Building a company, not a firm with Dave Olsen

Dave Olsen, the CEO of Nimbl, discovered  that true scaling requires more than individual effort. His journey from the Big Four to becoming a fractional CFO revealed that structuring a company for sustainable growth is crucial for creating freedom for everyone involved.

In this episode, Dave shares how he transformed Nimbl from a small operation into a thriving enterprise. He highlights key mindset shifts, including the importance of establishing a solid corporate structure and viewing offshore teams as true partners. His insights on delegation, vision, and team culture underscore that effective scaling relies on both the right processes and the right people. Whether you're building a business or managing a team, these lessons are invaluable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why having a corporate structure matters: The difference between running a firm and running a scalable business is in the structure you create.
• How offshore teams can be a key to growth: When treated as equals and integrated properly, offshore teams can help your business thrive.
• The importance of building systems early: Streamlining operations through documentation and delegation is essential for long-term growth.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Meet Dave Olsen

(02:03) Dave's background in IT and accounting

(03:36) Finding passion in small business finance

(06:04) Journey from Big Four to fractional CFO

(09:05) The pivotal role of an executive coach

(12:30) Investing in yourself to unlock growth

(16:03) Building an effective offshore team

(21:25) Delegation funnel in practice

(33:02) Navigating the challenge of pricing and sales in accounting

(039:29) Future expansions: Beyond accounting services

(42:20) Embracing AI: The future of technology in accounting

(45:48) Advice for aspiring firm founders in today's landscape