Run the Numbers
CJ Gustafson
Run the Numbers is a twice-weekly podcast about financial metrics and business models, designed for ambitious people operating tech startups. It's a collection of things host CJ Gustafson (CFO at Partstech and writer of Mostly Metrics) has learned and thought about in the trenches as a tech CFO.
This show is meant to serve as a playbook of sorts for the stuff CJ wishes he knew earlier in his career, both from experience and from copying people smarter than himself.
Topics frequently touch upon Startup SaaS Metrics, Annual Budgeting, Financial Forecasting, Headcount, Equity, Dilution, and Fundraising – and how all of these drive business performance and growth. www.mostlymetrics.com
This show is meant to serve as a playbook of sorts for the stuff CJ wishes he knew earlier in his career, both from experience and from copying people smarter than himself.
Topics frequently touch upon Startup SaaS Metrics, Annual Budgeting, Financial Forecasting, Headcount, Equity, Dilution, and Fundraising – and how all of these drive business performance and growth. www.mostlymetrics.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Jul 12, 2025 • 15min
The Shrinking Public Markets, and Rise of Private Liquidity Loops
Publicly traded companies in the U.S. have halved in the last 30 years, with more firms opting for private ownership. This shift stems from significant changes in the capital markets and a surge in private credit. The move to private equity presents challenges for small-cap companies, while altering the landscape for finance professionals. What does this mean for future employees and investors? The discussion dives into these trends and their implications, painting a vivid picture of a rapidly evolving financial environment.
10 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 4min
“Anything new needs to have AI core to its offering”: Amy Butte on How Navan Is Redefining Finance Ops
In this insightful discussion, Amy Butte, the CFO of Navan, shares her extensive background in finance, stretching from her days at the New York Stock Exchange to her current AI-driven role. She highlights how Navan integrates AI not just for document management, but for enhancing financial workflows. Amy also explores the challenges of building effective teams, the crucial debate of building versus buying tech solutions, and the significance of mentorship in leadership roles. Her anecdotes blend humor and experience, making for a captivating conversation.
13 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 17min
Inside the “PayPal Mafia”: One of the Most Influential “Seed Funds” in Tech History with Jimmy Soni
Jimmy Soni, bestselling author of The Founders, dives into the intriguing world of the PayPal Mafia, including icons like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. He shares Thiel's bold predictions regarding the dot-com bubble and discusses the unconventional hiring strategies that shaped PayPal's culture. Soni also sheds light on the fraught relationship between PayPal and eBay, as well as the creative tactics that fueled user growth at YouTube. Get ready for a treasure trove of insights about one of tech history's most influential groups!
11 snips
Jul 5, 2025 • 18min
IPO Alert: Breaking Down Figma's S1 Filing
Figma is setting new standards for IPOs with impressive financial metrics and a strong collaborative model. The analysis dives deep into their revenue growth, profitability, and retention rates. It also uncovers potential risks and competitive challenges they may face, while exploring exciting opportunities for international expansion and market valuation. Get insights on how Figma is positioning itself in the digital development landscape as it prepares for its public debut.
35 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 19min
The Modern CFO: Scott Engler on How To Master the Most Important Role in the Company
Scott Engler, CEO of Sync Executive Partners, dives into the crucial role of CFOs in corporate success. He boldly asserts that CFOs often outshine CEOs, particularly in private equity. Engler discusses the evolution of CFO responsibilities, emphasizing the shift from gatekeepers to proactive leaders driven by data. He offers insights on managing CEO relationships, the importance of financial storytelling, and tips for landing CFO roles, including negotiation strategies for equity packages. Expect revealing commentary on overcoming challenges and navigating performance dynamics.
38 snips
Jun 28, 2025 • 42min
I sold a company, and then fired myself immediately
Mike Wu, founder of Hire Frame and host of the What Worked podcast, interviews CJ Gustafson, a former CFO turned full-time content creator. They dive into CJ's journey after selling his company and immediately firing himself. The conversation highlights the pivotal role of supportive partners in entrepreneurship and the creative process behind his newsletter, Looking for Leverage. They also discuss the struggles of audience engagement and the significance of compound effort in achieving success. Their insights into the intersection of finance and content creation are both engaging and thought-provoking.
31 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 48min
Inside the CFO Tech Stack (and the Failure Museum): Insights From Norwest’s Sean Jacobsohn
Sean Jacobsohn, a partner at Norwest, invests in tech firms targeting CFOs and runs the Failure Museum, showcasing lessons from failed companies. He discusses the fragmented CFO software landscape and emerging disruptors challenging legacy systems. Jacobsohn shares insights on successful partnerships, the significance of domain expertise, and evolving tools like automated expense management solutions. He reflects on the six forces of failure and emphasizes the importance of learning from missteps to drive innovation in finance technology.
13 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 57min
Big Systems Thinking for Building a Finance Org: Advice From a Zoom Hypergrowth Survivor
Sarah Riley, CFO of dbt Labs and former finance leader at Zoom, shares insights from her time navigating hypergrowth during the pandemic. She discusses the challenges of scaling operations and adapting financial strategies amidst skyrocketing user signups. Sarah highlights her strategic use of Helmer's Seven Powers framework to drive decisions. The conversation touches on evolving pricing models, integrating AI in finance, and converting finance teams from 'doers to reviewers', all while balancing efficiency with innovation.
18 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 14min
Preparing for Google Zero
The discussion centers on the drastic changes in search technology driven by AI, highlighting the repercussions for content creators. There’s a spotlight on ethical challenges linked to uncredited content and the need for innovative strategies in digital publishing. As Google’s influence wanes, the conversation emphasizes community engagement and diverse revenue models as essential for survival. It’s a call to action for businesses to rethink their approach amid this evolving digital landscape.
28 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 56min
a16z’s Alex Immerman on the Evolving Role of the CFO in the Age of AI
Alex Immerman, a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, dives into the shifting landscape of the CFO role influenced by AI. He emphasizes the necessity for CFOs to adopt a founder's mindset and leverage AI to reshape financial frameworks. Alex discusses the stark differences in metrics between AI-native and traditional SaaS companies, underscoring the significance of LTV to CAC ratios. He also shares insights on what makes exceptional CFOs, their dynamic with CEOs, and the transformative challenges they face as they prepare for IPOs in an AI-driven world.
