5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies

What’s the smartest way to manage cash when the market is uncertain?

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Joy Mbanugo, CFO of CXAI and a former executive at Google and BlackRock, to answer that and more. Joy shares actionable strategies for maximizing cash reserves. 

Navigating funding options and evolving your finance function as your company scales. She also unpacks how AI is revolutionizing financial operations and why finance should be a central pillar of business strategy. This episode is packed with valuable insights for founders and CFOs who are ready to lead with confidence.

What you will learn:

• How to strengthen your balance sheet by prioritizing cash during economic uncertainty 
• Why distinguishing between different types of cash is crucial for decision-making
• The strategic approach to scaling your finance function 
• How to position finance as a central function 
• Why EBITDA and other key metrics should be understood across the company
• How to leverage AI tools in finance operations
• The differences between debt and equity financing and how to choose the right funding strategy
• Why cash management should be a daily priority

Joy Mbanugo is the CFO of CXApp (NASDAQ: CXAI), where she leads financial strategy, capital allocation, and investor relations for the innovative SaaS company. With a background at Google, BlackRock, and EY, she brings deep expertise in public company finance, board governance, and scaling high-growth businesses. Joy excels at aligning financial operations with business strategy, driving transparency, and building investor confidence. A lawyer and accountant, she’s also an active investor and advocate for women-led ventures and equitable growth in the startup ecosystem.


Episode Resources:

• Joy Mbanugo on LinkedIn
• CXAI Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions
  
  

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

How do you grow a luxury service business without sacrificing quality or cash flow?

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Kevin Diemar, CEO and President of Unity Jets and former Wall Street trader, to uncover how Kevin scaled a private jet brokerage using relationship-driven strategies and an asset-light model. He shares powerful lessons on maintaining high-touch service, hiring smart, and managing emotional highs and lows in business. Kevin also shares how he evaluates angel investments by focusing on authenticity and connection. Whether you're scaling a client-focused business or exploring private markets, this episode offers practical, real-world insights for building lasting success.

What you will learn:

• How to pivot from transactional to relationship-based models while maintaining profitability
• The "Never Too High, Never Too Low" principle for managing emotions 
• Why transparency and honesty are crucial for building long-term client relationships 
• How to scale a service business without compromising quality 
• The "Asset Light" strategy for growing a service business while maintaining cash flow
• How to identify and capitalize on market opportunities 
• Why letting successful ventures grow naturally is more effective than rapid scaling
• The framework for evaluating investment opportunities 
  
  

Kevin Diemar is the Founder of UnityJets, a global private jet brokerage built on a capital-light model and exceptional client service. A former Wall Street trader and VP of Sales at MarquisJet, Kevin brings deep expertise in high-stakes financial markets and luxury sales. He’s a seasoned CEO known for scaling relationship-driven businesses in private aviation. With strengths in negotiation, business planning, and entrepreneurship, Kevin has redefined what it means to grow a high-end service brand with integrity and precision.

• Kevin Diemar on LinkedIn
• UNity Jets Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions
  
  

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

What if you could transform your finance team from simply reporting numbers to being strategic business partners in the organization's growth?

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Ali Firoozi, CFO of The Pac Group, to explore how finance leaders can drive business growth through strategic insight and tech adoption. Ali shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to CFO and explains how finance teams must evolve from number crunchers to business storytellers. They discuss best practices for implementing new systems, selecting impactful KPIs, managing fixed vs. variable costs, and embracing AI. Packed with real-world wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for any leader modernizing their finance function.

What you will learn:

• How numbers tell compelling business stories
• Why modern finance departments must evolve from reporting to becoming strategic business partners
•  The challenges and best practices of implementing new financial systems
• How to select and track meaningful KPIs that drive business success 
• The critical balance between fixed and variable costs in professional services firms
• The transformative impact of AI on financial operations and team productivity
  
  

Ali Firoozi is the Chief Financial Officer at The PAC Group, a global consulting and engineering firm. With over 20 years of experience in finance, Ali brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven ability to lead through growth and change. He specializes in financial strategy, forecasting, process design, and executive reporting. A former banking professional with degrees in International Business and Finance and an MBA, Ali excels at integrating finance with innovation to drive enterprise value and strategic partnerships.


Episode Resources:

• Ali Firoozi on LinkedIn
• The PAC Group Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

Finance's #1 bottleneck is reconciliation. What if you could revolutionize your financial operations with AI while maintaining complete control and transparency?

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with ex-Facebook director and CEO and co-founder of Ledge, Tal Kirschenbaum, to discuss how AI is transforming financial operations for businesses in the accelerated scaling phase. He draws on his experience at BCG, Facebook, and Melio, to share actionable strategies for automating reconciliation, improving financial reporting, and building trust in AI-driven systems. The conversation covers the shift from manual to continuous close processes, balancing growth with control, and maintaining transparency in an AI-powered future. This episode is a must-listen for finance leaders and founders aiming to scale smart while staying compliant.

What you will learn:

• How to transition from manual to automated financial processes
• Why progressive automation is key to successful AI adoption in finance teams
• The critical balance between growth and financial sustainability, when backed by VC
• How to build trust in AI-powered financial solutions 
• How to resolve reconciliation at companies on the growth path
• How to evolve from reactive accounting to continuous close processes 
• The importance of early technology investments 
• How to maintain founder mentality and accountability as your organization grows
  
  

Tal Kirschenbaum is the CEO and Co-founder of Ledge, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing financial operations for mid-market and enterprise companies. With an impressive background spanning roles at BCG, Facebook, and Melio, Tal brings deep finance, technology, and strategic operations expertise to his entrepreneurial ventures. Drawing from his experience at Melio, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges of high-volume financial reconciliation, Tal founded Ledge to address the growing complexity of financial operations through intelligent automation. His leadership has positioned Ledge as a pivotal solution for businesses seeking to enhance their financial processes, particularly in cash reconciliation and journal entry creation.

Episode Resources:

• Tal Kirschenbaum on LinkedIn
• Ledge Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Alex Glueckler, VP of Accounting at CrossFit, to discuss how finance can evolve from a reactive function into a proactive, strategic partner. Alex shares insights on simplifying financial metrics, building cross-functional relationships, and creating a finance culture that supports, not stifles, growth. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, the balance sheet’s role in long-term sustainability, and the value of early embedding finance in strategic planning. Whether you’re scaling or optimizing, this episode delivers actionable strategies for financial leadership at every stage.

What you will learn:

• How to build a strategic finance function that enables growth 
• Why simplifying KPIs to 2-3 core metrics creates better alignment and decision-making
• The "Strategic No" framework for finance leaders to guide business decisions 
• How to embed finance throughout the organization by building relationships 
• Why understanding accounting and finance fundamentals is crucial for business scaling
• How to balance short-term cash management with long-term value creation
• How to develop servant leadership in finance to build a high-performing team 
• The critical role of the balance sheet in ensuring long-term business sustainability

Alex Glueckler is an accomplished finance executive with over 18 years of experience spanning accounting, operations, and strategic leadership, with more than a decade in private equity-backed companies from startup to IPO and exit. As VP of Accounting at CrossFit, LLC, he leads global accounting operations, ensuring financial transparency and compliance. Known for aligning financial strategy with business goals, Alex is passionate about building strong stakeholder relationships and driving growth that supports CrossFit’s mission to improve health, happiness, and performance.

Episode Resources:

• Alex Glueckler on LinkedIn
• CrossFit LLC Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions
  
  

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

What if you could learn from someone who successfully scaled and sold a SaaS company in Europe before launching their next venture?

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Johan Hoernell, CEO and co-founder of Reveal Automation. Johan shares his journey from McKinsey consultant to successful SaaS entrepreneur, offering practical insights on scaling businesses, building transparent financial systems, and preparing for successful exits. He explains why empowering teams through context, rather than control, is vital for sustainable growth. Whether you're growing your first startup or leading a growth-stage SaaS company, Johan’s strategies around operational excellence, financial leadership, and entrepreneurial resilience provide invaluable lessons for building and exiting technology ventures.

What you will learn:

• Why transparent financial metrics and company-wide KPI visibility drive better results
• The "Context Over Control" leadership principle for empowering teams 
• How to build effective finance operations from bookkeeper to CFO 
• Why pre-acquisition preparation and financial hygiene are crucial for a smooth exit 
• The strategic framework for bootstrapping a new venture 
• How to identify the right moment to exit a business 
• The importance of focusing on core competencies and outsourcing critical functions 
  
  

Johan Hoernell is the CEO and Co-founder of Reveal Automation, specializing in the automation and enablement of enterprise digital tools. With a distinguished background including strategic consulting at McKinsey and successfully scaling Time Edit to acquisition, Johan brings deep expertise in technology optimization and business transformation. His entrepreneurial journey spans from early programming interests to executive leadership, where he successfully led Time Edit's expansion from a Nordic-focused company to a broader market presence.

Episode Resources:

• Johan Hoernell on LinkedIn
• Reveal Automation on LinkedIn
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with the dynamic duo of Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic. They share their evolution from crafting small-batch jams to leading a thriving manufacturing enterprise serving major meal kit brands. Learn how they balanced intuition with data, scaled operations with lean teams, and made tough calls while prioritizing long-term growth. With hard-won insights on pivoting business models, optimizing systems, and maintaining profitability, this episode is a must-listen for CPG founders looking to scale smartly without sacrificing sustainability.


What you will learn:

• How to identify when to pivot from a passion project to a scalable business model
• Why establishing efficient systems and automation is crucial for lean team operations
• The framework for evaluating new business opportunities 
• How to build and maintain strong relationships with strategic partners
• Why regional growth strategy often outperforms immediate national expansion 
• The importance of maintaining robust cash flow 
• The decision-making process for accepting or declining new business opportunities
• Why keeping operations lean can be a competitive advantage in manufacturing
• How to balance gut instinct with data-driven decision making in business growth

Episode Resources:

• Sabrina Valle on LinkedIn
• Jessica Quon on LinkedIn
• The Jam Stand Website
• Mighty Picnic on LinkedIn
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website
• Book a Consultation Contact Us
• Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, to uncover how he built a $4M ARR B2B podcast agency—without external funding. Tom shares lessons from 17 business attempts, the importance of financial discipline, and why focusing on core services drives sustainable success. They explore risk assessment, EOS implementation, and the role of culture in scaling. Whether you're bootstrapping or scaling, this episode delivers actionable strategies on cash flow, profitability, operational efficiency, and team incentives. Tune in to learn why doing less—exceptionally well—is the key to growth.
Here are some key discussion topics:

• From 17 Failed Startups to Success: Tom Hunt's Journey
• Risk Assessment Framework: Likelihood × Impact
• Building Culture: Scaling Values Across 70+ Team Members
• Cash Flow Management: Bootstrapping Growth
• Evolution of Systems and Processes at Fame
• Metrics That Matter: Using EOS to Track Performance
• The Power of Focus: Building a World-Class Service
• Navigating Growth Challenges: Revenue vs. Profitability
• Rapid Fire: Financial Insights and Tools

Episode Resources:

• Tom Hunt on LinkedIn
• Fame Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website

Books Recommended by Tom Hunt

• "Simple Numbers" by Greg Crabtree
• "The Dip" by Seth Godin
• "Traction" (EOS book) - by Gino Wickman
• Patrick Lencioni: "Five Dysfunctions of a Team"
• Patrick Lencioni: "The Motive"
• Patrick Lencioni: "The Advantage"

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, a three-time founder and former Big 4 accounting partner, to discuss scaling service-based businesses. They explore building scalable processes, managing rapid team growth, and navigating regulatory challenges. Kenny shares insights on financial metrics, risk management, and decision-making frameworks that drive sustainable growth. Whether you're a corporate leader eyeing entrepreneurship or a founder looking to scale, this episode delivers actionable financial strategies.

Here are some key discussion topics:

• From Big 4 Partner to Entrepreneur: Kenny's Journey
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Identifying Opportunities
• Scaling from 0 to 60: Managing Rapid Growth
• Building Systems & Processes: The Assembly Line Approach
• Tech Stack Evolution: Finding the Right Tools
• Financial Metrics: From Service Business to Tech Startup
• The Importance of Early Financial Infrastructure
• Managing Risk in Regulated Industries
• Rapid Fire: Leadership Insights & Final Thoughts

Episode Resources:

• Kenny Dettman on LinkedIn
• TaxNow Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon

Welcome to 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies. In this episode, Jeff Rudner talks with Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, about his transition from consulting to venture capital. They discuss talent's importance in startups, early-stage investing challenges, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Rick shares insights on building successful companies, from managing team dynamics to knowing when to implement structure as businesses scale. This episode offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the world of venture capital and scaling startups.


Here are some key discussion topics:

• The Journey to Entrepreneurship  
• The Realities of Small Business Ownership  
• Analyzing Talent in Startups  
• Emotional Highs and Lows of Founders  
• Transitioning to Structured Processes  
• Preparing for an Exit

Episode Resources:

• Rick Zullo on LinkedIn
• Equal Ventures Website
• Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn
• Proseer Website

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon