Jonathon Blair

Free to Grow CFO

www.freetogrowcfo.com

Increase Profit and Cash Flow As You Scale. 

Outsourced CFO and Bookkeeping services for profit-focused DTC brands. 

Scaling a DTC brand is stressful. 

With messy books and no CFO on your team you run the risk of…

-Hiring too quickly 
-Buying too much inventory
-Scaling ad spend unprofitably
-Running out of cash

And that leads to stressful, sleepless nights. We don’t want that for you.

Free to Grow CFO has given dozens of DTC brands a plan for scaling alongside
healthy profit and cash flow. Our plan will work for you too


Fast, Insightful Reporting.  Proactive Strategic Advice.  From DTC Finance Experts.

-M&A
-Debt & Equity Funding
-Accurate Financials by the 15th
-Planning, Forecasting, Budgeting
-Financial Dashboards and KPI Tracking


All delivered through our proven, ready-to-implement “Free to Grow CFO Process”.

Founder | Fractional CFO

Luminous

Strategic Advisor

StoreHero

SureStop

SURESTOP (A Mark Cuban Company) is a patented brake technology which solves the problem of incorrect braking on bicycles and revolutionizes the experience of stopping on a bike. On a traditional bike, if a rider brakes too hard, or grabs the wrong brake lever at the wrong time, the front wheel can stop too soon, causing the bike to flip over. Not with SURESTOP. In addition to the safety advantage, SURESTOP also makes the experience of braking simple, requiring only one brake lever to control both brakes.

Learn more at:
www.surestop.bike

COO & CFO

Guardian Bikes

Guardian Bikes (A Mark Cuban Company) is a digitally native vertical brand focused on creating the world's safest kid's bikes, featuring our patented and award winning SureStop brake technology.

In addition to innovating the bicycle itself, Guardian has created the first truly seamless online bike buying experience. Our first of its kind online 3D sizing software (RideSizer), along with our 99% assembly and packaging methods, allow customers to receive the perfect sized bike to their door that's ready to ride in less than 10 minutes. www.guardianbikes.com

SureStop/Guardian Bike Company

SURESTOP (A Mark Cuban Company) is a patented brake technology which solves the problem of incorrect braking on bicycles and revolutionizes the experience of stopping on a bike. On a traditional bike, if a rider brakes too hard, or grabs the wrong brake lever at the wrong time, the front wheel can stop too soon, causing the bike to flip over. Not with SURESTOP. In addition to the safety advantage, SURESTOP also makes the experience of braking simple, requiring only one brake lever to control both brakes.

Learn more at:
www.surestop.bike

Guardian Bikes is a digitally native vertical brand focused on creating the world's safest kid's bikes, featuring our patented and award winning SureStop brake technology.

In addition to innovating the bicycle itself, Guardian has created the first truly seamless online bike buying experience. Our first of its kind online 3D sizing software (RideSizer), along with our 99% assembly and packaging methods, allow customers to receive the perfect sized bike to their door that's ready to ride in less than 10 minutes. www.guardianbikes.com

A Mark Cuban Company

Controller & Operations Director

RSS Manufacturing

Controller

Civil Solutions Incorporated

RSS Manufacturing/Phylrich

Accounting Manager

The Joseph Company International

DTC Brand Fractional CFO | Follower of Jesus | Husband | Father of 3 | Fractional CFO | Leadership, Strategy & Productivity Nerd

Formerly a founding team member, CFO, and COO for Guardian Bikes:
       -Shark Tank/Mark Cuban Company
       -High-growth DTC brand
       -Led business growth from $0 to 8-figure revenue in 4 years.  
       -Raised 8-figures in debt and equity capital 

Over a decade of experience working as a Controller, CFO, or COO at fast-growing companies with:
              -$5MM to $50MM in annual revenue
              -50% to 200% annual revenue growth

Founded Free to Grow CFO to:
       -Package hands-on experience leading growing brands
       -Help DTC brand founders increase profit and cash flow as they scale.

www.freetogrowcfo.com

www.freetogrowcfo.com

Fractional CFOs for High Growth Direct-to-Consumer Brands

Outsourced, part-time CFO services for high growth D2C brands, designed to help you scale your business with confidence.

You don't have to suffer through another sleepless night worrying about making difficult business decisions alone.  Hire a Free to Grow CFO and get the financial insights you need to make fast, effective business decisions with confidence.

Get access to the CFO you need to scale your business without the full-time salary:
-Strategic Planning
-Forecasting & Projections
-Cash Strategy & Fundraising
-Financial Statement Analysis

Jon Blair

Malcolm Peace

Assistant Men's Tennis Coach

Tsetserra Growth Partners

My efforts at Tsetserra Growth Partners depend on driving value, growth, and sustainability. I recognized that traditional acquisitions and private equity firms can be indifferent toward preserving a business owner’s legacy. As a result, family businesses that have served our Texas communities for years diverge from the history that took them significant time to build.

At Tsetserra, I purchase long-standing, profitable Texas-based companies in stable industries. I help small business owners continue on to their next chapter with confidence by structuring win-win acquisition terms, facilitating a smooth transition, and honoring the legacy that makes each company unique.

President

Email Gaze

Advisor

Idea Labs Consulting

Having partnered with small business owners for years, Idea Labs Consulting aligned directly with my core competencies. By taking a custom-tailored approach to each business, I help decision-makers identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and execute new strategies with confidence. 

I engage with small businesses owners across every industry, taking a holistic approach to business growth and sustainability by empowering them with the knowledge and confidence in their capabilities as leaders. Additionally, I specialize in structuring and developing business models, leading to leaner and more effective organizations. Throughout the process, analyzing finances is key, leveraging my background in financial modeling and screening to identify points for improvement. To balance the quantitative elements of my work, I provide qualitative support such as team building, personnel development, and operational method development. I also offer key marketing insight, KPI tracking, modelling, and business valuation assessments to provide holistic support for clients in every stage of their business. By starting with each business owner’s unique goals, I create flexible and actionable solutions.

Lead Business Coach and Consultant

Camp Hideaway

Golden Home Management

Founders Firm, LLC

As Vice President at Founders Firm, I help business owners and founders preserve their unique legacy within the Hospitality and Food and Beverage industries. By investing in Texas-based businesses, we empower companies to grow while generating consistent value within their niche. 

During my tenure, I led the charge for the development of our proprietary CRM system, entrusted with engaging nearly 160 potential and current Limited Partners. Additionally, I routinely help portfolio companies manage the cash flow of $3M+ budgets. To date, the investor presentations, decks, and landing pages that I developed have generated over $1.5M in funding. 

My day-to-day work is as quantitative as it is qualitative. As part of my efforts, I identify key traits, characteristics, and cultural considerations to identify and fill prospective CEO gaps for current and future acquisitions. Every step of the way, people come first.

Vice President - Strategy and Operations

Benchmark International

At Benchmark International, I collaborated on cross-departmental teams to provide financial models, company valuation analysis, and presentations. By aligning strategic goals with potential investment opportunities, I aided company leaders make more informed decisions. 

Throughout my time, I screened and valued 240 unique investment opportunities on a national scale, assessed the financials of 17 companies of all sizes, and sought to achieve strategic objectives every step of the way.

Winter M&A Analyst Intern – M&A Advisory and Due Diligence

Hard Yards Capital

Hard Yards Capital is a private investment growth firm based out of Washington DC. They are committed to superior and enduring results, serving privately-held technology services businesses that partner with national security and defense organizations. There, I leveraged leading screening techniques to identify 6 platform-based and 37 “tuck in” companies as new investment opportunities as part of the investment thesis. 

Overall, I gained in-depth experience screening companies, performing valuations, identifying talent, and conducting financial models. I sought to build a holistic view of investment opportunities before each acquisition.

Senior Private Equity Associate - Valuation

Distinct Capital Group

Distinct Capital Group afforded me the opportunity to learn directly from company leaders while conducting analysis, executing acquisitions, and identifying growth opportunities. My efforts included utilizing and design the implementation of an ERP integration software to improve the firm’s manufacturing portfolio company.

Through the opportunity, I gained exposure to the top 4 buy-side acquisition platforms and the direct capabilities of leveraging ERP integration software to improve quality control insight for 11 LOBs.

Summer Private Equity Associate

University of Virginia

At the University of Virginia, I served as the Director of Tennis Operations. To facilitate the team’s efforts, I led a $450,000 fundraising effort by adding 21 new tier-1 relationships that greater resourced the team’s success. I also self-started an operational improvement model spanning 12 internal and external teams that saved 16% of our annual budget and an average of 10 hours per week. During my tenure, I fundraised over $65,000 in 2 weeks, executing the first USTA Pro Circuit event ever held at UVA’s tennis facilities. As part of my supervisory efforts, my ability to execute under pressure while exceeding operational, planning, recruiting, and logistics expectations did not go without notice. 

Ultimately, my efforts led to the first consecutive NCAA National Titles in the program’s history

Director of Tennis Operations

Run a small business in Texas? We'll buy it

Reshaping legacies, one acquisition at a time. 🤝

↓Building Texas-based businesses that are not dependent on me ↓ 

I am a deal guy, who happens to know how to operate. 

Our approach involves implementing cutting-edge software and refining operations, ensuring a seamless transition to businesses we believe have been neglected. We want to take the next phase of success.

▷ Born and raised in Austin, I take pride in helping family-owned small businesses sustain a lasting legacy. We become that succession plan solution by taking the baton from family-owned businesses and leading the charge through building businesses instead of tearing out people. 

↓ Elevating businesses, preserving roots. ↓

▷ As a long-term buyer, I commit to maintaining existing teams and honoring the legacy of previous owners. I see each acquisition as an opportunity to merge tradition with innovation, propelling businesses forward and leaving an enduring impact on the Texan business landscape.

▷ Hyper-focused, I identify profitable small businesses with revenues from $3M to $12M in stable industries that have endured the test of time. More here: 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚.𝐜𝐨𝐦

▷ Driven by a passion for sustainable growth and small business empowerment, I've had the privilege of sharing our insights and learnings from the frontlines of M&A on various podcast shows, 🔗 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛.𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤/𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭_𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. Each acquisition isn't just a transaction; it's a story of resilience, adaptation, and growth. Join me as we journey to reshape the Texan business landscape, one acquisition at a time.

🔉Join Tsetserra for a transformative acquisition experience with our General Vice President Program,🔗 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛.𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤/𝐆𝐕𝐏𝐏_𝐋𝐁. With dedicated mentorship and a focus on implementing our game plan, you can unleash your business leadership potential.

Having partnered with small business owners for years, Idea Labs Consulting aligned directly with my core competencies. By taking a custom-tailored approach to each business, I help decision-makers identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and execute new strategies with confidence. 

I engage with small businesses owners across every industry, taking a holistic approach to business growth and sustainability by empowering them with the knowledge and confidence in their capabilities as leaders. Additionally, I specialize in structuring and developing business models, leading to leaner and more effective organizations. Throughout the process, analyzing finances is key, leveraging my background in financial modeling and screening to identify points for improvement. To balance the quantitative elements of my work, I provide qualitative support such as team building, personnel development, and operational method development. I also offer key marketing insight, KPI tracking, modelling, and business valuation assessments to provide holistic support for clients in every stage of their business. By starting with each business owner’s unique goals, I create flexible and actionable solutions. 

Ever been duped? I sure have.

There was this one deal, looked like a gold mine.
Owner boasted they had about 50-60% profit margins.

Sounded too good to be true? Should’ve trusted my gut.

When we peel back the layers, we found the real margin was 15%.

Learned the hard way, these are my go-to tips for anyone thinking about buying a business:

- Don't just look at the surface-level numbers. Always check consistent profit margins, revenue trends, and cash flow. Dive into the nitty-gritty. Look for steady profits, not just high ones. 

- Assess the team's capability and the strength of customer relationships. A great team and a loyal customer base can make a huge difference in the success of a business.

- Watch out for financial volatility. If the business's finances are up and down like a rollercoaster, it's a red flag.

Next time you're considering buying a business, remember: don't be fooled by what glitters.

Do your homework and dig deep.

24 hours.

It comes and goes quickly, so it's essential to...

Use time wisely, as it's the only currency you can't save or borrow.

You are given 24 hours each day, and it's up to you to make the most of them.

When you wake up in the morning, do you have your vision crystal clear? 

Do you know what you want and how you will achieve it? 

One of the largest barriers to achieving your goals is procrastination. 

You put things off until tomorrow, next week, or even next year. 

The problem is tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

You only have today and need to make the most of it.

Using every 24 hours to the best of your ability, you can accomplish more in a day than you ever thought possible. 

This approach helps you achieve your goals faster and gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going.

So, don't waste a single day. 

Make a plan for your day, prioritize your tasks, and focus on what's important. 

Remember, time is a precious commodity, and we can't afford to waste it.

Real leaders don’t hide the struggle — they lead through it.

As a leader, it's easy to fall into a routine and get complacent with how things have always been done. 

But growth as a leader requires a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace new ideas and strategies.

Whether it's learning new leadership skills, adopting new technologies, or exploring new markets, embracing change is essential to continued growth and success.

As we move forward in a rapidly changing world, it's more important than ever for leaders to be adaptable, innovative, and forward-thinking.

So don't be scared to take risks and try unexplored growth areas. 

Be open to feedback and learning opportunities. 

And most importantly, be willing to lead by example and inspire those around you to embrace new growth opportunities as well.

Remember, the most successful leaders always grow and evolve. 

So let's commit to continuously expanding our knowledge and skills and embracing new growth opportunities as they arise.

You better embrace this.

Or you'll get left behind.

It's not rocket science, but if you choose to ignore it, your...

Business will struggle.

In one of the legacy businesses my company manages, we faced a massive challenge around technology.

The first hurdle we tackled was the need for a digital system to track our past and upcoming quotes and work in progress.

Previously, our processes relied heavily on manual methods, which hindered our ability to analyze our performance effectively. 

Without digital tracking, we struggled to comprehend how we were truly performing as a business.

We swiftly transitioned to a partially automated process for generating quotes, enabling us to gain better insights and track our opportunities efficiently. 

With the new tools in place, we have witnessed a remarkable improvement in our operations. 

The ability to harness digital solutions has revolutionized our workflow, enabling us to analyze trends, identify growth opportunities, and optimize our processes.

The lesson we've learned is clear: embracing technology is not just a choice; it is an essential step toward unlocking your business's true potential. 

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, staying competitive means leveraging the power of digital tools to streamline operations, gain valuable insights, and adapt to changing market dynamics.

taplio

The Battle

Jon Blair

Malcolm Peace

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMalcolm Peace's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Jon Blair

Malcolm Peace

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Malcolm Peace's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMalcolm Peace's LinkedIn Performance