From CPA to Business Owner: Lessons You Only Learn the Hard Way
The Financial Operator
From CPA to Business Owner: Lessons You Only Learn the Hard Way | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 74 What does it really take to build a sustainable business—and stay sane while doing it? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Samantha Besnoff, CPA and founder of Your Financial Maven, for a candid, practical conversation every business owner needs to hear. With over 30 years in accounting and more than a decade running her own firm, Samantha shares the...
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The Side of Business No One Talks About (Spouses, Stress & Survival)
The Financial Operator
The Side of Business No One Talks About (Spouses, Stress & Survival) | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 73 What happens behind the scenes of a business when the owner is hanging on by a thread? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Suzanne Boehs, co-owner of Kool Foam and the often-unseen force behind nearly two decades of entrepreneurship. After hearing Cory’s side of the story in a previous episode, this conversation explores the other half of the equation—the spouse, supporter, “momager,” and margin-maker who keeps the...
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The Realities of Running a Creative Business (What No One Tells You)
The Financial Operator
The Realities of Running a Creative Business (What No One Tells You) | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 72 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Jeff Price, Founder of Communications Advisory Service Inc., to break down what really happens behind the scenes of a creative service business. From unrealistic client expectations to emotional labor, pricing, boundaries, and the mental load of being a creative entrepreneur — this conversation is honest, relatable, and long overdue. Jeff shares the journey of building a...
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The Truth About Social Media Management for Growing Businesses
The Financial Operator
The Truth About Social Media Management for Growing Businesses | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 71 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Chloe Peña, Founder of Day of Socials, to reveal what business owners get wrong about social media and what it actually takes to grow with consistent, strategic content. Chloe breaks down how she built a nationwide content agency, why CEOs should stop doing their own marketing, and the systems her team uses to turn a few hours of filming into a full month of content. She also...
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Breaking the $1 Million Barrier: How to Scale Your Service Business
The Financial Operator
Breaking the $1 Million Barrier: How to Scale Your Service Business | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 70 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Bud Nye, Founder of Nye Technical Services, to talk about what really happens when you grow from a small family business into a multi-million-dollar operation. 🚀 Bud shares his journey from working alongside his dad in the trades to running two successful companies — covering the reality behind scaling fast, building the right team, and managing the cash flow chaos that...
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How to Create a Positive Company Culture That Lasts
The Financial Operator
How to Create a Positive Company Culture That Lasts | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 69 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer sits down with LuAnn Buechler, also known as The Little Spark, to talk about what it really takes to build a positive company culture that stands the test of time. ✨ LuAnn shares her journey from hospitality and event management to helping entrepreneurs and teams build cultures rooted in purpose, values, and connection. She reveals how identifying your core values can transform not only how you lead—but how your business...
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Turning Bad Credit Into Financial Freedom
The Financial Operator
The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out Podcast | Episode 68 | Turning Bad Credit Into Financial Freedom 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer sits down with Kevin Faulkner, founder of 3B Credit Health, to talk about how good credit can transform not just your finances—but your future. 💳💼 Kevin shares how he rebuilt his own credit, created the Credit Success Plan, and now helps others reach that 800 score through realistic, proven steps. From fixing bad credit to understanding what lenders really look for, this episode uncovers the power of...
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Scaling Smart: KPIs, Leadership & Life Balance
The Financial Operator
The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out Podcast | Episode 67 | Scaling Smart: KPIs, Leadership & Life Balance 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer sits down with entrepreneur Cory Boehs to talk about building a thriving business without sacrificing your health, marriage, or sanity. Cory shares how grit, personal KPIs, and smart hiring helped him scale multiple ventures — and why balance is just as important as EBITDA. 📈✨ From overcoming rock bottom to creating a clear vision for work and life, Cory breaks down the habits, leadership skills,...
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How I Scaled a Plumbing Business & Sold It in 5 Years
The Financial Operator
The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out Podcast | Episode 66 | How I Scaled a Plumbing Business & Sold It in 5 Years with Mitch Smedley 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer sits down with plumbing entrepreneur and business coach Mitch Smedley. Mitch shares how he launched his plumbing company in 2020 with just $30,000 from a home equity line of credit—and grew it into a thriving, sellable business within five years. 🚿💼 From financing vans and managing COGS to building a YouTube following that caught the attention of Ford Motor Company, Mitch...
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Unleashing Business Efficiency
The Financial Operator
The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out Podcast | Episode 65 | Unleashing Efficiency: Mastering Business Systems with David Forster 🎙️ In this episode of the Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer welcomes fractional coo and operations expert David Forster. David shares his incredible journey from a tree-cutting side gig to successfully running and selling multiple businesses, including landscape companies and a bike shop. He delves into the importance of efficient systems for business operations and personal well-being, highlighting how such structures can save time, reduce...
info_outlineA Fractional CFO's Journey | The Mills Knows Bills Podcast Episode 48, Season 6
Link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/rmaNWgo8As0
Welcome to Season 6 of The MKB Podcast! Host Mills Bender, founder and CEO of Mills Knows Bills, discusses strategies for business owners and variable income earners to manage their finances effectively. Let's get to those burning financial questions!
In the previous episode, Mills welcomed business broker Carey Sobel to the podcast. Join her this time around as she answers Carey's questions about the inception and growth of her business. Mills shares her journey from working at her parents' print shop to launching MKB, her initial focus on consulting and coaching, and eventually providing fractional CFO services. Learn about her approach to work-life balance, overcoming shyness, setting boundaries, and her plans for the future, including developing streamlined software for financial management.
To connect with Carey:
careys@bossgi.com (Boss Group International)
carey@coastalinvco.com (Coastal Investments)
Do you have your own burning financial question for Mills or the MKB team?
Email: info@MillsKnowsBills.com
Website: https://MillsKnowsBills.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@millsknowsbills
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mills-knows-bills
Subscribe for the latest podcast episodes and more from MKB @MillsKnowsBills
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:35 Starting MKB: The Journey Begins
03:06 The Shift to Fractional CFO Services
04:24 Growth and Expansion Plans
11:40 Balancing Work and Personal Life
19:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook
#millsknowsbills #businessfinance #entrepreneurialfinance #fractionalcfo #worklifebalance #worklifebalancegoals