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 295 How to 4X your Revenue in 4 Years with Alexis Sikorsky
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
How to 4X your Revenue in 4 Years with Alexis Sikorsky Most business owners dream about growth, but few know how to scale without chaos. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani talks with Alexis Sikorsky, a strategic advisor who helps founders scale fast and exit strong. Alexis doesn’t speak from theory—he built and sold his own Switzerland-based software company, New Access, in a $100M+ private equity deal. He learned firsthand what it takes to go from exhaustion to exponential growth—and how the right strategy, mindset, and systems can help you 4X your revenue...
info_outline
Ep 294 Scale Smarter: Use EOS to Add Another Zero with Rick Benton
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Scale Smarter: Use EOS to Add Another Zero with Rick Benton When business growth starts to feel like chaos, it’s time to add structure. EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) gives you a clear roadmap to align people, processes, and profit — but when you combine it with the right financial systems, that’s when the real transformation happens. In this episode, Rick Benton, EOS Implementer and former multi-state business owner, joins Rocky Lalvani to unpack how EOS helps entrepreneurs simplify, scale, and create freedom. Together, they explore how visionaries can step...
info_outline
Ep 293 From Bankruptcy to 60 Million: The Systems Behind a Successful Exit with Jason Sisneros
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
From Bankruptcy to 60 Million: The Systems Behind a Successful Exit with Jason Sisneros Most business owners think success means more sales and more hustle. But Jason Sisneros discovered the opposite — freedom comes from systems, not speed. After crashing three businesses and digging himself millions into debt, Jason rebuilt from scratch. Over time, he created, scaled, and sold 26 companies with 6,800 employees for more than $60 million — all without investors or partners. Today, through his company Built to Exit, he helps business owners do what he finally mastered: design a...
info_outline
Ep 292 Maximizing Business Value: Lessons from 800+ Deals with Matt Uhler
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Maximizing Business Value: Lessons from 800+ Deals with Matt Uhler The Cash Discipline That Saves—or Sells—Your Business Most companies don’t go under because they lack revenue. They go under because they run out of cash. And the worst part? It doesn’t happen overnight. It happens slowly… then suddenly. One month, you’re profitable. The next, you’re panicking over payroll and wondering what went wrong. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Uhler—a business broker and owner who’s evaluated over 2,500 companies, completed 800+ transactions,...
info_outline
Ep 291 Build a Business That Serves Your Life (Not the Other Way Around) with John Nieuwenburg
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Build a Business That Serves Your Life (Not the Other Way Around) with John Nieuwenburg Small business owners are great technicians—but often underpowered CEOs. Coach John Nieuwenburg breaks down why most owners feel squeezed by time, team, and money—and how to fix it. We cover building a simple, real-time dashboard (so you stop driving by the rear-view mirror), the “three-legged stool” of systems-people-leadership, recruiting a bench before you’re desperate, plus hiring for culture over skills. The goal: a business that funds—and fits—your life. In This Episode,...
info_outline
Ep 290 The Next Level Revenue Formula with Kyle Mealy
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
The Next Level Revenue Formula with Kyle Mealy Business growth doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I welcome back Kyle Mealy, Fractional Chief Revenue Officer and author of The Next Level Revenue Formula. Kyle has helped small businesses double their top line and, in many cases, 10x their profit by applying simple math to sales and marketing. We dive into the new world of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), niching through the “Snow Globe Economy,” and the power of his Revenue Cascade framework. This isn’t abstract theory—it’s...
info_outline
Ep 289 Scorecards, Not Gut Calls: How to Run Profitable Weeks with Austin McMillan
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
Scorecards, Not Gut Calls: How to Run Profitable Weeks with Austin McMillan Build a Profitable Business Buyers Can’t Resist Most business owners dream of selling one day—but the reality of what buyers actually pay can be sobering. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky sits down with Austin McMillan, founder of Flywheel Financial, to break down how investors truly evaluate businesses, why contractual revenue beats hype, and how Profit First and a handful of simple ratios can transform your company into a business worth buying. Key Lessons from the...
info_outline
Ep 287 How Small Businesses Beat Big: Profit Lessons from McKinsey to Main Street with Sri Kaza
Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond
How Small Businesses Beat Big: Profit Lessons from McKinsey to Main Street with Sri Kaza Most small business owners feel like underdogs—limited resources, endless responsibilities, and constant pressure just to keep up. But what if those very constraints were the secret to outpacing billion-dollar corporations? That’s exactly what Sri Kaza, former McKinsey consultant and now small business advocate, reveals in his book Unconventional and in our latest conversation on the Profit Answer Man podcast. After years advising Fortune 500s and later scaling and selling...
info_outline
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_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.