trade of Export Development of Canada (EDC), and a special episode with Carol Normandeau, Executive Vice President, Advice & Service with Libro Credit Union who is in the trenches helping Canadian small business owners with the application process with Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and EDC Loan Guarantee programs. In this episode, Laura shared:➤ Laura’s journey to becoming the Vice President and National Lead Women Entrepreneurs at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) (8:16)➤ Why Laura focuses to help women entrepreneurs (10:59)➤ The common struggles among women entrepreneurs (11:42)➤ What is BDC (13:21)➤ How BDC can help Canadian small businesses to recover from the COVID-19 crisis (15:01)➤ What are the two lending streams under the Business Credit Account Program (BCAP) (16:23)➤ Can Canadian small businesses apply for both BDC Co-lending program as well as EDC Loan Guarantee (17:56)➤ What financially viable prior to COVID-19 means (18:44)➤ Why small businesses should maintain their relationship with the financial institution (20:21)➤ What small businesses should be doing right now to recover from COVID-19 crisis (25:57)➤ Thinking about short-term and long-term planning is key (28:27)➤ How BDC Capital, the investment arm of BDC, can help the venture-backed companies which are qualified for the Canadian government federal relief measures (30:31)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Laura and BDC:➤ Website➤ Linkedin - Laura Didyk➤ Linkedin - BDC➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Instagram

Starting from April 24, 2020, many financial institutions are accepting the application of the Business Development of Canada (BDC) Co-Lending under the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP). This bonus episode helps you to understand the details of this program, so you have the basic knowledge when you speak to the financial institution. In this bonus episode,  I shared the following: 1. Key points of the BDC Co-Lending program (3:14)2. Key differences between BDC Co-Lending and EDC Loan Guarantee which can impact your cashflow forecast (10:00)3. What is co-lending vs. loan guarantee (12:38)Need to untangle your financial story and apply for BDC Co-Lending? Click here.Check out April 21, 2020 bonus episode on How to be Ready for Export Development of Canada (EDC) Loan Guarantee and a deep dive conversation with Jennifer Cooke, Corporate Lead, Women in Trade of EDC. Submit your question here (your name, your business - service or product, your business finance question) and I will answer it in another bonus episode

Jennifer Cooke is the Corporate Lead for Women in Trade at Export Development of Canada (EDC). In her role, she is focused specifically on helping more women entrepreneurs export to grow their business. Working directly, as well as through key partners, EDC is offering specialized trade knowledge, facilitating trade with financing and insurance, and providing connections to enable companies to go, grow, and succeed globally.For Jennifer Cooke, 2019 (or late 2018) marked the journey toward new horizons. That was when she became the corporate lead for Women in Trade. Jennifer dedicated 2 years and 4 months for it before becoming the Director of Inclusive Trade.Last Week's EpisodeDon’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Wendy Cai-Lee, President & CEO of Piermont bank on reinventing how banking works for entrepreneurs. There was also Christine Chang, CEO of 6th Avenue Capital, on how they bridge the small businesses financing gap.In addition, we had a special episode with Carol Normandeau, Executive Vice President, Advice & Service with Libro Credit Union. He is in the trenches helping Canadian small business owners with the application process with Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and EDC Loan Guarantee programs.In this episode, Jennifer Cooke shared:➤ Jennifer’s journey to becoming the Corporate Lead of EDC’s Women in Trade.  (7:31)➤ Why only 11% out of the 16% of Canadian women-owned and led businesses are exporter (14:11)➤ Being conservative vs. risk-aware (17:26)➤ The 5 benefits of expanding business through exporting (18:17)➤ The 4 areas EDC can help women-owned and led businesses to reach the global market (22:18)➤ Details of the EDC Loan Guarantee program under the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to help small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis (25:20)➤ What does 80% loan guarantee by EDC mean (28:08)➤ What is credit insurance and how can credit insurance benefit women-owned and led businesses for survival and sustainable growth (33:03)➤ How EDC can help to free-up working capital (37:00)➤ Financial and non-financial information small businesses need to prepare when they approach EDC for cash flow solution (39:47)➤ Women-owned and led businesses’ success stories by working with EDC during COVID-19 crisis (41:28)➤ Key steps for women-owned and led businesses to take right now to recover from COVID-19 crisis (43:20)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Jennifer :➤ Website➤ LinkedIn

What Key Questions Do I Need to Ask Before I Enter Into A Business Debt Agreement?A question being asked by one of the listeners of Her CEO Journey: The Business Finance Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs. Far too often, small businesses enter into debt financing without asking these 7 questions. Instead of surviving, their business is buried under the mountain of debts.  Debt financing can help you to survive and thrive if you are intentional and strategic. In this bonus episode, I shared the following:1. Lessons learned from past recessions in order for a business to survive and thrive (2:40)2. 3 steps you must do prior to considering a debt financing (5:25)3. 7 key questions to ask before entering into a business debt agreement (8:00)Keep listeningCurious about where you stand financially? Check out here for March 26th solo episode explaining how to stress test the financial health of your business. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Wendy Cai-Lee is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Piermont Bank, a next-generation bank that focuses on accelerating growth for entrepreneurs. It is the first bank to open in New York State since 2008.As a successful entrepreneur and executive, Wendy has 25 years of management and business-building experience in commercial and consumer banking, mergers & acquisitions, and cross-border investment advisory services at Fortune 500 financial organizations as well as start-up companies.Wendy is a member of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York State Committee for the Advancement of Women in Leadership in Financial Services. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Friends of UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund) since 2007 and served as its chairperson for seven years. She serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at Douglass College. Wendy is a recipient of numerous industry honors, including “50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance” by the Mortgage Observer in 2015 and frequently invited to speak at industry forums and media programs including CNBC.Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Christine Chang, CEO of 6th Avenue Capital on how they bridge the small businesses financing gap and a special episode with Carol Normandeau, Executive Vice President, Advice & Service with Libro Credit Union who is in the trenches helping Canadian small business owners with the application process with Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and Export Development of Canada (EDC) Loan Guarantee programs.In this episode, Wendy shared:➤ Wendy’s journey to build the first chartered bank in New York since 2008 (6:41)➤ Piermont Bank holistic approach to serving its clients (9:06)➤ Common struggles among women business owners (14:24)➤ The key takeaway of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (19:46)➤ Strong capital and cash position set Piermont Bank to actively offering more loans (24:02)➤ The type of financing offers by Piermont Bank (25:43)➤ The underwriting process to apply for financing at Piermont Bank (26:55)➤ A list of questions business owners must answer before applying for financing (28:02)➤ How a finance expert can help answer the questions raised by the bank (29:25)➤ The type of communication a lender expects from a borrower during any crisis (31:25)➤ Guiding a client to stress test the financial situation of the business (33:53)➤ Advice from a lender perspective to small business owners during COVID-19 crisis (36:28)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Wendy:➤ Website➤ Linkedin - Wendy Cai-Lee➤ Linkedin - Piermont Bank

Carol Normandeau is an Executive Vice President, Advice and Service at Libro Credit Union. She participates in the development of corporate strategies and provides leadership on Libro’s Community Banking, Business Banking, and Wealth Management Strategies. This includes the overall owner advice, coaching, and service experience at all Libro locations across southwestern Ontario, including the Contact Centre.Libro is southwestern Ontario's largest credit union, with $5 billion in assets under administration and more than 106,000 Owners. As a co-operative financial institution with more than 75 years of history, Libro supports the well-being of people, businesses, and communities by providing high-quality financial coaching and profit sharing.Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Christine Chang, CEO of 6th Avenue Capital on how they bridge the small businesses financing gap.This episode can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together.In this episode, Carol shared:➤ Finding a place to balance between customer and shareholder value (7:27)➤ How Libro Credit Union (Libro) balances between the customer and shareholder value (9:40)➤ A triple bottom line approach - It’s not all about profit (11:51)➤ Coaching small business owner during the tough times (13:23)➤ Tips for small business owners when they apply for financing (14:49)➤ Information about Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) process (18:36)➤ Differences between CEBA and Export Canada Business (EDC) Loan Guarantee (24:19)➤ Information about EDC Loan Guarantee (25:38)➤ What 80% Loan Guarantee by EDC means for small business owners as the borrowers (28:53)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Carol:➤ Website➤ Linkedin➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Instagram

Christine Chang spent 25 years in the alternative credit sector at companies such as Charles River, Credit Suisse, and New York Private Bank & Trust, prior to becoming the CEO of 6th Avenue Capital, a company that truly understands the importance of alternative credit and provides secure and equitable access to capital to entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses.6th Avenue Capital helps bridge the financing gap by providing small and mid-sized business owners – including those who are underserved by traditional banks today – access to fast and fair financing and expert service, enabling them to unlock immediate opportunities. A leading source of alternative financing, it provides necessary short-term bridge financing to SMBs through Merchant Cash Advances (MCA), a lump sum payment in exchange for a portion of future receivables at a discounted price.Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Kathryn Schifferle, Founder and CEO of Work Truck Solution and Comvoy on how to plan a pivot effectively during a crisis and my bonus episode on how to be ready for Export Development of Canada’s Loan Guarantee.These episodes can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together.In this episode, Christine shared:➤ Christine’s journey in alternative financing (7:00)➤ How 6th Avenue Capital helps small businesses (8:20)➤ What is the definition of short-term financing (9:22)➤ What is Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) (9:45)➤ How can MCA help small businesses during a crisis (11:05)➤ The requirement and process to apply for MCA with 6th Avenue Capital (12:47)➤ Every business has its own story and we’re looking for a happy ending (18:10)➤ The policy of radical transparency (21:23) ➤ How to be a responsible borrower (22:38)➤ Christine’s advice to women entrepreneurs (25:47)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Christine :➤ Website➤ Linkedin - Christine Chang➤ Linkedin - 6th Avenue Capital

As of April 20, 2020, these financial institutions are accepting the application for Export Development of Canada (EDC) Loan Guarantee under the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP): Scotiabank, National Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal. If you are a business client of these financial institutions, then reach out to your business account manager. In this bonus episode,  I shared the following: 1. The updated eligibility criteria for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) (1:55)2. Canadian government’s intention to help business owners with rent assistance (3:15)3. Revise your scenario analysis (4:22)4. Details of the Export Development Canada (EDC) Loan Guarantee program as of April 20, 2020 (5:03)5. How to be ready for the application process for EDC Loan Guarantee (8:35)Need to untangle your financial story and apply for EDC Loan Guarantee? Click here.Check out the list of resources for the Canadian financing program and subsidy.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Kathryn Schifferle is the founder and CEO of Work Truck Solutions and Comvoy. She founded Work Truck Solution in 2012, a cloud-based solution to help automotive dealers stock and market the right work truck online, and meet work truck buyers' needs. It serves over 800 dealers across the U.S. and is growing rapidly. Comvoy is the first and only structured, searchable marketplace for work-ready trucks. Her deep understanding of the commercial truck space stems from her role as executive director at the National Ford Truck Club, which she’s held for nearly 13 years. She previously served as a director at Balestra Automotive Marketing, a marketing consulting business, and founded cable systems company Multi-Image Network, where she served as president and CEO for nearly 20 years. Kathryn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in 1976, and an MBA in 2007, both from California State University, Chico. Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Jill Earthy, the interim CEO of Women Enterprise of BC about financing a small business with purpose and my bonus episode to answer a Canadian listener’s request about the details on Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).These episodes can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together. In this episode, Kathryn shared:➤ Kathryn’s journey as a serial entrepreneur (7:44)➤ External investors are valuable (11:32)➤ Hired the wrong individual led to bankruptcy (13:21)➤ Started the Work Truck Solutions with the right foundation (15:50)➤ “Truckma” the power of three to build a sustainable business (20:50)➤ Why it’s important to build a financial model from the very beginning (26:25)➤ How to create a baseline financial story (28:00)➤ The current struggle for Work Truck Solution in this COVID-19 crisis (31:28)➤ How a CFO help Work Truck solution to pivot strategically (33:26)➤ Why it’s important to forecast for the next 12 months in an uncertain situation (37:25)➤ How to balance clients, suppliers and cash flow (38:21)➤ How to manage internal and external expectation during a crisis (41:40)➤ Never let a good crisis go to waste (49:36)➤ Important information for the board of directors and external investors (51:45)➤ Kathryn’s advice to entrepreneurs during this crisis (53:00)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kathryn :➤ Website➤ Linkedin

*UPDATE - A change in the eligibility criteria*As of April 16, 2020, organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. When this podcast was released, an organization that paid a total payroll in 2019 between $50,000 to $1 million. On Thursday, April 9, 2020, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, mark the launch of Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) which is part of the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP). Find the details here.On the same day, major financial institutions opened their online application platform where small business owners can apply for CEBA. This bonus episode is requested by one of Her CEO Journey's listeners. I shared the following:1. The terms of CEBA (2:00)2. An example of how CEBA works (3:15)3. The type of expenses you can use CEBA for (4:52)4. Eligibility criteria to apply for CEBA (6:02)5. What you need to think about and prepare for (7:36)Check out the list of resources for the Canadian financing program and subsidy.Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Want to untangle your financial story and apply for CEBA? Click here.

With billions of dollars offered by the government in the US and Canada, do you know what your company’s needs are? Which government program or combination of programs best suited for your company’s needs? Should you apply and take this financing program? Before you take the money from any of this financing program, answer a list of questions in this bonus episode. I shared the following:1. Canada's government financing program - Business Credit Availability Program (3:35)2. The United States' government financing program - CARES Act (5:05)73. None of these are FREE (7:22)4. Ask yourself these questions before you apply (8:19)Click here to find the list of resources I have gathered for you for the government financing programs in Canada and the USIf you need me to clarify certain points, you know where to reach me. I’m here for you. Let’s continue your journey to grow a business that fuels the life you want to live. Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.

Jill Earthy is an entrepreneurially minded leader who believes diversity drives innovation and recently, she was recognized by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion award as a Community Champion, by Business in Vancouver as an Influential Woman in Business and by WXN as one the Top 100 most powerful women in Canada in 2019.She is Principal of Risery, a boutique advisory firm advancing the rise of female leaders, entrepreneurs, and progressive organizations and the interim CEO of the Women’s Enterprise Centre of BC, a provincial non-profit organization providing loans, advisory services, and mentorship to women entrepreneurs. She has successfully built two companies nationally and sold them, and then spent 8 years in leadership roles in the non-profit sector supporting entrepreneurs.Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Kathryn Petralia, President and Co-Founder of Kabbage about solving business cash flow challenges with Kabbage FundingTM and solo episodes where I shared a tool to stress-test the financial health of your business.These episodes can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together. In this episode, Jill shared:➤ Jill’s journey of living on the edge (9:30)➤ The first few steps business owners must take during any crisis (12:36)➤ The role of Women’s Enterprise of Canada, specifically Western Canada and British Columbia, in providing financing to women entrepreneurs during this crisis (14:25)➤How to best position your business to get financing both under and outside of the government program (17:08)➤What type of financial and non-financial information a business owner must prepare to apply for any type of financing (20:26)➤Why mission-driven women entrepreneurs need to put their mission into financial numbers (22:28)➤The importance of scenario analysis from a lender perspective (24:47)➤ Crowdfunding as another option to finance your business (27:10)➤ The future of women as investors (33:35)➤ The struggles women entrepreneurs face in the financing landscapes (40:30)➤ The different stages of business and the best financing options for each stage (45:06)➤ The responsibility of a start-up business once it’s successful to get either debt or equity financing (47:47)➤ Jill’s advice to women entrepreneurs during any uncertain situation (52:09)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Jill:➤ Website: Women’s Enterprise Centre of BC,  Women’s Enterprise Organization of Canada, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Sustainable Development Technology Canada➤ Linkedin

Kathryn Petralia is the President and Co-Founder of Kabbage, leading global financial services, cash-flow technology and data platform for small businesses. Before co-founding Kabbage, Kathryn spent nearly 15 years working with large and small companies focused on credit, payments, and e-commerce. After graduating from Furman University with an English degree, Kathryn pursued her interest in technology to launch a number of successful startups. Kathryn was named to Forbes’ 2017 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women. Thank you for participating in Her CEO Journey contest over the last 3 months. The most inspirational Her CEO Journey episode is “Behind the Scene of Building 7 Figures Podcast Booking Agency - The Journey of Jessica Rhodes”Don’t forget to listen to last week’s solo episodes where I shared a tool to stress-test the financial health of your business and episode 28 “How to Survive Recession with Financial Confidence - The Journey of LuAnn Nigara”. These episodes can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together. You can download the template to stress-test the financial health of your business here. In this episode, Kathryn shared:➤ How Kabbage was born (5:53)➤ How Kabbage simple loan application process works (7:58)➤ How Kabbage’s financing solution is different than traditional banking (8:40)➤ A financing solution that changes following a business revenue level (9:43)➤ The type of industry Kabbage serves (10:14)➤ The information borrowers must provide to Kabbage for the online application (11:39)➤ How the maximum limit of a loan is determined (13:49)➤ How Kabbage monitors borrower’s ability to repay the loan (15:52)➤ How borrowing cost (i.e. interest) is calculated (17:33)➤ Other products that Kabbage offers to the market (19:29)➤ Common cash flow gap for small business owners (24:44)➤ When it’s appropriate to borrow for cash flow purpose (26:40)➤ How Kabbage helps to reduce the financing gap between genders (31:05)➤ Kathryn’s advice to women entrepreneurs (34:37)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kabbage and Kathryn:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Linkedin - Kabbage, Inc.➤ Linkedin - Kathryn Petralia 

As entrepreneurs, it’s expected there will be times where everything is going well and times where we are dealing with a high degree of uncertainty and fear of a decline in revenue, profit and cash flow. It doesn’t matter if you are a large, medium or small business, you will learn, in an uncertain situation, a CEO must understand the business financial numbers to figure out new strategies to deploy, to keep the company running. During a possible economic downturn, financial resilience is critical. Finance resilience means how a business survives during unexpected financial hits.First, you must know where you stand and how much “stress” your business can handle from a financial perspective in a possible economic downturn. In this episode, I shared the following key points:1. What is the scenario or what-if analysis?2. What are the key areas to think about in building this?3. Why is this useful to build resilience in a possible economic downturn?Download the scenario or what-if analysis template here. How can I help you? Click here to submit your question. I will answer your question through a bonus episode or a video. No email is required. I'm running a contest where I would love for you to vote for one of Her CEO Journey who inspires you the most, only for episodes released during the first quarter of 2020. A winner for the most inspirational journey will be announced in April.  It will mean so much for me and my guests to know our conversations help your journey. Click here to submit your favorite episode by March 31, 2020.I invite you to listen to January’s and February’s episodes, as well as March's episodes and don't forget to subscribe! Let’s continue to grow a business that fuels the life that you want to live. Want a VIP session with me?When you’re ready to stress test your business financial health, click here to schedule a call. Let's assess first if we're a fit.Connect with Christina:➤ Website➤ Linkedin

Erin began her technology career as a programmer with a small software firm before founding Entrepreneurial Technologies in 2007. As CEO she is passionate about building the right environment and processes for the ET team to do its best possible work. She also assists with system architecture and design. Starting and growing a successful business in the field of technology isn’t easy. It’s especially hard when you launch your business on the cusp of one of the most destructive recessions in U.S. history, get diagnosed with an incurable degenerative disease and oh yeah - don’t look like a tech entrepreneur is ‘supposed’ to look. But Erin Rollenhagen has never been afraid to go against the grain. She made a name for herself at age 14 when a protest that she led against mysogynistic behavior at her middle school drew national media attention. She carried that rebel spirit into her career as a tech entrepreneur, founding a company on the premise that technology doesn’t have to be cold and heartless. In 2019, she released Soul Uprising: It’s Never Just Business, a book that encourages entrepreneurs and business leaders to trust their purpose and embrace impact as the true measure of success.Don't forget to vote for the most inspirational Her CEO Journey. The contest is closed on March 31, 2020, and the winner will be announced on the first Thursday of April 2020. Click on this link now to vote for your favorites. In this episode, Erin shared:➤ Am I supposed to be a leader (8:07)➤ Building a team with a soul (10:17)➤ How to balance between core values and profit (12:10)➤ Charge what your services worth, nothing less (13:31)➤ What is vanity profitability (16:45)➤ A profitable business allows flexibility (18:27)➤ When focus on lowering expenses isn’t the answer (22:05)➤ A deeper meaning of growth (27:08)➤ Don’t put all eggs in one basket (29:00)➤ How can an emergency fund help your business (33:26)➤ What is soul uprising (36:21) Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Erin:➤ Website➤Linkedin➤ Instagram

Christine Perakis is a business growth architect who guides small business owners along the path to scale from 0 to 8-figures in record time, drawing from her experiences as an attorney, strategic advisor, serial entrepreneur and C-suite executive in 10 businesses, a professionally licensed 100-ton boat captain, while also helping 100s of clients on 5 continents to do the same.Most recently, having survived two category 5 hurricanes in two weeks, trapped alone in a wind coffin for almost 24 hours, and surviving in the aftermath for months without electricity, running water and telecoms, Christine shares the resilience and leadership strategies that helped her weather the storm in life and in business. Her book, The Resilient Leader, available for preorder, introduces the “7 Barometers of Resilience “that can help anyone weather the Category 5 situations in their lives and businesses and to become invincible.Don't forget to vote for the most inspirational Her CEO Journey. The contest is closed on March 31, 2020, and the winner will be announced on the first Thursday of April 2020. Click on this link now to vote for your favorite (no email is required).In this episode, Christine shared:➤ From a lawyer to an entrepreneur (5:38)➤ Why begin with the end in mind (6:36)➤ Built business to exit (7:45)➤ Built a company from $0 to $10 million in 4 years (8:49)➤ Managed the gap between cash from clients vs. cash to pay suppliers (11:16)➤ The steps a business needs to set up before pitching to an external investor (13:11)➤ When you don’t pay yourself a decent CEO salary, you don't do justice for your business (15:40)➤ Getting an investor into the business doesn’t equal success (18:10)➤ As a business owner, you are the most important investor in the business (19:52)➤ If you don’t have the right processes set up, be ready to air your dirty laundry during due diligence (27:00) ➤ It’s important to understand the assumption used behind the numbers (28:15)➤ Think long-term, instead of short-term (30:15)➤ How she survived and learned from weathering a category 5 hurricane (34:00)➤ Loneliness epidemic in business and life (41:21)➤ If you work with a start-up business and they don’t have the cash to pay you, here is an option (43:41)➤ Becoming a Storm Warrior (45:12)➤ Her view on money before and after the catastrophic event (47:36)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Christine:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ LinkedIn➤ Twitter➤ Special pre-order link to Christine’s upcoming book: The Resilient Leader: Life-Changing Strategies to Overcome Today's Turmoil and Tomorrow's Uncertainty➤ Free resources: Everything You’ve Ever Learned About Generating Leads and Growing Your Business is Wrong

Kisha Mays is a Successful Serial Entrepreneur, Visionary Global Business Development Strategist, Best Selling Author, Angel Investor, and Philanthropist. Her primary focus is on helping to develop 1,000,000 Fearless Female Entrepreneurs generating a minimum of $1,000,000+ in annual revenue. Turning them into unicorn global businesses through the Just Fearless Angel Fund which is a fund exclusively for female-founded companies. She pays it forward by supporting non-profits worldwide that specifically support & empower women and girls.Kisha and her team are developing strategic partnerships for 2019 and beyond to take this international business and brand to an explosive level bringing Just Fearless from behind the scenes to the forefront. She and her team are excited about the abundance of opportunities, expansion, and partnerships to be announced very soon. She has been featured in the Business Insider, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes to name a few. The Just Fearless team has worked with Pepsi, GE, and Home Depot to name a few.Kisha released her Best Selling book “From Failure to Fearless: Still Completely Flawed BUT Thriving Fearlessly” to rave reviews. Most successful people only talk about the good parts of their journey. In her book, “From Failure to Fearless,” Kisha details her many, some very public, failures and how she overcame them in a transparent and vulnerable way. Based on the many positive reviews readers can relate to this from both a personal & business perspective.In this episode, Kisha shared:➤ A professional job by day and an illegal job by night (6:22)➤ Partnered with Dress for Success for her first women empowerment gala in 2007 (9:05)➤ Learned to run without crawling first and experienced one of her biggest public failures (11:27)➤ Failures taught her to get back up and tried again (14:21)➤ Becoming the CEO of Just Fearless, an international brand (21:20)➤ Her strategies to build an international company, yet she takes home 50% to 70% of revenue (25:16)➤ Her purpose to build 9 figures business (33:30)➤ How to properly scale a business like the Virgin Group (36:07)➤ How to properly add multi-stream revenue (37:54)➤ What an angel investor looks for in a business to fund (40:28)➤ The financial responsibilities of a business that receives funds from external investors (44:30)➤ The financial processes to manage multiple subsidiaries in multi-locations around the world (48:40)➤ How gender-equality progresses over the last 20 years (49:28)➤ The mission of Her Story Connection (50:44)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kisha:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Instagram

It can be confusing to understand the different roles in finance. In this solo episode, I explained certain misconceptions about the different roles to help you to build the right finance team for your business.I shared the following key points:1. Bookkeeping vs accounting vs taxes2. One big misconception about a certified public accountant (CPA);3. What is business finance;4. Understand the key responsibility of a CFO if you choose to wear the CFO hat.In March, I'm running a contest where I would love for you to vote for one of Her CEO Journey who inspires you the most, only for episodes released during the first quarter of 2020. A winner for the most inspirational journey will be announced in April.  It will mean so much for me and my guests to know our conversations help your journey.I invite you to listen to January and February’s episodes, as well as future episodes and don't forget to subscribe! Let’s continue to grow a business that fuels the life that you want to live. Connect with Christina:➤ Website➤ Linkedin

Michelle Bosch is the Co-Founder and CFO of Orbit Investments and a full-time real estate investor since 2002. She has bought and sold over 4000 pieces of real estate and built the 3rd largest land investment and auction company in the US, bringing that company successfully into the 8-figure revenues in a matter of 18 months. Through the recession, she positioned Orbit Investments for rapid growth in the Single-Family and Multifamily investing space with over $40 million in assets under management.Michelle is also the Co-Creator of the nationally recognized Land Profit Generator Program focusing on teaching others how to invest in Land and has created over 145,000 followers via the Forevercash Podcast/Radio Show, LandProfitGenerator.com, UltimateBoardroom.com, and social media channels. She also hosts her own podcast on faith, family, flow, and finances: InFLOW with Michelle Bosch.In this episode, Michelle shared:➤ Her dad’s legacy (6:30)➤ The key to prosperity is simplicity (7:23)➤ Created a blue ocean for her business (9:19)➤ Optimizing on one core product first (10:33)➤ Scaled from 0 to 7 figures in 18 months (12:35)➤ Creating a financial legacy for her daughter (20:44)➤ Why a long-term cash flow projection is critical in real estate (21:38)➤ How to manage cash flow for three businesses (22:35)➤ Why women entrepreneurs have money fear and how to overcome it (31:06)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Michelle:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ Podcast➤ Free resources 

Jessica Rhodes is the leading expert on how to leverage podcast guesting for increased brand awareness, more leads and higher profits. She created the podcast booking industry in 2013 when she founded Interview Connections, the first and leading agency of its kind.Along with her business partner, Margy Feldhuhn, Jessica has quickly scaled Interview Connections to over $1M in annual revenue with nearly no direct marketing or advertising. Their team of in house Booking Agents are the podcast powerhouses behind many successful entrepreneurs and businesses including Ali Brown, Perry Marshall, Aweber, USA Financial and more.Jessica has done hundreds of podcast interviews both as a guest, and co-host of Rock the Podcast. She is the acclaimed author of Interview Connections: How to #RockThePodcast From Both Sides of the Mic and has been a featured speaker at Podfest Multimedia Expo and FinCon.In this episode, Jessica shared:➤Why podcast interview is an effective marketing channel (7:02)➤ When should you consider to leverage podcast interview (8:52)➤ If you have this one skill, podcast interview can work for you (13:07)➤ Jessica’s strategy to reach 6 figures within the first year of Interview Connection (15:06)➤ How to build a great relationship with influencers (19:20)➤ Lessons learned along the way to reach 7 figures in revenue (20:27)➤ Stepping into strategic business finance with a part-time CFO (35:17)➤ Happy partners, successful business (40:20)➤ One important advice in achieving 7 figures (46:38)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Jessica Rhodes:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Private Facebook Group➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ Interview Connections LinkedIn 

Glain Roberts-McCabe is the founder and President of The Roundtable. This McCabe financial group is a company where leaders cultivate their leadership, together. The Roundtable is best known for its group and team-based coaching and mentoring systems.They help organizations break down silos, increase collaboration, and accelerate business all while building leadership capability.Awards And AcolladesIn 2014, The Roundtable was awarded a Gold Award by the Canadian Awards for Training Excellence in partnership with PepsiCo Foods Canada for their Roundtable for Leaders peer coaching and mentoring program. In 2016, they were named Best External Consulting Advisory in Canada at the Canadian HR Awards.In 2018, Glain was named one of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurs of the Year. All experiences were kind of like winning an Oscar but without having to wear sequins. Glain is the author of the Amazon best-selling book ‘Did I REALLY Sign Up for This?!’ and believes that leadership is a privilege.Her personal mission to inspire ambitious leaders to connect to their bigger purpose and passion so that work can be more fun and life can be more fulfilling.In March, I'm running a contest and I would love you to vote one of Her CEO Journey who inspires the most, only for those episodes released during the first quarter of 2020. The winner for the most inspirational journey will be announced in April. It means so much for me and my guests to know our conversations help your journey. In this episode, Glain shared:➤ Don’t take “No” for an answer. (10:45)➤ Brought in cashflow through the non-core program but continued to focus on her vision. (19:32)➤ Planting the seed for the corporate program. (22:29)➤ You must give this one permission to yourself. (27:17)➤ Her vision led to hiring the first employee very early. (28:56)➤ Start with the day to day business finance process and financial planning. (29:51)➤ Ask yourself “Do you love leading a team and creating a culture?” (33:56)➤ Act big even when you’re still small, especially when facing a client. (35:18)➤ Becoming a leader means you’re ready to make a hard business decision. (38:10)➤ Protect your resources by hiring the right people into the family and fostering relationships for your business. (40:50)➤ Building proactive financial processes to support long-term financial goals and future growth. (51:53)➤ Understand the difference between the day to day financial processes vs. strategic business finance. (55:40)➤ Why she increased her own take-home pay from $24,000 per year. (59:05)➤ The risk of hustle in your services. (1:02:46)➤ Stop playing Russian roulette. Instead, be firm, and do this one step with your team. (1:06:37) Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Glain Roberts McCabe:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Twitter: @HeyRountable➤ Instagram: @go_roundtable➤ LinkedIn➤ YouTube

First of all, what is marketing? Hubspot defines marketing as follows:  “The process of getting people interested in your company’s product or service. Marketing entails product development, market research, product distribution, sales strategy, public relations, and customer support.”The next question that comes to mind if you’re a data person, how do we know if a marketing strategy is working well? The different marketing experts explain the type of marketing metrics and how these metrics help them understand what works and doesn’t work with their marketing strategy. In this episode, I shared the following key points:1.  Why marketing metric is important2.  What are the characteristics of the right marketing metric3.  How experts are using these marketing metrics in their businessesIn March, I'm running a contest where I would love for you to vote for one of Her CEO Journey who inspires you the most, only for episodes released during the first quarter of 2020. A winner for the most inspirational journey will be announced in April.  It will mean so much for me and my guests to know our conversations help your journey. I invite you to listen to January’s episodes, as well as future episodes and don't forget to subscribe!Let’s continue to grow a business that fuels the life that you want to live. Connect with Christina:WebsiteLinkedIn

Kate Toon is a writing entrepreneur, as well as a popular coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. She’s also a mad good hula hooper.Her digital education businesses The Recipe for SEO Success and The Clever Copywriting School have helped more than 8000 small business owners grapple the Google beast and write better content. Kate runs Australia’s only dedicated annual copywriting conference COPYCON. She presents at events around the world and runs several hugely successful Facebook groups. Author of the popular business self-help book Confessions of a Misfit Entrepreneur: How to succeed in business despite yourself, Kate lives on the Central Coast of Sydney, where she loves wandering on the beach with her son and her CFO (Chief Furry Office-dog) Pomplemousse.In this episode, Kate shared:➤ Started as the Jill of all Trades (5:25)➤ Leveraged the power of SEO (7:39)➤ What Google wants from you (9:50)➤ #1 Ranking in a specific keyword (12:52)➤ Focus on who you are vs. what you do (14:25)➤ The first basic steps for Google to love you (16:00)➤ Understand what is Google’s goal (18:06)➤ Know your Achille heel and empower yourself (20:00)➤ How to interpret Google Analytics in relation to SEO (25:18)➤ Don’t be vanilla ice cream (33:04)➤ Trust your audience to build a new income stream (37:49)➤ The benefit of working with subcontractors (47:10)➤ How and why Kate build her own conference for copywriters, CopyCon (50:53)➤ How Kate relied heavily on intuition to a certain point (55:29)➤ How Kate collaborated with her competitors to build a community (59:19)➤ Planning for paid ads in 2020 for the first time to prove her intuition! (1:04:30) Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.➤ Watch my video post on LinkedIn and share your comment "How to forecast sales with clarity and confidence"➤ Download my FREE 4-step process for predicting sales with confidenceConnect with Kate Toon:➤ The Recipe For SEO Success Show➤ Hot Copy Podcast➤ Pinterest➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Instagram➤ LinkedIn➤ YouTube➤ Kate’s book “Confessions of a Misfit Entrepreneur”➤ Kate’s 10 years journey

Kate Ahl is the owner and founder of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management company. They help their clients focus back on their business by taking over all aspects of Pinterest marketing. After working with over 600 Pinterest accounts, they have learned how to pin for all types of companies and niches. Kate has taught tens of thousands about Pinterest marketing through various speaking engagements and her podcast, the Simple Pin Podcast. She aims to teach simple, actionable tips to help you create forward movement in your business instead of feeling overwhelmed.In this episode, Kate shared:➤ Why Kate loves being the CEO of an agency (4:20)➤ Kate’s definition of a CEO (6:50)➤ Her struggle to find the meaning of “7 figures” goal (11:30)➤ Why the agency model works best for her (15:05)➤ How to strategically grew from an employee to 40 employees and multiple revenue streams (21:30)➤ The benefits of beta testing to identify which services work best (30:40)➤ Using Pinterest and Google Analytics to understand customer journey (34:00)➤ Using tags to group potential leads and personalize email marketing for each group (39:55)➤ Why conversion rate and UTM matter (42:45)➤ Understand the big picture using a CEO dashboard (44:40)➤ How Kate uses Facebook group for content creation and visibility (46:50)➤ Pinterest is the platform for an introvert (49:05)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.➤ Watch my video post on LinkedIn and share your comment "How to forecast sales with clarity and confidence"➤ Download my FREE 4-step process for predicting sales with confidenceConnect with Kate Ahl:➤ Website➤ Pinterest➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Instagram

Frequently referred to as a messaging and marketing genius and the “Harry Potter” for business, Angella blends the world of strategy and intuition together to guide entrepreneurs to make great money doing the work they love. As the creator of the Intuitive Marketing Method™ and the Soul Message Archetypes™, she blazes the path for entrepreneurs to trust themselves, break the rules, and radically change what they think is possible and make more money without the hustle or hype.Angella has a global business and works with clients privately, in her classes, events, and retreats and has shared stages with dozens of visionary leaders including Lisa Nichols, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Lynn Twist. She is known for her game-changing and simple strategies, her authentic vulnerability, and her ability to merge practical tools and strategies with deeply intuitive coaching.In this episode, Angella shared:➤ A dream live event that came with financial lessons (3:40)➤ No profit plan = no real cash (5:08)➤ Marketing and finance must go hand in hand (6:58)➤ Self-limiting beliefs of many hearts center entrepreneurs (9:04)➤ From $40K loss to 6 figures profit from live events (13:18)➤ She made profit but wasn’t able to contribute to the household income (16:33)➤ Metrics that don’t matter (19:25)➤ Money mindset shift alone isn’t enough (22:54)➤ Got connected to her financial numbers (25:45)➤ What is the life that you creating for yourself (29:43)➤ Built financial predictability and empowerment from different energy (31:19)➤ Transformed her business model based on intuition (33:54)➤ Letting go of her offers one by one (40:24)➤ Be willing to shift (45:16)➤ Intuitive marketing strategy and metrics (46:22)➤ Marketing isn’t hard when you go back to basic (48:31)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.➤ Watch my video post on Linkedin "How to forecast sales with clarity and confidence"➤ Download my FREE 4-step process for predicting sales with confidenceConnect with Angella:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ YouTube➤ Pinterest

Rita is the owner of Rita Barry & Co. and a measurement marketing expert. For the past ten years, she and her team have been helping women-led digital businesses turn their marketing data into confident business decisions.In this episode, Rita shared:➤ The evolution from website developer to measurement marketing expert (2:45)➤ Why she offers facebook ads as back end service, not as front end service (3:20)➤ What is analytic and measurement marketing (5:18)➤ From analytic and measurement marketing to sales forecast (8:50)➤ The power of marketing forecast (14:05)➤ One important lesson from the 7 and 8 figures clients (20:20)➤ How to structure paid traffic for profit (30:00)➤ Long-term and impactful client relationship (34:25)➤ How she feels empowered through her clients (37:05)➤ Marketing is important, so is finance (40:22)➤ A number nerd doesn’t equal to a finance expert (46:00)➤ Beyond the numbers on the spreadsheet (50:50)➤ It’s fine to change your benchmark (54:00)➤ Why marketing metrics is an invaluable skill for women entrepreneurs (1:00:20) Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.➤ Watch my video post on Linkedin "How to forecast sales with clarity and confidence" ➤ Download my free 4-step process to predicting sales with confidenceConnect with Rita:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ Linkedin

A profitable business is the by-product of a well-oiled machine where marketing, sales, human resources, technology, and finance processes support one another. Business finance is the “bucket” that captures data points from other processes. These data points are required to make strategic business decisions. In this episode, I shared the following key points:What is financial self-careThe magic of financial clarityThe best and fastest way to gain financial confidenceAligning why to financial vision Creating financial predictability Let’s continue to grow a business that fuels the life that you want to live. Connect with Christina:➤  Website➤  Linkedin

Christina Canters is a speaker, podcast host, and communication skills trainer based in Melbourne, Australia.A former Architect, she started her business The C Method to help high performing professionals and business owners dramatically increase their influence, confidence, and impact at work, through learning powerful communication techniques. Her training encompasses public speaking, confidence-building, effective workplace communication, as well as trust & relationship building.Discover how to be a more confident and effective speaker by subscribing to her top-ranked podcast ‘Stand Out Get Noticed’ at www.thecmethod.com.Christina is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Podcast Services Australia, a business that helps companies and organizations create, launch and run engaging internal podcasts.In this episode, Christina shared: ➤ Changed her career path after reading The 4-Hour Workweek (1:52) ➤ One year of self-reinvention (5:14) ➤ Why The C Method is unique (7:43)➤ Get herself out of the comfort zone in Stand Out Get Noticed: My First Attempt At Stand Up Comedy (10:27)➤ How she built a business when she didn’t have a strong brand  (15:30)➤ You don’t need decades of experience to start a business (20:10)➤ A personalized approach of Profit First method to manage cash flow (23:47)➤ Her solution to create financial predictability (33:55)➤ Building her second business, The Podcast Services Australia, together with her husband (40:05)➤ A strategic approach to achieve her financial goals (43:35)➤ How to allocate one resource into two businesses (45:37)➤ Her Linkedin strategy to build connections (51:45) Connect with Christina: ➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ LinkedIn➤ YouTube

Have you heard about the 80/20 rule? In order for you to spend 20% of your effort to create 80% of your profit, you need to understand your profitability at the product, client, division or region level, not at the total profitability level. Total profitability is the common metric out there. However, it is more accurate for any business to analyze your profitability either by product, client, division or region. 

Prerna and Mayank Malik are the founders of Content Bistro, a conversion copywriting agency. They are the creators of Profits on Tap ® – the premium program for service providers who want an #easybakescale approach for their businesses. They live in India with their daughter, Manini, and when they aren’t working on launches with clients or on profit optimization with service-based businesses, they’re traveling the world and eating all the food! In this episode, Prerna and Mayank shared:➤  Behind the scene thought process to pivot from Social Media Direct to Content Bistro (6:37)➤  How their core value of sustainable scaling translate into their services and investments (14:40)➤ The process to arrive at an internal hourly rate (16:00)➤ The financial planning process to transition to Content Bistro (22:59)➤ Why they waited 8 years to launch Profits On Tap program (26:54)➤ How they managed the launching process and investments for Profits on Tap program (31:30)➤ The financial process they put in place to build a two-years AND 90 days worth of emergency fund to protect their business and life (35:59)➤ Their thought process in managing expenses at 15% to 18% of revenue (41:39)➤ How to avoid shiny object syndrome (44:20) ➤ The C.A.S.H Blueprint to manage expenses and fuel growth in their business (54:00)➤ The right intention, discipline, and habit are the keys to their financial success (57:10)➤ Streamlining process within their business using financial data (1:04:33)➤ The benefit of regular review of their marketing metrics (1:14:35)➤ Don’t be a doormat to your client (1:25:20)Connect with Prerna and Mayank:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ Twitter➤ Pinterest➤ LinkedIn➤ Free resource: R.E.M Framework ➤ Sign-up for Profits on Tap Program➤ Free Facebook group: The Biz Bistro

Maggie Patterson is a communications strategist, business growth consultant, and the founder of a content marketing agency, Scoop Studios. As the creator of Small Business Boss, she works with service-based business owners both one-on-one and in group programs to help them find clients, get paid and build a business that serves them. She’s the host of the Small Business Boss podcast, has been on stage at events such as New Media Expo, Podcast Movement, and the Conquer Summit, and her work has been featured in leading publications such as Entrepreneur.com, Fast Company, and Virgin.com.In this episode, Maggie shared:➤ Why she loves micro-agency model (7:33)➤ Maggie’s intuitive money management system (9:54)➤ Back up your intuition with data (14:33)➤ Managing profitability at a project level (20:28)➤ A hybrid pricing model (22:59)➤ How she figured out the sweet spot for her business (25:42)➤ Plan with the end in mind when you enter into a partnership (32:45)➤ Which financial metrics are important for her business (39:52)➤ How she manages the budget at the client’s level for an agency model (41:44)➤ Using Linkedin as lead generation (47:52)➤ How she translates the core value of accessibility into her mastermind (50:57)Connect with Maggie:➤ Small Business Boss Website➤ Scoop Studios Website➤ Facebook Group➤ Instagram➤ Pinterest

As the CEO of your business, it is time for you to start planning your break. If you are currently worried about how to achieve your financial goals for 2019, don't let yourself go down that rabbit hole. Instead, look back on what you have accomplished over the last 11 months and appreciate yourself. I am sure you have done something great, and you forget those little wins because you are too busy for the next thing. The holiday season doesn't last long. Don't miss the chance to take a break and enjoy this time with family and friends.Connect with me on Linkedin and let me know what is the best gift for yourself this holiday season.

Dana Kaye is a veteran publicist, social media pro, and brand manager. In 2009, she founded Kaye Publicity, Inc., a boutique PR company specializing in publishing and entertainment. Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, she coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands. Kaye is also the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.  In this episode, Dana shared:➤ Building her business through innovation and knowledge of current trends (3:35)➤ What she learned going from 0 to 30 clients in 12 months (7:42)➤ Her two businesses: Kaye Publicity vs. Branding Outside the Box (12:56)➤ Discover what is wrong in your business by 10X fast (19:59)➤ Why she believes slow growth is the way to build a business (21:10)➤ Fast growth can lead to unhappy clients (29:41)➤ Her step by step to create financial projection (31:18)➤ The strategic way to analyze business profitability (35:31)➤ Overhead costs can kill your service business (39:07)➤ An increase in profitability doesn’t always mean an increase in price (42:14)➤ Get clear on your why and take time to design the life you want (47:22)Connect with Dana:➤ Kaye Publicity, Inc.➤ Branding Outside the Box➤ Facebook➤ Instagram➤ Twitter➤ Free resource: Online growth toolkit➤ Dana’s product profitability worksheet (available for download)

Bloomberg wrote, "64% of Gen-X are living a financial nightmare and carrying escalating consumer debts."Connect with me on Linkedin and let me know what would you suggest to your Gen-X entrepreneurs' friends who are experiencing financial insomnia

Dallas Travers gives coaches the clarity and structure they need to attract incredible clients, sell with soul, and launch meaningful programs to make more money and help more people. She believes that most coaches complicate their business out of fear of rejection, failure, or even success.  So, they waste valuable time and money on complicated strategies that allow them to keep busy but hide from the world.  Whether it's through her signature program, Client Surge or The Six Figure Coach Club, Dallas helps her clients demystify marketing and communicate their genius without any distracting bells and whistles.  In this episode, Dallas shared: ➤ Why she chose actors as her niche at the beginning (4:19)➤ From zero to 60 actors by word of mouth (5:43)➤ 18 months to 6 figures (8:13)➤ Focused to pay one debt at a time and refused to define her worth and future by the debt (12:19)➤ Mindset alone doesn’t work. You need to have a process (17:34)➤ Built a half-million dollars brand new business in a year (25:02)➤ Let your sales system be simple and test it (35:05)➤ Scaled-down her revenue but continued to pay herself the same amount (37:53)➤ Here are the processes to scale-down (41:16)➤ Why we should plan for an exit-strategy (43:13)➤ How does she plan around her exit strategy (51:49)➤ Think big, start small, move quickly (54:15)➤ Budget based on what you are creating (56:41)Connect with Dallas:➤ Website➤ Instagram➤ Facebook

You need a vision in order to set the direction of your business. Your vision includes your financial vision. Financial vision is not about how much money is your business going to achieve, but what are you going to use the money for. Connect with me on Linkedin and let me know how do you align your WHY to your financial vision.

With more than $40MM in personal sales and leading high-performance sales teams to over $600MM in revenue, Susan McVea is an award-winning sales strategist, consultant, and speaker who now helps ambitious entrepreneurs as the founder of Sales Mastery Society. She’s on a mission to help create more millionaire entrepreneurs and establish a mentality of wealth and abundance in the world.In this episode, Susan shared:➤ The massive panic attack that led to self-discovery moment (5:08)➤ After selling $40 million and teaching others to sell over $600 million, she struggled to sell a $3,000 product (12:14)➤ I wanted it so badly for them but they are not ready even after I gave them a discount (14:35)➤ The free calls were not the problem. Here are the problems (19:04)➤ Don’t hold anyone as a hostage. Bless and release (23:08) ➤ Don’t worry about giving the how. Your knowledge will always evolve (24:50)➤ This one client experience made her changed her business model (37:34)➤ What is next process after you are able to sell your service or product (42:26)➤ Day to day bookkeeping vs. strategic business finance (51:08)➤ Sales are about leadership (1:04:28)Connect with Susan: ➤  Facebook➤  Instagram➤  LinkedIn➤  Facebook group➤  The blueprint to 6 figures in 6 months

When a CEO let money and fame to take over the business foundation, financial mistakes were made. The falling of WeWork should be lessons learned for many entrepreneurs who believe growing fast based on false metrics such as higher revenue and multiple products are the way to have a sustainable business. Connect with me on Linkedin and let me know what advice would you give your entrepreneur friends or family who are under financial stress. 

Bonnie Gillespie built her business by demystifying the casting process and illuminating the business side of pursuing a creative career starting with her first weekly column for actors in 1999. The most popular of her books is Self-Management for Actors, which has been named one of the Top Ten Best Books on Acting Ever Written. She coaches creatives who want more structure and confidence in their lives through private coaching and membership program. In this episode, Bonnie shared:➤ It all started in the summer of 1999 (9:10)➤ Too much passion is equal to desperation (10:56)➤ The first moment she realized that her framework for actor works (11:51)➤ How she was able to get her book “Self Management for Actors” to be a curriculum for certain universities and the foundation of her online empire (14:54)➤ Repurposing interviews, columns, and answers to her audiences’ questions into her book, which become the top ten best book of acting (17:35)➤ Her money AHA moment and what she has learned from the wealthy people (28:25)➤ What has she done to create a sustainable business (32:45)➤ Building an empire with zero ads spent (37:56)➤ Lost 25% of her income (39:10)➤ How did she find profit clarity and more than double her annual income (41:03)➤ Why she believes passion alone is not enough (44:20)➤ The enoughness journey (45:38)Connect with Bonnie:➤  Website➤  Facebook➤  Instagram➤  YouTube➤  Twitter➤  Get on the waiting list to begin your enoughness journey with Bonnie Gillespie

With millions of dollars made and thousands of hours saved, Jordan Gill, Operations Consultant and Host of the Systems Saved Me Podcast, knows that if you want to make an incredible impact on your business, you must have massive support. Her mission is to partner with business owners like YOU to balance new leads coming in while still getting your to-do list done.In this episode, Jordan shared:➤  Secured a $12,500 monthly retainer within 6 weeks of starting her own business (5:29)➤  Stand your ground for what you are worth. Don’t give in (7:45)➤  Burnt out within 6 months with the monthly retainer model and switched to an uncommon business model in the operational space (11:50)➤  Learn to sit on her own discomfort with no leads coming in (16:14)➤  Another pivot into a higher price program (19:45)➤  The marketing strategy that continues bringing her new clients (21:41)➤  Strategic relationship-building when she attended 30 events in 2017 so she continues to be front and center with her connections (22:30)➤  Concept of sustainable business (36:01)➤  Over 50% monthly profit (42:15)➤  Her mission to help similar operational focus business owners and women who come out of prison to find a job (44:40)➤  Create a business model and offers that is closely aligned to who you are, your core values and how you operate (55:39)Connect with Jordan:➤  Website➤  Facebook➤  Instagram➤  Pinterest➤ Special offer for Her CEO Journey listeners on Inbox Management for Service Providers. Use this code for the special offer: herceo (offers end on November 23, 2019).

Sue Monhait is the CEO of Gift Biz Unwrapped and The Ribbon Printing and host of the Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast. She has been working in the retail and online spaces for over 25 years. After 15 years in corporate sales/marketing to both boutique shops and larger brands, she went on to open two profitable businesses of her own.Today she owns The Ribbon Print Company, a gold-standard business offering custom ribbon printing systems so businesses can provide product personalization right in their store or craft studio. Sue has been identified as an industry leader and trendsetter. She has created her own proprietary software program, Design and Print™, and a specialty brand of ribbon, Pretty Print™ Ribbon, that is sold exclusively through The Ribbon Print Company. Other industry firsts are an online training program supporting customers worldwide as well as a membership Design Vault – again focused on the needs of their customer base.Recently, Sue identified the need within the gifting, baking, crafting, and designing spaces, for a leader to help entrepreneurs set up their businesses to become profitable and sustainable entities. Pulling from her vast experience, she has started coaching and speaking to guide entrepreneurs who have a hobby or creative passion that they want to turn into a business. She also works with existing business owners who have gotten stuck or are looking for that one thing that’s needed for them to gain traction and move ahead.As host of the Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast, she provides free content weekly to assist those searching for answers on how to start and grow their business.In this episode, Sue shared:➤  Research, planning and planting the seed (4:17)➤  The growth of your business depends on your strategy on how to allocate the $$ that you have (10:56)➤  Profitable from the very first gift basket sold (16:38)➤  Position yourself to be able to be lucky (18:10)➤  Built her unique like no other second business with a vision of going global (22:40)➤  Focus on what she could afford financially without any external funds (25:26)➤  Held back on multimillion $ revenue opportunities, instead, she chose to have a higher profit margin with lower revenue (35:27)➤  Building her third business using the same financial concept with the 2 other businesses (42:38)➤  Why it is important not to commingle financial information between businesses (43:18)➤  How she manages her 6 figures inventory (49:37)➤  The juggling acts of managing her cashflow (51:36)➤  Why Sue started her online course “Makers MBA” (54:33)➤  Sue’s advice in building a profitable product business (1:02:48)Connect with Sue:➤  Website➤  Facebook➤  Instagram➤  LinkedIn➤  Twitter➤  The Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast➤  Free resource: 10 ways on how to make more sales

Sigrun is the leading business mentors for female online entrepreneurs in Europe, TEDx speaker, and host of the Sigrun Show podcast. In 2014, Sigrun started her online business and within 4 years she built a 7 figure business helping women from all over the world. Her signature program is SOMBA, Sigrun’s Online MBA, and her other programs are SOMBA Momentum, a group coaching program, VIP Mastermind, a mastermind program, and Mastermind Retreat Iceland, a six-day business retreat in Iceland.In this episode, Sigrun shared:➤  Became the CEO of a start-up company with too many financial mistakes (25:28)➤  Turned around a loss position company within 11 months (26:55)➤  Her vision to build a $1M business (34:03)➤  Started her online business by being resourceful to other women (40:47)➤  Got her first paying client at $180/hour (43:18)➤  Built her list from 300 to 2000 through a weekly webinar but she wasn’t happy (47:14)➤  Why her online course failed (51:12)➤  The best program to start if you are a new digital entrepreneur (52:07)➤  The first 6 figures year (57:59)➤  The birth of SOMBA (1:02:07)➤  Why she chooses to strategically run a high operating cost (1:08:01)➤  Doing her live events to achieve her greater purpose (1:09:43)➤  We are all special women, but you need to be fired up (1:11:32)➤  Her mission to accelerate gender equality through female entrepreneurship (1:12:17)Connect with Sigrun:➤  Website➤  Facebook➤  Instagram➤  Twitter

Cathy Karabetsos is the CEO and founder of QCSS, an industry-leading USA Based call center agency in 1991. By 2015, QCSS was doing almost six million dollars in business and growing at a rate of 197%, landing twice on the coveted INC 5000 listing. She used her passion to find purpose. Besides being the founder of the leading call center in the United States, Cathy is a mother of seven and is the host of the podcast, Go Big or Go Broke. She knows first-hand about balancing work and life and being able to grow something from nothing.In this episode, Cathy shared:➤ Cathy’s WHY (6:55)➤ Her husband pushed her to enter into a contest (7:45)➤ The big challenge while growing her business (10:45)➤ Balancing the cash flow when dealing with big clients (12:41)➤ Managing financial self-care in the early years (16:00)➤ The trouble comes when you don’t take action (19:12)➤ Exit strategy? I’m only getting warmed up (22:52)➤ Building an empire, a mom to 7 children and a wife (23:38)➤ Being an 85% businesswoman, mom, and wife (26:39)➤ The foundation of her happy marriage (32:33)➤ Go big or go broke - it isn’t what you think (38:17)➤ Carrying her mission through her business (40:32)Connect with Cathy:➤ Website➤ Facebook➤ Twitter➤ Linkedin

You have done a great job of taking care of yourself financially. You know where your business stands at every moment. You have processes to grow your financial confidence. What is the next financial step in building a sustainable business?In episode # 20, I talked about what is financial self-care, why it is important for the well-being of every female CEOs and how to exercise financial self-care in your business. I am grateful for all my guests in episode 21 to episode 29, who openly talked about their journey to financial clarity and financial confidence. In this third solo episode, I shared the following key points:1. How to calculate profitability by product, service or client2. What do you need to include in your pricing formula3. How to prepare for survival mode for an event outside your control4. What would the best and fastest ways to gain financial confidence when finance is not your superpowerAs you are planning for 2020, start thinking about your why and how to align your why to your financial vision. In the month of October, my guests shared their grand purpose, cause or belief that keeps them going every day. Let’s continue your journey in building a sustainable business and sustainable life through the power of finance. Be Confidence. Don’t give up on your dream.

Honored as the Trailblazing Entrepreneur for Women in Canadian Optical, Wendy Buchanan is the founder and creative force behind Perceptions Eyewear Inc.; a mobile eyewear boutique™.She is a Licensed Optician and Image Consultant. In 1997, Wendy combined her passion for people and her love of the image world with her experienced optical training to launch a fun, personalized, one-of-a-kind eyewear styling service in Toronto, Canada.  When you start a business that requires inventories of your product, you must be extra strategic on how you spend your money. Your ability to manage inventory is the key to your cash flow success. In this episode, Wendy shared:1.  How to successfully build a pipeline of clients through referrals and repeat clients over 2 decades2.  What does scaling up through collaboration without managing any employee mean3.  What happened when she realized going bigger is not always the best choice4.  How did she manage her profitability and cash flow while she has to carry inventories of hundreds of eyewear Connect with Wendy:     -  Website     -  YouTube     -  Instagram     -  Facebook     -  Twitter     -  LinkedIn

LuAnn began her career more than thirty years ago as a co-owner of Window Works, award-winning window treatment and awning retailer in Livingston, NJ. She’s also the host of the top-rated interior design podcast, A Well-Designed Business®.LuAnn is a sought-after speaker with topics ranging from client acquisition, keys to effective project management, the art of the high-ticket sale and her 3 keys to excellence in leadership and author of two books. Her first book, The Making of A Well-Designed Business®, is an Amazon #1-rated international bestseller and her second book, A Well-Designed Business®, The Power Talk Friday Experts was released at her live business conference, LuAnn Nigara Live, It’s About the Conversation held in Short Hills, NJ March 2019.LuAnn and I talked about all the main points she wrote in her first book, such as lessons on business leadership, how to set up business systems and processes, how to find your ideal client and as important, how to attract your ideal client and most important of all, how she and her partners translate those lessons into financial numbers, then use the financial numbers to guide their success in building Window Works. In this episode, LuAnn shared:1.  What is the benefit of being part of a franchise and how to build a successful franchise business2.  How does Window Works motivate their sales team to ensure they become part of the business3.  How does Window Works differentiate themselves from others who are selling the exact same products4.  What were the financial steps taken by LuAnn and her partners to survive the 2008 financial crisis 5.  How to continue carrying your brand legacy during recession time6.  Why does a business need a line of credit and how to use the line of credit responsibly7.  How to strategically use different financial scenario to grow your business8.  What is the right process to create a solid annual budget9.  How did LuAnn pitch to her business partner in creating a profitable podcast.Connect with LuAnn:   -   Website   -   Instagram   -   Facebook   -   LinkedIn

Megan Auman is a jewelry designer, metalsmith, educator and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in selling art through a variety of channels. Currently, Megan is running her eponymous jewelry line and the online community Artists & Profit Makers for fellow creatives who sell high-end products. A best-selling CreativeLive instructor, her designs have been featured in Elle Decor, Better Homes & Gardens, Cooking Light and on top-rated blogs like Design*Sponge.Megan shared in this interview that she likes spending her money, but she knows that financial stress does not help her creativity. In this episode, Megan shared:1.  How is Megan able to charge premium pricing for her jewelry from the very beginning2.  What are the impacts of Etsy and mass-produced products to the creative maker3.  What is Megan’s advice to the creative maker entrepreneur to bridge the gap between capital outlays and cash inflow to the business4.  What process did she build in to counter-act her spending habits and yet able to have the financial confidence to grow her jewelry and coaching businessConnect with Megan:-  Website-  Facebook-  Instagram-  Twitter-  Pinterest-  LinkedIn

After uncovering financial self-care in July and financial clarity in August, my guests and I are uncovering the financial confidence to strategically grow a business to the next level.Financial confidence is the next big thing after you know how to take care of yourself financially and how to grow your business with a clear financial pictureHead on to https://www.christinasjahli.com/herceojourneypodcast to listen to my guests and I talk about the money side of their businesses in ways you've always wanted to know about, but wouldn't dare ask. 

Tracy Bell is a corporate exec turned start-up CEO.In 2016, a health scare in the family prompted Tracy and her husband to reimagine the way tea is processed in an effort to extract more antioxidants. That concept led to the creation of a new category of tea - called Fresh-Leaf TEA - and a product that is being called “the future of tea” by industry leaders. In 2017 their innovation was named Best New Product at the premier event in the world for specialty teas (World Tea Expo). And in 2018 Millennia TEA won an outstanding business award from the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.Numbers are not her favorite topic, but Tracy learned very quickly the importance of financial numbers to build her dream business. In this episode, we talked about:1.  What are the fundamentals of building a sustainable and scalable business2.  The importance of going back to her WHY3.  Why saying YES to every opportunity is not good for your business4.  What is financial modeling5.  What are the benefits of having a financial model, especially when she has a big visionConnect with Tracy:-  Website-  Facebook-  Instagram-  Twitter-  Linkedin

Nicola Watson is the CEO and founder of Le Fashion Lab, a fashion design school in Atlanta, GA.  A certified project management professional (PMP), Nicola started Le Fashion Lab to create more options for studying fashion – more affordable, fewer prerequisites, no more waste of time and money. She created the syllabi and curriculum for all the classes, with a step-by-step approach to perfecting students’ skills in the most efficient manner possible – doing away with all the unnecessary prerequisites that keep students away from achieving their fashion goal. Additionally, she added a key component that is missing from a traditional fashion college education – a thorough understanding of the designer as a business owner and entrepreneur. She is also the author of “Fashion Designer Career Guide: Insider Tips for Fashion Career Planning.Nicola has always been disciplined with her spending habits. Yet, when she was about to have her first baby, her design school business lost money instead of breakeven as in the previous years. Fortunately, a business coach guided her to put her vision to a clear financial picture. In this episode, we talked about:1.  What was her reason to find a business coach2.  What did she realize after her financial clarity moment 3.  How did she turn around a loss business into a six figures profitable business within a year4.  What happened when she understood who should be her ideal studentsConnect with Nicola:-  Website-  Instagram-  Facebook-  Twitter

Veronica Staudt has worked in the jewelry, accessories, personal shopping, and styling industry for over 20 years. As an expert in vintage fashion accessories, she focuses on styling her clients in one of a kind looks while preserving the story behind each unique piece's design by instilling the legacy and history for the wearer. She has worked with J. CREW, and other retailers styling vintage pieces and their clothing. She also works with private clients all over the world in person and virtually. Her passion is helping women look and feel their best every day while dressing in details. She proudly founded Vintage Meet Modern in 2009. Vintage Meet Modern is a  company focused on bringing a curated collection of designer and vintage jewelry that can't be replicated anywhere else the same way while also inspiring women on how to wear their collections. They are grateful to be part of the growing sustainable fashion movement and are committed to the history and the preservation of these beautiful pieces as well.Veronica admitted that she made several financial mistakes which caused her to hit rock bottom. In order to turn around her business, she had to face the “unpleasant” financial numbers to get clarity on her next step. In this episode, we talked about:1. Why Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are important for Veronica2. How does Veronica manage her business cash flow so she can purchase high ticket inventory items3. How did the “unpleasant” financial numbers help her to move forward the business4. What did she do to create a team culture where everybody is here to win5. Why long-term financial planning is important to any business ownerConnect with VeronicaWebsite  Instagram Vintage Meet Modern Instagram Veronica Staudt Facebook Vintage Meet Modern  Facebook Veronica StaudtLinkedInYouTube

Christine Hansen is a sleep expert to CEOs, Executives, athletes, and high achievers, who want to sleep but can’t. She has helped CEOs in the biggest organizations and most influential experts in Europe including Deloitte and Accenture. Her expertise has been featured in numerous international publications, such as Forbes, The Independent, The Guardian, Business Insider, National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, Elite Daily, Entrepreneur on fire and many more. Christine is a #1 Amazon best-selling author for her book Sleep Like A Boss-The Guide To Sleep For Busy Bosses and award-winning entrepreneur of the Coup de Coeur award of the Creative Young Entrepreneurs Luxembourg Awards. Christine admitted that she hates numbers but she understands if she wants to grow her business to 7 figures, she must “force” herself to gain financial clarity in her business.In this episode, Christine shared:1.  How did financial clarity help her in creating a laser focus approach in marketing and pricing2.  Her biggest clarity moment after she increased her price from $800 to $10,0003.  Why she believes in no discount or lowering the price when you have a high-end product4.  How did she build a successful business with a small email list5.  Her reason to stop wasting money on paid advertisingConnect with Christine:Website:  https://sleeplikeaboss.comFacebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sleeplikeabossTwitter:  http://www.twitter.com/bychristinehLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bychristinehansen  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sleeplikeaboss_      Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/sleeplikeaboss

Trish Mennell has cultivated a Private Client photography studio in Toronto by referral only since 2007.  She gains a loyal following amongst many families in Toronto and other cities who value proper preservation of their family memories.  Her clients appreciate a personal relationship with their photographer, capturing the stories of their family, luxury artwork created by hand just for them, the pleasure of creating a treasure trove of memories, and the guidance and care that Trish provides along the way.When her marriage ended, Trish was forced to review her business finance so she can sustain her own life. Her financial clarity has changed her business and personal life for the better. In this episode, Trish shared:1.  How to fit your business into your life instead of the other way around2.  The impact of being too generous with her money and not having financial clarity3.  What pricing clarity means to a business4.  Steps she took to increase her price by 50%, yet continue to have a long list of clientsConnect with Trish:Website:  http://trishmennell.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/trishmennell/

Vanessa Goh is the founder and creative force behind Vangoh Creative. It is a creative studio with a focus on branding, photography, UX/UI and web design, helping brands find their brilliance and define what makes their business great. Vanessa and her team are passionate about making waves with creative ideas and beautiful design, they also care about going deep - with design and marketing that works. At the end of the day, their goal is to help you solve creative problems and elevate your brand to inspire action from your customers.As her business grows, Vanessa decided to take a step back from her creative role to the CEO role. And as a CEO, it is time for her to understand the business finance side of her business while making sure that her team is well supported. In this episode, Vanessa shared:1.  How did she build a boutique creative studio as a freelancer2.  How did she calculate her pricing in the past vs. now and what she did learn along the way3.  Why having fewer clients is great for her business and team4.  Why financial stability is important for her and her team5.  What did she learn about her business once she gets clear on the business finance sideConnect with Vannesa:Website:  https://vangohcreative.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativegirlbossInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/vangohcreative/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/vangohcreativePinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/vangohcreative/

In episode 11 (The Journey of Meagan Francis) to episode 19 (The Journey of Andréa Jones), I continue to share the amazing CEO Journey of women entrepreneurs in the digital world.The significant take away of these last 9 episodes is the financial self-care exercise by these CEOs in their business. A number of CEOs exercise financial self-care from the beginning of their journey. Others experienced financial failures first before they realized the importance of exercising financial self-care in the business. In this second solo episode, listen to the following key points:1. The importance of paying yourself first and the steps you need to implement in your business;2. Don't wait until you are headed for a cliff before you start reviewing your financial numbers and what actions should be implemented right now;3. What is the game-changer moment for this woman entrepreneur as she is growing her business?4. What does financial model mean for your business?In August, my guests share their journey in gaining financial clarity in their business and I break down the steps so you have financial clarity in your business. Let's build a sustainable business and sustainable life through the power of finance. Be confident. Don't give up on your journey. 

Andréa Jones is fiercely committed to helping businesses and podcasters build profitable communities online through simple social media solutions. Named one of Social Report’s top marketers to follow in 2019, Andréa’s passion for keeping social media simplified shines through for her full-service clients and students as well as on her podcast – the Savvy Social Podcast.In this episode, Andréa and I discussed:1.  How did Andréa manage to have consistent clients under the repeatable billing concept;2.  Sacrifices made by Andréa and her husband to pursue this entrepreneurship journey;3.  The benefit of understanding the numbers and how it helped Andréa when an unfortunate event happened;4.  Andréa’s “10 minutes” approach to connecting with her audience authentically in social media;5.  Reasons to focus on one profitable product before thinking about other revenue streams. Connect with Andréa:Website: https://onlinedrea.com/mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlinedrea/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OnlineDrea/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/onlinedreaLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/onlinedrea/Free resource: https://onlinedrea.com/free 

Stephanie Stiavetti is former tech-nerd-turned-chef with one handy superpower: taking everyday folks who can barely boil water and turning them into the culinary envy of all their friends. She started the Fearless Cooking Club to help you become the badass home cooks you're meant to be.In this episode, we discussed why self-care is important to every business, what is her perspective about marketing, what sets her apart from other trained chefs, what did she do before she created her first offers, what is her definition of failure and what is the key to her success.Financial self-care is as important as emotional, mental and physical self-care. As I believe financial self-care is important, I open 5 spots for a free cash flow audit for businesses generating $200K who have their eyes on half a million dollars. Many entrepreneurs believe that increasing their revenue is always the answer to their cash flow issue. That’s not always the case. I have seen far too many entrepreneurs who bring in so much cash to their business, yet they pay so little to themselves if at all. When you are ready to take care of your financial health, email me at [email protected]. First, you will fill out a financial questionnaire. Second, you schedule a time for your free 60 min session. Third, I will review your information and prepare for our session. Fourth, you come to your session with the most important question that you want me to answer about business finance. Connect with Stephanie:Website https://fearlesscooking.club; https://cookingcheatsheets.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/sstiavetti/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FearlessFresh/

Brit Kolo is the Creator of the Marketing Personality Type Framework at MarketingPersonalities.com and the Host of the Marketing Personalities Podcast. Through her framework, designed to match you with your best marketing strategy based on your Myers-Briggs Personality Type, she’s here to shake up your approach to marketing and inspire you to grow your business in a feel-good way. Meet Brit and get ready to go deep, find your true self, and grow that business of yours WITHOUT feeling fake and salesy at www.marketingpersonalities.comIn this episode, we discussed how to fit your marketing strategy to bring more joy, how does the Myers-Briggs Personality Type affect your financial behavior, Brit's long-term vision for MarketingPersonalities.com and how does she strategically build the business based on her strengths.This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance and positive cash flow. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Brit:Website https://www.marketingpersonalities.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/britkolodorman/  

Andrea Brooks is the founder and CEO of Sava, an online platform for curated cannabis goods. Andrea is a cannabis advocate, a lobbyist for social change, and an entrepreneur with a passion for health and wellness. Following a disabling injury in which cannabis played a crucial role in her recovery, she was inspired to enter the cannabis space. Building on a non-profit career that focused on strengthening human and social services agencies, she applies her expertise in conducting needs assessments, developing strategic partnerships, and creating a community to Sava all while leading the growing team.In this episode, we talked about the growing pains in building a start-up company, her own initial misconception about cannabis, how did she change her perception about the plant, her mission with Sava, understanding the financial aspect of Sava especially in this growth period, and the importance of not doing it all as a CEO. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance and positive cash flow. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Andrea:Website: https://www.getsava.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/getsava; https://www.facebook.com/mizbrooksTwitter: https://twitter.com/savaupdatesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsava/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getsava/about/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreambrooks/

Meagan Francis had been an entrepreneur for almost 12 years when she decided to take a break from being her own boss. She felt her mojo was gone and wanted to have a steady, non-hustle job working for an agency. But, her entrepreneurship mind could not be stopped, so she came back within 10 months. This time she brings in a business partner to Life, Listened, a company that she founded in 2012, and takes on the CEO role in her business venture. Meagan establishes herself as a respected leader in the parenting & women’s lifestyle audio spaceWe discussed about her mindset shift from being a solopreneur to becoming a CEO of Life, Listened, how she and her business partner build a profitable business by doing what works over and over again, why she chooses to enjoy building a business instead of trying to figure out everything right now and how the financial numbers become important in growing her company. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance and positive cash flow. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Meagan:Website: http://lifelistened.com/, http://meaganfrancis.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeListened/, https://www.facebook.com/meagan.francis, Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaganfrancis/Instagram: @meaganfrancis, @lifelistened

Minna has always been an entrepreneur at heart. She started her entrepreneurship journey using her background as a graphic designer. She was doing a freelance corporate graphic designer, then, out of frustration of not able to find writable, waterproof labels for baby items for daycare, she created Lil' Labels in 2015. Lil' Labels is now an Amazon best seller product. Minna did not stop her journey there, while she continues to be the CEO of Lil' Labels, she also co-owns and co-hosts The Product Boss Podcast. Together with her business bestie, Jacqueline Synder, they coach the product-based business owners through their masterminds.We discussed the importance of finding the right manufacturer, product validation, what costs should be included in the pricing for product-based so you can have a healthy margin, her abundance money mindset and her advice to other female entrepreneurs. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Minna:Product website https://www.lillabels.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/minnaksPodcast and coaching https://www.theproductboss.com/Facebook group for product-based https://www.facebook.com/groups/theproductboss/?ref=bookmarksInstagram https://www.instagram.com/theproductboss/?hl=en

Liz Elting is a global CEO, an Entrepreneur, a Business Leader, a Philanthropist, and a Feminist. She has been named one of Forbes’ “Richest Self-Made Women” for the past three years in a row (2016, 2017, 2018).An accomplished business leader, she co-founded TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of language and business solutions. Headquartered in New York City, the company has over $600 million in revenues and more than 4,000 employees in over 90 cities around the globe.Liz and I talked about why and how did she build TransPerfect, how her big vision had guided her along the way, why she did not want any outside funding for TransPerfect, how did she manage the business finance to achieve her big vision (hint: review your numbers and control your spending), why your own values are important to build a successful business, why did she create the Elizabeth Elting Foundation and what are her goals with the Foundation. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Liz Elting:Website: https://www.lizelting.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelting/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizelting/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizelting/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizElting

Prior to building two successful businesses, Erin Bouchard worked as a child and youth worker for a foster care agency. After she planned her own wedding, she started to help family and friends with their wedding plan, and realized how much she enjoyed working with brides. She opened her own bridal store Once Upon A Time Weddings. About 3 years ago, after being tired of watching bridal store owners spin their wheels, she created Bouchard Consulting.  Listen to the full podcast to find out how did a major incident in her business push her to become a financially savvy business owner. Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube and email for future episodes of Her CEO Journey podcast. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find out more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series. Connect with Erin:Website https://www.erinchristinebouchard.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/erinchristinebouchardInstagram https://www.instagram.com/erinchristinebouchard/ Erin Bouchard helps retail store owners move from crisis mode to growth mode with clarity and confidence. She walks beside you as you learn the tough lessons so that you can grow your team, renew your passion and grow your profits.

Pamela Dale became a mom at the age of 17. At the age of 40, she felt that it was her time to shine. She embarked to the entrepreneurship journey as a coach, then she learned about digital marketing. She struggled to find her self identity and self-worth until 3 months ago.Listen to the full podcast to find out how did she finally find her self-identity and self-worth and how did her business take off. Subscribe on Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Soundcloud, YouTube and email for future episodes of Her CEO Journey podcast. This episode is brought to you by my own CFO program, where I help CEOs and entrepreneurs how to grow their business through the power of finance. This program is created for CEOs and entrepreneurs who have 6 figures or 7 figures business but, either they struggle to pay themselves like a true CEO or they treat their business like a credit card for their clients or they simply do not know where all their money go. To find more about my CFO program, book a call with me [email protected] or sign up for my FREE videos training series.Connect with Pamela:Website https://www.pamelajoandale.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/pamelajoandaleResources https://www.fiercefreelancers.coPamela Dale is the creator and driving force behind the "Fierce Freelancers" Movement. Coaching and programs designed to transform the businesses of midlife female entrepreneurs into demanding six figures and beyond based on their God-given talents and skills.She has four different coaching certifications with a concentration in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and specializes in being able to see behind the excuses and fears of business owners in order to get straight to the source of the problem and help them fix it.Pamela also owns a digital marketing agency where she helps business owners create funnels, webinars, and redesign their brand to improve their sales conversion rates.She resides in Vancouver, Canada with her husband Antonio.