Ep. 41: The Growth Hack No One Shares

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REBLutionize Your Marketing, Your Business, Your Life

REBL Risty

64 episodes

2 days ago

This podcast is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers looking for actionable tips and inspiration in the areas of marketing and business. It's produced by the REBLs at REBL Marketing. We like to keep our podcasts short and to the point, providing useful tips you can use right away for your business.

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Ep. 41: The Growth Hack No One Shares

REBLutionize Your Marketing, Your Business, Your Life

25 minutes 6 seconds

4 months ago

Ep. 41: The Growth Hack No One Shares

SUMMARY

In this episode of REBLutionize, we sit down with Jennifer Barnes, founder and CEO of Optima Office, to break down the crucial (and often misunderstood) roles of controllers, CFOs, and HR in scaling a business. From financial strategy to AI-powered insights, we cover the tools and mindsets every entrepreneur needs to thrive—without drowning in spreadsheets.

Takeaways

Start with a controller, not a CFO. Many businesses think they need a CFO, but without clean books, even the best CFO can’t help.

Don’t DIY HR. Especially in states like California, relying on Google for HR compliance can be a huge liability.

Debt vs. equity. Jennifer shares a compelling argument for funding growth through loans rather than partnerships.

Marketing is not optional. Investing in brand awareness and lead gen is vital—even if ROI isn't instant.

Data is power. Tools like Power BI are transforming how CEOs access and understand their business performance.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + Guest Intro

01:00 – What Optima Office Actually Does

02:00 – Why Most Companies Need a Controller First

03:40 – Common Mistakes in HR and Accounting

04:50 – Why Giving Equity Isn’t Always the Answer

06:10 – Marketing Spend: How Much Is Enough?

08:30 – The CFO’s Role in Strategic Budgeting

11:00 – ROI, Data, and Why You Need to Track Everything

12:00 – Power BI: Game-Changer for Ops + Insight

15:00 – AI Tools That Save Time (and Your Sanity)

17:30 – Company Culture and Building a Fun Team

20:00 – The Risk Side of AI: Deepfakes + Phishing

22:00 – Final Advice: Why Every Business Needs a Controller + HR Lead

24:00 – How to Work with Optima Office

Guest Bio

Jennifer Barnes is the CEO and founder of Optima Office, a firm specializing in outsourced accounting, finance, and HR leadership. With a team of over 100 local professionals, Optima supports startups to public companies with fractional roles, gap-filling, and full departmental leadership. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for smart financial strategy, clean books, and a culture of collaboration and fun.