56 | How to Identify and Solve Operational Issues: Kristen Deese the Virtual CFO for the trades

Freedom Blueprint for Home Services | HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Leadership, Business Growth

Show Information

Episode Number: 56

Date: October 14, 2024

Duration: 26:36

Host Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com

Contact: [e-mail]

Episode Guest Info

Guest: Kristen Deese

Guest Company:Virtual CFO for the Trades

Guest Contact: [e-mail]

Guest Website: www.KristenDeese.com

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint podcast, Justin Deese and his co-host Kristen discuss the

role of a Virtual CFO in small businesses. They explore the importance of financial management, the common challenges faced by business owners, and how a

Virtual CFO can help identify operational and sales issues through financial analysis. The conversation also delves into pricing strategies, budgeting for profit, and the significance of awareness in managing finances effectively.

Kristen shares insights on how to improve gross profit margins and manage overhead expenses, emphasizing the need for business owners to understand their

numbers to drive profitability.

Takeaways

● A Virtual CFO provides high-level financial strategic

management without the cost of a full-time CFO.

● Many business owners lack accounting training, which

can hinder their financial management.

● Understanding key financial concepts early can

significantly impact business growth and profitability.

● Business owners often rely on bank balances, which

provides a limited view of their financial health.

● Identifying gross profit margins can reveal areas for

improvement in operations and sales.

● Pricing strategies are crucial; many businesses

underprice their services, affecting profitability.

● Budgeting for expected profit can shift the mindset of

business owners towards better financial management.

● Controlling overhead expenses is essential for

maintaining profitability.

● Awareness of financial metrics helps business owners

make informed decisions.

● It's important to prepare financials for tax time well

in advance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Virtual CFO Services

04:10 The Importance of Financial Management for Small

Businesses

07:44 Identifying Operational and Sales Issues through

Financial Analysis

12:57 Pricing Strategies and Gross Profit Margins

16:22 Budgeting for Profit and Managing Overhead

Expenses

20:23 The Role of Awareness in Financial Management

Keywords

Virtual CFO, financial management, small business, accounting, budgeting, profit margins, operational

issues, sales strategies, pricing strategies, overhead expenses, Kristen Deese, Justin Deese, When Your Business Partner Is Your Spouse, Virtual CFO for the Trades