Financial Clarity

Laura Shiel is the COO at Clara CFO Group, a firm that specializes in offering strategic financial guidance and support to small businesses. With a diverse background in accounting and finance, Laura’s experience spans various sectors, including public accounting, financial services, and corporate finance in a Fortune 500 company. She holds two esteemed credentials in the finance world: she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). As a fractional CFO, Laura is dedicated to helping small business owners achieve their personal and professional aspirations.

Scaling a small business can be exciting but overwhelming without the right systems in place. How can business owners bring structure and accountability to support growth without getting bogged down by chaos?

According to Laura Shiel, a seasoned CPA and COO, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) provides clarity and organization, helping teams set clear roles and realistic goals. She emphasizes that EOS allows companies to transition from reacting to everyday issues to proactively driving strategic growth. This structured approach, she notes, empowers everyone on the team to align around the vision, paving the way for sustainable success.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, Hannah Smolinski speaks with Laura Shiel, COO at Clara CFO Group, about their journey of implementing EOS at the company. They share insights on defining roles and responsibilities, setting 90-day “rocks,” and running effective weekly meetings to keep everyone on track. Laura also offers advice on the benefits and challenges of self-implementing EOS, with practical tips for small teams looking to adopt this transformative system.

Zac Cramer is a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, a company that provides tools and support to help businesses implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Zac is a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ business coach who has helped the CEO of a $200 million company take their first ever cell phone-free vacation, showcasing their ability to bring balance and success to high-level executives. Zac is known for their vibrant personality and problem-solving skills, which they combine with a passion for the EOS to help businesses thrive.

Running a business can feel chaotic, with constant challenges pulling you in every direction. How can you create a structure that not only brings clarity but also drives results? And how can you implement a system that ensures both productivity and employee satisfaction?

According to Zac Cramer, a dynamic business coach and Certified EOS Implementer, the solution lies in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Zac highlights that EOS is a simple yet powerful framework designed to help business owners gain “vision, traction, and healthy organizational culture,” empowering organizations to achieve clarity in their goals and align teams toward the same vision. EOS’s structured approach includes essential tools like accountability charts, scorecards, and core values, which create a foundation for accountability and effective communication at every level of the company. As a leader, this means gaining control over your business, reducing stress, and fostering a workplace where team members feel motivated and valued.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Zac Cramer, a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, to discuss what EOS is and how it can transform businesses. Zac shares insights on creating a structure that empowers teams, the importance of accountability through core values, and the benefits of defining clear roles. They also talk about how EOS allows business owners to step back confidently, knowing their teams are equipped to maintain the business’s success.

Heather Lowrey, MS, LPC, LMHC, is the Owner and Consultant at Wise Mind Financial, a coaching business enhancing financial literacy, accountability, and empowerment for young adults and couples. She is also the Owner and Psychotherapist at HSL Consulting PLLC, a psychotherapy practice focusing on the relationship between food, sex, and money. As a licensed therapist, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Heather addresses disordered eating, problematic sexual behavior, and financial anxiety.

Entrepreneurs who find their businesses losing money often don’t recognize that their lack of financial acumen stems from deep-seated beliefs about money. These beliefs are limiting and dictate money management behaviors. How can you reconcile your relationship with money to make informed decisions about your business?

Financial coach and therapist Heather Lowrey understands that money is a sensitive topic for many people, with varying beliefs based on cultural implications like upbringing and social status. She has identified various mindsets around money, including avoidance, hypervigilance, scarcity, and abundance. To identify entrepreneurs’ mindsets, Heather determines their daily and weekly financial habits, including how often they view their statements and accounts. Once you’ve established your relationship with money, you can acquire an accountant or bookkeeper to help you manage your finances and maintain flexibility and adaptability in your journey to financial literacy. 

In the latest episode of Financial Clarity, Hannah Smolinski hosts Heather Lowrey, the Owner of Wise Mind Financial and HSL Counseling PLLC, to talk about recognizing and repairing your relationship with money. Heather shares the common reasons people seek financial coaching services, how to find balance in your relationship with money, and her recommended personal budgeting tools and resources.

Jamie Van Cuyk is the Owner of Growing Your Team, a consulting firm that helps small business owners navigate the hiring process to find the right employees for their teams. With over 15 years of leadership experience, Jamie specializes in guiding business owners through creating tailored hiring strategies, improving interview techniques, and providing full-service recruiting support. Her expertise lies in helping companies avoid costly hiring mistakes and build confident, self-sustaining teams.

Hiring can feel overwhelming when you're balancing day-to-day operations with finding a perfect fit for your team. What if there was a way to streamline the process and avoid costly hiring mistakes?

According to Jamie Van Cuyk, a hiring expert with over 15 years of leadership experience, outsourcing parts of the recruiting process can save time, but business owners should never fully remove themselves from key decisions. She highlights that no one else can determine the best cultural and functional fit for your business like you can. By focusing on clear hiring strategies and understanding how to identify the right candidate from the start, Jamie explains that small business owners can significantly reduce the risk of a bad hire and build stronger teams.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Jamie Van Cuyk, Owner of Growing Your Team, to discuss mastering the art of hiring for small businesses. Jamie shares strategies for identifying the right candidates, when and how to outsource parts of the process, and the importance of transparent pricing models for small businesses. Jamie also shares strategies for overcoming early pricing challenges and building self-leaders within your team.

Deanna Zubrickas is a Senior Account Manager at Relay, an online business banking and money management platform, where she plays a pivotal role in equipping business owners with essential tools to manage their finances effectively. She is a certified profit-first professional and an expert in business banking solutions and banking integration with accounting software. With a background in supervising retail operations and managing customer relations for enterprise and mid-level retail brands like OAK + FORT, Free People, and Urban Outfitters, Deanna made a career shift to financial technology during the pandemic.

Are you managing your business's cash flow as effectively as possible? With so many advancements in financial technology, entrepreneurs now have access to tools that can transform how they handle their banking and financial operations. But how do you know which banking solutions are right for your business?

According to Deanna Zubrickas, a certified Profit First Professional and financial technology expert, modern online banking platforms can offer game-changing solutions for businesses of all sizes. She highlights the importance of features like multiple checking accounts, automated transfers, and seamless integration with accounting software. These tools provide clarity around cash flow and simplify financial management, allowing entrepreneurs to focus more on growth and less on manual financial tasks. These solutions can make all the difference for industries like real estate and e-commerce, where fast and efficient financial operations are critical.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Deanna Zubrickas, Senior Account Manager at Relay, to discuss modern banking solutions for entrepreneurs. They explore how businesses can use multiple checking accounts to manage cash flow, automate financial processes, and integrate seamlessly with other platforms. Deanna also shares insights on the growing role of digital banking, from handling FDIC insurance to introducing new features like credit cards and checkbooks.

Lindsay Pedersen is the Founder and Brand Strategist at Ironclad Brand Strategy, a company that partners with CEOs to create rigorous and focused brand strategies, making the brand a powerful North Star for organizational growth. She is the author of the best-selling book Forging an Ironclad Brand: A Leader’s Guide and an advisor to several companies, from startups to national corporations, including Duolingo, Starbucks, and IMDb. With a background as a P&L owner at Clorox, Lindsay brings a disciplined, growth-oriented approach to brand building, helping businesses increase their value with clarity and intention.

In a crowded marketplace, what truly sets your business apart? With so many options available to consumers, it’s crucial to stand out, but how can you ensure your brand is memorable and distinct?

According to Lindsay Pedersen, a seasoned brand strategist and author, differentiation is the cornerstone of building a powerful brand that resonates with customers. She explains that a well-defined brand makes it easier for customers to choose your business over competitors and enhances loyalty and pricing power. Maintaining a clear and consistent brand message over time requires ongoing innovation and commitment, ultimately strengthening your brand’s position in the market and driving sustainable growth.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Lindsay Pedersen, Founder and Brand Strategist at Ironclad Brand Strategy, to discuss the significance of differentiation in branding. They explore how businesses can craft and maintain a strong brand, the importance of consistency in messaging, and practical strategies for leveraging brand differentiation to achieve long-term success.

Amber De La Garza is a coach, trainer, speaker, and writer renowned for her work as The Productivity Specialist. Through her role as the host of the Small Business Straight Talk Podcast and creator of Leverage Lab®, Amber dedicates her expertise to assisting entrepreneurs in enhancing their productivity, helping them to maximize their profits and minimize stress. With a career foundation as a licensed real estate agent and a bachelor's degree in real estate and business management, she brings over 20 years of experience in real estate management, training, and business coaching to the table. Amber's approach is focused on empowering small business owners to improve their time management and productivity skills, leading to increased business success without compromising personal life and relationships. She achieves this by offering a range of services including one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and workshops, all designed to help clients master their mindset, expand their skill set, and build efficient business systems.

Is it possible to find success and profitability in your small business without sacrificing all your time and energy? Can a strategic approach to time management and productivity make a significant difference in how you run your business and enjoy life?

According to Amber De La Garza, a highly acclaimed productivity specialist, the answer is a resounding yes. Amber brings over a decade of experience in transforming the operational efficiency of small businesses. By moving from a reactive to a proactive mindset, business owners can steer their daily schedules toward high-value activities that directly impact their bottom line. Amber emphasizes the importance of planning every day with a structured yet flexible approach, allowing for a balance between strategic growth activities and immediate operational demands. Her method is not about rigid schedules but about aligning daily actions with long-term goals, ensuring a business serves both its clients and its owner's personal life.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Amber De La Garza to delve into mastering productivity for small business success. They discuss the transformative power of effective time management, strategies for transitioning from reactive to proactive work habits, and the importance of aligning business operations with personal goals for sustainability and profitability.

Sara Kappler is the CEO of Centric Squared, a CRM-driven agency specializing in email and SMS marketing. Having pivoted to CRM consulting and email marketing after over a decade in digital consulting, Sara specializes in high-performing marketing campaigns for clients in the finance, e-commerce, and online business niches. A mom of three with a recent international move from Seattle to Germany, she started her company to challenge the 9-5 norm and create flexibility for herself. As a business growth partner, Sara is committed to her clients' success and protecting her remote team's flexibility while fostering a high-caliber, professional, and innovative team.

Remote work has redefined the traditional concept of the American dream, allowing individuals to pursue their career goals outside of the US. With many professionals following this trend, how can remote-first companies foster business growth while transitioning to a new normal in different cultures?

For email marketing expert Sara Kappler, the pandemic acted as a catalyst, prompting her family to take the leap and explore new opportunities abroad. While her husband’s German heritage and the prospect of exploring a new country seemed exciting, Sara dreaded her clients’ reactions to her relocation. Reflecting on the challenges she encountered maintaining client relationships and scheduling overlaps after moving to Germany, she emphasizes being upfront. Sara stresses communicating changes to your customers and being sincere by considering their concerns and the timing of the transition. In addition, she emphasizes flexibility and autonomy in remote teams while leveraging systems and strong training to facilitate seamless collaboration. Her approach has not only enhanced customer loyalty but also ensured the successful execution of clients’ campaigns.

Tune in to this latest installment of the Financial Clarity podcast as host Hannah Smolinski chats with Sara Kappler, the CEO of Centric Squared, about her experience relocating her company to another country. Sara shares her transition from digital consultancy to running an email marketing agency, the curiosity that fueled her decision to move to Germany, her experience managing a team and client relationships across different time zones, and personal finance tips for expats.

Adam Lean is the CEO and Co-Founder of The CFO Project, a company dedicated to training financial professionals on how to offer outsourced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and business advisory services. With an accounting background and years of experience in the corporate world, Adam transitioned into entrepreneurship, successfully launching, growing, and eventually selling two businesses. His journey in assisting other business owners led to the discovery of his true passion: educating and equipping entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to enhance their profitability and achieve financial peace of mind.

In the fast-paced world of small businesses, how can accountants and financial professionals do more for their clients and grow their own businesses at the same time? Is there a way to offer more value without getting overwhelmed by more work?

According to Adam Lean, a seasoned entrepreneur, the key is to focus on training and develop a system that allows for scaling services. He emphasizes the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset and the courage to step beyond traditional accounting roles to become a trusted business advisor. This approach not only enhances the value provided to clients but also opens up new avenues for professional growth and business development.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski talks with Adam Lean, CEO and Co-founder of The CFO Project, about how financial professionals can expand their impact through training. They discuss the significance of understanding business numbers, the critical role of cash flow management, and the necessity of overcoming imposter syndrome to succeed in offering outsourced CFO services.

Andrea Heuston is the CEO and Founder of Artitudes Design, an award-winning creative agency. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry and has won several awards such as the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 under 40, the Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards for Enterprising Women Magazine, Cambridge Who’s Who, and the Key4Women Achieve Award.

Andrea holds a degree in communications and design from the University of Washington. She is a speaker, author, and host of the Lead Like a Woman Show, where she features top women leaders to share their inspirational stories on life and leadership.

How can adopting an abundance mindset and demonstrating resilience lead to empowerment and success for women in the business world?

According to Andrea Heuston, a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for female leadership, the foundation of success lies in fostering an environment of abundance and resilience. Having overcome significant personal and professional challenges, she emphasizes the importance of abundant thinking not only for personal growth but as a strategy for building a thriving business. Andrea's approach underscores the power of resilience, the value of empathetic leadership, and the impact of supporting women in their entrepreneurial journeys. By leading with empathy and focusing on the collective success of her team and clients, Andrea models how women in business can achieve remarkable outcomes.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, Hannah Smolinski welcomes Andrea Heuston, CEO and Founder of Artitudes Design, to explore empowering women in business through abundance and resilience. They discuss Andrea's entrepreneurial journey, her strategies for overcoming adversity, and her commitment to fostering female leadership.