What Happens When a Startup Runs Out of Money
The Financial Operator
What Happens When a Startup Runs Out of Money | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 76 What happens when you do everything right, and still run out of money? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director at Second Century Ventures, to unpack the realities of startups, fundraising, and what actually separates the companies that survive from the ones that quietly disappear. Andrew shares his firsthand story of building a startup that was gaining traction until a single world-changing...
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Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out, and How to Think Differently About Stress
The Financial Operator
Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out, and How to Think Differently About Stress | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 75 What if stress isn’t the problem, but the story you’re telling yourself about it is? This is Part 2 of Jen’s conversation with Suzanne Boehs of Kool Foam LLC, and it goes even deeper. In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen and Suzanne continue their candid, unscripted discussion about stress, entrepreneurship, partnership, and the mental side of...
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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,...
info_outlineWhat Happens When a Startup Runs Out of Money | The Financial
Operator Podcast | Episode 76
What happens when you do everything right, and still run out of money?
In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with
Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director at Second Century Ventures, to unpack the
realities of startups, fundraising, and what actually separates the companies that survive
from the ones that quietly disappear.
Andrew shares his firsthand story of building a startup that was gaining traction until a
single world-changing event erased a signed term sheet overnight. From there, the
conversation expands into what founders really need to understand about capital,
leverage, timing, and decision-making.
This episode covers:
• What to do when funding disappears at the worst possible moment
• Why “just take the money” is often the smartest early decision
• The difference between venture-backed startups and traditional businesses
• When fundraising should (and should not) be your full-time job
• Why testing ideas cheaply beats building the wrong thing perfectly
• The traits Andrew sees consistently in founders who succeed
• How to find the one clear message that makes customers stop and listen
If you’re building a startup, considering raising capital, or trying to decide whether growth
should be funded or earned, this conversation will give you clarity without hype.
Watch now for a grounded, real-world look at startups, money, and making better
decisions earlier.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome
00:26 The Moment Andrew’s Startup Ran Out of Money
02:10 Why Early Funding Can Disappear Overnight
03:20 “Just Take the Money”: Lessons on Leverage
04:18 Which Businesses Should (and Shouldn’t) Raise Venture Capital
06:57 Equity, SAFEs, and Convertible Notes Explained
08:37 When Founders Should Start Fundraising
11:47 Andrew’s Path From Founder to Investor
16:14 Inside Accelerators and Early-Stage Investing
20:16 The Traits Andrew Sees in Successful Founders
25:32 Why Stories Teach Better Than How-To Guides
28:52 Testing Ideas Before Spending Real Money
33:39 Renting vs. Buying in the Early Stages
36:18 Finding the One Message That Stops Customers
45:03 Final Advice for Founders
49:00 Andrew’s Book & Where to Find Him
To connect with Andrew Ackerman:
Website: https://www.scv.vc/
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Do you have your own financial or business growth questions for MKB?
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