Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1177: Growing to a 100+ person company... and STILL maintaining freedom and balance w/ Dave Olsen
In this episode, Dave Olsen, Founder and CEO of Nimbl, shares his journey from being a fractional CFO to building a fully remote accounting and business services firm that serves $1M to $10M businesses. Dave dives deep into how Nimbl is redefining back-office services with a tech-forward, people-first approach. He talks about the challenges of scaling, the importance of systems, and why freedom for his team and clients is at the heart of Nimbl's mission. If you've ever thought about scaling a service-based business or using tech to drive efficiency, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🚀 How to transition from technician to business owner and scale a service-based business.
- 🤖 Why combining human expertise with technology is the secret to sustainable growth.
- 💡 The power of leveraging offshore teams for efficiency and cost savings.
- 🔄 How to use systems and automation to remove yourself from daily operations.
- 💰 Why Nimbl’s model allows small businesses to access CFO-level expertise for just $500–$1000/month.
- 🌎 How to build a remote-first company culture that prioritizes team freedom and lifestyle.
- 🔍 Key inflection points for business growth and how to navigate them strategically.
📝 About the Guest
Dave is a CPA and the Founder & CEO of Nimbl, a modern, fully remote accounting and business services firm supporting $1–10M businesses. Since 2018, he has grown Nimbl into a 100+ person team offering tech-forward solutions in accounting, tax, finance, IT, and offshore staffing.
With over a decade of experience as a fractional CFO, Dave has helped founders gain clarity and make smarter financial decisions. He’s driven by a vision to reshape the business services industry—empowering companies to scale smarter, lead better, and build more fulfilling workplaces through technology and thoughtful leadership.
🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Be intentional and get clear about the life and the future you want to create. Imposter syndrome is real, but nobody knows what they’re doing. If there's a future you want to create, go for it."
Key Takeaways from Dave's Advice:
- 📌 Get clear on the future you want and work intentionally towards it.
- 🔎 Don't let imposter syndrome stop you—everyone is learning as they go.
- 🚀 Leadership is about creating a future that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
📢 Memorable Quotes
"Leadership is creating a future that wouldn't happen otherwise and that takes into account the needs of all relevant stakeholders." — Dave Olsen
"You can't get away from the human touch component of handling financial information. Technology can enable it, but people make it meaningful." — Dave Olsen
"If there's a future you want to create, then you can go and create it. You're not any less capable than anyone else who's done it." — Dave Olsen
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Build systems and processes to elevate yourself from day-to-day operations.
✅ Leverage offshore talent to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality service.
✅ Focus on building a business that aligns with your desired lifestyle—not just revenue.
✅ Don’t wait for permission—start building the future you envision.
🔗 Links & Resources