Her Ceo Journey

Maximizing profits doesn’t have to come at the cost of increased and negative environmental impact. In fact, environmentally friendly companies may find that they reduce costs and increase profit margins when they hit their sustainability goals.There are many paths to success, but for Claire Watkin, that means doing business different, and doing business better. Claire Watkin is the Managing Director of Trendsetter International, a certified B Corporation that produces high-quality and environmentally friendly bedding products. Claire Watkin and Trendsetter International’s journey to success is a grand journey of constant change and improvement, proving that the key to success lies in adaptability and continual monitoring of your business. They also showcase the benefits of having a strong financial strategy that begins before a financial year rolls around.Episode Highlights[05:02] Claire Watkin’ CEO Journey[07:48] Becoming a Certified B Corp[11:06] Challenges of Getting B Corp Certification[12:18] Continuall

Investing in your workers is one of the smartest things you can do for your business. When you invest in your employees, you're investing in the future of your company. A well-trained, motivated workforce is essential to any businesses' success. By doing so, you're also investing in yourself. It can lead to increased profits, improved morale, and a better overall work experience for everyone involved.Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse, a luxury upcycled accessories brand and a passionate sustainability advocate, recognizes that being a CEO and a remarkable leader demands investing in employees. She made certain that her employees felt seen, heard, and secure as she expanded Elvis and Kresse without any external funding.If you want to learn how to make your business sustainable while also investing in your employees, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how sustainability drives profitability.Learn how you can build an upcycled busine

When you’re running a business, it’s tempting to view your employees as expendable resources. After all, you’re the one taking all the risks, so you should be the one calling all the shots. But if you want to create a sustainable business, it’s important to remember that your people are your most valuable asset.Susana Guerra of Legacy Vacation Resorts understood that valuing the talent and purpose in your company gives you a competitive edge. When she became Corporate Director of Talent and Purpose at Legacy Vacation Resorts, she persisted in creating a people first culture where employees are treated fairly, kindly, and equitably so that they—and the company itself—can truly thrive.Employees are valuable to a company. But what many business owners don’t know is how to properly nurture and value their people’s skills and abilities. If you want to find out how to unlock your employees’ potential and bring success to your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Disc

One of the first things a leader will look for when hiring someone is their abilities. What are their skills? What level of education did they reach? Have they worked in a particular field before? These are all excellent questions to ask — after all, realizing your vision requires having the best talents on your team. But what are we really asking for when we interview a potential hire? When you look at an applicant’s resume, there’s a specific thing that defines whether you decide that one person is better than the rest: their experiences.Eden Laurin of Nyssa understood that a person's experiences are critical to their performance and capacity to align with a company's vision. As she built Nyssa, she held true to that idea to ensure that her team would be the best at their jobs while also being cared for by the company.Find someone who’s been in your shoes, and you’ve found someone who aligns with your mission. If you’re looking to discover how to craft a robust company culture, this episode is for

Any leader wants their business to become successful. If you’re running a mission driven business, you’ll want to drive social change, too. So you might focus on strategy and profit more than anything else. But what most people tend to forget is that there is a gap between strategy and results—and people are the ones who bridge that gap.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Lisa Hannum from Beehive shares her journey in building her own people centered business. Investing in people creates driven, empowered, and thriving employees. And that creates a driven, empowered, and thriving business.Put people first and success will follow. If you want to learn how to invest in people and create sustainable growth and social impact, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the benefits of putting people first.Learn the key elements and concrete steps in creating a people first culture.Find out why you need to hire a financial partner as early as now.Episode Highlights[02:36] H

Many business owners worry about loss of profit because of the sustainable changes they may want to make. However, sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive. When you know your business, focus on the right factors and make the small changes towards creating a positive impact, you can achieve better business outcomes. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Cindy Bohlen from Riverwater Partners shares her journey into sustainable investing. In the past, she never knew that sustainability created better outcomes in business. She discusses the benefits of focusing on ESG factors and how you can make small changes to become more sustainable and profitable.If you want to learn how you can further secure your business’s data, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how sustainability drives profitability.Learn how you can collaborate with your stakeholders to improve your sustainability.Find out the small changes you can make towards a positive impact and be

So you’ve managed to grow your small business into a thriving enterprise.First of all, congratulations!But with greater success comes more responsibilities, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for you to manage everything on your own. Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed with all of your duties. Or your business is going through a big project or shift. Or maybe you're having trouble smoothening those wrinkles in your finances.That’s where fractional CFO services can help.By bringing experienced financial expertise into your company, fractional CFOs can help you make smarter decisions to increase profitability and sustainability. And in the case of Community Credit Lab, fractional CFO services helped them in their acquisition process.In this solo Her CEO Journey episode, Christina shares the journey of one of their clients, Community Credit Lab. As a mission-driven CFO, Christina is passionate about helping clients succeed and amplify their impact. So she shares the reasons why Community Cred

Many business owners wear all the hats, particularly in growing companies. Doing all the duties yourself seems like the best use of your time. After all, you know your company best, right?However, the truth is as your business grows, more and more things can slip through the cracks — especially if some of your duties are outside your field of expertise.In this solo Her CEO Journey episode, Christina shares a practical case study in which Profit Reimagined helped a client overcome financial trouble. As a mission-driven CFO, Christina wants to ensure that your business for good succeeds. Thus, she’ll also share four critical steps any business owner should take to ensure stability and success in their business.If you’ve been considering the benefits of a fractional CFO for some time now but want the proof that it works, this episode is for you.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn four critical steps to maintaining profitability.Find out practical, actionable steps a fractional CFO can take

You know what they say: if you want something done right, do it yourself.But what happens when you're so bogged down with the daily operations of your business that you don't have time to focus on long-term strategy? That's where a fractional CFO comes in—and it might be the best decision you ever make for your business.However, hiring a fractional CFO isn't a quick fix to your financial adversities. A fractional CFO can help protect your company from costly mistakes and help it grow into the successful business you always dreamed it could be — but it's a strategic move. And as with any strategic asset, it's critical to understand when to utilize it or invest elsewhere.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Christina will share the powerful reasons why you should invest in a fractional CFO and how to hire the right person for this critical role.If you want to find out if you should invest in a fractional CFO, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episod

As a business owner, you know there are a lot of important decisions to make, and not enough hours in the day to make them all. That’s why it’s crucial to have someone you can trust to help you make sound financial decisions for your business. Enter the fractional CFO.But don’t let the name fool you: a fractional CFO isn’t just for businesses that are struggling with their finances. In fact, there are a number of benefits to having a fractional CFO—regardless of your business’ size or stage of development. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, Christina will share the seven benefits of investing in a fractional CFO.If you want to learn how a fractional CFO can help you reach financial stability and elevate your business, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the benefits of hiring a fractional CFO.Discover how a fractional CFO can help with your finances and mission.Determine whether or not you need a fractional CFO.Episode Highlights[02:23] Benefit #1: Proactive Plan

As a mission-driven entrepreneur, you want to ensure your finances are in order so your business can continue to serve its purpose. A common concern for founders like yourself is how to overcome and recover from financial adversity. When this happens, your first thought may be to focus on marketing and sales to reach your financial goal. While profitability is vital, it’s simply one part of the equation. You should also get your finances checked and optimized. While you or your finance team may do this yourself, it might be a better idea to hire a fractional CFO.Running a social impact business is no small feat. Supporting it during economic downturns is even harder. Not everyone has the financial know-how to deal with these issues effectively. With their skills in financial planning, a fractional CFO can help your business reach new heights while navigating through changes in a dynamic market. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand how your business can benefit from hiring a fractiona

Welcome back to the Growth Podcast Series inside Her CEO Journey. Over the last few weeks, starting from Episode 164 to 172, we share the puzzle pieces you need to grow a sustainable and profitable business. But none of these strategies matters unless you as a founders is ready to understand the financial numbers of your business. We are not talking about many numbers; only one number matters. And this one number can tell you if you are growing a sustainable and profitable business. You're listening to Her CEO Journey, the business finance podcast for mission-driven women entrepreneurs. I'm your host, Christina Sjahli. If you are new here, a big, warm welcome. If we are not connected on LinkedIn, please reach out and say hi because that's where I hang out and share my business finance tips. If you have been listening to this podcast for a while and you are a regular listener, I want you to know I appreciate you. My podcast won't be around without your support. This is a free weekly show wh

Managing a business and going through a major transition are difficult enough on their own. But if your business is going through a huge financial shift, then that’s even more challenging. With the stress that comes with it, you might struggle with making the right calls and coming up with good plans for your business.In this episode, Julie Martinez shares her journey and how she assists female founders through financial transitions. She discusses women entrepreneurs’ struggles, the essentials of creating an exit plan for your business, and why you need a financial advisor.If you want to learn how you can empower your business and create an effective exit strategy, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the struggles of female founders and how to overcome them.Discover the importance of financial self-care and how to practice it in your business.Find out the factors to consider when creating an exit plan for your business.Episode Highlights[05:10] Julie’s Journey[10:

How often do you track your business’ finances? Do you know what your numbers are telling you? As a business owner, it’s essential to understand your numbers and what they imply.In this episode, Christina shares her tips and insights on creating a robust financial statement that will attract investors and lenders. She explores the connections between the three financial reports that every business founder has to make and provides tips on how to make them.If you want to learn how to improve a business’s legal aspect toward sustainability, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the connection between transactions and the three financial reports.Learn how to create a robust financial statement.  Find out what investors and lenders are looking for — and resolve any cash flow issues that might drive them away. Episode Highlights[11:58] Christina’s Background [14:58] The Importance of Historical Data [18:37] The Key Components of an Income Statement[22:24] Why Investo

You have your business’s finances in place. Now, what’s next? Believe it or not, scale-up and SME founders often forget the legal aspect of the businesses and this can cause a myriad of problems if not immediately resolved. Angie Redecopp discusses the legal aspect of businesses — another commonly forgotten puzzle piece in companies. She shares how purpose-driven founders can influence their legal structures, governance, and contracts with suppliers and investors to include sustainability. If you want to learn how to improve a business’s legal aspect toward sustainability, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the importance of having a solid legal aspect in purpose-driven businesses.Learn the basics for starting the legal and sustainability aspect of a business.  Discover the role of lawyers in progressing a business to become protected and sustainable. Episode Highlights[04:25] Angie’s Journey [06:24] SMEs and Sustainability [09:33] Role of Legal in Incorpora

Most small to medium business owners think that the software and hardware they use are secure when it comes out of the box, but that's a dangerous mistake! Good cybersecurity and data security need more than hiring an IT specialist, sometimes taking up to a year to secure a company from data threats.In this episode, Jenn Diesi shares the importance of building cybersecurity, especially for small businesses. She builds on her years of experience in information security and provides simple yet game-changing ways to secure and protect your company’s data. Listen as Jenn debunks the common misconceptions about information and data security.  If you want to learn how you can further secure your business’s data, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the why and how of investing in data security for your small business.Learn the difference between information technology and cybersecurity.Find out small steps that will have a significant impact on your company’s d

How often do you consider your employees' happiness? Business owners can become engrossed in handling other aspects of their business that they might disregard their people. Your employees are an integral part of your company. Profit depends on client satisfaction, which hinges upon the quality of your products and services. If your employees are unhappy, then the quality will decline — and so will your revenue and customer experience.In this episode, Etienne Morris discusses the importance of employee engagement and how it helps a company succeed. She shares her insights and actionable steps to keep your employees happy and engaged while increasing revenue. She also suggests metrics that you can use to track employee engagement.If you want to create an environment conducive to the happiness and engagement of your workforce, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn the relationship between employee engagement and company success. Discover the approaches and progra

How do you want to grow your business? Almost every founder has thought about scaling their business. Mission-driven founders should also think about growing their business since it offers many benefits, including spreading your mission to reach more people who are most in need of it. Outsourcing can be a great way to elevate both your business and your mission, but finding the right people is not as easy as you might think.In this episode, Rita Rodrigues talks about the thorough process that Work For Impact uses to match freelancers with clients. She emphasizes the importance of finding freelancers genuinely aligned with your company's mission and values. Your business and mission will thrive when you have a team of motivated people with the same goals.If you want to find out how to connect with purposeful people to grow your business and spread your mission further, this episode is for you!3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Determine how to find purposeful freelancers aligned with your

The demand for outsourced expertise is rising. Whether you’re a new, smaller business looking to grow or a bigger company that needs specialized expertise, outsourcing can be a significant tool in your company’s kit.Outsourcing is a potent tool for addressing these concerns and can help grow your team in ways that will positively impact the business's profitability and sustainability. The key to effective outsourcing is creating a financial strategy that fully uses your outsourced team's abilities.Michelle Hirons is the founder of HigherRing, a certified B corporation that provides savvy U.S.-based outsourced operational support to companies needing expert human resources. Its mission is to be a catalyst for a more sustainable business world. Based on Michelle's CEO journey, here are some insights on growing a profitable and sustainable business through outsourcing.Episode Highlights[04:10] Michelle Hiron’s CEO Journey[07:28] Incorporating B Corp Certification Values within Your Team[11:42] How

With the proliferation of social justice across various platforms worldwide, many businesses are now attempting to implement pay equity in their compensation structures. However, as a business owner, you have more options than simply implementing pay equity plans for your employees. Instead, consider incorporating anti-oppressive pay into your framework for determining employee compensation.Kate Dixon established Dixon Consulting, a certified B corporation on leadership development and total rewards consultancy. They specialize in compensation solutions, service pricing advice and salary negotiation coaching. Here are some insights on compensation structures with an anti-oppressive framework based on Kate's CEO journey.Episode Highlights[04:11] Kate Dixon’s CEO Journey[06:09] Differentiating Anti-oppressive Pay From Equity Pay[08:35] How to Start Adopting Anti-oppressive Pay[10:54] Strategies in Implementing Anti-oppressive Pay in Compensation Structures[29:13] Understanding What Transparency Means[30:34