Ep 285 Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Release Date: 09/03/2025
Ep 288 Your P&L Is Lying—Here’s What to Track with Laresa McIntyre
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Your P&L Is Lying—Here’s What to Track with Laresa McIntyre Stop Chasing Revenue: How Fractional CFOs Clear the Financial Fog Most business owners measure success by one thing: revenue growth. The problem? Revenue isn’t cash—and it doesn’t always translate into profit. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sat down with Laresa McIntyre, founder of Rockbridge CFO, to uncover the blind spots that keep owners stuck in financial fog. Laresa brings over 15 years of CFO experience and now helps service-based businesses scale smarter with fractional CFO...
info_outline
Ep 286 The Profit Pitfalls Most Business Owners Miss with Lisa Hennigar
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
The Profit Pitfalls Most Business Owners Miss with Lisa Hennigar Most business owners don’t lose profit because of one big mistake — it’s usually a thousand tiny leaks. From not knowing your why, to ignoring customer service, to failing to track the right numbers, the truth is this: profit slips away quietly while you’re busy working hard. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sit down with Lisa Hennigar, Vice President of Franchise Development at ERA Group and a nationally recognized franchise strategist with over 22 years in the industry. Lisa has worked with everyone...
info_outline
Ep 285 Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner When profit is slipping, most businsess owners look to cut costs or push sales harder. But what if your biggest drain isn’t on the P&L at all—it’s in your people? In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Pam Meissner—COO and CFO at CathCap—pulls back the curtain on why “right people, right seats” isn’t just an HR slogan. It’s one of the most powerful levers for profit growth that most companies ignore until it’s too late. The Gap: Why Profit Leaks Hide in Your...
info_outline
Ep 284 Freedom by Design: How to Build a Profitable Business That Serves Your Life with Michael Walsh
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Freedom by Design: How to Build a Profitable Business That Serves Your Life with Michael Walsh Most entrepreneurs start their journey with the dream of freedom—yet many quickly find themselves trapped by the very businesses they built. Revenue grows, responsibilities pile up, and the joy of entrepreneurship fades into overwhelm. In this Episode of the Profit Answer Man, I sat down with Michael Walsh, founder of the Walsh Business Growth Institute and author of Freedom by Design, to unpack how business owners can create companies that support—not suffocate—their lives. Michael has...
info_outline
Ep 283 Boost Sales Without Spending a Dime with Tracy Beavers
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Boost Sales Without Spending a Dime with Tracy Beavers Why “More Sales” Isn’t Fixing Your Profit Problem (And What It’s Really Costing You) Ever wondered why your revenue is growing, but your bank account still feels empty? You’re not alone. Most business owners equate more sales with more profit, only to find themselves in the same cycle of financial stress. The truth? Sales without strategy create a dangerous illusion of success—and the hidden cost is your peace of mind, cash flow, and ultimately, your business’s survival. The pain goes deeper: Financial Cost:...
info_outline
Ep 282 Profitable But Worthless? How to Build a Business Buyers Actually Want with Justin Goodbread
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Profitable But Worthless? How to Build a Business Buyers Actually Want with Justin Goodbread Why High Profit ≠ High Value—And How That Mistake Could Cost You Millions Most business owners are chasing profit… But what if the very thing you’re chasing is keeping you trapped? Imagine this: You’re running a “successful” business with strong margins and great income. You’re paying yourself well, your spouse is on payroll, and life feels comfortable. Until the day you try to sell… and no one wants to buy. This episode of Profit Answer Man reveals...
info_outline
Ep 281 Why Most Marketing Fails—And How to Make Yours Finally Pay Off with Andrew Gregory
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Why Most Marketing Fails—And How to Make Yours Finally Pay Off with Andrew Gregory Why Most Marketing Fails to Deliver Profit—And How to Fix It Marketing agencies promise leads. But what if leads aren’t your problem? Thousands of small business owners are stuck in the same trap: they’re spending money on ads, but their bank accounts still feel tight. The real issue? Bad leads, broken follow-up systems, and a total disconnect between sales and profitability. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, marketing expert Andrew Gregory breaks down the hidden cost of poor...
info_outline
Ep 280 How to Solve the Real Problem Killing Your Profit with Doug C. Brown
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
How to Solve the Real Problem Killing Your Profit with Doug C. Brown Why Sales ≠ Profit—And the Blind Spots That Bleed Cash The Profit Gap: Why More Sales Might Be Making You Broke You’re pushing for more revenue. Your team is grinding. But your bank balance isn’t growing. In fact, you're more stressed, your margins are tighter, and your team is overwhelmed. Why? Because most businesses chase symptoms—like “bad sales teams” or “slow growth”—instead of finding and fixing the true root cause. Doug C. Brown, a $900M revenue growth expert, exposes...
info_outline
Ep 279 The Purpose of Business is to Make Money with David Schomer
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
The Purpose of Business is to Make Money with David Schomer Why Scaling an E-Commerce Brand Can Bankrupt You (Unless You Fix This First) The Hidden Cost of Growth Nobody Talks About It’s every entrepreneur’s dream: launch a brand, grow revenue, and finally fire your boss. David Schomer lived that dream—scaling a pet supply company on Amazon before going full-time in e-commerce. But what most business owners don’t realize (until it's too late) is that scaling too fast without financial structure can choke your cash flow and starve your business of profit. You can hit record sales...
info_outline
Ep 278 How Storytelling Can Drive Your Profits with Seth Donlin
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
How Storytelling Can Drive Your Profits with Seth Donlin Why Visibility ≠ Growth—And How It’s Quietly Costing You Profits Most business owners think the next breakthrough in revenue will come from ads, funnels, or more hustle. But what if the real opportunity is getting in front of someone else’s audience—without spending a dollar on ads? In this episode of Profit Answer Man, we expose the costly visibility gap most owners don’t realize is bleeding their business. Seth Donlin shares why chasing attention isn't enough—and how strategic podcast guesting can...
info_outlineRight People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner
When profit is slipping, most businsess owners look to cut costs or push sales harder. But what if your biggest drain isn’t on the P&L at all—it’s in your people?
In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Pam Meissner—COO and CFO at CathCap—pulls back the curtain on why “right people, right seats” isn’t just an HR slogan. It’s one of the most powerful levers for profit growth that most companies ignore until it’s too late.
The Gap: Why Profit Leaks Hide in Your People:
You can have a stellar product, growing sales, and tight cost controls—and still lose money. The reason? People issues that don’t show up as a neat line item on your P&L.
Pam sees it all the time: companies hanging on to team members who no longer fit, tolerating culture-killers because they perform well in one area, or promoting loyal employees into roles they can’t succeed in.
The Four Quadrants Every Leader Needs to Know:
Pam breaks down the four categories of employees, based on competency and alignment with core values:
- Stars – High performers who live your values.
- Puppies – Aligned with values but lack skill; worth investing in if trainable.
- Rats – Low competency, no values alignment; they have to go—fast.
- Gremlins – Highly competent but toxic to your culture; they hold you hostage and quietly drain profit.
Ignoring the “rats” and “gremlins” doesn’t just hurt morale—it actively drives away your stars.
Why Core Values Aren’t Just a Poster on the Wall:
Most companies have core values, but few hire, fire, and promote based on them.
Pam’s advice:
- Define your values clearly.
- Interview with them in mind (AI tools like ChatGPT can help craft questions).
- Involve peers in hiring to assess fit.
- Hold quarterly conversations so performance and alignment are never a surprise.
The Real Cost of a Bad Hire:
Replacing someone can cost multiple times their salary—especially if you use recruiters. But the hidden costs of keeping the wrong person are even higher:
- Lost productivity
- Star employee turnover
- Extra resources to “work around” problem employees
Pam stresses: The cheapest solution is to hire right the first time—and act quickly when you don’t.
The Profit Plan: Align People, Process, and Purpose:
- To plug these hidden leaks:
- Audit your team using the four quadrants.
- Invest in “puppies” with clear timelines and training plans.
- Remove “rats” immediately and plan a strategic exit for “gremlins.”
- Keep your stars engaged and appreciated.
💡Bonus Listening: For a real-world example of how to build and keep an all-star team, check out Episode 141 with Emily Cole, co-founder of the Savannah Bananas. Her approach to hiring for culture fit will inspire you to rethink how you find your next great hire.
Key Takeaway:
Profit isn’t just about cutting costs or selling more—it’s about aligning the right people in the right seats. When you protect your culture and your core values, profit follows.
Ready to uncover your hidden profit leaks? Let’s talk. Book a time at ProfitComesFirst.com
and start building a team that fuels—not drains—your bottom line.
About Pam Meissner:
Pam Meissner is a powerhouse in the world of finance and leadership, with a career that spans CFO, COO, and CEO roles across industries. Known for her ability to drive business growth, she has helped companies scale while navigating the complexities of financial strategy and operations. Her expertise lies in turning numbers into narratives—helping business leaders make informed, confident decisions that fuel long-term success.
Beyond her financial acumen, Pam brings a global perspective to her work. She has lived and worked across multiple countries, experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy and reinforced the importance of adaptability and innovation.
Pam’s journey is also one of resilience. Recently widowed after 30 years of marriage, she continues to lead with strength and purpose. Her son, who has autism, recently graduated from college, and her daughter, a marathon runner, raises funds for autism research—both reflecting the family’s spirit of perseverance and impact.
When she’s not advising business leaders, Pam is an award-winning baker, avid reader, and self-taught fashion designer. Whether she’s strategizing financial turnarounds, perfecting the art of the cake, or learning a new skill, she brings the same passion, precision, and problem-solving mindset to everything she does.
Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-meissner/
Website: https://cathcap.com/
Cathcap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cathcap/
Conclusion:
Profit isn’t just about financial spreadsheets—it’s about people. As Pam Meissner shared, the wrong person in the wrong seat can quietly drain resources, culture, and profit. The real path to sustainable growth is aligning your team with your core values, investing in potential where it exists, and having the courage to let go when it doesn’t.
Remember: profit follows people. When you get the right people in the right seats, you unlock not just financial performance, but a business that truly thrives.
Episode 141- Profit First Success with Savanah Bananas and Emily Cole-
https://profitcomesfirst.com/ep-141-profit-first-success-with-the-savanah-bananas-and-emily-cole/
#ProfitFirst #BusinessClarity #ProfitLeaks #TeamPerformance #CultureFit #SmartScaling #OwnerPay #LeadershipMatters #BusinessGrowth #CoreValues
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman
Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available!
Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page
Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst
Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/
My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/
Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast
Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.