GrowCFO Show #240 Scaling from Startup to 80+ Employees: CFO Lessons in Fast Growth with Melissa Hurrington, CFO & VP of Operations, Premier Claims
#240 Scaling from Startup to 80+ Employees: CFO Lessons in Fast Growth with Melissa Hurrington
In this compelling episode of The GrowCFO Show, Kevin Appleby interviews Melissa Hurrington, CFO and VP of Operations at Premier Claims. The conversation explores the critical challenges and valuable lessons learned during Melissa’s seven-year journey scaling Premier Claims from a four-person startup to an organization with over 80 employees and a 44,000 square foot corporate headquarters.
The episode delves into Melissa’s authentic leadership approach and how she has built a strong personal brand separate from her corporate identity. Melissa shares candid insights about overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and how she has navigated the complexities of rapid organizational growth while maintaining her authentic self. Her experiences provide valuable guidance for finance leaders managing similar growth trajectories and those looking to develop their personal brand alongside their professional role.
Key topics covered:
- Melissa’s journey from being employee number four at Premier Claims to leading the company through exponential growth and the acquisition of a large corporate headquarters
- The importance of separating personal brand from corporate identity and building a legacy beyond professional titles
- How vulnerability and authenticity on LinkedIn helped Melissa connect with a broader audience and inspire others in the finance community
- Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and gaining confidence as a leader in high-growth environments
- The value of peer networks and learning from other CFOs when navigating the challenges of scaling a business
Links
Timestamps
- 0:11:43 Melissa introduces herself and Premier Claims, describing the company’s growth from a startup with four employees to purchasing a 44,000 square foot corporate headquarters
- 0:31:49 Melissa discusses the importance of building her personal brand separate from her corporate identity and not being defined by her title
- 0:35:20 Discussion about using LinkedIn as a platform for authentic leadership and how vulnerability in posts has resonated with others
- 0:42:15 Melissa shares her experience with imposter syndrome and how she overcame it by connecting with other finance leaders
- 0:48:30 The importance of peer networks for CFOs and how they help combat isolation in leadership positions
- 0:54:13 Melissa reveals her future plans, including writing a book and continuing to grow Premier Claims while developing her leadership team
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