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I believe entrepreneurs have the power to change the world

Who I am

I am a “Recovering CEO” who has run all aspects of a company, while most Fractional CFO’s have a background in accounting and/or tax. I am more strategic and holistic in my approach which is what I believe companies <$20m in revenue need. 

I have experience in dozens of industries with specialized industry experience in Professional Services, CPG, Technology, Sports/Wellness/Health Companies & Manufacturing. I also love companies that run Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS).

I help CEOs scale from $500k to $20m in revenue as their Fractional CFO.

 

What I do

Fractional CFO Services

  • Provide Month End Reporting
  • Manage Cash Flow
  • Strengthen Expense Controls
  • Capital Raising Services
  • Develop Projections 
  • Create KPI’s & Dashboards
  • Support Strategic Planning 
  • Develop Internal Communications Plan
  • Oversee Legal Management
  • Oversee HR Management

What I Have done

I have worked with over 250 companies over the last 16 years

The Startup Garage knocked our business plan & complex financial model out of the park. We then deepened our work to the financial department as a whole. Tyler quickly became a key member of the exec team and I now have more confidence in our systems and data than ever before.

-Ash Robinson, CEO

The Startup Garage has been with us since the very beginning- over 3 years. Tyler has held a number of critical roles. We initially engaged The Startup Garage to create our investor documents and then we’ve continued with them as our CFO. Through this tenure the company has been able to raise over 2.5 million in funding.

-Jonathan Budd, CEO

Sample Work

Sample Business Plan

Business Plans are written to answer all of the questions investors typically have.

Sample Investor Pitch Deck

Pitch Decks are a great way to present your idea in a presentation Presentation Deck or email to investors as a teaser to your business Stand Alone Deck…

FAQs

QUESTIONS ABOUT FRACTIONAL CFO SERVICES

  • A Fractional CFO is a financial expert who provides part-time CFO services to multiple companies, offering strategic financial guidance without the commitment of a full-time hire.
  • A Fractional CFO can provide valuable financial insights, assist in strategic decision-making, optimize cash flow, improve profitability, manage risk, and help streamline financial processes.

I am a “Recovering CEO” who has run all aspects of a company, while most Fractional CFO’s have a background in accounting and/or tax. I am more strategic and holistic in my approach which is what I believe companies <$20m need. 

  • I started, built and sold my own company as CEO before supporting CEOs scale 250+ companies the last 15 years. 
  • Specialized Industry Experience in Professional Services, CPG, Technology, Sports/Wellness/Health Companies, Manufacturing and love companies that run Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS)

Small to medium-sized businesses, typically with revenues ranging from $1 million to $20 million, can benefit significantly from Fractional CFO services. These businesses often lack the resources or need for a full-time CFO but require strategic financial expertise.

Services may include financial analysis and reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, financial planning and strategy, fundraising support, risk management, and assistance with mergers and acquisitions.

Interaction frequency can vary based on your needs and the complexity of your business. Typically, Fractional CFOs are available on a regular basis, whether it’s daily,weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, to provide ongoing support and guidance.

Yes, Fractional CFOs can assist in preparing financial projections, creating investor-ready presentations, and developing financing strategies to secure funding from investors or financial institutions.

  • Hiring a Fractional CFO offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness compared to a full-time hire. You get access to high-level financial expertise without the expense of a full-time salary, benefits, and overhead costs.
  • Engagements can vary in duration depending on your business needs. Some engagements may be project-based, while others may be ongoing with no set end date. Flexibility is a key advantage of Fractional CFO services.
  • If your business is experiencing growth, facing financial challenges, or lacks strategic financial expertise internally, it may be ready for Fractional CFO services. A consultation can help determine if Fractional CFO services are a good fit for your business.
  • Fractional CFO: A Fractional CFO provides ongoing, part-time financial leadership to multiple businesses, offering strategic financial guidance, and operational support. They typically work with small to medium-sized businesses on a regular basis, helping them navigate financial challenges and achieve their goals.
  • Consultant: A consultant provides expert advice and solutions to businesses on specific projects or challenges. Consultants may specialize in various areas such as finance, marketing, operations, or human resources. Unlike Fractional CFOs, consultants may work on a project-by-project basis and may not provide ongoing support.
  • Interim CFO: An interim CFO temporarily fills the role of a chief financial officer within a company during a transition period, such as when a permanent CFO is being recruited or when there’s a sudden departure. Interim CFOs typically have extensive experience in finance and are brought in to provide stability and continuity until a permanent replacement is found.
  • Advisor: An advisor offers guidance, expertise, and strategic direction to businesses on specific issues or decisions. Advisors may provide insights on various aspects of business operations, including finance, legal matters, marketing, or growth strategies. They typically offer high-level advice but may not be involved in day-to-day operations like Fractional CFOs.

In summary, while all these roles offer expert guidance and support to businesses, Fractional CFOs provide ongoing part-time financial leadership, consultants offer specialized advice on specific projects, interim CFOs temporarily fill CFO roles within companies, and advisors provide strategic direction on various aspects of business operations. Choosing the right role depends on the specific needs and objectives of your business.

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT CAPITAL RAISING

From friends and family, you might get away with something as little as your plan on a napkin. For most investors, you will want to be prepared with a well-developed and researched plan. The standard presentation is done with a pitch deck, though this varies depending on the stage of capital that you are raising.

There are certain expectations of accomplishments, most often based on a combination of how much money is being raised and the values of the investor. The investors you bring on will be a part of your business, so be thoughtful on who you approach.

The milestones to achieve can be categorized into the following:

  • Business Planning
  • Team Building
  • Market Traction
  • Legal
  • Operations
  • Product Development
  • Founder Leadership

For every stage of investment, a new set of milestones needs to be achieved. To better understand the milestones at each stage of investment based on these categories, click here.

A well thought out business plan increases your odds of succeeding. It shows the approached investor that you have taken the time to research, plan and develop a strategy to be successful.

The right business plan does the following:

  • Outlines the current problem in the market and the need for your product/service solution.
  • Demonstrates the current trends in the industry.
  • Evaluates the market opportunity and why the company is positioned to take advantage of the opportunity.
  • Portrays the competitive layout and how the company is differentiated from the competitors and poised to acquire a significant market share.
  • Demonstrates a believable revenue model that is backed by sound assumptions.
  • Identifies the marketing, personnel, and operating expenses needed to drive this revenue model.
  • Evaluates the potential return on the investment and a likely exit for the investors.

Every investor will be slightly different. However, these are some general guidlines for milestones to achieve in order to attract seed investment from Angel Investors:
Business Plan

You will need a comprehensive plan complete with extensive market research and a detailed financial model.

Product Development

Depending on the complexity of your product you may or may not be able to complete a working prototype or beta version with just your pre-seed, FFF capital. If not, at the bare minimum you will need an intractable wireframe or mockup that demonstrates the product’s features and functionality.

Founding Team, Key Hires, Advisory Board

The right team in place, means the company can overcome the adversity, fix the issues, and adapt the plan.

Legal

Work with a lawyer to ensure that you are setting up the business according to what’s best given your goals and capitalization strategy. Common types of IP rights include copyright, trademarks, patents, design rights, and trade secrets.

Market Validation

Obtain customer feedback and demonstrate that your product is fulfilling a real market need.

Startup funding for high growth businesses is acquired in multiple rounds throughout the business lifecycle. This funding cycle applies for most high growth businesses — including mobile, web, manufacturing and other tech industries, as well as consumer brands. Typically, this lifecycle is different for small businesses that only need enough funding to get the business off the ground.

High-growth startup funding is typically split into three rounds:

  • Family, Friends and Founder (FFF) capital – ranging from $10,000 to $100,000
  • Seed Capital from Angel Investors – ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000
  • Series A and Series B capital from Venture Capitalists – from $2,000,000+

Traditional Networking and Events are a great place to start. There are several angel organizations of people looking for a viable investment.

QUESTIONS ABOUT BUSINESS PLANNING

Whether or not you need a business plan depends on the business you’re starting. However, creating one will help to compile all the information needed for informed decision making and provide a roadmap to keep you on course — and hold you accountable.

If you will need to raise capital to launch or grow your startup, you will need a business plan to present to outside investors. Typically in the form of angel investment or crowdfunding, raising capital will require a detailed business plan complete with market research and financial projections.

 

The business plan will be your guide and roadmap for the first few years of business. It will provide a means of self-evaluation and way of holding yourself accountable. The research, writing, and financial modeling — in addition to getting credible feedback up front — will benefit you greatly down the road.

The business plan will:

  • Develop a cohesive plan that syncs all aspects and strategies of your business.
  • Vet the viability of your business model and overcome any otherwise unforeseen hurdles
  • Create efficient strategies to prioritize and conserve your most valuable resources — money and time.
  • Realistically set and achieve your goals for sales, revenue and profit.
  • Develop tools to enroll investors, business partners and employees.
  • Satisfy requirements of investors, banks and authorities.
  • Support your vision with an evolving guide to evaluate your progress and plan for the future.

Be wary of consultants claiming to bring on investors. While the business plan is an important tool in the capital raising process, investors ultimately make their investment decision based on the founder, team, product, market opportunity, competition and ultimately profitability. This makes it difficult for any third-party to make such a claim.

Do your due diligence to steer clear of frauds. Ask to see sample work and testimonials. Find out how many companies they’ve worked with and how much capital they’ve helped raise. If you still are not fully convinced, ask to speak with past clients.

It is important that your business plan writer has the expertise to help you get the funding your startup needs. The best business plan writer will evaluate your vision, goals, resources available and personal strengths to develop a strategy custom to your business. They will have experience approaching investors and be able to prepare you for presenting your startup in the most effective format for communicating your potential for profit.

Finally, you get what you pay for in this industry. That doesn’t mean you need to hire the most expensive solution available. However, it is important to align your business with a service provider that can truly help accomplish your goals.

It is important that your business plan writer has the expertise to help you get the funding your startup needs. The best business plan writer will evaluate your vision, goals, resources available and personal strengths to develop a strategy custom to your business. They will have experience approaching investors and be able to prepare you for presenting your startup in the most effective format for communicating your potential for profit.

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Tyler Jensen

The first company I started and sold was VAVi Sport & Social Club, which grew to over 25,000 members in six years.  The San Diego Business Journal recognized VaVi as San Diego’s 30th & 32nd fastest growing private company in 2006-2007 and it sold for over 25 times the capital investment.

 

 

Prior to launching VAVi, I served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Tim Kane for Congress where I launched and managed all aspects of a United States Congressional Campaign. I was responsible for fundraising plan creation & execution as well as recruiting and managing staff and volunteers. I was also responsible for creating and implementing a campaign marketing plan which included production of campaign promotional materials and other creative initiatives that led to substantially increased name recognition and voter support.

 

I have served on numerous Non-Profit and Corporate Boards of Directors as a trusted advisor. He was born in Virginia and his hobbies include travel, DIY & building furniture.