134-Public Speaking Power: Turning Stage Fright into Business Growth and Freedom

Episode 134: Cash Flow Doesn’t Care About Your Revenue —

with Teresa Wagonseller

If your business looks healthy on paper… but your bank account keeps telling a different story, you are not alone — and you are definitely not imagining things.

Because here’s what many entrepreneurs discover the hard way: revenue alone doesn’t create stability. You can be busy, booked, and technically profitable — and still feel constant pressure when it comes to cash.

In Episode 134 of The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight, I sat down with Teresa Wagonseller — CPA, fractional CFO, and founder of HigherUp CFO Services — to unpack what’s really happening behind the numbers in growing businesses.

After 30 years in Corporate America as a Controller and CFO, Teresa made a bold move. She stepped away from the corporate world and brought high-level financial strategy directly to small business owners who are ready to grow with clarity instead of guesswork.

And yes — we went straight at the Catch-22 that frustrates so many founders:

I need more cash to grow my business… but I can’t grow without more cash.

Teresa breaks this down in a way that is practical, grounded, and immediately useful.

When Your Business Makes Money… But Cash Still Feels Tight

One of the most powerful moments in this conversation is Teresa’s clear distinction between making money and having money available to use.

Many business owners are living this exact reality:

• Sales are coming in, but cash still feels squeezed

• Payroll creates stress every cycle

• Taxes arrive like an unwelcome surprise

• Time off feels impossible

• Growth feels heavier instead of easier

Teresa explains why this happens — and more importantly, how to start fixing it.

Her perspective is refreshing because there is no blame, no jargon, and no shame. Just clarity and smart financial structure.

The Growth Trap Most Businesses Fall Into

We also dug into why so many small businesses plateau while larger organizations continue to scale.

According to Teresa, the difference is rarely intelligence or effort. It’s systems and financial visibility.

Big companies run on:

• consistent financial rhythms

• forward-looking cash planning

• clean reporting

• decision frameworks

Small businesses often run on… the bank balance and gut instinct.

And while instinct is powerful, Teresa makes a compelling case that clarity creates confidence — and confidence fuels sustainable growth.

What a CFO Actually Does (And Why It Matters Earlier Than You Think)

Let’s be honest — many entrepreneurs hear “CFO” and assume that’s only for massive companies with boardrooms and executive teams.

Teresa flips that assumption completely.

A strong CFO function helps business owners:

• understand where cash is actually going

• make smarter growth decisions

• stabilize operations

• reduce financial stress

• build a business that can run without constant firefighting

She is a strong advocate for the fractional CFO model, which gives growing businesses access to strategic financial leadership without the full-time executive price tag.

For many founders, that shift alone can be transformational.

Building a Business That Doesn’t Depend on You 24/7

Another theme that really landed in this conversation was overwhelm.

Teresa works with many owners who feel:

• stretched too thin

• trapped inside their own company

• unable to step away

• unsure what’s actually broken

Her solution isn’t “work harder.”

It’s:

• repeatable financial processes

• automated reporting

• dashboards that highlight what actually matters

• and knowing when to bring in the right expertise

This is where financial strategy becomes not just about profit — but about freedom and sustainability.

Teresa’s Gift to Our Listeners 🎁

Teresa brought something genuinely useful for our audience — a free cash flow tracking spreadsheet designed to give business owners immediate visibility into their numbers.

If you’ve been avoiding your financials because they feel overwhelming, this is a powerful place to start.

You can access it in the Learning Center on her website:
https://www.higherupcfoservices.com/learning-center

How Public Speaking Amplifies This Work

This episode is also a great example of something I say often:

Public speaking is not just about visibility — it’s about connection and clarity.

Teresa has deep financial expertise. But speaking — on podcasts, stages, and industry events — allows her to translate complex financial realities into language business owners can actually act on.

Through speaking, she is:

• reaching the right audiences

• educating overwhelmed founders

• and positioning herself as the strategic partner businesses need

That is the real power of using your voice.

Connect with Teresa Wagonseller

If today’s conversation resonated with you, Teresa is an incredible resource for business owners ready to bring structure and clarity to their finances.

Learn more about her work at:
https://www.higherupcfoservices.com/

Listen to The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight

🎙️ www.sixfigurespeakerspotlight.com

Key Takeaways

• Revenue does not automatically equal healthy cash flow
• Most businesses don’t fail from lack of effort — they fail from lack of financial structure
• Clear numbers lead to clearer, calmer decisions
• Strategic financial support can accelerate growth dramatically
• Public speaking remains one of the fastest ways to build authority and reach the right audience