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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Jul 23 ·  Video

    From Day Trader to Cybersecurity Founder: Building a Startup That Customers Trust | EP 26

    What does it take to go from day trading during the dot-com boom to building an AI-powered cybersecurity company? In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Chris Camacho, Co-Founder & COO of Abstract Security, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, cybersecurity, hiring, startup life, and the lessons learned from building and selling companies. Chris shares why everyone in a startup is in sales, how great leaders develop people, the biggest hiring mistakes founders make, and why today's biggest cybersecurity threats often come from human behavior—not technology. Whether you're a founder, CEO, executive, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons.

  6. Jul 9

    How AI Is Reshaping Marketing, Leadership, and Growth | Ep 25

    Can AI replace marketers, leaders, and creative thinkers? Or will the companies that combine AI with human insight have the biggest advantage? In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz sits down with Terry Seitz, former Vice President of North America Marketing at Visa and now COO of Nuance Collective, to discuss how AI is transforming marketing, branding, leadership, and business growth. From building global brands to helping companies navigate the AI era, Terry shares practical lessons on strategy, innovation, and why the future belongs to leaders who know how to combine technology with human creativity. They also dive into entrepreneurship, startup life, raising a family while building a business, and what success really means beyond financial wealth. In this episode: How AI is reshaping marketing and branding What AI still can't replace Why strategy matters more than execution Building a business in the age of AI Lessons from leaving Visa to join a startup How great leaders think differently Why vulnerability can strengthen client relationships The Five Types of Wealth and redefining success The importance of balancing business growth with family and purpose Whether you're a CEO, founder, entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader, this conversation will challenge the way you think about AI, leadership, and long-term growth. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone building a business in the age of AI. #AI #Marketing #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CEO #Founder #GrowthUnderPressure #AdaptCFO 00:00 The Future of AI and Consumerism 03:06 AI's Impact on Marketing and Brand Understanding 06:12 The Evolution of Advertising: From Artistry to Science 09:07 The Role of Experimentation in Marketing 11:54 Balancing Creativity and Accountability in Marketing 14:50 Personal Reflections: Career Journey and Life Lessons 18:03 The Importance of Family and Personal Values 29:28 Balancing Life and Work: The Four Burners Theory 33:13 Growth Under Pressure: Emotional Connections in Business 38:13 Daily Routines: Merging Work and Family Life 41:32 Marketing Insights for Small Businesses 48:50 Key Metrics and Recommendations for Leaders

  7. Jul 2 ·  Video

    How a No-Excuses Mindset Builds Great Leaders | EP 24

    "When the pressure hits, most people freeze, run, or panic. Great leaders stay calm, assess the situation, and lead." In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josovitz, CEO of AdaptCFO, sits down with Brent Willis, former executive at Coca-Cola and Kraft Foods, West Point graduate, and current CEO of ProHawk AI, to discuss what separates great leaders from everyone else when everything is on the line. Brent shares leadership lessons from the military, corporate boardrooms, startup environments, and global business operations. From overcoming major failures to leading teams through uncertainty, this conversation is packed with practical advice for founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and executives navigating growth under pressure. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why a no-excuses mindset creates stronger leaders • The 3 ways people fail under pressure • How military leadership principles apply to business • Why successful CEOs focus on process instead of blame • The importance of accountability, discipline, and courage • How to build trust and high-performing teams • Why perseverance is the strongest predictor of success • Lessons from failure, leadership, and business transformation Whether you're scaling a company, leading a team, raising capital, or navigating uncertainty, this episode delivers timeless leadership lessons from someone who has spent decades performing under pressure. #Leadership #CEO #Founder #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthUnderPressure #BusinessStrategy #Management #Resilience #Accountability #WestPoint #Entrepreneurship #StartupLeadership #ScalingCompanies #AdaptCFO 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Meet Brent Willis: From West Point to CEO 07:19 How Great Leaders Learn from Failure 10:43 Stop Blaming People. Fix the Process. 14:23 The Leadership Rule That Wins Under Pressure 19:36 Building ProHawk AI 25:48 Work-Life Balance as a CEO 31:56 The LIVE HEALTHY Framework 37:34 The Four Values Every Leader Needs 43:46 Using Business to Change Lives 48:05 The Medal That Means the Most 52:23 The #1 Predictor of Success 56:23 Losing $10 Million on Toblerone 58:01 The Coca-Cola Lesson That Changed Everything 1:02:18 Rapid Fire Questions 1:04:20 Closing Thoughts   🙌 Want more from AdaptCFO? Free CFO consultation → adaptcfo.com Financial fitness scorecard → adaptcfofinancialfitness.scoreapp.com Other episodes → adaptcfo.com/blog AdaptCFO case studies → adaptcfo.com/results If you're scaling and want to avoid the financial and operational pitfalls discussed in this episode, AdaptCFO's bookkeeping → controller → fractional CFO model is built for this stage. Connect with Eric Josovitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josovitz/ Watch more podcast episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01dHCWwlIvyHyJVG_G0E7yBBRA_DSn4A&si=xX4EDVtxUjUpnxVd

  8. Jun 18 ·  Video

    How Faith Helped Me Survive 9/11, Cancer, and Near Bankruptcy | Ep 23

    What do you do when everything seems to be falling apart? In this episode of Growth Under Pressure, Eric Josowitz sits down with Vince Bianco, growth-focused CEO, board member, advisor, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling companies. Vince shares the incredible story of navigating one of the most challenging periods of his career: burning $400,000 per month, raising capital during the uncertainty of 9/11, and learning that his co-founder had been diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer—all within weeks of each other. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, faith in business, private equity, board governance, entrepreneurship, and the lessons Vince learned from building and selling multiple companies. Whether you're a founder, CEO, executive, or business owner facing uncertainty, this episode offers practical insights on staying focused, leading with confidence, and finding peace in the middle of chaos. 🎙️ In this episode: • The 9/11 crisis that nearly derailed Vince's company • Building and scaling multiple venture-backed businesses • Why faith became a critical leadership tool • Lessons from private equity-backed growth • How great boards support CEOs during difficult times • The importance of discipline, consistency, and trust • Vince's advice for leaders navigating pressure and uncertainty #Leadership #CEO #Entrepreneurship #Founder #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessStrategy #PrivateEquity #ScalingABusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #FounderPodcast #StartupFounder #GrowthMindset #LeadershipLessons #BusinessOwner #GrowthUnderPressure

See All (30)

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
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth Under Pressure