

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

Nov 18, 2024 • 32min
Finance, Business, and Life: Q&A with Steve | Ep 140
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, Steve dives into an engaging Q&A session fueled by real questions from listeners who took the Financial IQ Assessment.From bootstrapping your business and mastering financial strategies to overcoming setbacks and seizing opportunities, Steve shares his personal journey, practical tips, and inspiring insights to help you level up your financial acumen, business savvy, and life strategies.Tune in to learn how to make smarter decisions and unlock your full potential in business and life._______________________________________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

Nov 11, 2024 • 14min
Is Your Company Really Making Money? | Ep 139
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Is your business truly profitable, or just looking good on paper? In this episode, Steve Coughran dives deep into the often-misunderstood world of profitability.Drawing insights from his book Outsizing and research on 300+ companies, he explains why accounting profit doesn’t always reflect a company’s real financial health. Steve reveals the critical metrics every business owner should know—like return on invested capital (ROIC) and cash flow—and shares surprising findings on how only a small percentage of businesses capture the majority of profits.Tune in to uncover what it really takes to drive lasting value!_______________________________________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

Nov 4, 2024 • 11min
Why You Should Pay Yourself First | Ep 138
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growthIn this episode, Steve emphasizes the importance of proactively managing finances in both business and personal life by following a simple yet powerful principle: pay yourself first. He guides listeners on how to set aside profit consistently by calculating a desired profit percentage, establishing a separate profit account, and making monthly transfers.He discusses managing accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable to maintain healthy cash flow and sustain business operations. Applying this approach enables smarter financial decisions, enhances long-term growth, and avoids common pitfalls that can undermine profitability._______________________________________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

Oct 21, 2024 • 12min
I Spent 8 Years Studying Finance In School. Here's What I Learned | Ep 137
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Not understanding cash flow can put your business at serious risk. In this episode, Steve Coughran emphasizes the critical importance of mastering free cash flow for business success. Drawing from his own experiences and real-world examples, Steve highlights how businesses often focus too much on profit while overlooking cash flow, which can lead to devastating consequences. Whether you're a student learning the ropes or a seasoned business owner, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to effectively manage your cash flow and prevent potential financial pitfalls._______________________________________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

Oct 14, 2024 • 10min
How to Start Learning Finance to Avoid Costly Mistakes | Ep 136
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Not understanding financial statements can cost your business big time. In this episode, Steve shares his personal experience of guessing his way through business finances early on and the costly mistakes he made. Steve discusses why mastering financial literacy is critical for making smarter decisions and running a profitable business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your financial knowledge, this episode will help you understand the numbers that truly matter for long-term success. _______________________________________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

Oct 7, 2024 • 10min
You Have Profits, But No Cash. Here's Why | Ep 135
Discover why profits don’t always equate to cash in your business. Explore common cash flow issues, including the impacts of excessive inventory and accounts receivable. Learn crucial strategies to free up working capital and improve cash flow. Understand the vital distinction between profit and free cash flow, and its importance for long-term sustainability. These insights can help prevent bankruptcy and foster growth, making them essential for both startups and established companies.

Sep 30, 2024 • 10min
Here's a Pivot You'll Want to Hear About | Ep 134
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, Steve takes you behind the scenes and shares a personal story about how the podcast started and how it evolved over time. He also reveals a shift in focus towards his other podcast, Business Strategy and Finance, which combines strategy and finance for entrepreneurs and business owners. If you're looking for deeper insights on how finance can drive business success, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Tune in to discover tools and resources that could transform your business and personal financial journey. _______________________________________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

Sep 23, 2024 • 14min
Listen to This to Avoid Growing Yourself Out of Business | Ep 133
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, Steve discusses a critical yet often overlooked issue for fast-growing businesses—managing capital intensity. He explains how, even with profitability, a business can face bankruptcy if working capital and capital expenditures are mismanaged. Steve shares insights and practical calculations to help entrepreneurs avoid growing their businesses into financial trouble. Tune in to learn how understanding your capital requirements can keep you on the path to sustainable growth. _______________________________________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

Sep 16, 2024 • 14min
The #1 Skill You Should Master From Billionaire Tilman Fertitta | Ep 132
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, Steve emphasizes the critical importance of knowing your numbers to achieve success in business. Drawing insights from billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s book Shut Up and Listen, he shares how understanding key financial metrics like customer acquisition costs, lifetime value, and working capital can transform the way you manage your business. With real-world examples, he illustrates how these numbers can guide better decisions, improve profitability, and prevent costly mistakes. Tune in to learn how to sharpen your financial literacy and boost your business performance._______________________________________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

Sep 9, 2024 • 17min
The 6 Drivers of Financial Fitness | Ep 131
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, Steve discusses the key strategies for boosting financial success, including innovative investment ideas, smart savings tips, and effective debt management techniques. Tune in to learn practical advice for improving your financial health and achieving long-term wealth. _______________________________________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


