The Liquid Lunch Project Why Every Founder Needs a CFO (Even a Part-Time One)
Are you confusing bookkeeping with business strategy?
In this episode, Matt and Luigi sit down with Salvatore Tirabassi, Managing Director of CFO Pro Analytics, to break down why most business owners are stuck in the past when it comes to CFO support. They unpack the real job of a CFO (spoiler: it’s not just balancing the books) and how fractional CFO services can radically improve financial modeling, raise capital, and get your business ready for whatever’s next.
From equity vs. debt to AI tools that save you hours, Sal drops real-world knowledge from decades in the trenches as a VC and CFO. You’ll also hear wild (and painfully relatable) stories from family-owned businesses navigating tariffs, lenders, and internal power shifts.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
-
Why the real CFO role goes far beyond bookkeeping
-
What it means to create a “single source of truth” in your business
-
Why being “due diligence ready” is non-negotiable for growth
-
How to handle lender decks and pitch decks like a pro
-
The pros and cons of debt vs. equity—and how to choose the right path
-
How AI tools like Claude are quietly changing the game
Favorite Quote: “I would want to show a lender a projection that includes the capital — and here’s what the business looks like with the money.”
About the Guest: Salvatore Tirabasi is the founder and Managing Director of CFO Pro Analytics. With a background in venture capital and private equity, he brings high-level financial strategy to small and mid-sized businesses, delivering enterprise-grade CFO support at a fraction of the cost.
This episode is for you if: You’re tired of reactive financials, want to understand your numbers, or need strategic funding…without the guesswork.
👉 Tune in and find out what it takes to grow smarter, not just harder.
Connect with Salvatore:
Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!
🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:
📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.
Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/
Connect with us on Instagram: ➡️ @matthew.r.meehan➡️ @luigi_rosabianca, ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/