The CFO Story

Brandon Buteaux Episode 17

In this episode of The CFO Story, host Jason Lee and co-host Sami Abboud welcomed Brandon Buteaux from the Baker Group to discuss innovative approaches to improving company cash flow and bottom-line performance (Brandon Buteaux The CFO Story). Brandon shared his compelling journey from owning a concrete company (BAR - Brandon, Allie, and Ricky) to founding the Baker Group. His transition was sparked by personal experience with cash flow challenges when his concrete business was owed over a million dollars in unpaid invoices. This financial struggle taught him valuable lessons about securing assets and collecting payments. The Baker Group now specializes in helping companies recover unpaid invoices through a combination of contractual clause reviews, legal support, and process improvements. Brandon emphasized that cash flow issues affect businesses of all sizes, from small operations to large corporations, and his company has developed scalable solutions with nationwide standing contracts and collection attorneys.

Catarina Serra Episode 16

In this episode of The CFO Story Catarina Serra, a former CFO with 24 years of experience in corporate America at companies including Microsoft, GE, Aramco, and Honeywell (Catarina serra The CFO Story Podcast).Catarina shares her remarkable journey from being a high-level CFO to becoming an entrepreneur in the health and wellness space. She discusses her long-standing passion for alternative healing, becoming a Reiki Master in 2013, and her discovery of frequency technology in 2022 that led her to open a wellness center.The conversation explores how this technology works to rebalance the body through frequencies, similar to "charging a phone," and its potential benefits for reducing chronic inflammation and stress - common issues for executives in corporate America. Catarina also reflects on valuable lessons from her corporate career, including the entrepreneurial spirit she gained at GE, cultural adaptability from her time at Aramco in Saudi Arabia, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to business ownership. The podcast highlights the challenges of transitioning from the structured environment of corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for self-motivation, flexibility, and resilience when facing obstacles. Catarina's inspiring philosophy of "not wanting to die with the music inside of her" underscores her commitment to pursuing her passion despite fears and doubts.This episode offers valuable insights for CFOs considering entrepreneurship and emphasizes the importance of health and wellness for corporate executives.

Doug Dillard Episode 15

Doug Dillard, COO and former CFO, discusses his diverse career journey, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between operations and finance. He highlights his experience at Cosentino, a large surfacing company, and his transition to real estate development, where he helped grow a mortgage bank's monthly originations from $5 million to $150 million. Doug stresses the significance of having the right people in the right positions, maintaining liquidity, and understanding the numbers to make informed business decisions. He also shares his personal journey of overcoming health challenges and finding motivation through sports and spirituality, advocating for a balanced approach to life.

Robson Baker Episode 14

Robson Baker, founder of Fiduciary Benefits Advisors, discusses the complexities and fiduciary responsibilities of healthcare benefits for CFOs. He highlights the increasing lawsuits and financial risks associated with inadequate health plan management. Robson emphasizes the importance of understanding compensation disclosures and the role of specialty insurance to mitigate risks. He shares his personal adoption journey, stressing the importance of family and legacy. Robson's company offers educational resources and fiduciary guidance to help CFOs manage healthcare benefits more effectively, aiming to reduce costs and improve employee benefits.

Dustin Williamson - Episode 13

Managing Director at VCFO, discusses his extensive background in international tax, venture capital, and valuation. He highlights VCFO's unique approach to business valuation, focusing on risk factors and strategies to improve company value. He emphasizes the importance of a CFO's role in driving business value, identifying red flags such as lack of KPIs and financial transparency. He also stresses the critical role of character and ethics in the CFO position, underscoring the need for consistent values in the face of constant change.