#40 - Debi Corrie: Failures Fuel Future Success

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Debi Corrie, founder of Acumaxum, a strategic CFO company that specializes in helping businesses optimize cash flow, scale, and drive profitability. Debi shares her journey from accounting to becoming a pivotal force in helping small businesses break through barriers, navigate challenges, and achieve lasting success. Through personal stories and professional expertise, Debi talks about the importance of failure, leadership, and the impact of a positive company culture on profitability.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Debi’s Journey: How Debi transitioned from accounting to operations and ultimately founded her CFO strategy company.
• The Power of Failure: Why Debi believes failure is essential to learning, growth, and long-term success.
• Cash Flow Optimization & Scaling: Practical advice on how business owners can improve cash flow, hire the right team members, and break through growth barriers.
• The Role of Leadership: How leaders can foster a culture of respect, listen to their teams, and empower employees to take ownership.
• The Importance of Employee Culture: How a positive company culture can boost profitability by 25% and why happy employees are critical to success.
• Risk Mitigation Strategies: How to assess risk in business decisions and mitigate potential downsides.
• EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): The benefits of using EOS to simplify processes, set goals, and ensure accountability across the company.
• Lessons from Debi’s Personal Experiences: Insights from Debi's time in transportation, restructuring, and navigating business challenges during the pandemic.
• Letting Go to Grow: The hard lessons Debi learned about letting go of non-profitable business lines and focusing on what works best.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Failure: Failure is not the end but a critical part of learning and growing in business. It's how you handle failure that determines your future success.
2. Happy Employees Drive Success: A strong company culture where employees feel valued can increase profitability and foster innovation.
3. Know When to Let Go: Sometimes business owners need to let go of certain services or ideas that aren’t working to focus on more profitable areas.
4. Sales Pipeline is Crucial: Understanding your sales pipeline and its probability can guide better decision-making and resource allocation.
5. Listen to Your Team: Engaging with employees and listening to their insights can reveal opportunities for improvement and growth.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot: Whether in business or life, being open to new ideas and changes is key to long-term success.