The Gross Profit Podcast: Recent Episodes
James Kennedy
The ProcurementExpress.com Podcast is your one-stop shop on the path to profitability. Each week we share authentic advice on the positive, practical steps you can take to make the company you love more profitable. If you're looking for a positive plan to help you avoid common spending mistakes, control costs, and increase your profits, then this is the place for you. Read all about procurement spend practices and pitfalls.
In this episode, James sits down with Milán Golovics, founder of BAO Contracting and a former VC associate turned startup operator/CFO, to unpack the realities of building and funding hardware in Central & Eastern Europe. From Hungary’s unique venture landscape to rethinking a “hardware-only” sale into a subscription model, Milán shares crisp, tactical lessons for seed-stage founders - and the CFOs who support them.
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Alina Rivera, founder of Advising Puerto Rico and fractional CFO, to explore how purpose-driven operators can build commercially strong companies and meaningful community impact. From documenting procurement processes in construction to guiding hospitality entrepreneurs through cash flow, budgets, and people-first policies, Alina shares the playbook she uses to turn scrappy growth into sustainable scale - without losing the mission.
In this episode, James sits down with Peter Piluk, a fractional CFO with a programmer’s mindset, to unpack what really matters in ERP rollouts, how just-in-time thinking rescued a niche manufacturing service during COVID supply shocks, and why every owner should build a company that’s sale-ready - even if you never plan to sell. They also touch on Canada–U.S. tariff chatter, running a firm with your spouse, and Peter’s “how, not no” approach to client problems.
James Kennedy sits down with Stuart Jamieson, founder/partner at Unbridled Advisory, for a globe-spanning tour of “special ops” finance: Big Eight audit beginnings, 120+ acquisitions, PE carve-ups, shutting union plants the right way, sniffing out accrual games that fake EBITDA, outsourcing production to Asia, and even steering a taxi-medallion liquidation after a buyer’s shocking murder (yes - the same killer later caught after Versace). Stuart also shares lessons from a productivity-challenged Spain assignment, a hurricane-leveled BVI venture he tried to rebuild, and how he now helps founders with CFO services, M&A prep, and capital raises - without broker-dealer baggage.
In this episode, James Kennedy chats with Iberly Abreu, Purchasing Manager at South Bank (part of Grace Bay Resorts, Turks & Caicos). Iberly shares her path from FedEx and hotel operations to running purchasing for a luxury, guest-obsessed island resort. We dig into import-dependent supply chains, inventory discipline, and the realities of sourcing everything from linens to last-minute kosher items - plus how ProcurementExpress.com streamlines approvals, budgets, CapEx, and contingency spend in a fast-moving hospitality environment.
James Kennedy sits down with Donny Mashiach, founder of Warrior GP, to unpack how he’s importing an investment-banking “deal team” model into the fractional CFO world. Donny shares how he consistently closes prospects with a pre-work, presentation-led pitch, how he aligns incentives so everyone wins, and a concrete case study where he unlocked $750k of cash by fixing inventory turns at an eCommerce retailer. They also touch on walking away from “wrong” venture terms, seasonality planning, and why founders should expect their exit to feel personal - and stressful.
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Scott Geller, CEO of Path Predict LLC and fractional CFO, to unpack the nuts and bolts of running and scaling staffing firms. Scott explains why staffing is really two sales pipelines (candidates and clients), how cash flow can get crushed by weekly payrolls and 30–90 day receivables, and the practical levers owners can pull - pricing, margins, funding - to stay liquid and grow. He also shares a venture story: guiding a COVID-era sports-tech startup past a so-so VC offer to a stronger strategic exit by building runway, discipline, and options.
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with fractional CFO Corey Friedman to unpack two meaty finance arenas: (1) buying and turning around distressed hospitals, and (2) making nonprofit dollars go further with strong grant governance. Corey shares how to read the real story in financials, what diligence looks like when acquiring a hospital, and the practical ways nonprofits can satisfy funders while staying mission-first.
James Kennedy welcomes back Eamon O’Sullivan, partner at OSA McQuillan, to unpack how he transformed a traditional, deadline-driven accounting practice into a “service-as-a-subscription” model. Eamon shares the playbook: moving from feast-or-famine annual work to predictable monthly revenue, switching referrals to marketing-led growth, going remote, and the billing tech that makes it hum. If you run a professional services firm (accounting, legal, fractional CFO, consulting), this one’s a blueprint for a calmer business with better margins.
James Kennedy sits down with Michael O’Shea, co-founder & CEO of Pulse Market, to unpack how CFOs can get ahead of non-financial sustainability reporting. From CSRD, ESRS, SECR and double materiality to auditor readiness and supplier due-diligence, Michael explains the emerging reporting stack - and why robust data lineage matters as much as the numbers. They also touch on his earlier startups (from Silicon Valley CRM to an Irish spread-betting platform), lessons from a private-equity roll-up, and the culture/values work that shaped Pulse.
In this week’s episode, host James Kennedy is joined by Adam Sher, a seasoned CFO who has worked with some of the most exciting growth-stage companies in the startup ecosystem.Adam shares what it’s like to parachute into high-growth environments as a fractional CFO, where finance meets chaos, and strategy meets reality. With a background that spans e-commerce, SaaS, and AI, Adam brings a refreshingly honest take on how CFOs can balance operational excellence with founder vision - especially when the numbers tell a different story.From managing investor expectations to rebuilding financial infrastructure after layoffs, Adam’s war stories offer valuable insights for CFOs, founders, and operators alike.
This week James sits down with Tiffany Vogel, founder of Insight CFO Services, to explore what it means to build a scalable, values-driven fractional CFO firm from the ground up. Tiffany shares her unconventional decision to take on debt and build a team from day one - defying the typical solo CFO path.They dive into her background in healthcare analytics, her real estate investing success, and how those experiences shaped her approach to financial leadership. Tiffany also talks candidly about setting boundaries, managing burnout, and keeping her mission at the center of everything she builds.Stick around to the end to hear how she’s planning retreats for founder transformation - and why every CFO should be thinking about their exit, too.
This week James sits down with Kyle Smith, founder of Strata Advisory and seasoned fractional CFO, to explore what it takes to help fast-growing service businesses thrive. With a background in management consulting and a knack for navigating complex financial waters, Kyle breaks down the strategies he uses to guide his clients toward clarity, confidence, and profitable decision-making.They discuss building financial infrastructure from scratch, the difference between being busy and being successful, and why most business owners need to stop trying to do it all.Stick around to the end to hear Kyle’s take on how fractional CFOs can make themselves indispensable to the CEOs they serve.
This week James sits down with Jason Andrews from FloQast to unpack the unexpected journey from accounting to marketing - and the lessons learned scaling a finance function through hypergrowth. Jason opens up about his time at Twilio, where he helped guide the company from $650M to over $4B in revenue, led a massive ERP migration, and managed a global team across five time zones. He also shares why he made the surprising leap into marketing at FloQast and how his accounting DNA continues to drive his impact.Whether you’re navigating messy month-end closes, leading through explosive growth, or considering a career pivot, this episode is full of wisdom on process, people, and perspective.
This week James sits down with Garon Goodspeed, co-founder of Treaty Oak Financial Services, to explore three essential areas every finance leader should understand. First up: what it’s like to prepare for an IPO - and then walk away just before the bell rings. Next, Garon shares battle-tested advice on designing sales compensation plans that motivate teams without blowing the budget. Finally, Garon reflects on launching his own fractional CFO practice and reveals what fueled its rapid growth in just a few months.Whether you're scaling toward a liquidity event, managing a fast-moving sales team, or thinking about starting your own CFO consultancy, this episode is packed with lessons from the trenches.
This week James sits down with Hillel Steiner, founder of ProfitUp Financials and a fractional CFO based in Israel, to discuss the surprising advantages of working with international finance talent. Together, they dive into the differences between U.S. and Israeli business cultures, what founders often get wrong about funding, and how having a strong financial strategy can be the difference between staying stuck and scaling up.Hillel also walks through a real-life case study of a BI company stuck in a high-revenue, low-profit cycle - and how he helped them transform by refocusing their service model and aligning their team more efficiently.Stick around to the end for a massive bonus offer from Hillel that’s perfect for growing service-based companies.
This week James sits down with Patrick Arnold, Director of Client Advisory Services at Elliott Davis, to explore the power of Client Advisory Services (CAS) and its game-changing impact on business profitability. Patrick shares an engaging case study of how he helped a golf cart business in South Carolina go from stagnant growth to seven-figure annual distributions - all by optimizing inventory, restructuring financial processes, and leveraging technology for smarter decision-making.They also dive into the role of CAS in modern accounting, the evolution of public accounting firms to include more strategic, forward-thinking advisory, and how business owners can unlock hidden cash flow by better managing working capital.
This week James sits down with Chris May, founder and CEO of Quadrant Advisory, to explore what separates real CFO strategy from everyday accounting. From turning around a $50M political consulting firm to navigating tricky incumbent finance teams, Chris shares practical advice for business leaders and fractional CFOs alike.Together, they unpack key finance tools like sensitivity analysis, working capital management, and how to tell whether your books are just “done” - or actually useful. Chris also walks us through his own acquisition of a bookkeeping SaaS and what it taught him about keeping services laser-focused.
This week James sits down with Aaron Mills, founder and CEO of Daaxit, to discuss the realities of running a profitable construction business - and how the right financial strategy can be the difference between barely surviving and scaling with confidence.Aaron shares his journey from 20 years in the construction industry to founding his own successful fractional CFO firm. Together, they dig into smart pricing strategies, incentivizing field teams, and how he helped one business owner go from burnout to working just one day a week.Stick around to the end to hear Aaron’s surprisingly controversial business hero pick - and why it inspires him to push further every day.
This week James sits down with Jamie Odegaard, founder of Aardvark, to unpack what he calls an “inflationary war story” - from swinging a shovel in high-end construction to launching a thriving fractional CFO firm.They explore Jamie’s unconventional journey, how he navigated a failed acquisition, the harsh realities of private equity partnerships, and how his firm helps small creative and service businesses build real financial health.Jamie also shares his thoughts on popular business influencers, the value of gross margin clarity, and why invoicing on time might be the most underrated financial lever of all.
In this insightful episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, we sit down with Leonard Fom from FinOps Squad to explore the transformative power of a fractional CFO. Leonard shares a compelling story of how he helped a business restructure its debts, leverage its network for investment, and move from stagnation to expansion.We also delve into Leonard's experience at the World Finance Forum, discussing the latest trends in AI and the evolving role of finance leaders. Don't miss Leonard's inspiring journey and the practical strategies he shares for driving business success.
In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James delves into the journey of Eric Reinacher, owner and CEO of Sentinel Finance Group.Eric shares his experience transitioning from being a fractional CFO in California to starting his own business in Kansas City. They also discuss key insights such as protecting your equity while obtaining funding, and the balance between revenue growth and business efficiency.Tune in for a detailed look at the dynamics of starting anew, managing client relationships, and strategic financial planning.
Join James as he sits down with Harriet Formby from Below the Line Finance for an animated discussion on the book 'Profit First' by Mike Michalowicz. Harriet, a fractional CFO and business mentor, shares her valuable insights into how the 'Profit First' methodology can benefit entrepreneurs, why it may not always work, and the hidden operational inefficiencies to be mindful of. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice and deep dives into the world of finance and profit management!
In our latest episode, Kevon McIntosh shares insights from his unique path, discussing the evolving role of CFOs, and the importance of strong financial foundations for businesses of all sizes.Kevon McIntosh's career journey is a testament to ambition, adaptability, and a deep passion for finance. His experience working with hedge funds, private equity funds, and high-net-worth individuals in both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands gave him an insider's view of the global financial landscape.Whether you're a finance professional, entrepreneur, or simply interested in inspiring career stories, you won't want to miss this conversation.
In the latest episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, host James Kennedy sits down with Elisabeth Sabin, Fractional CFO.Elisabeth flips the script on James, talking to him about his path to Procurement Express, and shares valuable insights into what it takes to be a great CFO.
In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, host James Kennedy sits down with Jason Shapiro, CEO and Founder of eighty2i.Jason shares his insights on how being a teacher – and a background in finance – ended up cultivating his passion for coaching founders.
In this video, Richard Greenane, COO of ProcurementExpress.com, shares his expertise on building a referral network. Drawing from his experience in BNI, Richard breaks down the key strategies for training your contacts to become referral powerhouses. Discover how to articulate your needs, leverage trust, and maximize your referral potential. Tune in for actionable insights that will transform your business!
Join James Kennedy on the Gross Profit Podcast as he interviews Hannah Robles, the "Queen of Process" at Skyline Art. Discover how Hannah's passion for process improvement transformed Skyline Art's operations, improved communication, and enabled better cash forecasting. Hannah shares her insights on using tools like Airtable and Procurement Express to streamline workflows and achieve greater efficiency. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply looking to improve your own processes, this episode is packed with valuable tips and inspiration!
How did a £1 acquisition turn into a global software phenomenon? 💰 Michael Wood, co-founder of Dext and founder of Translucent, shares his entrepreneurial journey - from a bookkeeping headache to a multi-million dollar exit. Get inspired by his insights on leadership, innovation, and building a lasting business legacy.
In this unique episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James sits down with Deepak Sharma, Head of Engineering at Procurement Express. They discuss how EOS streamlined their operations, aligned their remote team, and empowered them to plan ahead—no more flying by the seat of their pants!Deepak also shares his personal insights on keeping an international team connected, handling unexpected challenges, and staying focused on long-term goals.
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Louw Barnardt, a co-founder of Outsourced CFO, to explore the evolving role of the CFO in today’s business landscape. Louw shares his insights into how CFOs are shifting from traditional financial management roles to becoming strategic partners and advisors who drive growth and innovation within organizations.
What if CFOs didn’t just look at numbers, but helped shape the vision of a company? This week’s episode features Hayat Amin, a fractional CFO who believes in bringing creativity and strategy to finance. Tune in to hear how he takes grand, seemingly impossible ideas, and transforms them into achievable, strategic steps.
In this exciting episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James speaks with Alex Falcon Huerta, who shares her inspiring journey of running a successful business while traveling the world.Alex, CEO and Founder of Soaring Falcon Accountancy, discusses how she combined her love for travel and technology to create a flexible, cloud-based accountancy firm.
In the latest episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James gets advice from Justine Lemanowicz on how to structure his company’s shift from product-based offerings to building a professional services wing.Justine, Owner and Fractional CFO from Fit2Grow CFO Solutions, shares how to build a profitable professional services business by aligning financial structures, using the right accounting practices, and motivating teams with the right incentives.
In this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, host James Kennedy sits down with Klara Ahlgren from Younium.Learn how embracing the right technology can streamline your processes and enhance your customer relationships!
In this episode, host James Kennedy has an engaging conversation with Alyona Mysko, CEO and Founder of Fuelfinance, who shares her journey of transitioning from being a CFO to becoming an entrepreneur. Alyona offers an inspiring perspective on making the leap from employee to founder, reflecting on the pivotal moments that led her to establish her own business.Throughout the episode, Alyona discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and how her mission with Fuelfinance is to revolutionize financial management for startups and growing businesses. She also touches on the importance of reducing burn rates, achieving profitability, and accelerating growth through efficient financial systems.
In this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, entitled "Purchasing Hacks for SMBs ", host James Kennedy speaks with Ben de la Cretaz. As a Partner and CFO at TechCXO, Ben works with founding teams and growth-stage companies in all aspects of finance, fundraising, and operations.We hear about how Ben helps entrepreneurs fresh from the bubble of academia realize their business dreams. Ben also shares how his dream of owning a restaurant changed to teaching clients how the cash in their business works.
In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, entitled "E-Commerce: The New American Dream", host James Kennedy speaks with Jeff Lowenstein, Co-Founder, and Fractional CFO at Free to Grow CFO.Jeff and James talk about how E-Commerce has become the new American dream, and how easy it is to get started.Jeff shares how he found $400,000.00 in forgotten revenue for a new client and how that impacted not only their bottom line, but their company success.
In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast James Kennedy sits down with Lucy Dunnett of Safari and Yoga to talk about the rise of Africa as a land of opportunity for profit and purpose. Lucy, who went from Investment & Portfolio Manager to Profitable Humanitarian shares how her career change came about and how her company, Safari and Yoga is helping to empower a Maasai community in Kenya while turning a profit.
On this episode James Kennedy sits down with Patrick Goeschl, Senior Manager at PwC Austria's Forensic Services, to discuss one of the most critical frameworks in the world of fraud prevention: the Fraud Triangle.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Charlie Fritsch, the CEO of Hotel Investor Apps. Charlie is a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep understanding of the hotel industry and a passion for leveraging technology to revolutionize the way hotel investors operate.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Julia Leask, a seasoned Fractional FD/CFO at Leask Advisory Solutions. Julia shares her firsthand experiences and valuable insights from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, discussing the vital lessons learned during that tumultuous period.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Nathan Acuff, CFO at Expected Behavior. Nathan is known for his strategic acumen in turning complex financial challenges into opportunities for growth and stability.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Nadia Lodroman.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Manny Skevofilax.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Colin Hewitt.
In this episode James Kennedy engages with Ben Mekie, CFO & Founder of Acuity Associates. They delve into the evolution of the CFO role in today’s business landscape and explore the five key competencies that define an effective CFO. About Ben Mekie and Acuity Associates: Ben Mekie is the visionary behind Acuity Associates, a firm […]
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Simon Huntley.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Shane Cradock.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Eric Neumann.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Lauren Rilling.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with James Bennett.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Michael Stier.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Karen Stephen.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Bridget Harris.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Dr. Jens Wilhelm Meyer.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Michael Harley.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Aristeidis Zervas.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Lucian Moroeanu.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Fadi El Mouallem.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Robert Brandl.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Patrick Batka.
On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Steve McLeod.
James Kennedy sits down with Kerry Fitzgerald and explores her collaboration with a graduate of Nerd Academy.
James Kennedy, CEO and co-founder of ProcurementExpress.com, welcomes a very special guest to the Gross Profit Podcast: Richard Greenane, his co-founder. Dive deep into the foundational story of the company that has helped businesses manage billions of dollars. If you’ve ever wondered how ProcurementExpress.com came to be, or if you’re curious about the journey of […]
In this enlightening episode, James Kennedy, CEO of ProcurementExpress.com, and Harry Narenthira, Corporate Account Director at OFX, delve into the world of Foreign Exchange (FX) Risk Management. They discuss how currency volatility can significantly impact business profits and why robust FX planning is essential. Furthermore, we announce an exciting partnership between OFX and ProcurementExpress.com, set […]
Finding suppliers and sourcing products can be extremely challenging and tedious for food and drinks businesses… which is why in this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy and Mike McGrath decided to discuss: Kwayga is an online platform for B2B buyers and suppliers who are focused on the European food and drinks industry. […]
In this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy chats to Feargal Brady, co-founder and CEO of NoFrixion. Feargal previously co-founded and later sold cloud-based telecommunications provider Blueface to Comcast. NoFrixion recently raised €3.6m in seed funding. Getting paid and making payments has become increasingly expensive, time consuming and complicated. NoFrixion’s platform is built […]
In this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy chats to fellow Irish SaaS entrepreneur Patrick McDermott, CEO at DigiTally. Patrick’s digital stocktaking tool helps multi-site food businesses save time, reduce food waste and improve margins. In short, they do this by enabling businesses to count, collate and report on their food and beverage gross profit margins. […]
In this episode of Procurement Express Monthly, Kala Dikibo and a member of Procurement Express’ very own Customer Success Team, JP, go over the latest news in the world of procurement, as well as an important product update to the Procurement Express platform. The main points covered in this episode are: The knock-on effect of […]
Chris Norris talks to James Kennedy about how organisations should handle suspected fraud and embezzlement.
Robert Hartline talks to James Kennedy about his embezzlement nightmare! On this podcast we find out how easy it is for fraud to occur in a company.
Board of management member Richard Greenane chats to James Kennedy from about how schools should be using technology to manage their spending.
On this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy and Garret Carragher share the details of what a week in the life of procurement looks like.
On this episode of The Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy and Garret Carrager review the book Profit First by Mike Michalowicz