Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

Blueprint CFO

Introducing Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs, an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California.

  1. 07/02/2025

    Strategic Planning for 2025: Keys to Success | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    Is your strategic plan setting your business up for success—or holding it back? In this episode, Jim Downes and Mitch Federman of Blueprint CFO break down what makes a great strategic plan and how to create one that drives real results in 2025. 🔑 What you'll learn: ✅ The essential elements of a strategic plan—and why it must be written, shared, and tracked ✅ How to set SMART goals and define KPIs that create accountability ✅ Ways to align your team’s goals with your broader business strategy ✅ The role of financial discipline and the CFO in ensuring plan success ✅ How strategic planning strengthens sales, marketing, operations, and finance ✅ A real-life case study of a $20M manufacturing company’s transformation through strategic planning Whether you're building your first formal plan or refining your approach, this webinar-meets-podcast episode will give you the tools to focus your team, make data-driven decisions, and achieve stronger profit performance. About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    33 min
  2. 05/21/2025

    Environmental Planning with a Purpose | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    Jeremy Krout is the founder of EPD Solutions, Inc. EPD provides an integrated approach to environmental analysis, regulatory compliance, land use planning, entitlement, and development and construction management. Since 2013, EPD has spent over a decade assisting clients through the complex regulatory and interdisciplinary processes required to bring projects to fruition in the most thoughtful manner. EPD collaborates with both private and public sector clients to meet each project’s objectives while supporting the economic, environmental sustainability, and long-term goals of all stakeholders. The result is a comprehensive development strategy that delivers the best solutions for the environment, community, and economic value. Jeremy has over 20 years of experience in urban, environmental and policy planning; project management; and real estate entitlement and development, in both the public and private sectors. Over this period, he has successfully managed many regionally significant and complex projects in these fields, which drew on his knowledge of federal, state and local government regulations, natural interpersonal and negotiation skills, public presentation strengths, detail-oriented approach to project design oversight, and team leadership abilities. His wide-ranging and multifaceted experience on infill residential, master planned communities, affordable housing, education, public and private redevelopment, transportation, mining, solar, recreation, hospitality and industrial projects has developed and honed his skills in entitlement strategy and implementation and environmental compliance. It is because of his successes and dedication that he has earned the conviction and reliance of project proponents and opponents, stakeholders and his clients. About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    40 min
  3. 05/21/2025

    Data-Driven Decision-Maker | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    Leah Braddell is the CEO and Chief Data Officer of DataBiologics, a company at the forefront of healthcare innovation, specializing in real-world data analytics for regenerative medicine. With over 20 years of experience in biomedical engineering, sales, and healthcare technology, Leah has a unique blend of expertise in both the commercial and technical aspects of the healthcare industry. She has had success with multiple high-growth startups, driven by her deep domain knowledge and award-winning sales strategies. Leah’s career spans across research, marketing, and analytics, making her a key figure in bridging the gap between cutting-edge medical technology and practical, real-world applications. Under her leadership, DataBiologics is transforming how clinicians and patients interact with and benefit from regenerative treatments, establishing a powerful platform that supports evidence-based decision-making in medicine. About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    49 min
  4. 05/21/2025

    Information Technology Insights | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    Nader Nemati is a dynamic business and technology leader experienced in providing companies with IT, Technology, Product Management, Cybersecurity and AI consulting services including advisory board services, and fractional or interim IT executive roles. Nader has a proven track record of helping companies align technology and IT infrastructure to business objectives to grow revenue, increase profitability, and expand into new markets and geographies. He has worked at Lockheed Martin, Leidos, and Honeywell in various executive IT positions, including Chief Information Officer, and is the founder of several successful startups, including On Demand Managers. In today’s on-demand economy, businesses face constant challenges requiring immediate attention. On Demand Managers, founded by Nader Nemati, offers swift and efficient solutions by providing quick access to highly experienced managers and executives. Their seasoned professionals handle urgent and complex issues that exceed internal capabilities. Through the On Demand Management™ service, businesses gain direct access to skilled managers and executives for interim projects or retainer agreements, seamlessly integrating into their teams. Specializing in fractional CIO, CTO, and CISO services, these interim leaders navigate financial, operational, and technological challenges with agility. About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    51 min
  5. 05/21/2025

    Conversations with a Cybersecurity CEO | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    With over 26 years of experience, Lou Rabon is a seasoned technology professional. Lou Rabon has dedicated 22 years to Cybersecurity and 9 years to International Privacy, honing expertise in Incident Response, Cloud Security, Privacy, and Regulatory Compliance. Having held leadership positions for Fortune 500 companies across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America, Lou brings a wealth of knowledge. Currently serving as the CEO and Founder of Cyber Defense Group, a cybersecurity strategic advisory firm founded in 2016, Lou focuses on delivering exceptional Incident Response and Security Program Management consulting services. Based in Los Angeles, CDG serves clients globally, providing expert solutions. Before joining CDG, Lou served as the Information Security Officer at Spokeo. In this role, he diligently analyzed threats across a widely dispersed “perimeter,” which included a hybrid cloud environment for the Alexa Top-500 ranked website. Before his time at Spokeo, Lou was a valuable member of the Information Security team at Sony Pictures Entertainment. There, he led various Information Security and Privacy projects for SPE, while also contributing to privacy and risk management initiatives for the global Sony Corporation. Lou’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as he’s established and managed consultancies in France, Australia, and both coasts of the United States. He frequently shares his expertise on panels and at industry conferences, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to advancing the cybersecurity landscape, and is passionate about safeguarding the digital future of our children. About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    1 hr
  6. 05/21/2025

    Project Management Perspectives | Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs

    John Anderson is the Founder and Principal of Integrated Solutions Group, a Washington State-based Advisory Services firm. ISG is focused on providing Project Management, Quality Assurance, Organizational Change Management, and Technical Advisory Services to its clients with a focus on managing transformational change often brought on by the implementation of new technology. John has 38 years of experience as an Information Management consultant with an emphasis on the management of large software design, development, and implementation projects. He has been a consultant and trainer to many Fortune 100 companies as well as federal, state, and local government agencies. John has managed the implementation of several large-scale business transformation initiatives, including ProviderOne, the State of Washington Medicaid Enterprise Information System, and HealthPlanFinder, the Washington States Health Insurance Marketplace. John also served as Interim Executive Director of Technology for the One Washington Program, which is transforming the state’s aging financial, human resource, payroll, procurement, and budgeting systems. John has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Utah with minors in Business and Computer Science. John holds his Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute and has done post-graduate studies in Business and Information Management. Topics discussed in this episode: The history of Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), and the company’s growth over the years What differentiates ISG in the market The Wheel of Progress as a philosophy that Jim and John share John’s early journey, and whether he anticipated becoming an entrepreneur The impact of HIPAA laws and the Affordable Care Act on ISG John’s view on Artificial Intelligence, and the potential benefits for his clients Benefits of owning a business, from John’s perspective, and the impact of customer/client feedback The stresses that come with being a business owner, and the impact of losing great employees How many hours per week John works, and his belief in the importance of balance The impact and trajectory of Integrated Solutions Group (ISG)’s work with Blueprint CFO John’s advice for blossoming entrepreneurs, and the importance of being surrounded by supportive people About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California. About Blueprint CFO. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

    47 min

About

Introducing Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs, an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California.