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Are You Managing Your Cash Flow—Or Is Your Cash Flow Managing You?
For business owners running companies with $5 million to $40 million in annual revenue, few things are more frustrating than watching the...
ES Raphael
Apr 175 min read
You Can’t Steer with the Rearview: Why Leading Indicators Matter Most
Imagine driving a car with a perfectly clean rearview mirror but a dirty windshield. You can see every turn you had made, every pothole...
ES Raphael
Apr 143 min read
Over Time, Over Budget—Now What?
I was recently brought into a business that found itself in deep water. A major product launch, full of promise and potential, had...
ES Raphael
Apr 53 min read
Grow Your Service Business Through Acquisitions: A Playbook for Smart Expansion
If you already own a successful service business—whether it’s in HVAC, IT, legal, medical, healthcare, landscaping, or consulting—you’ve...
ES Raphael
Mar 313 min read
Why I Became an Ambassador for DailyGiving.org
Small Donations + Collective Giving = Massive Impact. That’s the formula behind DailyGiving.org , and it's nothing short of inspiring....
ES Raphael
Mar 283 min read
Claps Do Not Mean Cash
Recently, I watched a thought-provoking YouTube video by Mark Firth, where he described an intriguing scene in a restaurant. Picture...
ES Raphael
Mar 243 min read
Help Your Controller Succeed
I once advised a capable controller who struggled—not because he lacked skill, but because he was constantly derailed by last-minute...
ES Raphael
Mar 112 min read
Borrowing Money? Get a CFO First
For many business owners, seeking a loan seems like the natural next step when cash runs tight. Whether it’s to fund growth, cover...
ES Raphael
Mar 44 min read
The 30-Second Speech That Could Transform Your Business
Last week, I was sitting with a friend—a highly experienced consultant who has helped countless businesses succeed. He’s built an...
ES Raphael
Feb 182 min read
Your Business Has Profits, But Where’s the Cash?
If you’ve ever looked at your company’s profit and loss statement and thought, “Well, we’re making money—so why is the bank account...
ES Raphael
Feb 114 min read
Why I Never Skip a Coffee Meeting—And You Shouldn’t Either
Many years ago, my friend Rich in Dallas confidently told me that Starbucks would never make it in Texas. His rationale? He believed...
ES Raphael
Feb 52 min read
Charge What You’re Worth: Pricing Lesson from Picasso
There’s a story about Pablo Picasso that I love because its lesson is timeless. As the tale goes, Picasso was sitting in a café when a...
ES Raphael
Jan 313 min read
Minority Status: A Game-Changer for Jewish Entrepreneurs
In a significant decision, the U.S. Department of Commerce recently granted minority status to Jewish-owned businesses. This designation...
ES Raphael
Jan 263 min read
How "Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?" Shaped My Approach as a Fractional CFO
Few books have left as profound an impact on me as Lou Gerstner’s “Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?: Leading a Great Enterprise through...
ES Raphael
Jan 153 min read
Why a Virtual CFO is Working in a Jewelry Booth
I am flying out to Miami this weekend to work at a jewelry show. This might seem like an unusual move for a fractional CFO; my days are...
ES Raphael
Jan 73 min read
Lessons from the First Consultant - Joseph son of Jacob
A Personal Connection to Joseph My grandfather’s name was Joseph, and I admired him deeply—not only as a grandfather but as a remarkable...
ES Raphael
Dec 23, 20244 min read
Sometimes, Trust is not an Option
I pride myself on being good at working with and collaborating with people. I tend to be very forgiving of other people's errors, even...
ES Raphael
Dec 17, 20243 min read
Exit Like a Pro
Two years ago, my wife and I sold our family home of 15 years. It was the place where we raised our kids, celebrated milestones, and...
ES Raphael
Dec 10, 20244 min read
No Leverage? Mastering Negotiations Against the Odds
In business, there’s always a deal to be made—but what happens when the other party holds all the power? Maybe it’s a supplier with...
ES Raphael
Dec 6, 20245 min read
Why it's Critical for your vCFO to be Conflict-Free
In today's dynamic and complex business environment, companies often rely on Virtual CFOs (vCFOs) to provide strategic financial...
ES Raphael
Dec 3, 20245 min read
Take Control of Your Cash Flow (Free Template Access)
Cash flow isn’t just important — it’s everything!
Stay ahead with our free 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast Template.
Project your inflows and outflows, spot challenges before they become emergencies, and steer your business with greater confidence.
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