If you’ve ever built a budget in January… only to feel like it completely falls apart by March, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down how CFOs actually build annual budgets that are realistic, flexible, and designed to support growth (without making you feel stressed or restricted). We’re talking about what most founders get wrong when budgeting, and the exact steps to build a plan that works month by month — not just on paper.

You’ll learn how to:

Forecast revenue based on capacity (not wishful thinking)

Separate fixed costs from flexible spending so you stay in control

Build a monthly cash flow calendar you can actually use

Run a “reality check,” so your plan doesn’t depend on fantasy-level numbers

By the end, you’ll have a clear “money map” for 2026 that helps you make smarter decisions, stay confident through slower months, and grow without burning out.

Thanks for listening. Your financial edge starts HERE

Most founders plan for growth. Few plan for profit — and that’s why so many end up scaling revenue while their margins quietly disappear.

In this episode, we walk through the exact process CFOs use to build a profit-first operating plan for the year ahead. You’ll learn how to set targets you can actually hit, how to protect margin as you scale, and how to build a financial structure that supports growth instead of fighting it.

Inside this episode:

• How to define a realistic profit target for 2026
• The expense categories that quietly erode margin
• How to set revenue goals based on profitability, not hope
• Why founders consistently overspend in Q1 — and how to avoid it
• The CFO method for turning a plan into a profitable execution rhythm

If you want 2026 to be the year your business stops guessing and starts operating with financial confidence, this episode gives you the roadmap.

Thanks for listening. Your financial edge starts HERE

Before You Plan: The 5 Numbers Every Founder Must Know Before January Hits

Most founders jump into annual planning without understanding the numbers that actually determine whether their plan will work — or fail by March.

In this episode, we break down the five financial numbers every founder needs to know before setting goals, hiring, investing in growth, or mapping out Q1. These aren’t vanity metrics. They’re the baseline indicators that reveal your real capacity, your true costs, and how much room you actually have to scale in 2026.

You’ll learn:

• The operating cost number most founders drastically underestimate
• How to calculate your reliable revenue baseline (not the optimistic version)
• What your runway really looks like
• The capacity math that determines whether your plan is realistic
• Why commitments and liabilities make or break Q1 stability

If you want to build a 2026 plan you can actually execute — without surprises, cash crunches, or mid-quarter pivots — this is where you start.

Thanks for listening. Your financial edge starts HERE