Behind Closed Books

Craig Sheets
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Behind Closed Books is where raw business stories meet real financial turning points. It is not about glossy success; it is about the breakdowns, pivots, and gut-punch lessons that came from finally paying attention to the numbers. Each episode delivers unaltered insight from entrepreneurs and advisors who have faced the hard calls and came out sharper.This show brings on bold founders, sharp consultants, and those who have been deep in the trenches of business chaos and clarity. They unpack what actually moved the needle and what nearly broke it. If you think accounting is boring, you have not heard these stories.

  1. AI for Small Business: Automation, CRMs & the Future of Client Communication | Annette Merriman | EP 115

    1D AGO

    AI for Small Business: Automation, CRMs & the Future of Client Communication | Annette Merriman | EP 115

    AI is changing business faster than most owners realize — but where do you actually start? In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets sits down with AI consultant and automation strategist Annette Merriman to break down how small and midsize businesses can realistically implement AI without overwhelming their teams or losing their human touch. From AI audits and CRM optimization to conversational bots, voice cloning, automation systems, and the future of AI assistants, this conversation explores what business owners should actually focus on right now. You’ll learn: What an AI audit looks like for a business How automation can save hours every week Why AI should support people instead of replace them How CRMs and AI tools work together The differences between ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot How AI personas and voice cloning are changing customer communication What business owners should know about AI safety and guardrails Why small businesses can now compete at enterprise levels Whether you’re a CPA, consultant, real estate professional, agency owner, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you understand how AI can improve efficiency, communication, and customer experience without sacrificing authenticity. #AIForBusiness #SmallBusinessAI #BusinessAutomation #ChatGPT #CRM #ArtificialIntelligence #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation

    50 min
  2. What a Fractional CFO Really Does | Diana Miret | EP 114

    MAY 7

    What a Fractional CFO Really Does | Diana Miret | EP 114

    What does a fractional CFO actually do — and when does your business need one? In this episode, Diana Marat breaks down the key differences between CFOs, CPAs, and bookkeepers, and explains why forward-looking financial strategy is critical for business growth. From cash flow mistakes to planning for expansion, this conversation helps business owners understand how to make smarter financial decisions before problems arise. If you’re growing a business and want clarity around your numbers — this episode is for you. #FractionalCFO #BusinessFinance #CashFlow #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

    35 min
  3. How Business Owners Can Recognize and Fix Burnout Early | Sarah Craft | EP 113

    APR 23

    How Business Owners Can Recognize and Fix Burnout Early | Sarah Craft | EP 113

    Most business owners don’t recognize burnout until it’s already affecting their performance, their relationships, and their decision-making. In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets sits down with licensed therapist Sarah Craft to break down how stress builds, how burnout actually shows up, and why mental health is directly tied to business success. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It explores the real signals your body and mind send before burnout hits, and how to respond before it becomes a bigger problem. Sarah shares her journey from growing up in the foster care system to building her own therapy practice, and how that experience shaped her approach to helping clients today. If you’re a business owner, leader, or professional feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s happening and what to do next. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize early signs of stress before burnout The difference between self-care and self-soothing and why it matters Why brain fog, irritability, and emotional fatigue are warning signals How therapy can support business performance, not just personal life What to look for when choosing the right therapist How to listen to your nervous system before things escalate This episode is a practical guide to managing stress, understanding burnout, and making better decisions for your health and your business. If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” but couldn’t explain it, this conversation will give you clarity.

    48 min
  4. Inside Fire Safety Finance: Costs, AI Limits, and Smart CFO Decisions | Zachary Roper | EP 112

    APR 9

    Inside Fire Safety Finance: Costs, AI Limits, and Smart CFO Decisions | Zachary Roper | EP 112

    In this episode, Zachary Roper shares a grounded look at the financial and operational realities of running a fire protection business. From managing labor-heavy cost structures to negotiating rising healthcare expenses, Zachary explains how CFOs must think strategically to protect margins and sustain growth. The conversation explores: Why employee-related costs dominate service-based industries How to handle major expense increases like insurance premiums The limits of AI in hands-on industries Why accounting and finance still require human judgment How leaders can make better financial decisions under pressure This episode is ideal for operators, founders, and finance leaders navigating real-world business challenges.

    54 min
  5. Storytelling, Sales & Business Growth: Turning Ideas into Revenue | Peter E. Cohan | EP 111

    MAR 26

    Storytelling, Sales & Business Growth: Turning Ideas into Revenue | Peter E. Cohan | EP 111

    Peter E. Cohan shares how storytelling, sales strategy, and business thinking drive real growth. Learn how to communicate value, build strong business cases, and position yourself as an expert.

    1h 21m
  6. Data Integrity and Financial Leadership: Why Accurate Data Drives Better Decisions | Justin Norton | EP 110

    MAR 12

    Data Integrity and Financial Leadership: Why Accurate Data Drives Better Decisions | Justin Norton | EP 110

    In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets speaks with finance leader Justin Norton about the importance of data integrity, financial reporting systems, and decision-making in modern organizations. Justin explains why strong financial processes must exist before organizations can rely on dashboards, KPIs, or AI tools. Without accurate data, even sophisticated analytics systems can lead leaders toward poor decisions. The conversation explores how accounting teams support CFOs and executives by delivering reliable financial information, and how organizations can improve reporting systems to better support strategic decisions.

    55 min
  7. From Cruise Ships to Creative Director: The Business of Dance and Global Performance | Sammie Denham | EP 109

    FEB 26

    From Cruise Ships to Creative Director: The Business of Dance and Global Performance | Sammie Denham | EP 109

    Craig Sheets interviews Sammie Denham about building a global career in dance and creative direction. From cruise ship productions to Olympic-level aquatic shows, Sammie shares the creative challenges, financial realities, and business strategies behind a sustainable performance career. A powerful episode for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone building a creative business.

    1h 4m
  8. Shipping Costs Jumped 5x: Surviving Tariffs & Supply Chain Chaos | Corey Carruth | EP 108

    FEB 12

    Shipping Costs Jumped 5x: Surviving Tariffs & Supply Chain Chaos | Corey Carruth | EP 108

    Shipping costs went from $6,000 to $30,000 for a few pallets. That is not a headline. That is a margin crisis. In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Corey Carruth explains what really happens when supply chains break, tariffs shift mid-shipment, and freight inflation wipes out projected profits. This is the operational reality behind global sourcing. You’ll learn: What supply chain management actually involves How sourcing from Germany and South Korea affects margin Why ocean and air freight exploded during COVID How tariffs are applied at the port of entry Why unpredictable rate changes destroy forecasting How operating at break even protected employees Why building a reserve fund saved the business If you run a product-based company, this episode will sharpen how you think about inventory, pricing, and risk.

    1h 13m
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Trailer

About

Behind Closed Books is where raw business stories meet real financial turning points. It is not about glossy success; it is about the breakdowns, pivots, and gut-punch lessons that came from finally paying attention to the numbers. Each episode delivers unaltered insight from entrepreneurs and advisors who have faced the hard calls and came out sharper.This show brings on bold founders, sharp consultants, and those who have been deep in the trenches of business chaos and clarity. They unpack what actually moved the needle and what nearly broke it. If you think accounting is boring, you have not heard these stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Sheets
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Behind Closed Books