What does it take to build a company that’s not just doing well today, but is more profitable, more valuable, and ready for whatever comes next? That was the question on the table at Lever1’s latest Executive Breakfast here in Kansas City.
We were glad to have Crown CFO founder Mike DeMaio on the panel, alongside Stephanie Siders, Managing Director of Turnstone Capital, and Jeff Schuetz, CEO of City Rent-A-Truck. A big thank-you to Lever1 for hosting, and to everyone who came out for coffee and conversation.
Who was on the panel?
The lineup brought three different views of the same goal:
- Mike DeMaio, Founder of Crown CFO, brought the financial leadership perspective: how owners can use their numbers to drive profit and long-term value.
- Stephanie Siders, Managing Director of Turnstone Capital, brought the investor’s view of what makes a business attractive and worth more.
- Jeff Schuetz, CEO of City Rent-A-Truck, brought the operator’s view from running and growing a Kansas City company.
Why profitable and valuable aren’t the same thing
A business can be profitable and still be hard to sell, hard to grow, or overly dependent on its owner. Value comes from things a buyer or investor can count on: steady margins, clean financials, a team that runs without the owner in every decision, and systems that can handle more volume.
That’s why the conversation kept coming back to being “positioned for what’s next.” Whether next means growth, bringing in investors, or an eventual exit, the work to get there starts well before the moment arrives.
What scalable really looks like
Scaling isn’t just adding revenue. It’s adding revenue without adding the same amount of cost, stress, and owner time. In our work with Kansas City companies in the $5M to $50M range, the businesses that scale well tend to have a few things in common:
- Timely, accurate monthly financials the leadership team actually uses
- A clear picture of which customers, products, and services drive profit
- Cash flow forecasting that looks ahead, not just back
- Processes and people that don’t depend on one person holding it all together
How a fractional CFO fits in
Many growing companies are past the point where bookkeeping alone is enough, but not ready for a full-time CFO. A fractional CFO fills that gap with senior financial leadership on a part-time basis. Mike’s approach at Crown CFO centers on value acceleration: finding the gaps that hold a business’s value back and closing them over time.
Thanks, Lever1
Events like this are a reminder of how strong Kansas City’s business community is. Thanks again to Lever1, Stephanie, Jeff, and everyone who joined. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
If any of the themes from the panel hit close to home, we’re always happy to grab coffee and talk it through. No pitch, just a conversation. Reach out to Crown CFO here, Kerry@crowncfo.com
FAQ
What was the Lever1 Executive Breakfast CEO panel about? The panel focused on building a business that is successful today and also more profitable, valuable, scalable, and positioned for what’s next.
Who spoke on the Lever1 CEO panel? Mike DeMaio, founder of Crown CFO; Stephanie Siders, Managing Director of Turnstone Capital; and Jeff Schuetz, CEO of City Rent-A-Truck.
What’s the difference between a profitable business and a valuable business? Profit is what a company earns today. Value is what a buyer or investor would pay for it, which depends on steady margins, clean financials, and how well the business runs without its owner.
What makes a business scalable? A scalable business can grow revenue without costs, complexity, and owner time growing at the same rate. Reliable financials, clear profit drivers, forward-looking cash planning, and repeatable processes all help.
How can a fractional CFO help a Kansas City business grow its value? A fractional CFO provides part-time, senior financial leadership. Crown CFO helps Kansas City companies improve reporting, cash flow planning, and profitability, and identify the gaps that hold back business value.