• Tariffs, Churn, and the CFO You Needed Yesterday
    May 29 2025

    Adam Sher, CFO at Vero Capital, shares his journey from Big Four accounting to scaling tech ventures. He empowers Series Seed to Series A startups by streamlining financial operations and investor communications. His insights on SaaS metrics and valuations are invaluable for CFOs helping founders navigating growth.

    We explore small business challenges, from tariffs to global supply chain disruptions. Adam’s candid reflections on his own startup failures, paired with actionable strategies for managing churn and rising costs, offer founders clear, practical guidance to thrive in turbulent times.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    37 mins
  • Why Imperfect Action Trumps Perfect Inaction
    May 15 2025

    Wondering how to tame your startup’s financial chaos? I’m with Ciarán O’Donnell, fractional CFO and Own Your Numbers founder, who equips startups with the financial savvy to grow. We uncover how to spot cash flow traps, decode KPIs, and why EBITDA isn’t just jargon—it could shape your business’s exit value.

    Packed with wild stories and actionable insights, we explore how a part-time finance expert turns confusion into clarity without the hefty price tag. Whether you’re buried in spreadsheets or just want to boost your financial know-how, this episode’s got the spark you need.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    35 mins
  • What It Really Takes to Grow a Fractional CFO Firm
    May 1 2025

    Curious about ditching a cushy corporate finance gig for the wild ride of a fractional CFO business? I sat down with Kat Willem-Kent, a trailblazer who traded a top firm for Fractional Finance, growing it from a one-woman show to a seven-strong team with HR disruption in her sights. Over lunch in London, she sparked the idea and mapped it out in a sunny Paddington square. Kat’s story is raw—bold leaps, scaling chaos, and balancing family life, all spiked with energy healing and manifestation.

    In this episode, she dishes on recruiting CFOs, managing client demands, and her killer tech stack (Xero, Fathom, Float). Beyond numbers, Kat’s driven by purpose, blending personal growth with big plans. Our conversation is punchy, real, and loaded with insights for entrepreneurs, finance nerds, or anyone hungry for a fresh take on business.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    39 mins
  • The Pitfalls of Hiring One Person to do Three Finance Jobs
    Apr 17 2025

    This episode’s a bit different, I’m trying something new by bringing on not one, but two guests — Michael Spyrou and Tim Johnson, co-founders of Axcelera.

    I’ve been really curious about how the role of the fractional CFO is evolving, and these two are right at the forefront. Axcelera is a group of CFOs with a fresh approach—combining strategic financial planning with smart tech to help growing businesses thrive.

    Michael’s got over 20 years of finance experience across multiple countries and sectors. His focus? Helping SMEs get a grip on their numbers and make confident decisions. Tim’s background is in banking and entrepreneurship—he’s founded multiple businesses and even ran call centres in the Caribbean. Together, they’ve built something pretty special.

    In this chat, we get into:

    * Why the fractional CFO is so key for scaling businesses

    * The importance of delivering insight, not just information

    * How tech is transforming the finance function

    * What founders really need from their CFO

    If you’re running a business or advising one, this is well worth a listen.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    29 mins
  • Hiring A Fractional CXO Is the New Power Move
    Apr 3 2025

    Want elite execs without the big bill or long-term lock-in? I sit down with Stephen Halpin, the mind behind Portfolio XD, a team offering fractional C-suite talent—CEOs, CFOs, CMOs—on demand. Frustrated by consultancy roles where sharp strategies just sat unused, Stephen crafted a model that delivers real impact, not just slides. Post-COVID, Portfolio XD took off as SMEs sought flexible, high-calibre leaders to tackle funding rounds or global growth.

    Here’s the twist: it’s not just cost-effective—it’s a total rethink. Imagine a UK media firm landing a Toronto CEO or a bioscience startup tapping a Boston CCO, no recruitment hassle. Stephen breaks it down—speed, expertise, no risk for companies, and execs (not just retirees) love the flexibility. He’s upfront about the missteps too, like corporate pros stumbling in fast-moving SMEs. And his take on networks? It’s who you know that sparks the magic. This ain’t fluff—it’s raw, punchy, and might just make you rethink your own game plan.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    28 mins
  • Is fCFO More Than Just a LinkedIn Buzzword?
    Mar 20 2025

    What’s it take to be a fractional CFO? I’m talking with Elliott Gasper from OxConsult. He’s a hands-on fixer who’s raised millions and scaled companies big-time. Now, he’s shaking up fractional finance.

    Elliot shares the three types of fractional CFOs he has identified so far and which bucket he falls under. The industry is still growing and with a lot of noise, business owners still don’t get what fractional CFOs do. But Elliot loves that because it’s a chance to make real impact for businesses.

    He also shared how having dyslexia as a kid got him labelled a “terrible employee.” Now? It’s his problem-crushing superpower. He’s also kicked off the Fractional Finance Forum—CFOs sharing battle scars and hacks. Solo gig, but teamwork wins.

    As I mentioned, I’m teaming up with Elliott for an upcoming webinar where we’ll be discussing the best finance tech stack for 2025 with industry experts:

    📅 Monday 24th March, 3pm (GMT)

    👇 Register now to secure your spot and get your finance function future-ready!

    https://lu.ma/rng2jp39



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    40 mins
  • How LinkedIn Powered Up My Fractional FD Journey
    Mar 6 2025

    In this episode, I am joined by Daniella Wainwright (Wainwright Consulting), an inspiring fractional CFO who left the corporate grind to build a successful consulting business based on authenticity, mindset work, and a balance between business and well-being.

    Daniella’s journey is incredible—starting as a trainee accountant at 16, managing multi-million-pound businesses, and eventually shifting to fractional finance work. We talk about her growth, the power of networking, and key lessons she’s learned about marketing and personal branding, especially on LinkedIn.

    What really stood out to me was her focus on health and balance in a demanding industry. Daniella also shares how she built a collective of fractional CFOs, offering candid insights into the challenges and rewards of growing a service-based business.

    This conversation left me feeling inspired, and I think it’ll do the same for you.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    40 mins
  • Scaling Your Fractional CFO Gig
    Feb 20 2025

    In this episode, I sat down with Rachel Marshall, founder of Magic Digits, an accounting firm for creative industries. Rachel’s story really resonated with me—she built her business from the ground up during the chaos of the pandemic, balancing career growth and family life.

    Rachel shared what it takes to scale a business, the challenges she faced, and how she went from being a one-woman show to building a team. She also gave us a peek into the details of business growth, from managing hiring and cash flow to creating a remote team that fits her lifestyle.

    Having transitioned from freelance to running her own company, I found Rachel’s lessons incredibly insightful—especially when it comes to making tough decisions, managing expectations, maintaining client relationships, and adapting as your business evolves.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newfword.substack.com
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    34 mins
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