September 30, 2025

#253 Hard Work Beats Talent: Resilience Lessons for Modern CFOs Ademola Odewade, CEO, K-Dems Consulting Limited

25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYLpc5IwiOU

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IMVXCScEJEc6NiajXTBWm

In the ever-changing world of finance, resilience and determination have become indispensable qualities for modern CFOs. In this episode of the GrowCFO Podcast, Kevin Appleby speaks with Ademola Odewade, CEO of K-Dems Consulting Limited and host of the Diary of a CFO Podcast. Together, they explore why hard work consistently outperforms raw talent in the journey to leadership. The discussion highlights the critical role of perseverance, adaptability, and a growth mindset for finance professionals navigating complex business environments.

Ademola shares his inspiring path from Nigeria to the UK, illustrating how overcoming adversity, embracing continuous learning, and leveraging effective communication have shaped his success. Through candid stories and practical advice, he and Kevin discuss the expanding responsibilities of CFOs, the necessity of self-belief, and the power of taking ownership. This episode offers actionable lessons for finance leaders, demonstrating that resilience and relentless effort are the true drivers of sustainable achievement in today’s demanding corporate landscape.For further support, explore our BetterHelp partner link.

Key topics covered:

The importance of rational, well-supported business valuations for CFOs

Common mistakes founders and finance teams make in the valuation process

Why valuations are often driven by optics rather than true economic value

The impact of market cycles and AI hype on company valuations

The critical role of management quality and organized financials in achieving accurate valuations

Actionable tips for CFOs preparing for a valuation process

Links

Ademola Odewade on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

0:04:22 Introduction of Dan Eyman and the importance of business valuation

0:05:17 Dan Eyman’s background and entry into the valuation field

0:09:00 Common mistakes in valuation and the need for early CFO involvement

0:13:51 Why valuations can be “smoke and mirrors” and the reality behind headline numbers

0:18:41 The impact of AI and market cycles on valuation trends

0:39:07 The role of management quality and organized financials in valuation

0:45:13 Practical tips for CFOs preparing for a valuation

0:51:09 Final advice for businesses: be rational, organized, and build a compelling valuation story

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