FP&A Today Why Financial models are essential even at early stages of a company – Lauren Pearl
Jul 13, 2025
Lauren Pearl, a Business Strategist and CFO Advisor with over 13 years of experience, shares invaluable insights for startups. She discusses the critical need for financial models to guide decision-making and attract investment. Lauren emphasizes storytelling in pitch decks and the importance of engaging with finance throughout the startup journey. With personal anecdotes, she even humorously touches on her time as a punk band roadie. Plus, discover tips on using Excel effectively to streamline financial data!
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Family Business Bankruptcy Insight
- Lauren Pearl recounts her family's shoe retail business going bankrupt while she was in business school.
- This experience sparked her understanding of the critical value of finance in revealing a business's future early on.
Startup Models as Feasibility Studies
- Financial models are essential for startups as they serve as feasibility studies, not just forecasts.
- Building a model helps founders understand their business financially and avoid blindly optimistic assumptions.
Build Clear Financial Stories
- Break financial storytelling into building blocks and map your math with pen and paper.
- Use clear assumption explanations in models to foster investor trust and useful conversations.