Meet Adam!

Adam Lean, founder of the CFO Project, shares his journey from being an accountant to starting his own e-commerce business and eventually offering CFO advisory services. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the future and helping business owners improve their cash flow.

Adam believes that accountants should shift their focus from compliance work to providing valuable advisory services that help businesses grow. He created the CFO Project to teach accountants how to attract clients, sell high-ticket CFO services, and deliver results. Adam Lean shares his journey from architecture to accounting and entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of gaining practical experience and the power of peer groups in achieving success. He emphasizes the need for hard work, the ability to identify problems, and the importance of protecting and leveraging influence as a leader.

Takeaways

- Accountants should shift their focus from compliance work to providing valuable advisory services that help businesses grow.

- Business owners care more about the future and improving their cash flow than the historical records.

- The CFO Project teaches accountants how to attract clients, sell high-ticket CFO services, and deliver results through a mentorship program.

- Joining peer groups and engaging with others who are going through similar experiences can provide valuable support and insights.

- Challenges are inevitable in business, and it's important to persevere and learn from them. - Identifying problems and finding solutions is essential for success as an accountant and entrepreneur.

- Leadership is about having influence and responsibly protecting and supporting others.

- Being an introvert doesn't hinder success in sales; caring for others and making them feel valued is key.

- Hard work, problem-solving, and protecting influence are essential for achieving success in business and leadership.

- Personal insights include being an introvert and the value of caring for others in sales.

Sound Bites

"Business owners care way more about having a better future than they do about ensuring that the past is recorded correctly."

"Everything that you do in business impacts cash flow. Cash flow is the only thing required to stay in business and to have a better business."

"Having those people that are living the same experiences as you right now is such a powerful tool towards your own success."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Adam Lean and the CFO Project

02:43 Adam's Journey from Accountant to Entrepreneur

07:15 The Importance of Understanding Numbers in Business

10:46 The Shift from Historical to Future-Focused Accounting

20:08 The Birth of the CFO Project and the Mentorship Program

27:30 The Value of Practical Mentorship in Accounting

38:35 The Power of Peer Groups in Achieving Success

43:17 Lessons Learned from Business Challenges

51:36 Protecting and Leveraging Influence as a Leader

56:23 Success in Sales as an Introvert

59:48 The Value of Hard Work and Problem-Solving

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlean/

LinkedIn business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecfoproject/

The CFO Project - https://thecfoproject.com/start-a-cfo-service?utm_campaign=3NF57QJ&utm_source=Protea-Financial&utm_medium=partners

Stacey Feldman, partner COO at FullSend Finance, shares her journey in the accounting world and the lessons she learned along the way.

From majoring in accounting to working at startups like PopSockets, Stacey's career has been defined by her adventurous and ambitious spirit. She emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities, taking initiative, and being comfortable asking questions. Stacey also discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the startup environment, building a strong company culture, and balancing work and personal life.

Stacey and Zane discuss the importance of work-life balance and how to prioritize different areas of life based on their needs. They also talk about the significance of leading by example as a leader or entrepreneur and how it contributes to building a strong culture. Stacey shares her personal challenges and how she overcame self-doubt. They emphasize the power of community and the importance of leveraging support networks.

Takeaways

- Be open to opportunities and take initiative to pursue them

- Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance

- Working in a startup environment requires adaptability and a willingness to take on various roles

- Building a strong company culture is essential for success

- Finding a balance between work and personal life is crucial for long-term happiness and productivity

- Leading by example as a leader or entrepreneur is crucial in building a strong culture and showing your team that it's okay to prioritize other aspects of life.

- Challenges and self-doubt are common in entrepreneurship, and it's important to leverage your network and seek support to overcome them.

- Being part of a supportive community and leveraging the knowledge and experiences of others is essential for personal and professional growth.

Sound Bites

"We recognize that everyone is human and we have the power now in our positions to bring that humanness into business."

"I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I wanted to build something and I want to own it and kind of grow with it."

"I've never really been much intimidated by certain people of different stature or different roles. We all are people and there's always a way to connect."

"Different parts of your life are going to need different amounts of your time at different periods in time."

"As long as you keep focused on all those things that are important for you, you will feel satisfied."

"The optics of being a leader or being an entrepreneur is sometimes understated in certain cultures of how important it is to lead by example."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:15 Recognizing the Importance of Humanness in Business

08:13 Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur

19:12 Embracing Opportunities and Building Connections

24:12 Building a Strong Company Culture

35:30 Finding Work-Life Balance and Productivity

38:21 Leading by Example

41:48 Data Intelligence for Small Businesses

46:04 Overcoming Challenges and Self-Doubt

49:07 The Power of Community

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyfeldmancpa/

LinkedIn business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/gofullsend/

Meet Krystalynn!

Krystalynn Schlegel, an insurance advisor, shares insights on the role of insurance in personal financial risk management and the challenges of the insurance industry. She also discusses her family-run insurance brokerage, her involvement in a managing director role, and her experiences in the restaurant business and Provisors.

The conversation delves into the complexities of insurance products, the importance of client relationships, and the multifaceted nature of her professional and personal life. Krystalynn Schlegel, a financial professional, shares insights into her daily routine, virtual work, and personal growth. She discusses the challenges of being a nomadic worker, the importance of virtual work, and the need for balance and self-care. She also shares her passion for travel and the impact it has had on her perspective. Additionally, she provides valuable advice on leadership and personal development.

Takeaways

- The role of insurance in personal financial risk management and the challenges of the insurance industry.

- The multifaceted nature of Krystalynn Schlegel's professional and personal life, including her family-run insurance brokerage, managing director role, and involvement in the restaurant business and Provisors.

- The complexities of insurance products and the importance of client relationships in the insurance industry. The challenges and benefits of a nomadic work lifestyle

- The importance of virtual work and the need for balance and self-care

- The impact of travel on personal perspective and growth

- Valuable advice on leadership and personal development titles

Sound Bites

"We're seen as salespeople trying to sell someone whatever we possibly can in order to earn money."

"It's completely intangible. And I try to help people understand that even though we're talking about a death benefit, so to speak, that money does actually provide the shelter, provide the blue jeans, provide the school books, provide the sports stuff for the kids."

"We are talking about the what if somebody doesn't come home tonight and what if somebody gets cancer."

"My day is different all the time."

"My goal is to just really try and become as virtual as possible so I can work from anywhere."

"Everyone needs my services. Everyone's going to die."

Chapters

00:00 Unraveling the World of Insurance and Financial Risk Management

03:07 The Complexities of Insurance Products and Client Relationships

10:32 Navigating Client Relationships and Personal Growth in the Insurance Industry

13:09 The Role of Empathy and Authenticity in Insurance Advisory

31:08 The Impact of Virtual Work and Self-Care

33:51 Travel: A Perspective-Changing Experience

39:03 Leadership and Personal Development Insights

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalynnschlegel/