

Strategy Meets Finance
Steve Coughran
Welcome to Strategy Meets Finance, the podcast for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, and run a business that lasts.Most business owners struggle because they treat strategy and finance as separate. But without a clear strategy, your finances won’t support long-term growth. And without strong financial planning, even the best business ideas fall flat.On this show, we bring both sides together—so you can grow your business with confidence, improve cash flow, increase profit, and make better decisions.Hosted by Steve Coughran, a former CFO and founder of Coltivar, each episode shares simple tools, real examples, and practical advice from working with companies of all different sizes. You’ll learn how to set smart goals, fix money leaks, build stronger teams, and create lasting value.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 17, 2025 • 12min
3 Things I Learned as CFO of a Billion Dollar Company | Ep 154
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth What does it really take to lead the financial strategy of a billion-dollar company?Steve Coughran reveals the three biggest lessons he learned as CFO—insights that every business leader needs to know. From simplifying financials to uncovering hidden risks on the balance sheet, these takeaways can help you drive massive value.But the most important lesson? It’s not what you think. Tune in now to find out._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Feb 10, 2025 • 7min
Don't Let Numbers Be an Excuse for Inaction | Ep 153
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Too many leaders hide behind financial data, delaying action until every number is perfectly in place. But in reality, execution drives results—not spreadsheets.In this episode, Steve challenges the mindset that waiting for the “right” data is necessary and explains why intuition, strategy, and decisive action matter more.If you want to grow and scale, stop using numbers as a crutch and start making moves._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Feb 3, 2025 • 6min
If You Want to Be a Profitable Entrepreneur, Listen to This | Ep 152
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Got a brilliant business idea? Great! But can you explain your unit economics, break-even point, or burn rate? Most people can’t—and that’s why they fail. In this episode, discover why financial literacy is the ultimate game-changer for turning ideas into profitable realities. From decoding lifetime gross profit to mastering the four levers of profitability, Steve reveals the essential numbers every entrepreneur and business leader must know.Don’t miss out on the free tools and insights that can transform your career and business. Tune in now to elevate your financial game!_______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

8 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 7min
Can You Fake It Till You Make It in Finance? | Ep 151
Jump into the challenges of stepping into leadership roles where financial fluency is key. Discover why relying on 'faking it' in finance can backfire. Gain insights on mastering financial statements and the four levers of profit. Explore free resources designed to boost your financial literacy with over a hundred video lessons. This discussion highlights the essential connection between finance and strategic decision-making to drive business success.

Jan 22, 2025 • 2min
BYFIQ Hits One Million Downloads!
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growthMaster business finance for free with 100+ video lessons—no gimmicks, no hooks, just valuable knowledge: https://www.byfiq.com/What began as a simple idea to teach financial literacy has grown beyond my wildest dreams—all thanks to you. Your support, shares, and feedback make this journey possible, and I’m truly honored to have you along for the ride.Thank you for being part of this mission. Here’s to empowering even more leaders together! Cheers!Disclaimer:BYFIQ, LLC is a wholly owned entity of Coltivar Group, LLC. The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.byfiq.com/terms-and-privacy-policy for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

6 snips
Jan 20, 2025 • 6min
The X Factor and How it Drives Higher Profits | Ep 150
Discover the power of the 'X Factor'—a simple yet transformative formula that can reshape your approach to business finances. Learn how this concept can clarify decisions, enhance communication, and boost profitability. Hear a personal success story of turning chaos into cash flow, proving that understanding this key financial metric can save your business thousands. Don't overlook how one number can revolutionize your financial strategy!

5 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 10min
The 4 Levers of Profit You Must Know | Ep 149
Discover the four essential levers of profitability that can transform your business finances. Learn how small changes in pricing can lead to significant profit boosts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of decreasing costs and increasing volume to maximize returns. Explore common pitfalls in pricing strategies that can leave money on the table. Plus, gain insights into critical financial concepts that support better business decisions. This is your chance to unlock strategies that put you ahead of the competition!

Jan 13, 2025 • 14min
If You Are 15-25 Years Old, Listen to This | Ep 148
Young adults face pivotal financial decisions that can shape their future. The journey from a minimum wage job to a multimillion-dollar business highlights the lessons learned from struggle and hard work. Sacrifices made during this journey illustrate the power of perseverance. Making informed choices in education and career paths lays the foundation for future success. Listeners are encouraged to embrace financial literacy and consider a free program designed to build essential skills for better opportunities.

Jan 6, 2025 • 21min
Want to Increase Your Financial IQ? Here's Exactly How to Get Started | Ep 147
Discover a transformative opportunity to enhance your financial skills for free. Learn how to turn theoretical knowledge into practical financial abilities through a structured program. The importance of taking action in achieving financial literacy is emphasized, urging listeners to actively pursue their goals. With ongoing support from a vibrant community, elevate your career or business by mastering personal finance. Tune in to unlock the power of financial literacy!

5 snips
Jan 1, 2025 • 17min
I Promise This Will Change Your Financial Future | Ep 146
Discover the power of financial literacy and its impact on success. The hosts celebrate their growth and the value of free educational resources for entrepreneurs. A game-changing announcement reveals that premium financial literacy courses are now completely free, aimed at empowering more people. They also share insights on how listener feedback has shaped their mission, underscoring the importance of mastering financial skills for a brighter future.