Fanatic of Biz Strategy & Growth 📈 Husband & Girl Dad 👨‍👧‍👧 Podcast Host 🎙️CEO of Brady CFO.

Are you trying to scale your company without a background in accounting and finance and feel like you’re drowning in cash flow and investment concerns?

Do you find yourself constantly contemplating questions like… 

- How do I improve my margins and bottom line?
- Do I have enough cash, or what do I do with my excess cash? 
- How do I make my business more valuable? How do I maximize its sale price? 
- Why is my cash flow so terrible? I have sales growth but never have enough cash. 
- How do I get better banking terms and get banks to actually want to do business with me? 

As President of Brady CFO, I lead a team of Fractional CFOs to support values-oriented CEOs/owners in America’s backbone businesses — getting answers to these questions and solving your cash flow and financial performance frustrations. 

➡️ Our team of corporate financial experts helps you build the business of your dreams and never run out of cash. 

We serve business owners with $5M-$40M in annual revenue in the following industries:

- Food
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Warehousing/Distribution
- Construction
- Professional Services 

With Brady CFO, you're not paying for deliverables. You're investing in a creative and evolving financial strategy that fits the needs of your growing business. 

Here are some of our bragging rights: 

💥We secured a $10 million line of credit for a company experiencing two years of declining financial performance, with more favorable loan terms than their prior $2.5 million line.

💥We've expanded accounting teams to support growth from $40 million to $80 million in sales, cutting overhead with technology and reducing financial report times from 60 to 15 days.

💥We took a client from a $500k line of credit to a $2.5mil line with lighter bank covenants and a more dedicated banking partner.

💥We've facilitated numerous business sales and purchases, assessed many potential deals, and mastered business valuation and enhancement techniques!

Are you ready to elevate your business's financial health and drive sustainable growth?

Book a call today to learn more about working with Brady CFO ➡️ https://calendly.com/bradycfo/consultation-with-mason 
Services

As President of Brady CFO, I support a team of corporate financial experts who help you build the business of your dreams and never run out of cash. Our fractional CFO service firm provides strategic financial leadership to companies with $5M-$40M in annual revenue.

Mason Brady, MBA, CMAA

This photo was taken before I understood what responsibility really meant.

Back then, leadership was just a costume.
Today, it’s weight.

I was just a kid dressed as Simba.
No idea what it meant to make decisions.
No idea how many people could eventually depend on you getting them right.

Fast forward a few decades.
I’m a husband.
A dad to three girls.
And I work every day alongside 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 who carry more responsibility than most people ever see.

For a long time, I thought success meant:
• bigger numbers
• faster growth
• hitting the next milestone

And then moving on without looking back.
But working inside construction companies and agribusinesses changes how you see things.
When margins are thin.
When cash flow timing matters.
When weather, labor, logistics, and lenders all show up at once.

You learn quickly that growth without clarity isn’t success...it’s stress.

Over the years, I’ve seen strong businesses doing everything “right” operationally…
and still feeling fragile financially.

That’s why I believe so strongly in 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵.

Not growth for ego.
Not growth because someone says you 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥.
But growth that supports the business 𝗮𝗻𝗱 the life behind it.

That kid in the Simba costume didn’t know it yet.

But leadership was coming.
Responsibility was coming.
And eventually, the opportunity to help others carry it better.

Grateful for the work.
Grateful for the people.
And excited for what’s ahead.

Onward into 2026. 🦁

Mason Brady

Construction 🚧 and Agri 🍓- business owners scale with us. We are a team of Fractional CFOs. We find capital and then manage your finances to build your dream business. Let's grow!

Chris Ortega

Fractional CFO 🔥 Finance Influencer | Entrepreneur | Founder | Strategic Advisor | Business Partner | Disruptor | Finance, FP&A & CFO Thought Leader ✉: ceo@freshfpa.com

I help small & mid-sized business (SMBs) CEOs, owners, and founders turn financial complexity into financial clarity, cash-flow confidence, and profitable growth.

Backed by 20+ years of CFO leadership, corporate finance, accounting and FP&A experience, and a track record of scaling multiple companies to successful exits, I founded Fresh FP&A to give SMBs access to CFO leadership without the $750K full-time CFO costs.

At Fresh FP&A (www.freshfpa.com), we partner with growing SMBs ($1M–$50M in revenue) to:

1️⃣ Gain financial clarity
2️⃣ Improve cash-flow confidence
3️⃣ Unlock profitable growth

Our core services include:

✅ Fractional CFO & Advisory Services for SMBs
✅ Financial Leadership, Budgeting & Strategic Planning
✅ Business Growth, Expansion & Exit Planning

We’re not another consultant, bookkeeper, or interim CFO.

We act as your long-term fractional CFO partner > leading your finance function, delivering clear insights, and providing the financial strategy you need to make confident, profitable decisions while you focus on running & growing your business.

My WHY: To become the best version of Chris E. Ortega, personally and professionally.

My PURPOSE: To use my passions, skills, talents and experiences to help others realize and achieve greatness.

📈 Ready to grow with financial clarity & confidence?

Get your Free Financial Checkup 👉 www.tiny.cc/FreshStart

Learn more about Fresh FP&A 👉 www.freshfpa.com

Chief Executive Officer

Fresh FP&A (www.freshfpa.com) provides expert fractional CFO and advisory services for SMBs (small to medium sized businesses) seeking financial clarity & growth.  Our team of seasoned finance professionals brings extensive experience in financial planning & analysis (FP&A), strategic planning, and financial leadership. We're problem-solvers, strategists, and detail-oriented with a proven track record of growing finance organizations for Seed to Enterprise companies, both domestic and multinational.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢'𝘀, 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
• Fractional CFO Services
• Strategic Financial Leadership
• Business Growth and Expansion
• Advisory Services

Lead with Financial Confidence! Free Consultation ☝️ (Click "Book an appointment" above) 

#finance #fpa #fpanda #cfo #ceo #owner #founder #fractionalcfo #virtualcfo #freshfpa #leadership #partner #business #growth

Put some respect on our name. We are Indiana University Bloomington 🔥🔥🔥🔥

7 - 35 Halftime 
22 - 56 Final

See you at the Natty!

Fractional CFO for SMBs ($1M–$50M in revenue) | Financial Clarity, Cash Flow Confidence & Profitable Growth | Finance, FP&A Leadership & Strategy | CEO & Founder @ Fresh FP&A

It is noisy in the world right now. 🌍

Let’s be real: between global headlines and local challenges, 

It is easy to feel the weight of it all. 

To be distracted.

But in moments like this......

I force myself to PAUSE.

I’m reminded of the people and the moments that paved the way for where I am today, CEO at Fresh FP&A.   

Here's what keeps my fire burning. 🔥

❓Who is your biggest inspiration?

Let me know below 👇

#FreshFPA #Leadership #Resilience #Inspiration #Gratitude #Mindset

Let's get back to work and here's why .....

Took time off from the gym during the holidays to rest my mind and body.  

Now I'm back in the gym stronger, faster and more focused.  

Working out is my outlet from Fresh FP&A. 

❓ What's your outlet from work? 👇🏾

"Clarity allows you to move fast. Confusion forces you to move slowly." - 🔥🔥🔥🔥

SMBs that win are the ones that have absolute financial clarity on their north star.

Our job at Fresh FP&A isn't to complicate things with jargon and complex models. 

It's to turn financial complexity to clarity, so you can grow with confidence.

Keep your eyes on the destination. 

Let financial clarity guide your path.

Let's get to work! 

#Focus #BusinessClarity #Entrepreneurship #FinanceTips #FreshPerspective

SMBs: The biggest lie your P&L is telling you right now.....

You look at monthly P&L. It shows a healthy net profit. 

You high-five 🖐 your team..... 

Breathe a sigh of relief......

and plan that next big purchase.......

Then you log into your bank account.

The balance is near zero.

🤔 How is this possible?

Here's the hard truth every SMB owner needs to accept: Profit is not Cash.

❌ Your P&L is a scorecard of "what happened" (accounting). 

✅ Your Bank Account is the reality of "what is happening" (survival).

If your profit is stuck in:

1. Unpaid invoices (Accounts Receivable)
2. Slow Moving Inventory
3. Debt Payments, Misaligned payment terms, etc. 

...so you are "paper rich" but cash poor. And paper profits don't pay payroll on Friday. 

The Fix: Stop managing your business solely off the Income Statement. 

🔥 You need a 90-Day Cash Flow Forecast. It’s the only tool that tells you if you can survive the next quarter.

❓ When was the last time you looked at your Profit to Cash conversion? 

#FreshFPA #Insights #SmallBusiness #CashFlow #HardTruths #FinanceStrategy #FractionalCFO

The "Holiday Hangover" nobody talks about? It’s not the headache. It’s......

CASHFLOW. 

Let’s be REAL.

You’re back at the desk. The team is back. But have you checked your bank account?

Here's the reality for most SMBs:

😲 The AR Freeze: Your clients were OOO for two weeks. Invoices sat in inboxes. No checks were cut.

😬 The Expense Spike: You likely paid out bonuses, holiday parties, or year-end vendor prepayments in December.

😨 The Gap: Expenses went out. Cash didn’t come in.

This is the "Cash Flow Gap." And if you aren't careful, it sets the tone for a stressful Q1.

Don't panic. 

Execute.

Here is the Fresh FP&A rapid response plan: 

✅ The "Smile & Dial" Sprint: 

Email doesn't work this week. Everyone is digging out of 1,000 unread messages. Call your top 3 overdue accounts. 

✅ 90-Day Cash Flow Forecast: 

Stop guessing. Map out exactly your cash daily for the next 3 months. Visibility kills anxiety. 

✅ Delay the "Nice-to-Haves": 

Pause that new software, discretionary spend or non-critical hires until February. Let your cashflow baseline reset.  

Profits are Dream but Cash is a reality. 🔥  

Manage the NOW.

Be honest > is your cashflow list looking a little scary right now? 👇

What Is Your Business Worth? What's is your Number? Every SMB CEO, Owner or Founder should know this...... 📉📈

I talk to founders every week who have zero clue on their value. They know their revenue. They know their cash balance. But they don't know their Valuation.

The biggest myth in the SMB world? 

"I only need a valuation when I'm ready to sell."

WRONG. 

You might need to raise capital, plan your exit, or just understand if you're building an value. 

But you don't always need a $10K - $15K valuation. Match the method to your current goal.

Here is the Valuation Ladder from "Quick & Dirty" to "Deal Ready":

1. The "Rule of Thumb" 
(Low Cost / Low Complexity)

✅ What it is: Applying a standard industry multiple (e.g., "2x SDE" or "1x Revenue") to your numbers.

✅Cost: Free (or the price of a coffee).

✅Best For: Curiosity, quick "napkin math," or setting a rough baseline.

✅The Risk: It ignores your specific risks, customer concentration, and secret sauce. It's a guesstimate, not a guarantee.

2. Calculation & Software 
(Mid Cost / Mid Complexity)

✅What it is: Using valuation software or a calculation engagement with a fractional CFO. We plug your clean data into models (DCF, Market Comps) to get a data-backed range.

✅Cost: Affordable ($ - $$).

✅Best For: Strategic planning, internal buyouts, seeking bank financing, or tracking annual growth.

✅The Risk: Garbage in, garbage out. If your books are messy, the software won't save you.

3. Certified Appraisal or Firms  for Quality of Earnings 
(High Cost / High Complexity)

✅What it is: A full forensic deep dive by a certified valuator (CVA/ASA). This is a 50+ page report that stands up in court.

✅Cost: Expensive ($$$$).

✅Best For: IRS disputes, divorce, litigation, or a complex M&A exit.

✅The Risk: Overkill for 90% of day-to-day business needs. Don't buy a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store.

Fresh FP&A Perspective: Start in the middle. Get a calculation that gives you a range without breaking the bank.

Know your number. Grow your number.

👇 Which level is your business at right now? Napkin math or deal-ready?

#FreshFPA #FractionalCFO #BusinessValuation #SMB #FinanceTransformation #KnowYourNumber

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