Sparking The Fuse

Chris Cook
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Real conversations with the leaders sparking growth in their businesses. Host Chris Cook explores the wins, failures, and breakthroughs that fuel progress. If you’re building, scaling, or leading—this podcast will light your next fuse.

  1. Jul 9

    Kash Rocheleau: From Corporate CEO to Entrepreneur

    Kash Rocheleau left the corporate CEO seat to build something of her own — and learned that growth creates as many problems as it solves. In this episode of Sparking the Fuse, Chris sits down with Kash Rocheleau, Owner of Outgrow Accounting & Finance. They dig into networking, understanding your financials, and what a fractional CFO actually does for a small business. EPISODE SUMMARY Kash Rocheleau shares her journey from corporate CEO to entrepreneur, and what it took to build Outgrow Accounting & Finance from the ground up. She and Chris talk through why relationship-building drives business development, how financials tell a story that should shape your decisions, and how she thinks about managing internal growth challenges while balancing business and personal life. They also get into the evolving role of fractional CFOs and why small businesses should rethink financial leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Relationship-building and networking are the foundation of sustainable business development - Your financials tell a story — learning to read and communicate that story drives better decisions - Growth creates internal challenges that need to be managed deliberately, not reactively - A fractional CFO gives small businesses financial leadership without the full-time cost - East Coast and West Coast business cultures differ in ways that shape how you build relationships CHAPTERS 00:00 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 03:26 Building Outgrow: The Early Days 06:38 Networking and Relationship Building 11:18 Understanding Financials: The Language of Business 19:56 The Structure of Outgrow: Team and Clients 25:22 Cultural Differences: East Coast vs. West Coast 32:19 The Role of a Fractional CFO 35:09 Rethinking Financial Leadership for Small Businesses 38:13 Navigating Internal Growth Challenges 43:08 Balancing Business Growth and Personal Life 44:56 Vision for the Future of Outgrow 47:25 Connecting and Building Relationships in Business KEYWORDS entrepreneurship, finance, networking, growth strategies, fractional CFO, business development, leadership, small business, Outgrow Accounting 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kash-rocheleau-a0678528/ Website: https://outgrowaccounting.com/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  2. Jun 18

    Dylan Hendrickson: Why Cash Flow, Not Profit, Is the Secret to Business Growth and Stability

    Dylan Hendrickson built Staxx into a 30-person, nearly $4M fractional CFO firm without ever becoming a CPA. In this episode, he explains why most business owners are running their company off the wrong financial statement entirely. From college football to private equity playbooks, this is how cash — not profit — becomes the real decision-making tool. Dylan Hendrickson started his accounting business while playing college football and finishing his master's degree, eventually merging it with his business partner's firm to form Staxx. He shares why he still recommends an accounting degree, how Staxx's ideal client profile evolved, and why most business owners are confused about their finances because they're managing cash off a P&L instead of a 13-week cash flow forecast. - Dylan built his accounting business while playing college football, doing one small thing daily to move it forward. - Staxx formed when Dylan merged his solo practice with his business partner's firm after meeting at an industry event. - Hiring ahead of need and stepping out of service delivery early made Staxx scalable, not founder-dependent. - A P&L can't manage cash; a 13-week cash flow forecast can, and that's the real gap for most business owners. - Staxx's ideal client typically does $1M-$30M in revenue, needing more than a bookkeeper but not yet an in-house team. - A clear sign it's time for outside help: making decisions purely off the bank balance and gut feeling. 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - College football and building a business at once 03:14 - How Staxx came together 09:17 - Building for the long term over quick wins 11:24 - Why Dylan still recommends accounting 17:49 - What Staxx looks like today 20:43 - How the offer has evolved 22:28 - The ideal client profile 23:43 - CFO-ready vs. controller-ready 28:23 - Why cash flow forecasting beats the P&L 32:00 - In-house accountants vs. fractional CFOs 35:23 - How long engagements last 37:45 - The hardest part of scaling right now 43:22 - Messaging, pricing, and positioning 46:32 - Balancing marketing, sales, and ops 49:18 - Where to find Dylan and Staxx fractional CFO, cash flow forecasting, Staxx, Dylan Hendrickson, small business CFO, cash flow vs profit, scaling a service business, financial advisory, business exit planning, entrepreneurship 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-hendrickson-113419153/ Website: https://www.startstaxx.pro/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  3. Jun 17

    Olivia Tillema: The Surprising Power of Systems Thinking in Small Business Growth

    Olivia Tillema helped automate a workflow that saved 91,000 hours in a single year. From a remote support gig to rebuilding operations for Bungie, she now runs her own ops agency, t2i collective. This episode breaks down the systems thinking that helps small businesses scale without burning out the team. Olivia Tillema went from a remote support role to rebuilding operations inside Bungie, one of the gaming industry's biggest studios, before launching her own boutique agency, T2i Collective. In this episode, she shares her systems-based approach to operations, how tools like Asana can transform team workflows, and the surprising amount of time (and money) the right systems can save a growing business. Key Takeaways: - Systems thinking is crucial for operational success - Automation can save thousands of hours annually - Understanding team responsibilities improves project flow Chapters: 00:00 From Layoff to Opportunity: Olivia's Journey 02:03 The Evolution of Remote Work and Operations 05:08 Navigating Career Transitions and Freelancing 08:15 Landing the Bungie Project: A Game Changer 11:14 Current State of T2I Collective: Growth and Challenges 14:01 Understanding Operations: The RACI Framework 17:18 Industry Insights: Communication and Workflow Improvements 23:14 Transforming Efficiency with Automation 24:38 Setting Growth Goals and Expanding Reach 26:26 Building Connections and Networking 27:27 Passion for Work and Personal Fulfillment Keywords: operations, systems, Asana, remote work, startup growth, process improvement, freelancing, Bungie, video game industry, business scaling 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-tillema-329599138/ Website: https://t2icollective.com/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  4. Jun 3

    Stephanie Groschup: Navigating Wealth with Purpose and Values

    A two-decade wealth management veteran on why money is a tool, not a destination. Stephanie Groschup shares how aligning investments with values changes everything. Listening first, the great wealth transfer, and building a boutique firm that stays high-touch. Stephanie Groschup, Founder and President of ArchHaven & Co. Wealth Partners, joins Chris to talk about what it means to manage wealth with purpose. Drawing on a career that started in oil and gas and spanned major market events at Merrill Lynch, Stephanie unpacks why listening is the foundation of good advice, how client expectations have shifted, and what the $70-90 trillion great wealth transfer means for families and advisors. It's a conversation about values, legacy, and seeing money as a tool for the life you actually want to build. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Listening is foundational - not just to what clients say, but to what they don't say - Clients who align their investments with their values stay engaged and avoid rash decisions - The great wealth transfer (an estimated $70-90 trillion) will reshape families, markets, and how advisors work - Roughly 70% of wealth is lost by the second generation and 90% by the third, often because families never talk about money - Including the next generation early - in both financial and emotional conversations - protects a family's legacy - A boutique firm can't be everything to everybody; clarity comes from knowing exactly who you serve - Technology matters, but the human side of wealth is what most people are missing - Your happiness, worth, and value aren't defined by how many zeros are in the account CHAPTERS 00:04 - Meet Stephanie Groschup 00:30 - What people misunderstand about big firms 01:17 - Navigating 9/11, 2008, and market volatility 03:08 - From oil and gas to wealth management 04:03 - Becoming a founder 04:53 - How ArchHaven serves clients today 05:44 - Why listening comes first 09:13 - Why people hesitate to talk to an advisor 17:02 - Addressing the great wealth transfer 22:07 - Growing a boutique firm while staying high-touch 26:46 - Where the firm feels tension 33:01 - A practical first step toward clarity 34:00 - Where to connect with Stephanie KEYWORDS wealth management, financial advisor, great wealth transfer, values-based investing, legacy planning, estate planning, behavioral finance, boutique advisory firm, women in finance, retirement planning, Merrill Lynch, generational wealth 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-groschup/ Website: https://www.archhavenwealth.com/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  5. Jun 1

    Saim Abbasi: Speed and Systemization for Business Success

    Saim Abbasi built multiple businesses before most people finish school. His edge? Speed and systems — executed before doubt sets in. Here's what that looks like in practice. Saim Abbasi is the founder of SA Digital Media Group, a multi-venture digital media and incubation company. In this episode, he breaks down how he moved from university startups during COVID to acquiring and scaling businesses across industries — and what he learned about execution, systems, and the evolving role of generalists in an AI-driven world. Key Takeaways: - Speed to market is a competitive advantage — move ideas forward within 48 hours - Build systems early so the business runs without you - Make yourself unnecessary by day 90 — that's the goal - Generalists have a growing edge in the AI era - Exits and acquisitions are tools, not endpoints - Identify bottlenecks in planning before they become bottlenecks in execution 00:00 Introduction to Saim Abbasi's Journey 00:40 Navigating University During COVID-19 04:07 From Ideation to Execution: Launching a Business 05:54 The Acquisition Experience 08:07 Building Multiple Ventures Simultaneously 09:46 Influences from Family and Early Lessons 13:24 Overview of SA Digital Media Group 17:07 The Intersection of Technology and Business 19:06 Ideal Clients and Mentorship 21:19 The Need for Generalists in Today's Market 27:12 Becoming Unnecessary: Systems Thinking in Business 30:56 Staying Focused Amidst Multiple Projects 34:08 Identifying Bottlenecks in Planning 36:13 Building Buffers for Success 36:56 Collaborative Opportunities and Networking Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Speed to Market, Systems Building, AI, Generalists, Business Growth, Startup, Mergers, Marketing, Leadership 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saimabbasi/ Website: https://www.samedia.io/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  6. May 30

    Brennan Decima: Helping Executives De-Risk Career Moves and Exit Smarter

    Most business owners wait too long to plan their exit — and it costs them. Brennan Decima of Decima Wealth Consulting breaks down what smart retirement planning actually looks like. If you're a business owner, this one's for you. Brennan Decima built his practice around the clients most advisors underserve — business owners navigating the emotional and financial complexity of stepping away. In this episode, he and Chris dig into the blind spots that derail exit strategies, why identity and social connection matter as much as the numbers, and the behavioral mistakes investors make when markets get rough. Key Takeaways: - Business owner retirement involves more stakeholders and emotional weight than most planning accounts for - The human side of financial planning gets sacrificed when firms chase efficiency - Social connections are critical to mental health post-retirement - Start planning your exit at least five years out - Overconfidence leads investors to carry more risk than they need - Separate your identity from your business before you exit — not after Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Business Owner Retirement Planning 03:01 The Shift to Independent Wealth Management 05:51 Identifying Retirement Blind Spots 08:41 Planning for Business Exit Strategies 11:43 Investing Behavior and Risk Management 14:44 The Challenges of Building a Personal Brand 17:30 Growth Strategies for Financial Advisors Keywords: retirement planning, business owners, wealth management, financial independence, exit strategies, investing behavior, risk management, personal branding, growth strategies, financial advice 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennan-decima/ Website: https://decimawealth.com/ 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  7. May 14

    Natalia Zacharin: Why Successful Entrepreneurs Are Constantly Watching the Horizon

    Natalia Zacharin built a $3.6M accounting firm starting from financial hardship and survival mode. She breaks down the mindset shifts, hiring moves, and tech bets that got her there. A real conversation about what it takes to grow a business through adversity. EPISODE SUMMARY Natalia Zacharin's story doesn't start with a clever idea or a lucky break. It starts with survival. In this episode, she walks Chris through how she built Zacharin Consulting into a $3.6M firm — the pivot she made during COVID, the hiring mistakes that taught her how to build a team, and the mindset work that kept her moving when everything around her was shifting. If you've ever felt like the next move is the one that matters most, this one will hit. KEY TAKEAWAYS - COVID wasn't a setback for Natalia — it was the moment she leaned in and built - Hiring the right people is the biggest lever in scaling a service business - Most owners have financial blind spots they don't see until it's too late - Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, and being honest about that is a strength - Delegation is the bottleneck most owners refuse to admit they have - The best operators are always watching the horizon CHAPTERS 00:00 From Struggles to Success: Natalia's Journey 02:56 Navigating Challenges: The Impact of COVID-19 05:48 Building a Business: The Evolution of Services 08:56 Hiring the Right People: Lessons Learned 11:53 The Role of a Business Owner: Growth and Mindset 14:40 Financial Blind Spots: What Business Owners Miss 17:31 The Importance of Bookkeeping and CFO Services 20:36 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Not for Everyone 38:12 Understanding Personal Strengths and Team Dynamics 42:05 The Power of Mindset and Personal Growth 42:57 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Learning 46:29 Navigating the Future of Business and Technology 50:24 Scaling Challenges and Delegation in Business 53:47 Advice for Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Change KEYWORDS entrepreneurship, business growth, accounting firm, fractional CFO, leadership, mindset, hiring, COVID-19 pivot, small business, bookkeeping, delegation, scaling 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest Natalia Zacharin — Founder & CEO, Zacharin Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/growyourbottomline/ Website: https://zacharinconsulting.com 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

  8. May 8

    Michelle Scribner: From Bookkeeping to Advisory Success

    From Bookkeeping to Advisory Success: How Michelle Scribner scaled Sum of All Numbers by leaning into technology, client fit, and a culture of continuous learning. In this episode, Michelle shares the real story behind moving from traditional bookkeeping into strategic advisory — and what it takes to build a firm that actually helps business owners see their numbers clearly. We dig into AI, hiring, scaling responsibly, and why knowing your unique value matters more than chasing every client. 📌 Episode Summary Michelle Scribner, CEO of Sum of All Numbers, sits down to talk through her journey from bookkeeper to strategic advisor. She breaks down how technology and AI are reshaping the work, why client fit matters more than growth for growth's sake, and how a strong team culture built on continuous learning has shaped the firm. Michelle also gets candid about the operational challenges of scaling, the resilience it takes to keep going, and what's next for Sum of All Numbers. 🎯 Key Takeaways Your numbers show you where you are — clarity in the books is the foundation for every real business decisionClient fit beats client count — the wrong clients slow growth more than no clients at allA fractional CFO role is less about reporting and more about translating numbers into decisionsAI and automation are changing bookkeeping fast, but the advisory layer is where the value livesContinuous learning has to be a core value, not a poster on the wallScaling responsibly means knowing your bottlenecks before they break youIdentify what makes your business truly unique — that's the thing worth doubling down onResilience in entrepreneurship isn't a personality trait, it's a practice⏱️ Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Sum of All Numbers 02:53 Understanding the Numbers: A Business Owner's Perspective 05:58 Client Fit vs. Growth: Finding the Right Balance 09:02 The Role of a Fractional CFO 11:54 Innovation and Continuous Improvement in Business 15:02 Navigating Operational Challenges and Scaling Responsibly 18:09 Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned 20:49 Current Growth Trajectory and Future Plans 37:07 Identifying Bottlenecks in Business Operations 41:38 Understanding Unique Value Propositions 46:06 Navigating Personal and Business Challenges 🔍 Keywords business growth, advisory services, bookkeeping, AI, entrepreneurship, client fit, scaling, financial clarity, team culture, innovation, fractional CFO, small business, automation 🔗 Connect With Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scalewithchris/ Work With Five Fuse: https://www.fivefuse.com/ 🔗 Connect With Today's Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellescribner Website: https://sumofallnumbers.com 🎧 Listen on Other Platforms Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgYjB8RxYKfgvOf1PrNFv?si=0dd85415f6174756 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparking-the-fuse/id1857737431 📸 Socials Five Fuse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-fuse/

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About

Real conversations with the leaders sparking growth in their businesses. Host Chris Cook explores the wins, failures, and breakthroughs that fuel progress. If you’re building, scaling, or leading—this podcast will light your next fuse.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Cook
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Chris Cook