Strategy Meets Finance

Strategy and Finance
  • 4.8 (22)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Strategy Meets Finance, the podcast for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, and run a business that lasts. Most business owners struggle because they treat strategy and finance as separate. But without a clear strategy, your finances won’t support long-term growth. And without strong financial planning, even the best business ideas fall flat. On this show, we bring both sides together—so you can grow your business with confidence, improve cash flow, increase profit, and make better decisions. Hosted by Steve Coughran, a former CFO and founder of Coltivar, each episode shares simple tools, real examples, and practical advice from working with companies of all different sizes. You’ll learn how to set smart goals, fix money leaks, build stronger teams, and create lasting value.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Turnaround I Didn’t Think Was Possible | Ep 213

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  If you’ve ever laid awake at night wondering if your business is about to collapse, this one will feel real.  Steve shares the story of stepping into a company that was quietly running out of cash, losing money, and far closer to failure than most people knew. Jobs were on the line. Lenders were watching. The pressure was constant. He walks through what was actually happening behind the scenes, what almost broke the company, and how getting back to the basics of finance, focus, and disciplined decisions slowly pulled it out of the hole. If your business feels heavy right now, or you’re carrying more than anyone else knows, this story will resonate. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    15 min

  2. 5D AGO

    The Most Dangerous Decision Business Owners Face | Ep 212

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Most businesses don’t fail overnight. They fail because a hard decision keeps gets delayed.  In this episode, Steve shares real stories from business owners who were one decision away from saving their company and didn’t act in time. He talks about what actually puts everything at risk, why smart people freeze when they know something has to change, and how waiting almost always makes things worse. This isn’t about working harder or being more optimistic. It’s about recognizing the moment when doing nothing becomes the most dangerous choice you can make. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    13 min

  3. FEB 5

    Why Finance Matters More Than You Think | Ep 211

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Most people think finance is someone else’s job. The CFO. The CPA. The controller. Steve doesn’t see it that way. In this episode, he explains why every single person in a business affects the financial outcome, whether they realize it or not. He shares a story from early in his career that completely changed how he views money, responsibility, and leadership. This isn’t about learning accounting or staring at spreadsheets. It’s about understanding what the numbers are actually telling you, and why avoiding them creates bigger problems over time. If you’ve ever said “I’m just not a numbers person,” this episode is for you. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    18 min

  4. FEB 2

    The Fastest Way to Get More Cash Flow | Ep 210

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Want more cash flow? This episode is for you. Steve breaks down why taking on more debt usually makes cash flow worse, not better. He shares a real example of a business that got buried by high-interest loans and explains how cash problems actually start much earlier than most owners think. You’ll hear a simple way to change how you price and structure your offer so cash comes in sooner, instead of months later. This works whether you’re in a tight spot today or just tired of feeling behind on cash. If payroll, vendors, or your line of credit are always in the back of your mind, this episode will hit close to home. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    20 min

  5. JAN 29

    5 Questions That Reveal If Your Strategy Is Working | Ep 209

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Most business owners are confident their strategy is solid. Then they get asked a few simple questions and everything gets uncomfortable. In this episode, Steve shares five questions that quickly expose whether your strategy is actually working or just sounds good in meetings. These questions reveal where teams are misaligned, where money is leaking, and why results often stall even when everyone is working hard. If your business feels busy but progress feels slower than it should, this episode will make that clear fast. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    14 min

  6. JAN 26

    The Biggest Mistake You Can Make This Year | Ep 208

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  The biggest mistake business owners make isn’t marketing, hiring, or growth. It’s ignoring financial literacy.  In this episode, Steve explains how misunderstanding your numbers can quietly lock in a bad year before it even starts. He breaks down why profit doesn’t equal cash flow, how bad assumptions lead to bad decisions, and why leaders who don’t understand their financials end up working harder for worse results.  If you want to focus on the right priorities and stop guessing with your business, this episode is a must-listen.  _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    12 min

  7. JAN 20

    Think You're Profitable? Think Again | Ep 207

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Most business owners think they’re profitable. Most are wrong.  In this episode, Steve breaks down why even companies with CPAs and clean-looking financials often misunderstand their real margins. He explains how messy books distort gross profit, lead to bad pricing decisions, and quietly drain cash. You’ll also learn why profit alone doesn’t matter, and why this one thing is the real test of whether your strategy is actually working.  If you’ve ever wondered why you’re busy, growing, and still tight on cash, this episode will connect the dots.  _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    9 min

  8. JAN 12

    Listen to This if You Want More Cash Flow in Your Business | Ep 206

    Ready to see how much cash is hiding in your business? Get your free Financial Health Check now: coltivar.com/check  Financial Intelligence Toolkit  Why do profitable businesses still run out of cash?  In this episode, Steve breaks down why cash flow, not revenue or profit, is what actually keeps a business alive. He explains what free cash flow really is, why most owners misunderstand it, and how bad strategy, poor measurement, and the wrong priorities quietly drain cash. If you’re tired of stressing about payroll, lines of credit, or where the money went, this episode will change how you think about your business. _______________________________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

    19 min
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4.8
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Welcome to Strategy Meets Finance, the podcast for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, and run a business that lasts. Most business owners struggle because they treat strategy and finance as separate. But without a clear strategy, your finances won’t support long-term growth. And without strong financial planning, even the best business ideas fall flat. On this show, we bring both sides together—so you can grow your business with confidence, improve cash flow, increase profit, and make better decisions. Hosted by Steve Coughran, a former CFO and founder of Coltivar, each episode shares simple tools, real examples, and practical advice from working with companies of all different sizes. You’ll learn how to set smart goals, fix money leaks, build stronger teams, and create lasting value.

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