Future Focused Entrepreneurs

What the Numbers Mean

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Arna Erazo) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:11:57 +0000

In this episode of Blueprint CFO’s Future Focused Entrepreneurs podcast, host Jim Downes invites GHJ Client Accounting and Advisory Services Practice Leader Arna Erazo to explore what it means to work with an outsourced accountant to scale business success.

In the podcast episode, the two examine:

The business value of part-time financial leadership
The differences between an outsourced accountant and fractional CFO, as well as how they work with each other and businesses’ accounting teams
How accurate, timely financial reports help leaders understand what their business numbers mean
How to improve business performance and scale operations through forecasting and strategic planning
And more

Entrepreneurial Excellence

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Ville Houttu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Privv. Originally from Finland, Ville relocated to the United States with his wife and two children in 2016. He’s a serial entrepreneur and a renowned TEDx speaker whose leadership has earned recognition in esteemed publications, such as TechCrunch, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and Adam Grant’s TED Podcast. Additionally, he has been honored as a finalist for the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award and is a three-time member of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America. In 2018, he was also named the Entrepreneur of the Year in Irvine, California.

Privv is the only project management tool designed specifically for higher education and K-12 facilities. It combines industry-specific knowledge with advanced tools to ensure capital projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Privv empowers educational institutions to focus on their core mission of providing world-class education while streamlining the management of complex construction projects.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The history and origin story of Privv, the company’s target market, and insights into the project management tool
Ville’s interesting entrepreneurial journey, including scaling a business to 8-figures
What Ville envisioned for his career back when he was a kid growing up in Finland, and what his first job was
The benefits of being a “parallel entrepreneur”, and what this means
Tough times in business, and Ville’s reflections on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship
The importance of learning from others’ experiences, and how professional advisory can support and uplift young entrepreneurs
The need for balance between innovation and implementation in organizational leadership
The current state of the economy, and whether or not Ville sees the impacts of a looming recession
How Privv is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to support the firm’s offerings
Ville’s perspective on work-life balance as an entrepreneur
Ville’s experience working with Blueprint CFO

About Blueprint CFO at GHJ. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

Thermography Trailblazer

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Markus Tarin is the President & CEO of MoviTHERM – Advanced Thermography Solutions. Mr. Tarin has studied Radio and Television Engineering as well as Embedded System Design in Germany, where he graduated in 1996. He has extensive experience with visible and non-visible imaging, especially in the Near Infrared (NIR), Shortwave Infrared (SWIR), Midwave Infrared (MWIR) and Long Wave Infrared (LWIR).

Tarin was the lead architect on many product development projects for defense, research, medical and industrial applications. Through his company, he has commercialized many of these developments for remote monitoring, automated thermal imaging and non-destructive testing.

Topics discussed in this episode:

What makes MoviTHERM unique in the thermography industry, and insights about the firm’s thermal imaging innovations
Markus’s background, and how he got involved in the thermography/thermal imaging industry
How old Markus was when he first knew he wanted to have an electronics-related career
Difficult times Markus faced in his career, and the impact of the textile industry crash
The best and worst aspects of owning a business, from Markus’s perspective, and common misconceptions about “being your own boss”
The commitment needed to successfully lead a company, and the responsibility that business leaders feel
How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting MoviTHERM’s industry
COVID-19’s impact on MoviTHERM, and whether Markus sees any impact of a potential recession
What the Purchasing Manager’s Index is, and what information it shows
Markus’s view on work-life balance, and how many hours he works per week as President & CEO
Why MoviTHERM decided to work with Blueprint CFO, and Markus’s initial impressions as a new client
The power of peer advisory organizations like Vistage, and the importance of checking your blind spots as an entrepreneur

Performance Under Pressure

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Dante Valve is a full-service manufacturer, distributor and VR™ certified repair facility of valves and related products for the industrial and military markets. They manufacture military specification Danco pressure relief valves, they distribute Kunkle relief valves and TRAC regulating, reducing, and temperature regulating valves, fittings and flanges, and they also provide CNC machining services.

As the President and CEO of Dante Valve, Lisa Papini establishes the organization’s strategic priorities and vision and has responsibility for Dante Valve’s financial performance. Named to this position in 2016, she has focused on expanding manufacturing capabilities at the Norfolk, Virginia location, enhancing a planning process and enacting additional financial controls. Lisa is wholly dedicated to the Dante Valve “family” – both her actual relatives and the company’s long-time dedicated employees. Lisa began her career as a concert promoter in the Jazz and Blues industry. She joined Dante Valve in 1993 as a warehouse clerk – shipping orders, running forklifts, and managing inventory levels. Later, she moved into contract administration and sales, with responsibility for shipyard and original equipment manufacturers. Lisa has played an instrumental role in the growth of the Danco brand – spearheading the strategic direction, financing and expansion of the product line, including all of the capital equipment and staffing, and managing the growth.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations from California State University, Long Beach and a Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. She is the Chair of the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC), a member of the Board of Trustees of GENEDGE, a Manufacturing Extension Partnership of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is an active member of the Submarine Industrial Base Council, the Marine Machinery Association and Shipbuilders Council of America.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Dante Valve’s belief in customer service as a part of the company’s promise to customers
The history of the firm, and how Lisa became a part of the multi-generational family business
Lisa’s early career as a concert promoter, and why Lisa decided to go back to school for her MBA
How Lisa’s values play a role in her career, and where her passion lies
How Dante Valve has responded to difficulties and challenges in the business
The importance of resilience, commitment, and leadership when facing challenges
The best and most difficult parts of running a business, from Lisa’s perspective
COVID-19’s impact on Dante Valve, and the proactive leadership mentality the firm embodied during that time period
Lisa’s perspective on the concept of work-life balance, and how many hours per week she works on average
How working with Blueprint CFO has benefited Dante Valve
Lisa’s tips and advice for budding entrepreneurs, and the importance of recognizing both the rewards and sacrifices

Concepts from a Construction CEO

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Tue, 5 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Known as J-Squared or J2 throughout the industry, J-Squared General Contractors Inc. is a privately-owned general contracting company founded by President & CEO Jeffrey M. Clark in 2007. Headquartered in Orange County California and servicing Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, J-Squared is rated AAA by the Better Business Bureau, was listed in the Top 10 Fastest Growing Companies in Orange County (2015, 2016), and was rated # 1 in 2014 as published by Orange County Business Journal. J-Squared’s team prides itself in a company culture of integrity, professionalism, and hard work. The key to J-Squared’s success is their “Nothing’s Impossible” approach to challenging project logistics and deadlines.

Jeff Clark possesses over 20 years of progressive experience in the construction & management fields. He has developed a solid reputation of integrity and commitment in his industry and has shown a constant track record of highly successful projects using multiple project delivery methods over many market sectors. As founder and CEO of J-Squared, Jeff has instilled in his team that only the highest level of commitment to the client’s cause is acceptable to be truly successful. He lives by the company’s mantra that “Nothing’s Impossible” and implements that theory daily. Words like ‘innovative approach’, ‘customer experience’, ‘quality’ and ‘timeliness’ are all part of Jeff’s daily vocabulary as he leads his team of highly-trained builders.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The power of a collaborative team in which each employee makes a difference
Which key players often get overlooked in the construction industry
Jeff’s entrepreneurial history, and what motivating factors compelled him to start his own company
J-Squared’s ‘Nothing’s Impossible’ motto, and the power of bringing like-minded, passionate people together
The joys and sacrifices that come with the entrepreneurial journey
COVID-19, and the impact of the pandemic on the construction industry, from Jeff’s perspective
How making sacrifices and learning to “do without” is key to entrepreneurial leadership and success
How working with Blueprint CFO has helped J-Squared, and Jeff as a leader

Event Planning Entrepreneur

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Trevor Hanks has been part of the industry since day one. He was the first kid in his neighborhood to pack coolers, deliver props and suck gas fumes on the transportation curb being born into a hospitality family. After college in Boulder and extensive work around the world in the incentive travel business, Trevor returned to the family-owned company TMM (The Meeting Manager) to assist in managing and leading the family business in the late 90s into the new millennium and the next generation of the hospitality industry.

After taking over the company’s full-time operation and ownership, Trevor decided to create a new brand called 360 Destination Group in 2012. 360DG is now a premier DMC (Destination Management Company) with 17 locations throughout the US, covering 23 destinations and over 165 full-time employees.

360DG aims to create a feeling of “Personalized, Progressive and Passionate” in the day-to-day attitude/culture of the employee, customers and company atmosphere. 360DG is a planner’s quarterback from the moment the first flight arrives until the last lift-off home and from the first virtual rehearsal until the last attendee has left the hotel, their team is locked in on the details that ideally will have their clients raving about the experience for years.

Trevor is active in several hospitality organizations and served on the committee that developed the Destination Management Certified Professional program. A father to 5 daughters and an avid waterman Trevor was transplanted from Southern California, where he lived for most of his life, to now residing in Boca Raton, Florida.

Topics discussed in this episode:

What 360 Destination Group does, and their unique positioning in the hospitality industry
The importance of personalized service, and making your clients feel like you are a “part of their solution”
Whether Trevor thought he would follow his family’s footsteps in the hospitality industry
How COVID-19 impacted the hospitality industry and 360 Destination Group
The importance of supporting employees’ training and development, especially when the business is growing quickly
The significance of KPIs, and how working with Blueprint CFO helped Trevor know his company’s numbers
How having a sounding board of fellow CEOs and business leaders can make a difference for executives
The challenges and joys of owning a business, from Trevor’s perspective
The power of the multigenerational workforce that exists at 360 Destination Group
Trevor’s relationship with work-life balance

Exit Strategy Expertise with Dream Business Brokers

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Thu, 5 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Vinil Ramchandran is the founder of Dream Business Brokers. He is a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Professional, Certified Business Broker, and Certified Business Intermediary. Vinil brings over 20 years of business experience to help entrepreneurs sell their business for maximum value. He is known as a results-oriented M&A Advisor and prides himself on providing exceptional service to his clients.

Dream Business Brokers is a full-service business brokerage and M&A advisory firm based in Newport Beach. They work with lower middle market businesses in a variety of sectors with a focus on manufacturing, distribution, and service-oriented companies. They assist clients with business sales, acquisitions, and exit planning.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Trends Vinil has seen when it comes to business leaders exiting their companies
Vinil’s reflections on the impact of COVID-19
The process of business valuation, and how Dream Business Brokers approaches this
Vinil’s top tip for a business owner thinking of selling their company
How early business owners should prepare for an exit
The role of risk in the business valuation equation, and the importance of great accounting
What career path Vinil originally planned on pursuing, and his journey to where he is today
Vinil’s vision for the future of his firm, and his insights on the importance of finding a niche
The importance of strategic partnerships in business and entrepreneurship, especially in the consulting space
Vinil’s relationship with work-life balance as an entrepreneur

About the Series. Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success. Hosted by Jim Downes, founder of Blueprint CFO, a future focused fractional CFO & accounting services firm based in Southern California.

Information Technology Insights

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Nader Nemati) — Fri, 30 May 2025 14:23:00 +0000

Nader has a proven track record of helping companies align technology and IT infrastructure to business objectives to grow revenue, increase profitability, and expand into new markets and geographies. He has worked at Lockheed Martin, Leidos, and Honeywell in various executive IT positions, including Chief Information Officer, and is the founder of several successful startups, including On Demand Managers.

In today’s on-demand economy, businesses face constant challenges requiring immediate attention. On Demand Managers, founded by Nader Nemati, offers swift and efficient solutions by providing quick access to highly experienced managers and executives. Their seasoned professionals handle urgent and complex issues that exceed internal capabilities. Through the On Demand Management™ service, businesses gain direct access to skilled managers and executives for interim projects or retainer agreements, seamlessly integrating into their teams. Specializing in fractional CIO, CTO, and CISO services, these interim leaders navigate financial, operational, and technological challenges with agility.

About the Series. Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success.

About Blueprint CFO at GHJ. Blueprint CFO is a future focused fractional CFO and accounting services firm based in Orange County, California. Partnering with entrepreneurial companies to guide and support them on their road to success, Blueprint CFO equips clients with the Profitability Roadmap® they need to grow. Learn more at www.BlueprintCFO.com.

Project Management Perspectives

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes) — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

John Anderson is the Founder and Principal of Integrated Solutions Group, a Washington State-based Advisory Services firm. ISG is focused on providing Project Management, Quality Assurance, Organizational Change Management, and Technical Advisory Services to its clients with a focus on managing transformational change often brought on by the implementation of new technology.

John has 38 years of experience as an Information Management consultant with an emphasis on the management of large software design, development, and implementation projects. He has been a consultant and trainer to many Fortune 100 companies as well as federal, state, and local government agencies.

John has managed the implementation of several large-scale business transformation initiatives, including ProviderOne, the State of Washington Medicaid Enterprise Information System, and HealthPlanFinder, the Washington States Health Insurance Marketplace. John also served as Interim Executive Director of Technology for the One Washington Program, which is transforming the state’s aging financial, human resource, payroll, procurement, and budgeting systems.

John has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Utah with minors in Business and Computer Science. John holds his Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute and has done post-graduate studies in Business and Information Management.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The history of Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), and the company’s growth over the years
What differentiates ISG in the market
The Wheel of Progress as a philosophy that Jim and John share
John’s early journey, and whether he anticipated becoming an entrepreneur
The impact of HIPAA laws and the Affordable Care Act on ISG
John’s view on Artificial Intelligence, and the potential benefits for his clients
Benefits of owning a business, from John’s perspective, and the impact of customer/client feedback
The stresses that come with being a business owner, and the impact of losing great employees
How many hours per week John works, and his belief in the importance of balance
The impact and trajectory of Integrated Solutions Group (ISG)’s work with Blueprint CFO
John’s advice for blossoming entrepreneurs, and the importance of being surrounded by supportive people

Environmental Planning with a Purpose

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Jeremy Krout) — Wed, 21 May 2025 14:10:00 +0000

Jeremy Krout is the founder of EPD Solutions, Inc. EPD provides an integrated approach to environmental analysis, regulatory compliance, land use planning, entitlement, and development and construction management. Since 2013, EPD has spent over a decade assisting clients through the complex regulatory and interdisciplinary processes required to bring projects to fruition in the most thoughtful manner. EPD collaborates with both private and public sector clients to meet each project’s objectives while supporting the economic, environmental sustainability, and long-term goals of all stakeholders. The result is a comprehensive development strategy that delivers the best solutions for the environment, community, and economic value.

Jeremy has over 20 years of experience in urban, environmental and policy planning; project management; and real estate entitlement and development, in both the public and private sectors. Over this period, he has successfully managed many regionally significant and complex projects in these fields, which drew on his knowledge of federal, state and local government regulations, natural interpersonal and negotiation skills, public presentation strengths, detail-oriented approach to project design oversight, and team leadership abilities. His wide-ranging and multifaceted experience on infill residential, master planned communities, affordable housing, education, public and private redevelopment, transportation, mining, solar, recreation, hospitality and industrial projects has developed and honed his skills in entitlement strategy and implementation and environmental compliance. It is because of his successes and dedication that he has earned the conviction and reliance of project proponents and opponents, stakeholders and his clients.

Inside the Cosmetics C Suite

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Gabriela Hernandez, Fergus Hernandez) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:11:00 +0000

As a young girl, Gabriela would watch in complete wonder while her beloved grandmother applied makeup as part of her daily beauty ritual. From the swipe of a bold lip color to the dusting of rouge on a cheek, Gabriela loved how this small moment connected art to beauty, and grandmother to granddaughter.

After immigrating from Buenos Aires to the United States, Gabriela’s fascination for cosmetics grew into passion followed by expertise. She became a historian of makeup through the decades, studying photography and art direction at ArtCenter, where she met Fergus. The pair started a photo studio business together after graduation, and later co-founded Bésame Cosmetics.

Just like Gabriela’s experience watching her grandmother apply makeup decades ago, Bésame offers authentic connection across generations, so you can build looks that transcend time. As co-founder, Fergus shares that hearing what Bésame customers appreciate is hard to put a price on, and that customer feedback is what gets him up every day. He shares that his happy place is with Gabriela and their kids.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Gabriela and Fergus’s journey to launching Bésame Cosmetics, and where the inspiration came from
• Rough spots the Bésame team has faced along their entrepreneurial journey
• Changes Gabriela and Fergus have seen in the cosmetics industry over time, and the impact of the internet on the direct-to-consumer model
• Being self-motivated as an entrepreneur, and the most difficult aspects of owning a business
• The immeasurable joy of receiving impactful client feedback
• Whether the economy (and looming recession) has impacted Bésame Cosmetics recently, and purchasing trends the co-founders have noticed
• The cost of chaos, the risk of being tunnel-visioned as a passionate entrepreneur, and “not knowing what you don’t know”
• The value of great accounting, and how working with Blueprint CFO has helped Gabriela and Fergus run their business better
• What entrepreneurs should be looking out for along their journey, from the Bésame co-founders’ perspective

Landscaping Leadership from the Ground Up

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Eric Fenmore) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:34:00 +0000

Eric Fenmore is the owner of Garden Studio Design, a full-service landscape design/build firm located in Southern California. Eric grew up in Orange County and graduated from Foothill High School in Tustin in 1986, and continued on to study Economics at UCLA and the London School of Economics. After graduating college in 1990, he worked in a small family finance business until his father retired in 2000 and closed the business. From there, Eric went into banking, and his wife Chris started Garden Studio Design.

At the time, Garden Studio was a small, home-based landscape design-only business, but quickly the opportunity to grow into a landscape design-build business emerged, and the construction business started in 2001. From 2000 until 2004, Eric juggled his banking career with running Garden Studio. With the growth in the housing market in the early 2000s, Eric realized he could focus his efforts on Garden Studio, and resigned from banking in 2004. All went well until the housing crash of 2008. Garden Studio, still a young, inexperienced firm, was hit very hard by the Great Recession. By early 2008, Eric was back in banking and also running Garden Studio. He continued in the banking world until 2017, at which time he fully dedicated his time to Garden Studio’s growth.

Eric lives in Newport Beach with his wife Chris. They have three boys, Henry (25) and John (23) who both live in NYC and work in finance, and Shane (17), a junior in high school. They love to spend time with family, travel, cook and eat with friends and spend time with their two golden retrievers, Ted and Olive.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Eric’s career beginnings in the finance industry, and the origin story of Garden Studio Design
The impact of The Great Recession on Eric’s career and the design business
The two categories entrepreneurs tend to fall under when it comes to passion
Adaptability in business, and the twists and turns Eric has experienced with his company
The importance of valuing your time and focusing on high-value activities
Transparency as a company value, and whether California’s rainy winter impacted Garden Studio Design
Eric’s thoughts on the best and hardest parts of owning a business
Work-life balance and the importance of prioritizing personal growth

About the Series. Blueprint CFO Presents: Future Focused Entrepreneurs is an interview series and podcast highlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that are going places by focusing on the future and developing a roadmap for success.

Movers & Shakers in Material Handling

sgilgenbach@ghjadvisors.com (Jim Downes, Hector Pinto, Brenda Pinto) — Tue, 4 Mar 2025 15:55:00 +0000

From living room enterprise to a multi-million-dollar business, Quality Material Handling started out as a husband-and-wife-operated business founded on the principles of hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. With a combined experience of over 32 years in the material handling industry, Hector and Brenda Pinto have built a reputation for supplying top-quality services, solutions, and products for every customer.

Over time, the dynamic duo has grown not only into a family-operated business, including their daughter and son, but has expanded into a team of over 50 employees. Together QMH is committed to delivering exceptional results leading to the satisfaction of every client.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Hector and Brenda’s employee-to-entrepreneur journey
The importance of a mindset of “we,” and valuing your employees
The power of ethics and hard work to accomplish anything
Setbacks Hector and Brenda have experienced over the course of their time in business
COVID-19, and the promise Hector and Brenda made to their employees
Hiring challenges Hector and Brenda have experienced post-pandemic
The pros and cons of being in business with family members, and how the Pintos main balance
Core values that guide the team at Quality Material Handling
How working with Blueprint CFO has impacted Hector, Brenda, and QMH as a whole
The power of commitment, tenacity, and being true to your word