Sector of demonstrated depth
Founder-Led Lower Middle Market
You built the company on instinct and discipline. Now scale demands a finance function that can defend a number, run a forecast, and tell you straight when a decision is about to break. Catalyst is the senior CFO/COO seat without a full-time hire.
Where it usually hurts
You’re probably here because…
You're making seven-figure capital allocation decisions on a P&L that hasn't been variance-explained in months.
Your controller and bookkeeper handle the books, but no one is steering capital — and the bank is starting to ask harder questions.
You're not sure if the next big hire should be a CFO, a COO, or a strategy partner — and you can't afford a wrong $300K experiment.
How we engage inside this sector
The Catalyst playbook for Founder-Led Lower Middle Market
Operator-grade reporting and forecasting
Monthly close compressed, variance commentary added, and a rolling 13-month forecast tied to operating drivers — not just the GL.
Capital + lender + investor relationship management
Bank package, covenant tracking, lender conversations, and (when the time comes) M&A or recap prep. Brian has run these conversations from both sides of the table.
Part-time / interim coverage with clear scope
Engagement scoped to 2-4 days per month or full-time interim coverage during a transition — billed monthly, no long-term lock-in.
Outcomes you can expect
- Real KPIs running the operating cadence, not after-the-fact reports
- Lender / bank covenant tracking before they ask
- Decision-grade visibility that compresses the gap between gut and the number
Anti-commoditization
How to vet anyone you talk to in this sector
| Metric | Industry Red Flag | Catalyst CFO Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Years in Finance Leadership | 5 - 10 years; often an ex junior or non-exec finance FTE | 25+ years across Wall Street, asset management, and CFO/COO seats since 1999 |
| AI & Automation Depth | "We use ChatGPT" — no track record building or running AI in production | AI in finance ops since 2020; venture work spans AI compliance, healthcare/telehealth, AI scheduling, and the AI/automation practice inside Catalyst |
| Founder-Operator Experience | Zero — first-time fractional, never sat in the exec seat | 12+ years running Catalyst plus CFO/finance leadership at venture-backed, PE-sponsored, and privately funded companies across multiple industries |
| Capital Raised & Deployed | Has only modeled or advised — never closed a round | >$25M secured for SMB clients; institutional Series A and strategic capital across multiple ventures |
| Wall Street Pedigree | No institutional or capital markets experience | Partner at a boutique institutional equity asset manager; helped grow firm AUM from $3B to $15B; sell-side equity research at global bank franchises |
| CFO + COO Scope | Lacks senior finance experience, little or no operational experience | Both functions; packaged as Part-Time CFO, Part-Time COO, Interim CFO, and Interim COO |
| Crisis Leadership | Has not led through a market collapse, bank failure, or cyber attack | Macro (since 1999): recessions, the GFC, COVID-era disruption, inflation/rate cycles, banking-system stress. Company-specific: cyber attacks, liquidity strain, and national payments-infrastructure outages |
| Time-to-Value | Weeks of "discovery" before producing anything useful | Two-week onramp; first operating model in days; close cycle reduced from 15 to <3 days at clients |
| One-Sided Commitment | Tries to lock into 6–12 month engagements | All CCA contracts are month-to-month — if we don't produce ROI, we don't get paid. |
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Explore the sectorWhat's the right next step for Founder-Led Lower Middle Market?
Start with a quick self-assessment, grab a practical resource, or book a call when you are ready to talk.
Or explore a lower-commitment path