Ep 173 - "Breaking Bad Financial Habits With Backbone CFO"

Brandon here. Look — I get it. Financial episodes don’t usually light people’s hair on fire. But this one? This one’s different. Chris and I sat down with Jim Emerich and Melissa Zinni from Backbone CFO — and I walked away with real answers to questions I’ve been wrestling with in my own business. This convo was way more than spreadsheets and P&Ls. We got into the real mindset traps that keep us stuck — and the strategic moves that can unlock margin and cash flow. Why you should listen: (34:42) Why business owners freeze — and how to break through indecision. (41:42) Controller vs. CFO — know the difference, save your business. (13:40) Expanding locations? Avoid the cash flow sucker punch. (47:43) What 20% profit actually looks like — and how to get there. (57:52) How one company saved $50K by ditching a bloated setup. (51:15) Self-insurance and group captives — the financial hacks nobody’s using. This one’s loaded with takeaways. If you're trying to scale smart and stop leaving money on the table, don't skip it. Thank you sponsors! Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned.  https://www.liftify.com/floodlight  AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless. https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere.  https://candrmagazine.com  Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency. https://getinsights.org/floodlight  Did you know... Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%. Business Health & Value Assessment Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps. Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes: A Lite Valuation Of Your Business Your Value Multiplier Per Your Industry Health Assessment Per Our PYB Methodology Business Value & Growth Roadmap Tailored For You Value Acceleration Strategies