Most service-based founders didn’t start their business to run spreadsheets, chase team issues, or babysit backend chaos.

But that’s where they end up—wearing the COO hat, buried in operations, and stuck running a business they never meant to build.

That’s where I come in.

I work hands-on with founders to:
- Plug profit leaks
- Create clarity with cash
- Build simple systems that scale
- Reclaim time, margin, and control

My 8-week Profitable Growth Accelerator™ is built for service businesses doing $300K–$2M who are ready to grow on purpose, get paid properly, and stop the chaos—without adding more hours.

📊 We start with your numbers
📈 We fix what’s broken
🧠 You get your business—and your life—back

If that sounds like the kind of help you’ve been hunting for, DM me or visit the link above.

Damien Foglio

Meeting with a prospective client yesterday, one thing became apparent: 
He had great revenue ($1M+), was even making 5%+ profit, but had no cash flow to float payroll. 

Truth is, every small business owner wants steady cash flow, 
but not all of them have it. 

Start with this fact: 
The biggest reason small businesses struggle to keep the lights on is because they don’t have enough profit.

Sounds simple, right? 

But here’s the kicker: 
Even if you’re making a profit, you’re not necessarily staying afloat. 

Why? 

Because most business owners are spending that profit right away:
Debt payments, owner draws, bonuses, or just plain old overspending.

If you want to build predictable cash flow, you need to control what you’re extracting from your business.

Here’s my advice: 
Review your monthly financials like a hawk. 

Understand where every dollar is going.
If you’re not doing that already, you’re flying blind.

Profit isn’t just an end-of-month number. 
It’s the fuel that keeps your cash flow alive.

Stop spending your profit like it’s Monopoly money. 
Reclaim your financial clarity, and your cash flow will follow.

Are you ready to take control? 

Do this, starting today: 
1️⃣ Start by reviewing your numbers weekly.
2️⃣ Review your P&L's by percentage (in accordance to revenue) monthly. 
3️⃣ Make decisive actions to improve the outliers. 

Because no matter how busy you are, 
if your profit isn’t growing, your cash flow isn’t either.

Let’s get real about your numbers. 
Your business depends on it.

undefined undefined

Cash Flow Freedom - Dec 1

Workshop

📌 On Monday, January 19th at 7 pm EST I am hosting a 1-hr workshop: Profitable Gameplan helping business owners get a jump start on achieving their 2026 goals. 

https://calendly.com/coach-damien/workshop

It's only $25 to join. 
Includes bonuses and a replay.


Hands-on help for $300k-$3M Service Owner-Operators to ditch the COO hat, fix their cash flow, and build a route to profitable growth - and finally get paid | All Inside the 8-Wk Profitable Growth Accelerator™

One of my favorite follows here on is Blake Harber. 
Building a business from scratch, while sharing his journey along the way. 

But he recently asked a question that I love answering: 
How do you set up your week on Sunday? 

Here's my answer with a little more detail: 

Every Sunday afternoon, I take 1-2 hours and plan out my week: 

1️⃣ Confirm and schedule all personal items with my wife: Work schedules, pickups, drop offs, dates, following weekend plans, etc. 

2️⃣ Schedule all my client coaching appointments in my calendar and notebook. (I love analog). This is my "working" schedule for the week and must make times. 

3️⃣ I then plan all my workouts (4 x /week, 40 min ea) around those items. Day 1 through 4. With what I am going to work out and when. 

4️⃣ With the remaining time I build in my "business building" hours. 

I choose 3 strong objectives (My big 3) each week to accomplish by Friday afternoon. 

I then do 3 small tasks (My Little 3) each day to accomplish them - and schedule that time around all of the items above. 

5️⃣ And finally, I set out my clothes, grind all my coffee, and food prep for week (even though I work from home). 

Doing this every Sunday gets me motivated to get out of bed and start tackling everything every Morning. 

Do you have a Week prep routine? 
If so, let me know what works for you!

I build GTM teams for early stage founders | GTM Partners for Founders

Last week I sat on a call with a client and his brand-new admin.

He’d just had to move on from the previous one.
Clean break. Fresh start.
And one big problem:

The admin wanted to do a great job.
The client had no idea where to start.

So instead of training task-by-task...
or dumping a massive SOP doc on them...

We focused on just three things.

Not forever.
Just to get momentum.

Here’s what we did:

Defined the start of the day
What does “a good day” look like the moment they log in?
Clear tasks. Clear ownership. No guessing.

Defined the end of the day
Before signing off, what must be done for it to count as a win?
This alone removed 80% of the anxiety.

Prioritized the middle
A simple list of the best use of time in between.
Not everything. Just what matters most.

That’s it.

No micromanaging.
No overtraining.
No “let’s cover every edge case.”

And here’s the result:

The admin was up and running by day 2.

Not perfect.
But confident.
And moving.

This worked because most people try to train for completeness…

When what people actually need is clarity.

Clarity creates confidence.
Confidence creates momentum.
Momentum buys you time to refine later.

If you’re onboarding someone right now:

Start with the bookends.
Then fill in the middle.

What’s the first thing someone should own when they start their day?

—

If this was useful, say 👋 or steal the framework.
I share real behind-the-scenes moments like this often.

Being married to a business coach is not always a smooth ride. 

I sometimes think that living with someone who talks about goals, habits, and growth every day would be inspiring. 

But honestly? Sometimes it can be exhausting. 

Imagine waking up each morning to reminders to "review your goals," "track your progress," or "stretch outside your comfort zone." 

It’s like living with a personal development seminar 24/7. 

Some nights, I just want to binge-watch Netflix without a "what did you learn today" quiz. 

And then there’s the constant push to "be better," "do more," or "get uncomfortable." 

It’s inspiring, sure. But it can also be draining. 

Because growth isn’t always a straight line. 

Sometimes, it’s just about surviving the day without feeling like you’re under a microscope. 

So if you’re married to a coach, here’s the truth: 

Yes, they’re dedicated to helping others grow. 

But they’re also human. 

They get tired. 

They forget that sometimes, a good nap is a better goal than a new habit. 

And that’s okay. 

Because at the end of the day, the real growth comes from understanding each other—not just the goals we chase. 

Now, tell me—what’s the most surprising thing about living with someone obsessed with growth? 

I’ll start—some days, I feel like I’m married to my personal coach. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

But sometimes, I just want a break from the growth talk. 

And that’s the real lesson: balance. 

Even the most passionate coaches need to step back and breathe. 

Because growth isn’t just about pushing forward—sometimes, it’s about enjoying the ride. 

What’s your take?

Hands-on Implementor for $300k-$3M Service Owner-Operators to ditch the COO hat, build a route to profitable growth...so they can finally get paid what their worth | All Inside the 8-Wk Profitable Growth Accelerator™

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I say a lot of things on LinkedIn, but never did I expect something I said to turn in to a "mini-viral" moment.   At least in my small world.  

But apparently my post on Sunday struck and nerve and invited new people into the conversation of leadership.  

In this case, an employee was asked by the owner of the company (his dad) to perform a client request, to which the employee (the son) refused to do. 

The requested service was well within the scope of work and the owner felt it was helping a long term client out.  The employee felt it was a waste of time.

So, who is right in this situation?  

I might argue that as long as the work order and service request is within the scope of work the company provides, the employees are to do what is requested of them.  

That's what this conversation is all about.  

However, part of what I learned from this post is that context matters.  
And I completely agree with that.  

Without context there is a cliff hanger.  A desire to know more. 

But then the question is: 

With more context would it have gotten the response that it did?  
Did the fact that my post lacked context create the curiosity to join the conversation?  

Not really clear, but one more thing I learned: Keeping up with a post like this, providing context and responses to every single comment is a lot.  

Almost overwhelming, but worth it.  

Here is the link to the original post: 
https://lnkd.in/g-x5QhwM

One of my favorite new perspectives on life and learning is from Alex Hormozi. 

In one of his older podcasts, he mentioned that only reads books to solve a specific problem or challenge. 

Or in other words: his next biggest constraint to his goals. 

As a business coach, for me that might be: 
+ Lack of leads
+ Low sales conversion
+ Improvement in my program
+ Long term growth

And as small business owners, it could be similar: 
> Lack of consistent revenue and profit. 
> Low cash flow and no system to manage it. 
> Hiring and retaining the best people. 
> Leadership and building a long term business. 

Or whatever it might be. 

We all have limited time - only so much available per day. 

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳, 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲? 

The answer to that question is how I spend my available time and energy. 

I watch YouTube videos on it during my lunch break. 
I fill any social media feed with people that solve that challenge. 
I read books at night before I go to bed on how to solve it. 
I join workshops to help me accelerate my learning. 

I don't stop until I solve it. 

And, when I do, I find my next biggest roadblock. 

Curious – What are you currently reading? 
And how do you choose which book to read next?

Founder Acquisition.com, Co-Founder Skool.com. Get your free scaling roadmap👇

I don't sit around waiting for life to happen.

From my understanding, there are three kinds of people:

1. Those who wait for something to happen.
2. Those who wonder what happened.
3. Those who make it happen.

I'm the third: Always making it happen.

Set my goals.
Build my plan.
Take steps day by day.

But I've learned two big lessons from this way of living:

First, sometimes you need to hit pause to stay on course.
Second, rest isn't a luxury. It's part of the plan.

Going 16 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year? 
That kills momentum long term.

So I schedule rest. 

Not because I'm lazy, but because I get energy from tinkering, thinking, moving.

Balance keeps me moving forward, keeps my momentum alive.

No shortcuts, no burnout. 
Just steady progress. 
That's how you make things happen.

What type of person are you? 
where do you find your energy?

Let me know in the comments!

Most owners obsess over the big numbers: 
Clients, revenue, net profit. 

I used to do the same. 

Then I learned the real power isn't in the top line. 
It's in the denominator. 

For me, it was 'per hour'. 

'Revenue per hour' 
'Gross profit per hour' 
'Cost per hour' 

Why? 

Because I used to bid my work per hour. 

When I added a 100-hour contract, I knew instantly what it would bring in revenue, profit, and costs. 

That denominator "per hour" became the engine. 

Scale it, and everything else moves. 

For plumbers, it's per job. 
For consultants, per project. 
For you, it's whatever makes your model tick. 

What's the one number that drives your business? 

Figuring that out can change everything. 

If you want help finding it, shoot me a DM. Tell me about your business, and I'll help you identify that key number for free. 

Stop chasing totals. Focus on what truly moves your engine.

If you are anything like me, you have planned your future as if it is guaranteed. We save for the obvious, set fixed goals, but often forget one critical thing...the unknown. 

My wife and I do this every year on our family planning trip. 
We ask ourselves: 

What are we not seeing? 
What surprises might come our way? 
What unexpected opportunities or challenges could pop up? 

It's the biggest reason folks miss out on game-changing moves. 

- Buying that house down the street to rent out 
- Investing in a friend's business just about to take off 
- Handling a health scare without freaking out 
- Weathering a job loss and keeping the lights on 
- Taking time for yourself and your family without guilt 

Your future isn't guaranteed. 

But why do so many plan for a future they can't predict, 
yet leave the unknown unaddressed? 

What if we started prepping for the unexpected? 

Over the past 6 weeks, my wife and I experienced this firsthand, taking over a family home to turn into a part-time vacation rental. 

We weren't planning for anything like this. 

But because we focus on preparing for the unknown, we were ready when opportunity knocked. 

Think about it. 

How are you preparing for what you don't see coming? 
Because the right preparation today can unlock a world of possibilities tomorrow. 

Don't wait for the surprise to hit , start planning for the unknown now. 
Your future depends on it. 

What's one thing you're doing today to prep for what's coming next?

Many service-based business owners are scared to bring me into their business. They fear being judged for a messy business — no clear financials, no clear direction, and no clear goals. 

I’ve talked to many owners who are nervous — almost scared — about what I might discover when I dig into their books and systems.

Here’s the truth: 

That mess? It’s exactly where I thrive.
That chaos is a goldmine.

It’s where the real story lives — the hidden leaks, the missed opportunities, the profit leaks buried in the clutter.

And here’s a secret: Just because the data looks bad doesn’t mean the business is bad.

Problems are honest messengers.

They tell us where we need to fix things, where to tighten margins, where the profit leaks are hiding.

The key isn’t solving everything at once — it’s starting with ONE thing, the biggest challenge, and knocking it out.

Like pushing snow downhill, solving one frustration snowball makes everything easier moving forward.

So, if your business feels like a mess, remember — that’s where growth begins.

Tackle the biggest pain first, and watch how momentum builds.

Ready to turn your chaos into clarity? 
Let’s start cleaning up those profit leaks today.

"Will growth always be like this?" 
He doubled his business in 2 years. 

On paper, that's a win. 
But behind the scenes? 
He was drowning in questions, requests, and frustrations. 

Every day felt like chaos. 
Staff issues. Client demands. Fire drills. 

Growth doesn't have to feel like chaos. 

It can be structured. 
Predictable. 
Even freeing. 

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. 
𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 

Growth becomes manageable, not maddening. 

Ask yourself, has your growth felt like freedom or friction? 
If it's friction, you're missing the systems that make growth sustainable. 

Stop the chaos before it stops you. 
Build for scale, not chaos. 

It's a choice. What's yours?

Last week I was looking at a client’s numbers and had to pause.

Not because they were flashy.
But because of how quiet the growth was.

In 2023: $160k revenue | $60k pay/profit

In 2024: $652k revenue | $130k profit

This year? On track for $800k with $200k profit.

Same business. Same market. No hype.

So what actually changed?

We didn’t add more chaos. 
We removed it.

Here’s what we did:

1️⃣ Restructured pricing
2️⃣ We stopped winging it.
3️⃣ Built a firm pricing list.
4️⃣ Then increased it intentionally each year. 

No apologizing.
No custom quotes for everything.

Focused on the most profitable services
Not the busiest ones.
The repipes that actually made money.

If it wasn’t profitable, it stopped being a priority.

Changed how talent was paid
Instead of bloated fixed costs,
we paid a fixed % per job.

Cheaper access to great talent.
Costs stayed predictable.
Margins stopped getting crushed.

That one shift did two things at once:

More jobs completed per week

Cost per job finally stayed under control

This worked because most businesses try to grow revenue first...

When the real unlock is structuring profit before scale.

Revenue is loud.
Profit is quiet.
But profit compounds.

If you doubled revenue tomorrow, would your profit double too — or disappear?

—

If you want help tightening the engine before pushing harder, say the word.
I share what’s actually working behind the scenes.

Part of me wants to raise daughters who are great team players and dependable employees: self-aware, responsible, respectful, and willing to go above and beyond.

But another part of me dreams of raising entrepreneurs.

Ones who push boundaries, question things to better understand, and aren't afraid to forge their own path.

Honestly, either path works for me, as long as they are happy.

Every Thursday night, on the way to hip-hop dance class, my 11-year-old Harper and I talk about the business she wants to build.

It's become our weekly ritual, reviewing her "business plan," updating it, and figuring out what's missing.

And since I promised to be her first investor and biggest supporter, it's crucial we build that investor-entrepreneur relationship early.

Right now, we are building "Fit & Fashion" where local ladies can gather, purchase Alo quality items at Rack prices, while joining in fitness classes. 

The real question: are we empowering her to chase her dreams or just teaching her to follow orders?

Either way, I know one thing , what she learns now will shape her future.

And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

What about your kids? Do you want them to follow a well-trodden path or blaze their trail?

Let's talk about it in the comments.

This week was... loud.

Multiple client calls.
Same issue. Different employees.

People asking for more money —
using every tactic in the book to get it.

Market rates.
Past titles.
What their friend makes.
What they feel they deserve.

So here’s how I look at it:

Compensation = the value the position brings to the company.

That’s it.

Your prior experience?
Relevant to getting hired — not getting a raise.

Your prior pay or title?
Relevant to your resume — not your compensation here.

Other companies paying more for “the same role”?
Then that role might make sense... at that company.

Titles, responsibilities, leadership, expectations —
they vary too much for pay-by-comparison to mean much.

So what’s the real goal?

Stop playing their game.
Play your game.

The one built around:
1️⃣ Profit
2️⃣ Growth
3️⃣ Sustainability

If someone materially contributes to those —
work to keep them.

If they don’t —
don’t take the easy road and pay more for the same value you already had.

When I evaluate compensation, I come back to two questions:
1. What would it cost to replace them in their current role?
2. Knowing what I know now, would I hire them today at the pay they’re asking for?

Those two answers solve a lot of future problems.

One more thing most people don’t like hearing: When someone worked for me, compensation was discussed once per year.

That’s it.

Not open-ended.
Not ongoing.
Not emotional.

Because compensation should:

1️⃣ Align with responsibilities
(As clearly defined in the job description.
If responsibilities change → comp gets reviewed.)

2️⃣ Scale with growth
Every role should have a clear formula for what growth with the company looks like.
When compensation is tied to revenue and/or profit percentages,
most “raise conversations” disappear.

Clarity beats negotiation.
Structure beats pressure.

Curious — how do you think about compensation when emotions enter the room?

Saturdays are my favorite days of the week. 
But not because I don't do much, in fact, quite the opposite...

My wife and I are very intentional about planning our weekends in advance. 

And one thing we have been more focused on lately is planning weekends with nothing - completely open. 

To work around the house, clean things up in the garage, and be prepared for our next adventure. 

Today is one of those days. 

These days very much look the same: 

Wake up later than normal, usually around 8:30. 
Make a big pot of coffee. 
And plan out my day - Even on my weekends, I am spending time writing out my To-do List. 
Start at the top of the list. 

This season I am focusing on having everything I need ready for Spring to ensure I get a good jump on my yard, the house, and items, so we can have more time and weekends away, enjoying the summer. 

But, no matter what, my goal is to have everything completed by 4 pm on Saturday, to rest and Sabbath till 1 pm on Sunday. 

Curious – What do your Saturday's away from work look like?

The great Sunday reset. 

Our preparation today is going to make a great Monday. 
And a great Monday makes a great week. 

We make our momentum and follow it. 
We push through our comfort and seek our goals on the other side. 
We plan our time rather than wondering what happened. 

We grow personally. 
We grow professionally. 
We grow our closest relationships. 

By this time next week we will be that much closer to our goals. 
We will be one week further from last weeks troubles. 

Planning our 3 strategic objectives for the week. 
Planning our 3 daily task each day to ensure they are done. 

Who's with me?

The grind of growing a small service business is real. 

When I took over the branch office of my family's business, it felt like a mountain too high to climb. 

Sure, it had revenue of $440k annually, but was losing -$50k per year. 

But now, looking back, I wish I knew then what I know now: 
It is much simpler when you have a repeatable system. 

A system that when implemented into the business, followed, and reviewed, changes everything. 

One that is planned annually, built quarterly, monitored weekly, and executed daily. 

One that turns current revenue profitable. 

One that tells cash where to go - Instead of wondering where it is.

One that manages time on the right things. 

One that sets goals and defined the future destination. 

One that provides the exact daily and weekly plan to follow. 

One that retains all current clients, while adding new ones. 

One that ensures the pricing is profitable and competitive. 

One that puts revenue on repeat. 

This is now what I coach to my clients in a 8-week program: 
The Profitable Growth Accelerator. 

If you might be interested in hearing more about this system, please reach out. 

My desire is not to sell you something you don't want, 
but to implement the right system in your business. 

One that makes today the last day your business looks like it does. 

If you want to take a peek, shoot me a DM.

Are you the type to make New Year's Resolutions, or do you skip them altogether?

Honestly, I believe everyone needs at least one goal, because real growth only happens when there's change.

We don't need more information. We need transformation. 

But here's the catch: Change doesn't just happen.
It starts with a clear, measurable goal, a timeline, and a plan.

Whether your goal is to lose 20 pounds or grow your business by 20%, breaking it into 90-day chunks makes it manageable.

Want to drop 20? Focus on 5 pounds every 90 days.
Looking to scale? Aim for a 5% growth each quarter.

It's not about WHEN you start, 
it's about HAVING a goal and a plan to reach it.

Goals for 10 years, 3 years, and 1 year are important.

But the real magic? 
Breaking them down into actionable steps for the next 90 days.

Know where you are now, define where you want to go, and map out your 90-day milestones.

Set your goals today , whether it's New Year's or a random Tuesday.
Grow in every aspect, and make this year different than the last.

One goal at a time.
One 90-day sprint.

Struggling to define your next 90-day goals?
Reach out, I'd love to help you turn big dreams into achievable plans.

Let's make this year your best yet.

PS: My goal is to help 100+ small service-business owners build better businesses in 2026. Improving pay, satisfaction, and profit - all without adding more hours.

My wife and I have started the process of looking for a new family vehicle. 

We simply cannot fit our family of 4 and our luggage (We all have a tendency to overpack a bit.) in either of our two current cars. 

But while talking to sales people and dealerships one thing stood out. 
This dealership 20 min south, does not negotiate. 

They go by a one-price motto. 

I was a bit used to this when purchasing Audi's in my previous life, but for a Toyota? 

But that's it. 

The price they give you in store is the price they sell it. 
Everyone gets the same price. 

Then I started thinking about all of the positives of this...

Eliminates possible discrimination. 
Levels the ground for different levels of negotiations. 
Allows each person to get the same deal, no matter their purchasing power. 

I hated it as a buyer, as I wanted to negotiate. 
I want to feel like I am winning something more. 

But as a business, I love it. 

Too many times, service-based business owners build their price, but are open to negotiation. 

They lower their price to make a customer happy. 
Or provide a discount to help get the sale. 

But this can work in the opposite direction. 
It cheapens the service. 

1️⃣ Build your perfect profitable price for each service. 
2️⃣ Stick to it. Don't negotiate. 

Some of my clients are hesitant to tell clients their pricing. 
When that is the case, we...
1️⃣ Post it to a website or landing page. 
2️⃣ Point every client to that page. 
3️⃣ Have them book a call at the bottom. 

Easy peasy.

(PS: This was last night's sunset from the dealership. God's creation is beautiful!)

I spent this week in a workshop and revisited an old one.

The focus? Building the perfect program for my clients and packaging it in a way that makes the "yes" obvious.

Sounds simple, right? It's not.

That's the real work behind growing my business:

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁.

Because it's not just about the tactics.

It's about framing.
It's about mindset.

And here's what shifted for me this week:
The real game changer isn't just the offer.

It's how I see my value, my impact, and my market.

If I want my business to grow, I've got to believe in what I do , in the impact my services have on business owners and why they should choose me over others.

Clients aren't just numbers. They're partners.

What's the one mindset shift that's changed how you see your business and leadership?

Helen Yu

CEO @Tigon Advisory Corp. | Host of CXO Spice | Board Director |Top 50 Women in Tech | AI, Cybersecurity, FinTech, Insurance, Industry40, Growth Acceleration

As the founder and CEO of Tigon Advisory, I help tech companies of all sizes multiply their growth opportunities by leveraging AI, cybersecurity, IoT, supply chain, and customer experience. With over a decade of technology industry experience, I offer CXO-as-a-service and guidance to organizations through digital transformation, strategic planning, enterprise risk management, go-to-market optimization, and influencer marketing.

I have worked with enterprise clients such as SAP, IBM, Salesforce and Microsoft, as well as B2B SaaS, Fintech, Insuretech, and Martech startups. I also serve as an independent board director and a venture capital advisor, where I bring a unique perspective on technology thought leadership, cybersecurity risk management, go-to-market strategy, and customer experience. I am a certified cybersecurity expert from MIT Sloan School of Management, an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, and a respected industry thought leader, a Wall Street Journal best selling author, a keynote speaker, and a host of CXO Spice podcast. I am passionate about empowering and mentoring the next generation of technology leaders, especially women and minorities.

Director Board of Directors

CEC is a security service integrator with focus markets in manufacturing, healthcare, SLED and Corporate Campus.  Customers with complicated organizations and physical plants rely on CEC as extensions of their teams in making strategic investment and management decisions related to their technology and infrastructure. I serve as Culture and Compensation Committee Chair. 

Is your data infrastructure ready for the robotics era?

At #CES, I reconnected with Spencer Huang, Product Lead for Robotics at NVIDIA to get an update on Cosmos and GR00T.

His statement resonated with me: the companies winning in robotics have stopped waiting for perfect models. They're capturing data NOW.

Three insights that changed how I think about this space:
✅ The data problem is here 2026 will see a massive influx of real-world robotic data. But Spencer warns: "It's very easy to generate lots of data that's not useful." Winners will build pipelines to curate and synthesize quality data.
✅ Hybrid tasks = biggest opportunity The sweet spot are tasks too complex for traditional robots but not complex enough to need general AI. This is where companies can deploy TODAY.
✅ Dual simulation unlocks scale Cosmos provides diversity through natural language. Omniverse delivers physical precision. Together, they solve what seemed impossible: infinite scenarios with accurate physics.

Spencer's key insight: "If you want to leverage the technologies coming out in a year or two, capturing that data today is extremely crucial."

The inflection point for Robotics is here. What's your move?
Full insights: https://lnkd.in/gUMawp8m

#Robotics #AI #PhysicalAI #Manufacturing #Innovation

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"It's completely infeasible in the robotics space to assume one company can solve this, because we have to represent the entire world. It's not just t

Open article: The Future of Physical AI: Key Insights from NVIDIA's Robotics Product Lead at CES by Helen Yu • 5 min read

The Future of Physical AI: Key Insights from NVIDIA's Robotics Product Lead at CES

The ChatGPT Moment for #Robotics Is Here.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA delivered one of the most significant keynotes at CES, and the message is clear: physical AI breakthroughs are unlocking entirely new applications.

Just as ChatGPT transformed how we interact with AI through language, we're now witnessing a parallel revolution in the physical world. 

Huang predicts this could become the largest technology industry the world has ever seen, driven by three key pillars: agentic AI, self-driving cars, and humanoid robots.

Here are Key Announcements:
✅ NVIDIA Cosmos - A world foundation model platform trained on 20 million hours of real-world robotics and driving videos, enabling developers to create realistic simulations for testing autonomous systems
✅ Drive AV Stack - Mercedez Benz CLA achieved the highest Euro NCAP safety score in 2025, with urban driving capabilities rolling out via OTA updates in just over a year
✅ Isaac Robotics Platform - Open frameworks including Groot 1.6 with Cosmos Reason integration, enabling generalist-specialist robots that combine broad knowledge with deep expertise
✅Jetson Thor T4-1000 - Delivering 1,200 teraflops of AI compute at just 40-70 watts, making advanced robotics accessible at scale

The shift is already happening. Hundreds of billions in VC funding and trillions in R&D budgets are transitioning from classical computing methods to AI. Companies from Boston Dynamics to LEM Surgical AG are building on this platform to transform everything from manufacturing to healthcare.

Stay tuned for my conversation wtih Spencer Huang to get the latest update on Cosmos and GR00T. 

We're moving from AI that perceives and generates to AI that perceives, reasons, plans, and acts in the physical world. The future isn't just thinking machines; it's machines that can navigate our reality safely and intelligently.

What applications of physical AI are you most excited about? 

#CES2025 #PhysicalAI #Robotics #AutonomousVehicles #AI #Innovation #NVIDIAPartner

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What happens when Physical AI moves from demos to real-world deployment at scale, in motion, and in the operating room?

The NVIDIA Physical AI Showcase at CES had answers everywhere.
This short video captures some of the most memorable moments.

My favorite highlights:
✅ Miroki by Enchanted Tools
A familiar face from NVIDIA GTC last year - this social, general-purpose robot is designed to support patients through care, restorative, and cognitive assistance, making human-centered robotics tangible.
✅ Reachy Mini by Reachy.ai + NVIDIA DGX Spark
I got hands-on creating a stylized image with Reachy Mini, powered by NVIDIA DGX Spark. A fun, experimental process even though the result looked more like Shrek than me 😄.
✅ TRINITY – will.i.am’s one-seat EV concept
Focused on situational awareness, TRINITY lets drivers talk to AI about traffic and surroundings in real time, processing vision locally to understand the physical world beyond a map.
✅ LEM Surgical: From Innovation to Standard of Care
Already FDA 510(k) cleared and in routine clinical use, the Dynamis system shows how NVIDIA Physical AI is advancing robotic surgery toward greater autonomy and perception.
✅ AGIBOT at Scale
AGIBOT has shipped its 5,000th humanoid robot, now deployed across hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, security, and education; proof that humanoids are moving beyond prototypes.
✅ Reconnecting with Spencer Huang (NVIDIA Robotics)
A great conversation on what Physical AI enables next and how it’s moving from research to real-world impact. Stay tuned for the upcoming CXO Spice newsletter where I will be sharing more about our conversation.

Physical AI is no longer a glimpse of the future; it’s unfolding now across healthcare, mobility, and humanoid robotics.

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation,
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What does 'durability over speed' require from boards and executive teams in practice?

What is emerging at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week - ADSW is a view of leadership grounded in clarity and long-term alignment. Progress at scale is being discussed as something enabled by governance, consistency, and disciplined decision-making, rather than driven by momentum or messaging.

Partnerships are being framed as deliberate and earned, built on trust, shared values, and continuity over time. That framing will resonate with boards and executive teams operating in complex environments, where durability matters more than speed.

This perspective was articulated by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber during the opening ceremony and sits within a broader UAE emphasis on long-term alignment. Values are being positioned as a practical guide for how investments are assessed, how partners are chosen, and how progress is measured, with attention focused on systems that can hold over decades.

#ADSW2025 #Sustainability #ESG #CorporateGovernance #ClimateAction
To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation,
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What separates AI leaders from followers in financial services?

I'm pleased to share my perspective as quoted in sixth annual NVIDIA State of AI in Financial Services report: 89% of financial institutions report AI is increasing revenue while decreasing costs, and 65% are now actively deploying AI.

Here's my perspective on what matters:
"Open-source models are fundamentally changing the competitive dynamics in financial AI. The real value capture happens when institutions fine-tune these models on their proprietary transaction data, customer interaction histories and market intelligence, creating AI capabilities that competitors cannot replicate."

The institutions winning in AI are treating proprietary data as a strategic advantage. With 84% prioritizing open-source models and 42% exploring agentic AI, we're witnessing the foundation of competitive differentiation being built right now.

Download NVIDIA’s "State of AI in Financial Services: 2026 Trends" report to see where the industry is heading and how leaders are capturing value: https://nvda.ws/3ZqjDoW

#FinancialServices #AI #Innovation #CFO #CIO

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation, Subscribe to 👉 #CXOSpiceNewsletter here https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg 
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Are you keeping up with AI infrastructure as it rapidly evolves?

Mark your calendar for NVIDIA AI Infrastructure Certification and get a comprehensive look at NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure certification portfolio across associate and professional levels. It is designed for network engineers, DevOps and MLOps professionals, data center specialists, technical leaders, and early career technologists looking to validate their skills, stay competitive, and prepare for what’s next in the AI ecosystem.

What you will learn:
✅ What’s new with NVIDIA Certification and how it aligns with AI infrastructure, networking, and operations
✅ Which exam is right for you or your team and why
✅ Practical exam prep strategies, sample questions, and study guidance
✅ A preview of the hands-on professional exams launching in 2026
✅ Live Q and A with certification experts

Bonus for attendees: Receive an exclusive 50% off exam discount code

January 29 | Two live sessions, one hour each:
EMEA and APAC: 9 a.m. CET | 1:30 p.m. IST | 4 p.m. SGT
Americas and LATAM: 9 a.m. PT | 2 p.m. BRT

Featuring experts from NVIDIA and Computacenter, including Marco Alves, Gary F., and Brad Christian.

👉 Register now to secure your spot:
https://lnkd.in/giE55_pi

#NVIDIA #AIInfrastructure #AICertification #DevOps #MLOps #Networking #DataCenter #CareerGrowth #FutureSkills

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation, Subscribe to 👉 #CXOSpiceNewsletter here https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg 
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When 75% of your customer data is out of reach—how do you fix that?

I recently hosted John Picinich, Director of Product Management at Progress Software on CXO Spice, and the first step for fixing fractured data foundations he shared resonated with me: "Once governance is standardized, you can layer automation, managed file transfer, APIs, and AI data feeds much more easily because everything becomes more scalable and secure by default."

Here's what keeps me up at night:
Financial institutions are pouring millions into AI, fraud prevention, and customer experience initiatives. Yet most are building on quicksand and fragmented systems limiting them to only accessing 25% of their own customer data.

The institutions winning today understand three things:
✅ Data fragmentation is a competitive liability
✅ You can't retrofit security; it must be built into the foundation
✅ Governance comes before AI, automation, or any other shiny object

John shared something that resonates with what I see across industries: "The human element is the weakest link."
Consistent policies. Centralized governance. Standardized frameworks.
That’s the difference between scaling confidently and collapsing under your own complexity.  Check out the Highmark Federal Credit Union transformation story.

Watch CXO Spice where John and I explore practical strategies for secure data movement, responsible AI implementation, and building the infrastructure that determines whether you'll lead or lag in the next decade: https://lnkd.in/gPq8B8Tg

#DataStrategy #FinancialServices #CyberSecurity #DigitalTransformation #AI

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation, Subscribe to 👉 #CXOSpiceNewsletter here https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg 
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”Once governance is standardized, you can layer automation, managed file transfer, APIs, and AI data feeds much more easily because everything becomes

Open article: The Data Strategy Imperative for Financial Institutions by Helen Yu • 6 min read

The Data Strategy Imperative for Financial Institutions

When a cyberattack hits, will your board lead or scramble?
✅ The average data breach now costs $4.88M globally and $9.3M in the U.S.
✅ 99% of ransomware attacks target backups, with recovery taking 24 days on average.
✅ 75% of security leaders say AI-powered attacks are already having a major impact.

This threat landscape is active and accelerating today.

AI and quantum computing are reshaping the threat landscape faster than most organizations can adapt. Building higher walls won’t save you when attackers scale faster, smarter, and cheaper.

Cybersecurity is no longer just a CISO issue; it’s a boardroom mandate.

Leading organizations are changing the playbook:
✅ From preventing everything → to managing acceptable risk
✅ From defense-first → to rapid response and recovery
✅ From cost center → to strategic business enabler

Read more from my blog: Is your board of directors truly leading on cyber readiness?
👉 https://lnkd.in/gMYj4TvD

Tune in Tuesday for the release of the 2026 Outlook for Identity Management Report to learn how boards and security leaders can stay ahead of the threat curve.

The convergence is underway and board preparedness will separate leaders from laggards.

#Cybersecurity #RiskManagement #BoardDirectors #CEOs 

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation,
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What does 3,500 people, a snowstorm, and cloud ERP innovation have in common? ❄️

I’m in Seattle for my first Acumatica Summit, where the focus is clear: business results today driven by people and powered by Community.

This 18-second video was captured at SEA Airport and tonight’s welcome reception, offering a quick glimpse of the journey here and the momentum building as partners get ready to showcase their solutions despite travel disruptions from the snowstorm.

Looking forward to the opening keynote and conversations with John Case, CEO of Acumatica, Nick Novy, CEO of Korpack, an Acumatica customer and Paul Tedford, CEO of WM Synergy, an Acumatica partner.

Let’s get started—building the future of business together.

👉 To get the latest updates from the Acumatica Summit, subscribe to
#CXOSpiceNewsletter: https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg or #CXOSpiceYouTube: https://lnkd.in/gnMc-Vpj

#AcumaticaSummit #CloudERP #AI #Seattle

Are you losing talent because your systems look like they're from 2005?

At last week's Acumatica Summit, Paul Tedford, CEO of WM Synergy, shared a sobering reality: One of his manufacturing prospects is bleeding young talent because workers refuse to learn outdated technology.

Sound familiar?

After guiding 2,000+ companies through ERP modernization, Paul's seen the same pattern:
🔴 30% of the manufacturing workforce is 55+ (the "gray tsunami")
🔴 Manufacturing is now the #1 target for ransomware
🔴 Companies start with technology and work backward (big mistake)

The companies that succeed do three things differently.
I break down Paul's framework in my latest newsletter including the hidden critical success factor most companies overlook.

Read the full insights from this week’s #CXOSpice newsletter or
Watch our conversation: https://lnkd.in/gTQKGfA9

#CloudERP #DigitalTransformation #AcumaticaSummit #AI #Manufacturing 

To stay current with the latest trends in #Technology and #Innovation, subscribe to #CXOSpiceNewsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/gy2RJ9xg
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"I was talking to one of our prospects in Connecticut who runs a manufacturing company. He said one of the biggest reasons they're looking at new soft

Open article: Is Your Mid-Sized Company Ready for Modern ERP? Key Insights from the Acumatica Summit by Helen Yu • 6 min read

Is Your Mid-Sized Company Ready for Modern ERP? Key Insights from the Acumatica Summit

Are aerial robots quietly redefining how solar assets are maintained?

Drone-based cleaning is moving beyond novelty and into practical use. Instead of ground robots or rooftop crews, lightweight drones can now clear dust and sand from panels without contact; an important advantage for large solar farms where access is difficult and soiling losses add up fast.

What stands out is the operating model:
✅ Inspection and cleaning in a single pass
✅ No scaffolding or full-array shutdowns
✅ Far lower water use than conventional methods

This reframes cleaning from a periodic task into an ongoing maintenance process. It’s a subtle shift, but one that could compound into meaningful efficiency gains at scale.

It is still early, but this is a case where robotics fits the problem unusually well.

#Robotics #Solar #Drone #Innovation

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taplio

The Battle

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Helen Yu

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Damien Foglio's LinkedIn Performance

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