Growth Under Pressure

Eric Josovitz
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Growth Under Pressure pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale fast. Hosted by Eric Josovitz, Founder of AdaptCFO, each episode features leaders of high-growth companies sharing their toughest financial and operational challenges—from cash flow crunches to major fundraising milestones—and the strategies that got them through. Whether you're navigating rapid growth or gearing up for it, you'll get real-world stories and actionable CFO insights you can put to work in your own business

  1. 3d ago

    The Hidden Economics of Buying a Business | Ep 34

    Buying a business can look very different on paper than it does once you're the one responsible for making it work. In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Gretchen Roberts, CEO of Red Bike Advisors, to unpack the hidden economics and real-world challenges behind buying and running a business. Gretchen shares how she went from a corporate marketing career to acquiring an accounting firm, why the numbers are only part of the equation, and what happened when her first tax season turned into a major leadership crisis. They get into the financial structure behind an acquisition, the importance of due diligence, the J-curve that can follow a business purchase, and why business owners need much more than a P&L to understand what is really happening inside their company. They also discuss: • How to think about leverage when acquiring a business • What buyers often miss during due diligence • Why revenue and profitability can take a hit after an acquisition • The leadership lessons Gretchen learned when her entire tax team left • How to build financial visibility and know which levers to pull • Why tax strategy can become a real profit lever • When buying a business makes more sense than starting from scratch • Where AI can improve accounting and where the human relationship still matters For CEOs and founders considering an acquisition, scaling a business, or simply trying to understand the numbers behind growth, this conversation offers a candid look at what happens when the deal is done and the real work begins. Subscribe to Growth Under Pressure for more conversations with the people navigating the decisions, pressure, and realities of building and leading a business. #GrowthUnderPressure #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CEO #Founders #BusinessLeadership #Finance #Leadership #AI

  2. Sep 24 ·  Video

    How to Build a Market That Doesn't Exist Yet | EP 33

    What does it take to build a business around a market that barely exists? Tim Kelly, founder and CEO of BitOoda, started with the idea that compute could be bought, sold, and financed like a commodity. He shares why it took years to work out how to approach that market, what he learned when the first solutions became too complicated, and how BitOoda is positioning itself as compute becomes a new asset class. In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz, CEO of AdaptCFO, and Tim discuss: • Why Tim believes compute is becoming a tradable asset class • What it takes to build market infrastructure for an emerging industry • How an early approach became too complicated, and what Tim learned from it • Why preparation and training matter when the pressure is real • How trust and reputation shape long-term business relationships • Why a high-performing but toxic employee can hurt the whole team • What founders can learn from hard seasons and setbacks • How Tim measures progress as a founder Tim also shares the experiences that shaped his leadership, from growing up with limited resources to navigating volatile financial markets and building teams that can perform under pressure. If you're a founder or CEO building in an uncertain market, this conversation offers a candid look at the persistence, judgment, and leadership it takes to keep moving forward. Subscribe to Growth Under Pressure for conversations with leaders building, scaling, and leading under pressure. #GrowthUnderPressure #Entrepreneurship #Founders #CEOs #Leadership #AI #Compute #BitOoda

  3. Sep 17 ·  Video

    The Giving Edge: The Mindset That Builds Stronger Teams | EP 32

    What separates leaders who create lasting impact from those who simply manage a business? For Dan Albaum, it comes down to a giving mindset. In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Dan Albaum, Co-founder and Head of Marketing at Market Impact and author of The Giving Edge, to explore what it means to put others first as a leader and why giving goes far beyond money or philanthropy. Dan shares how great leaders give their teams trust, responsibility, knowledge, feedback, and opportunities to grow. They listen, understand where their people want to go, and create an environment where others can reach their potential. Eric and Dan also discuss: • How putting your ego aside can make you a better leader • Building a culture where people feel valued and empowered • Why listening is one of the greatest gifts a leader can give • How a giving mindset can help attract and retain top talent • What Gen Z expects from today's leaders • How AI can give leaders more time to focus on people • Why adversity can become one of your greatest teachers • Building a legacy instead of simply chasing transactions • Dan's advice to his younger self • One simple act of giving anyone can do today For founders, CEOs, and leaders looking to build stronger teams and grow under pressure, this episode is for you. #GrowthUnderPressure #Leadership #CEO #Founders #LeadershipMindset #TeamBuilding #BusinessLeadership #TheGivingEdge #DanAlbaum #MarketImpact

  4. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Title: 7 Days of Cash Changes How You Run a Business | Ep 31

    What does running a business with only 7 days of cash teach you? For Robert Checchia, CFO of Benzinga, it taught him how to separate what's urgent from what actually matters, and how pressure can change the way you operate, lead, and make decisions. In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz, CEO of AdaptCFO, and Robert discuss what it takes to build a business that can grow without losing discipline. They explore: • Why more revenue isn't always better revenue • When it's time to say no to customers and opportunities • Why you can't cut your way to success • How CFOs can become operators and growth partners • Building repeatable processes that create room for strategic thinking • What operating with just 7 days of cash teaches you about prioritization • Why great leaders let their teams make mistakes — but never lie • How to build a culture around talent, accountability, and trust • Where AI can genuinely improve productivity — and where it shouldn't replace people • And why Robert changed his mind about one of the most important skills in business: rationality doesn't convince — stories do Robert also shares how his path through operations, banking, and private equity shaped his approach to leading finance and helping Benzinga scale. If you're a founder, CEO, CFO, or operator, this conversation offers practical lessons on making better decisions when resources, time, and cash are under pressure. 📚 Books mentioned: The Goal — Eliyahu M. Goldratt The Power of the Other — Henry Cloud Subscribe to Growth Under Pressure for conversations with leaders building, scaling, and leading under pressure. #GrowthUnderPressure #Leadership #CFO #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Benzinga

  5. Aug 25 ·  Video

    How CEOs Lead When Their Company Outgrows Them | Ep 30

    What happens when the company you built becomes more complex than the way you know how to lead it? For founders and CEOs, growth can create a new challenge: the leadership that built the company may not be the leadership it needs for its next stage. In this 1st Anniversary Special of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Simon Court, leadership coach, author of Founders Legacy, and Co-founder of Value Partnership, to explore what happens when companies outgrow their founders—and what leaders need to change to keep the business moving forward. Simon draws on more than 25 years of working with founders and CEOs, including his work with Miniclip as it transformed from a flatlining web gaming company into a global mobile gaming business. They discuss: • The difficult transition from founder to CEO • Why companies flatline—and what leaders can do about it • The three choices founders face when they reach their limits • Why great companies need to operate across three horizons • How CEOs can prepare for the business that doesn't exist yet • Why leaders fear losing control and losing face • The difference between running today's business and building tomorrow's • How a CEO's calendar can reveal whether they're actually focused on their priorities • Why investing in yourself may be the most important investment you make as a leader • The leadership lessons behind building companies that can stand the test of time This conversation is for founders and CEOs navigating growth, scale, leadership transitions, and the pressure of building a business that can outlast them. 🎙️ Growth Under Pressure is sponsored by AdaptCFO. Connect with Simon Court on LinkedIn and learn more about his work through Value Partnership. If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe to Growth Under Pressure and share this episode with a founder or CEO who is navigating their company's next stage of growth. #GrowthUnderPressure #SimonCourt #Leadership #Founders #CEOs #BusinessGrowth

  6. Aug 17 ·  Video

    How Helping Startups Secure $500M Taught Me to Thrive Under Pressure | Ep 29

    What if the biggest source of pressure isn't your business? What if it's the way you respond to it? After helping innovative startups secure more than $500 million in non-dilutive funding, Jerry Hollister has learned that the founders who thrive are not the ones who avoid rejection. They are the ones who know how to respond to it. In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Jerry shares the leadership lessons he has learned as a Navy officer, business executive, and trusted advisor to innovative startups. From investor rejection and funding uncertainty to hiring, leadership, and resilience, this conversation explores what truly separates great founders when the pressure is at its highest. If you're building a company, leading a team, or navigating one of the toughest seasons in your business, this episode will change the way you think about pressure. In this episode: Why rejection can become your biggest breakthrough The surprising truth about where pressure really comes from How great founders think differently under pressure Why attitude matters more than experience when hiring The difference between positional authority and relational leadership How startups can secure non-dilutive funding without giving up equity Lessons from helping startups secure over $500 million in funding The mindset that helped Jerry overcome setbacks throughout his career 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with another founder who needs to hear this message. #GrowthUnderPressure #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Founder #CEO #Startup #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupFunding #Resilience

  7. Aug 6 ·  Video

    The CFO's Secret to Scaling Startups Before They're Ready | Ep 28

    What does it really take to scale a company before the market is ready? In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Bill Johnson, CFO & COO of Airspace Link, to explore what founders and executives often overlook about scaling a business. Bill shares why the best finance leaders don't just report numbers—they solve problems. From helping build startups through uncertainty to leading both finance and operations, he explains how great leaders create structure, earn trust, and make decisions when there isn't a clear path forward. The conversation also dives into the future of drone infrastructure, how Airspace Link is building the "highways in the sky," and why timing, adaptability, and resilience matter more than ever for growing companies. Whether you're a founder, CEO, CFO, or business operator, this episode is packed with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately. In this episode: Why many CFOs should think like COOs The leadership lessons Bill learned from sports The importance of difficult conversations How startups survive years of uncertainty Knowing when to separate the CFO and COO roles Building systems that scale with the business The future of drones, AI, and autonomous transportation Leading teams through ambiguity and change

  8. Jul 30 ·  Video

    How an AI Founder Built a 150-Person Company (Before ChatGPT) | EP 27

    What does it take to build an AI company before AI became mainstream? In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Aleksandr Sheremeta, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DataForest, to discuss the realities of building and scaling a technology company long before the AI boom. Aleksandr shares how DataForest grew to more than 150 employees, the leadership lessons he learned along the way, and why most companies are still unprepared to take advantage of AI. In this episode, you'll learn: -How to build and scale a technology company from the ground up -The leadership mindset required to grow yourself before growing your business -Why most companies struggle with data and decision-making -What CEOs should fix before investing in AI -How strong systems create sustainable growth Whether you're a founder, CEO, or business leader, this conversation offers practical insights on scaling a company, leading through change, and building a business that's ready for the future. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #aibusiness #startups #ceopodcast #founderpodcast #aitechnology #datascience #datamanagement #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DataEngineering #Automation #Leadership #Founder #CEO #AleksandrSheremeta #EricJosovitz #DataForest #AdaptCFO #GrowthUnderPressure

See All (34)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Growth Under Pressure pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale fast. Hosted by Eric Josovitz, Founder of AdaptCFO, each episode features leaders of high-growth companies sharing their toughest financial and operational challenges—from cash flow crunches to major fundraising milestones—and the strategies that got them through. Whether you're navigating rapid growth or gearing up for it, you'll get real-world stories and actionable CFO insights you can put to work in your own business

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Josovitz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth Under Pressure