Tag: Entrepreneurship

Risky Business: The Hidden Risks of Handshake Agreements with Rachel Partain [Ep. 163]

Risky Business: The Hidden Risks of Handshake Agreements with Rachel Partain [Ep. 163]

Handshake deals might seem convenient, but they could put your business at serious risk. Discover how to protect your company from these hidden dangers and build a reliable foundation.

Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, is joined by Rachel Partain, a leading tax attorney and partner at Forchelli Law, to break down the risks of running a business without formal agreements. 

Whether you’re launching a startup, managing growth, or exploring new partnerships, Rachel provides actionable insights to help you understand the risks of inadequate documentation and strengthen your business with essential agreements and expert legal guidance.

Key Points Covered:

  • The widespread use of handshake agreements and the risks they pose to businesses
  • The impact on business management from operational turmoil caused by unclear leadership succession plans to disputes over roles, voting rights, and profit distribution
  • Barriers to securing loans and attracting investors due to informal business structures
  • Tax complications, such as IRS audits and challenges related to shareholder contributions
  • Legal exposure, including the risk of litigation and potential personal asset vulnerability
  • And much more!

Actionable Takeaway: Assess your current business agreements today and consult a professional to protect yourself against potential financial and legal challenges.

Connect with Rachel Partain:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

About Our Guest:

Rachel L. Partain is a Partner at Forchelli Law concentrating her practice on complex tax advisory and tax controversy services for low to middle-market businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Rachel advises businesses on how to structure transactions in a tax-efficient manner and handles general corporate and transactional matters.

Financial Health for Your Business: Top Mistakes to Steer Clear Of with Tricia M. Taitt (Ep. 153)

Financial Health for Your Business: Top Mistakes to Steer Clear Of with Tricia M. Taitt (Ep. 153)

Financial missteps can derail even the most promising businesses. 

In this impactful episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, is joined by Tricia M. Taitt, CEO of Fincore and skilled fractional CFO. They dive into the top five financial mistakes that businesses often make and offer practical advice on how to avoid them. Focused on strategic financial management, this episode is especially beneficial for women entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their cash flow management and overall business performance.

Key Points Covered:

  • Understanding the distinct roles of fractional CFOs, CPAs, and bookkeepers
  • The critical importance of strategic financial management in fostering business growth
  • A deep dive into essential financial ratios and metrics for maintaining healthy business growth
  • Case study: How suboptimal product performance can overshadow substantial sales
  • Effective cash flow management strategies and the risks of inadequate financial policies
  • The importance of budgeting and forecasting in strategic business planning
  • Strategies to prevent fraud through effective separation of duties
  • Insights from Tricia’s book, “Dancing with Numbers,” making financial management approachable through dance
  • Plus, plenty more tips for smart financial decisions!

 

Connect with Tricia M. Taitt:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

 

About Our Guest:

Tricia M. Taitt has been an impactful figure in financial management, particularly for women-led businesses, leveraging her expertise as a fractional CFO to guide companies through growth and transitions. Her book “Dancing with Numbers” creatively blends her finance expertise with her passion for dance, making financial concepts accessible and engaging.

 

00:00 Introduction to Life Unlimited Podcast

00:37 Meet Tricia Tate: Empowering Small Business Financial Health

01:32 Understanding the Role of a Fractional CFO

07:13 Top Five Financial Mistakes Businesses Make

07:29 Deep Dive into Cash Flow Management

10:49 The Importance of Tracking Business Performance

15:45 Systems, Policies, and Procedures for Business Success

20:17 Planning for the Future: Budgets and Forecasts

24:15 Leveraging Financial Expertise for Business Growth

26:00 Tricia Tate’s Book: Dancing with Numbers

30:57 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information