Business Misfits

The Fractional CFO Advantage: Expert Insights for Small Business Growth

In this episode, we dive into a topic that many small business owners overlook: the power of having a fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on your team. I’m joined by Justin Boyd from Cash Flow Co-Pilots, who breaks down why a fractional CFO is so much more than just “fancy accounting.” We talk about: * The difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant, and a CFO * Why cash flow struggles are so common (and so stressful) for small businesses * How looking ahead with a financial strategy can change the whole direction of your business * The peace of mind that comes from having someone guide you through big money decisions Justin also shares real examples and practical advice for business owners who feel like they’re always guessing with their numbers. Key Takeaways * A fractional CFO gives small businesses access to strategic financial guidance without the cost of a full-time hire. * Bookkeepers and accountants look at the past. CFOs help you plan for the future. * Cash flow problems are one of the biggest reasons businesses feel “stuck.” * Good financial management isn’t about spreadsheets—it’s about having a plan that helps you grow. * Having someone in your corner who understands both the numbers and the business side makes decision-making less overwhelming. Justin also shares his personal story about his shift from employee to business owner, and how homeschooling has allowed his kids more opportunity to learn about the world and themselves, while building resilience along the way. To Connect With Justin: https://yourcashflowcopilot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084415706531

Behind the Scenes of TikTok Fame: Singing, Algorithms, and the Business of Creativity

What really happens after you go viral? On this episode of The Business Misfits podcast, host Melody Edwards sits down with the multi-talented Jenn Beaupre-aka Rozette-a celebrated vocal coach, singer, and performer who’s captured audiences from North America to Asia and everywhere in between. Together, they dive into what it means to be someone who forges their own path, prioritizing creativity, happiness, and human connection over the rigid formulas of mainstream success. Jen shares the evolution of her career, from nurturing beginner singers to navigating viral moments on TikTok that transformed her client roster overnight. The conversation unpacks the tricky realities of building a purpose-driven business in the digital age, the ever-shifting algorithms of social media, and the vulnerability that comes with making a living from your passion. They talk about: * The myth of overnight success * Imposter syndrome and creative self-doubt * Why algorithm changes mess with your head * Building a creative business that actually fits your life * What it means to be “witnessed” in your work If you’ve ever felt like you’re faking it online, drowning in visibility, or trying to run a business with duct-tape systems, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Jenn: https://www.jennbeaupre.com/ [https://www.jennbeaupre.com/] Jenn's Vocal Coaching: https://linktr.ee/rozettesaaangs [https://linktr.ee/rozettesaaangs] Listen to Jenn's new Single 'Here' https://bfan.link/here-10 [https://bfan.link/here-10] Follow Jenn on: Youtube: @RozetteSaaangs [http://www.youtube.com/@RozetteSaaangs] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rozettesaaangs [https://www.instagram.com/rozettesaaangs] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rozettesaaangs [https://www.tiktok.com/@rozettesaaangs] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozettesaaangs [https://www.facebook.com/rozettesaaangs] All the music you heard on the show today was written and recorded by Melody Edwards.  Hey Bizfit! Let’s Stay Connected Facebook: @businessmisfits [https://www.facebook.com/businessmisfits] TikTok: @thebusinessmisfit [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessmisfit] Instagram: @homeserviceva [https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceva] Connect on LinkedIn: @melodysedwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodysedwards/] Find all my things: www.melodythings.com [http://www.melodythings.com] Melody Edwards is a lifelong entrepreneur with a sparkly brain and a passion for building purpose-driven businesses. Over the past 25 years, she has successfully started, acquired, operated, and sold a variety of unconventional businesses, ultimately leading her to co-found HomeServiceVA.com [https://www.HomeServiceVA.com] with her first assistant, Din. Together, they built the company they wished had existed when they first started working together—a virtual assistant matchmaking agency that helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations with effective systems and talented virtual collaborators. Being diagnosed with ADHD as a young adult changed her life. With newfound insight and understanding, Melody set out to master her brain's unique wiring, creating systems that allowed her to thrive in the "sparkliest" parts of her brain while delegating tasks that drained her. One of the most transformative decisions she made was hiring an Executive Assistant, which expedited her impact by allowing her to focus on the big projects and ideas that energize her. Through her podcast, The Business Misfits [https://bit.ly/BizMisfits], Melody shares insights from her decades-long business journey and interviews fellow unconventional entrepreneurs to empower others to embrace their inner "Bizfit" and build businesses on their own terms. Her mission is to help purpose-driven business owners craft their path with creativity, intuition, and heart. Outside of business, Melody is a creative human who loves ALL THE THINGS… friends, AI, singing, bike rides, camping, crafting, ice cream, and building things. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Matt, their children Sophia and Max, and their dog Shaun. You can find all her things on www.melodythings.com [https://www.melodythings.com]

Coaching ADHD Women, Masking, and Midlife Change with Danica Lefever

Host Melody Edwards sits down with Danica Lefever, a former engineer who now coaches late-diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD women. They dig into the realities of getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, especially for women who’ve spent their lives masking symptoms to meet expectations. Melody and Danica swap personal stories about growing up, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and learning to embrace their uniquely wired brains. You’ll hear how Danica decided to move away from from engineering, the moment that changed everything, and why understanding your brain can change your business, and your life. They also break down the difference between coaching and therapy, how to manage energy instead of time, and why unmasking might be the most powerful move you can make. Whether you’re a late-diagnosed bizfit, or a recovering perfectionist, this episode is a permission slip for you. Visit Danica at http://www.danicalefever.com/ [https://www.danicalefever.com/] Time Stamps: 10:04 Navigating Life's Pressures and Identity 12:37 Life-Changing ADHD Diagnosis 17:47 Embracing Self-Diagnosis for Understanding 23:08 Learning to Pause After Tragedy 29:27 Optimizing Entrepreneurial Schedules 32:47 Struggling with Self-Connection 39:45 Transition from Engineering to Coaching 44:17 ADHD Awareness Evolution Through TikTok 53:21 Choosing Challenges Over Comfort 57:40 Jaguar Vision: Embracing Agency 01:03:42 Positive Intelligence for Mental Fitness Melody Edwards is a lifelong entrepreneur with a sparkly brain and a passion for building purpose-driven businesses. Over the past 25 years, she has successfully started, acquired, operated, and sold a variety of unconventional businesses, ultimately leading her to co-found HomeServiceVA.com [https://www.HomeServiceVA.com] with her first assistant, Din. Together, they built the company they wished had existed when they first started working together—a virtual assistant matchmaking agency that helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations with effective systems and talented virtual collaborators. Being diagnosed with ADHD as a young adult changed her life. With newfound insight and understanding, Melody set out to master her brain's unique wiring, creating systems that allowed her to thrive in the "sparkliest" parts of her brain while delegating tasks that drained her. One of the most transformative decisions she made was hiring an Executive Assistant, which expedited her impact by allowing her to focus on the big projects and ideas that energize her. Through her podcast, The Business Misfits [https://bit.ly/BizMisfits], Melody shares insights from her decades-long business journey and interviews fellow unconventional entrepreneurs to empower others to embrace their inner "Bizfit" and build businesses on their own terms. Her mission is to help purpose-driven business owners craft their path with creativity, intuition, and heart. Outside of business, Melody is a creative human who loves ALL THE THINGS… friends, AI, singing, bike rides, camping, crafting, ice cream, and building things. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Matt, their children Sophia and Max, and their dog Shaun. You can find all her things on www.melodythings.com [https://www.melodythings.com] All the music you heard on the show today was written and recorded by Melody Edwards.  Hey Bizfit! Let’s Stay Connected Facebook: @businessmisfits [https://www.facebook.com/businessmisfits] TikTok: @thebusinessmisfit [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessmisfit] Instagram: @homeserviceva [https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceva] Connect on LinkedIn: @melodysedwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodysedwards/] Find all my things: www.melodythings.com [http://www.melodythings.com]

The Courage to Change: Stacy Jordan on Sobriety, Sales Success, and Self-Worth -19

I sat down with Stacey Jordan for a conversation that quickly went deep. Stacey opens up about her pivotal decision to get sober in March 2000 as a young single mother, and how that choice completely transformed her life trajectory. She talks candidly about finding support and developing spiritual practices that helped her learn to be present with herself instead of escaping through substances. One of the most moving parts of our conversation was when Stacey described how her son Hunter's birth in 2012 with a rare genetic disorder shifted her entire perspective. This challenging experience inspired her to hire a business coach and tackle the limiting beliefs that were holding her back professionally and personally. Throughout our talk, we explore: * Our shared experiences as women in male-dominated industries * How working through imposter syndrome transformed our approaches to business * The journey of recognizing and breaking through limiting beliefs * Finding purpose in helping others after overcoming personal struggles * Healing from narcissistic abuse and navigating divorce Stacey's famous hugs (the ones where she waits for you to finally exhale!) symbolize her approach to both business and life -creating genuine connection and being fully present. Her story shows how personal growth directly impacts business success, and how facing our deepest fears can lead to both professional achievement and personal fulfillment. If you've ever struggled with feeling worthy or wondered how to transform personal challenges into strength, this conversation will resonate with you. We wrap up with our fun Misfit Minute rapid-fire questions that reveal even more about what makes Stacey tick! About Stacey Jordan: Stacey is the VP of Sales at Decor IQ, LLC, where she has been since 2021. With 21 years of experience creating Christmas magic and helping others succeed in their business, she specializes in transforming spaces with innovative holiday decor and lighting solutions. Stacey identifies as a free spirit, seeker, visionary, giver, misfit, creative, eternal optimist, business human, unconventional, heart-centered leader, purpose-driven community builder, truth teller, and proud mommy. Her passion extends to her Commercial Christmas Collective, where she helps people grow into commercial Christmas pros. Connect with Stacey: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stacey.xmas [https://www.facebook.com/Stacey.xmas] Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyxmas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyxmas/] Resources Mentioned: https://www.ursulainc.co/ [https://www.ursulainc.co/]

The Entrepreneur's Identity Crisis: From Workaholic to Leader - The Transition No One Prepares You For

In this episode Melody dives deep into what it takes to transition from a busy workaholic to a strategic leader. She shares her personal experiences, including the identity crisis she faced after selling her business and the challenges of finding purpose beyond busyness. She emphasizes the importance of measuring productivity by impact rather than effort and discusses the profound shift required to move from being a hustler to a visionary leader. 00:00 Introduction: The Myth of Hard Work 00:36 Welcome to Business Misfits 01:19 The Identity Crisis of a Recovering Workaholic 05:30 The Transition from Worker to Leader 06:25 The Illusion of Busyness 10:21 The Challenge of Letting Go 20:56 Redefining Success and Impact 28:38 Final Thoughts and Call to Action All the music you heard on the show today was written and recorded by Melody Edwards.  Hey Bizfit! Let’s Stay Connected Facebook: @businessmisfits [https://www.facebook.com/businessmisfits] TikTok: @thebusinessmisfit [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessmisfit] Instagram: @homeserviceva [https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceva] Connect on LinkedIn: @melodysedwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodysedwards/] Find all my things: www.melodythings.com [http://www.melodythings.com] Melody Edwards is a lifelong entrepreneur with a sparkly brain and a passion for building purpose-driven businesses. Over the past 25 years, she has successfully started, acquired, operated, and sold a variety of unconventional businesses, ultimately leading her to co-found HomeServiceVA.com [https://www.HomeServiceVA.com] with her first assistant, Din. Together, they built the company they wished had existed when they first started working together—a virtual assistant matchmaking agency that helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations with effective systems and talented virtual collaborators. Being diagnosed with ADHD as a young adult changed her life. With newfound insight and understanding, Melody set out to master her brain's unique wiring, creating systems that allowed her to thrive in the "sparkliest" parts of her brain while delegating tasks that drained her. One of the most transformative decisions she made was hiring an Executive Assistant, which expedited her impact by allowing her to focus on the big projects and ideas that energize her. Through her podcast, The Business Misfits [https://bit.ly/BizMisfits], Melody shares insights from her decades-long business journey and interviews fellow unconventional entrepreneurs to empower others to embrace their inner "Bizfit" and build businesses on their own terms. Her mission is to help purpose-driven business owners craft their path with creativity, intuition, and heart. Outside of business, Melody is a creative human who loves ALL THE THINGS… friends, AI, singing, bike rides, camping, crafting, ice cream, and building things. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Matt, their children Sophia and Max, and their dog Shaun. You can find all her things on www.melodythings.com [https://www.melodythings.com]