The Exit Gal. Follow for posts on business and leadership. Helping entrepreneurs turn their business into wealth & legacy. [3x CEO, 1x Exit, SMU lecturer, author & speaker, ex private equity consultant.]

Chief Rebel began because small business owners were left to figure everything out alone.
7 out of 10 SMBs fail to sell. Buyers walk away. Owners burn out. 
And the systems that should help them were built for another world.

Most founders do not have a valuation problem.
They have an operations problem.
They have a clarity problem.
They have a business that only works when they do.

I lived this across acquisitions, turnarounds, and exits.
I know what it feels like to run a company that performs well on paper but falls apart the moment you step away.
And I know what it takes to rebuild a business into an asset someone else actually wants to own.

AI made analysis faster.
It did not make decisions better.
And it did not make selling a business any easier.

Founders do not need more noise.
They need visibility.
They need a co pilot.
They need a path from chaos to a premium exit.

So I built Chief Rebel.

We experimented, learned, iterated, and now the platform is live with real owners, real valuations, and real pull from the market.

Chief Rebel is the first platform built to help owners
• understand what their business is worth in real time
• fix the operational blockers that drag value down
• model their dream exit with actual data
• become exit ready long before they think about selling
• operate like someone who owns an asset, not someone trapped inside a job

What we do not have
• generic AI advice
• one size fits all coaching
• hype, noise, or empty promises

Just a straighter path to a business that runs without the owner and sells for what it’s truly worth.

We are onboarding founders, expanding integrations, and building the default ops and exit platform for 33 million SMBs. Our pre seed SAFE round is now open.

If you want more information, message investor@thechiefrebel.com

Operate smart. Value accurately. Exit well.
Chief Rebel.

Kinza Azmat

High-EQ leaders build high-performance teams.

Here are 13 reasons why: 

1/ They regulate, not react.
↳ When the leader stays steady, the team does too.

2/ They do not micromanage.
↳ High performers do not need hand-holding, they need space and clarity.

3/ They make honesty safe.
↳ No guessing, no walking on eggshells, real talk is welcome.

4/ They ask how you are first.
↳ People show up better when they feel seen.

5/ They give tough feedback with respect.
↳ Direct lands better when the person still feels valued.

6/ They do not take everything personally.
↳ Not every bump is an attack, sometimes it is just business.

7/ They protect focus.
↳ No random fires just because someone raised their voice.

8/ They own their part when things break.
↳ Accountability at the top sets the tone for everyone else.

9/ They stay calm in the messy moments.
↳ Emotional stability spreads fast through a team.

10/ They do not punish smart risks.
↳ Innovation needs room for mistakes and learning.

11/ They respect different communication styles.
↳ Not everyone talks or processes the same and that is okay.

12/ They are willing to say when they are not okay.
↳ Real honesty builds trust faster than pretending everything is perfect.

13/ They build teams that can run without them.
↳ Real leadership is not being the hero, it is creating a system that works even when you step away.

Emotional intelligence is not soft.

It is practical.
It is strategic.
It is how you build a team that does not fall apart the moment you take a week off.

Which one hits you today? 
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for more on building a business that grows without you.

Strong leaders are not threatened by pushback.

They grow because of it.

Real talk,
The best leaders I know are not the loudest in the room
They are the ones who make space for ideas, 
even the ideas that challenge them.

They do not shut people down.
They do not flex their title.
They do not pretend they have all the answers.

They do this instead:

1️⃣ They listen before they react
2️⃣ They ask for clarity, not comfort
3️⃣ They treat feedback like data, not drama
4️⃣ They guide the team, not control it
5️⃣ They make decisions that serve the entire organization, not their ego
6️⃣ They help people grow, even when it requires patience
7️⃣ They stay steady when things get messy
8️⃣ They inspire through their actions every single day

Strong leaders do not fear pushback

They use it to become:
- Better
- Sharper
- Clearer

If you want a team that trusts you,

Let them challenge you
Let them speak
Let them think

That is how real leadership happens.

What is one quality you think every leader needs right now?
Drop it below 👇

♻️ Repost to help more leaders build teams
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for more on growing, leading, and scaling smarter.

Founder of Chief Rebel | The Ops Co-Pilot for Main Street SMBs (Closing Pre-Seed) | 3x CEO 1x Exit | SMU Lecturer & Speaker | Follow for Business, Exits, Leadership

Recognition costs nothing.

But it drives results like nothing else.

People wanna feel seen.
It is a basic human need.
And when folks feel valued, they just work differently.

More effort. 
More trust. 
Less stress all around.

Here are 7 simple ways to show real appreciation that actually lands:

1/ Say their win out loud
↳ Call out the exact thing they did
↳ Keep it short so it feels natural

2/ Notice the small stuff
↳ Mention the thing they thought no one saw
↳ Tie it back to how it helped the team

3/ Send a quick note
↳ Two sentences max, so it feels real
↳ Be specific, not generic

4/ Ask for their take
↳ Give them space to talk without rushing
↳ Apply at least one thing they suggest

5/ Give credit fast
↳ Name the person in the room, not after the meeting
↳ Tell others how their work helped you

6/ Celebrate progress
↳ Call out effort, not perfection
↳ Highlight how far they came

7/ Do the real check in
↳ Put your phone down and listen
↳ Ask one simple question: “What do you need right now?”

People do their best work when they feel recognized, not ignored.
A team that feels valued stays longer, shows up better, and works with more heart.

Which one are you trying this week?
Share it in the comments 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

7 Simple Ways To Appreciate Your Team

Most people wait for the perfect moment.
I moved because there isn’t one.

Fresh off the immigrant boat.
No family capital.
No favors to call in.

Just the sense that staying put meant shrinking.

I could’ve waited for the “right time.”
I could’ve convinced myself I needed more experience.
I could’ve played it safe.

But comfort is what keeps us stuck.

The traps:

❌ Thinking you need to feel ready.
Readiness comes after you start.

❌ Treating uncertainty like danger.
Most of the risk exists in your head.

❌ Waiting for confidence.
Confidence shows up once you do.

The reality:
✅ You learn faster under pressure.
✅ The bar is lower than you think.
✅ Motion creates opportunities.

Here's the 3 shifts you need to make:
1/ Take the smallest uncomfortable step.
2/ Leverage what you already know.
3/ Develop your "figure it out" muscle.

You don’t get handed certainty.
You earn it by moving.

If someone you know is waiting to be “ready,” send this to them.
They’ll get the point.

Follow Kinza Azmat for more founder truths.

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Katie Ng-Mak - Private eCommerce Business in Air & Water Purification | LinkedIn

How to Delegate Like a Fortune 500 CEO

(Without Burning Out Your Team)

Delegation is the basics of running and scaling a business.
If you want your company to grow, 
You cannot be the only one holding the steering wheel.

If you want delegation that actually works in real life…

Here are the practical Do’s and Don’ts:

✅ Tell them exactly what you want
❌ Don’t give confusing tasks that feel like a puzzle
Eg: “Send me a 1-page update on deadlines by 3pm.”

✅ Explain why the task matters
❌ Don’t say “just do it” and walk away
Eg: “This helps us plan the launch properly.”

✅ Show you trust them
❌ Don’t check every minute like you are waiting for bad news
Eg: “Ping me only if something blocks you.”

✅ Let them do it their way
❌ Don’t force your way every single time
Eg: “Use whatever format works best for you.”

✅ Ask what they think
❌ Don’t act like you know everything in the room
Eg: “What do you suggest we do next?”

✅ Let them make small decisions
❌ Don’t make them wait for approval on every tiny choice
Eg: “Choose the design you prefer.”

✅ Praise good work
❌ Don’t take the credit yourself
Eg: “You nailed this, well done.”

✅ Give chances to grow
❌ Don’t keep all the big work for yourself
Eg: “You lead the client call this time.”

✅ Allow mistakes
❌ Don’t get angry when they are trying to improve
Eg: “Good try, what’s the improvement for the next round?”

✅ Help when they truly need it
❌Don’t jump in the moment that looks messy
Eg: “Tell me if you need backup.”

✅ Tell them the goal clearly
❌ Don’t control every step
Eg: “Target: 10% increase by Friday.”

✅ Support them through challenges
❌ Don’t rescue them from every problem
Eg: “What options do you see to fix this?”

✅ Give real responsibility
❌ Don’t give only boring or easy tasks
Eg: “You own delivery and timeline.”

✅ Step back once you assign it
❌ Don’t stand over their shoulder like a spotlight
Eg: “Show me when you have the first version.”

Delegation is not about pushing work onto others.
It is about building people who can help the business grow without you doing everything.

Which one do you need to work on next?
Tell me in the comments 👇

♻ Repost this to help someone who wants to scale
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

66% of employees would quit tomorrow.
Not for more money.
But for more appreciation.

Every exit sets your systems back months.

Knowledge lost.
Projects stalled.
Clients unsettled.
Momentum gone.

Most founders think retention sits with HR.
But it’s a leadership responsibility.

Because underappreciated people don’t just leave jobs.
They leave leaders.

Appreciation isn’t pizza Fridays or gift cards.
It’s how you treat your best people when no one’s watching.

Here’s what strong founders do instead 👇

1️⃣ Pay them what they’ve earned without waiting to be asked.
2️⃣ Ask for their input on big calls, not just updates.
3️⃣ Celebrate wins their way, some want quiet, some want spotlight.
4️⃣ Give space for their ideas, not just the loudest voices.
5️⃣ Protect them from burnout before they even mention it.

Your best people don’t want constant praise.

They want to feel - 

↳ Seen.
↳ Valued.
↳ Trusted.

Appreciation costs nothing.
Losing them costs everything.

What’s one way you make your team feel valued?
Drop it below 👇

♻️ Repost if this hit home.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for posts on building businesses that grow without you.

What does it take to build a strong team?

Start by understanding what your people need.

Here is the breakdown:

1/ Basic Needs
↳ Fair pay, safe space, steady hours
↳ When this is met, people stop missing work from stress

2/ Security
↳ Clear roles, job stability, and honest communication
↳ People work better when they are not worried about sudden changes

3/ Belonging
↳ Real connection, trust, feeling included
↳ This is when people begin to enjoy the work and each other

4/ Recognition + Growth
↳ Appreciation, development, and clear next steps
↳ Motivation stays strong when people feel seen and supported

5/ Purpose
↳ Why the work matters, why the team exists
↳ This is where loyalty grows and good people stay long term

When these needs are met at work:

✅ They feel happier.
✅ Motivation stays high.
✅ Hiring becomes easier.
✅ People miss fewer days.
✅ Good employees stay longer.

And with the right tools and remote support, everyone gets more done with less stress.

Strong teams are not built by accident.

They are built by leaders who understand what people need, 
Not just what the job requires.

Which level do you think most workplaces skip?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost if you believe strong teams start with real human needs.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

Motivation is a scam.
That’s not how you build a great company.

When things get hard, motivation disappears.
What keeps you going is mindset... the kind forged in repetition, not adrenaline.

Three lessons that changed how I build:

1. Discipline beats motivation.
 -> Motivation is mood-based. Systems are survival.
 -> If your business depends on inspiration, it’s already unstable.

2. Hard choices make an easier life.
 -> Every shortcut becomes tomorrow’s crisis.
 -> Do the hard thing now. It costs less later.

3. Done beats perfect.
 -> Perfection is fear in disguise.
 -> Progress happens when you ship, learn, and adjust.

The founders who last don’t chase motivation.
They build companies that run when they’re tired.

Follow Kinza Azmat for lessons from the trenches.
Repost if you’re building something that outlasts motivation.

Most micromanagers are just scared.

Scared of things slipping.
Scared of looking irrelevant.
Scared that if they step back, everything falls apart.

A business owner told me this week,
“Look, if I don’t double-check the work, my crew’s gonna mess it up.”
And honestly? I get it.

Most founders don’t wake up wanting to hover.
They just don’t trust the system to catch mistakes yet.

Micromanagement usually isn’t about control.
It’s about fear and unclear expectations.

You hover when:
 → You haven’t defined what “done right” looks like.
 → You’re sprinting without time to teach.
 → You secretly believe, no one will do it like I would.

The fix isn’t to “let go.”
It’s to build clarity so tight you don’t have to.

Start with this:
1) Write down what “good” actually means.
2) Share how decisions get made when you’re not around.
3) Let people learn through small failures instead of big disasters.

You’ll stop micromanaging the minute your team can predict what you’d want without asking.

Follow Kinza Azmat for more leadership truths. 
Repost if you forgive a leader's mistakes.

AI is the new unfair advantage for entrepreneurs. 

Use these 9 free resources to level up.

Founders keep chasing shiny tools
But AI is not about tools.

It is about learning the skills that help you:

- Improve margins
- Tighten operations
- Make faster decisions
- Reduce founder dependence
- Build a business that feels smoother and calmer

Here are 9 free AI resources worth your time:

1/ OpenAI Academy (Self paced)
↳ Learn directly from the team behind ChatGpt
↳ Helps you think in systems so your operations do not rely on you

2/ Google AI Essentials (5 hours)
↳ Remove wasted steps across your team with simple automations
↳ Perfect for founders who switch tasks a hundred times a day

3/ AWS Prompt Engineering Course (4 hours)
↳ Teaches you how to structure prompts that get real results
↳ Helpful if you want faster decisions without endless back and forth

4/ MIT Introduction to Generative AI (Self paced)
↳ Makes AI strategy easy to understand
↳ Helps you build a smoother business without adding stress

5/ Y Combinator AI Talks (Self paced)
↳ Insights from founders actually using AI
↳ Helps you avoid early mistakes while building a business that slow growth

6/ Perplexity Academy (2 hours)
↳ Teaches you how to research much faster
↳ A strong resource for founders overwhelmed by information

7/ Ideabrowser AI Case Studies (Self paced)
↳ Real examples of AI inside small businesses
↳ Cuts months of trial and error and steal what already works

8/ Google AI Business Applications (3 hours)
↳ Shows how AI improves operations inside large companies
↳ Use the same ideas to tighten workflows in your own business

9/ Microsoft AI Fundamentals (3 hours)
↳ Strong foundation without the technical overload
↳ Great for cleaner handoffs and stronger systems

AI is not here to replace your team.
It is here to make your business smoother, calmer, and more profitable.

Which one are you starting with?
Share it below 👇

♻ Repost this to help your network.
✅ follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter

9 Free AI Resources Every Founders Should Master

Not everyone is built for business acquisition.

But the ones who win share these 12 traits:

1/ They stay coachable
↳ They take feedback quickly and apply it without letting pride get in the way.

2/ They work past the clock
↳ Deals fall apart when effort stops the moment the workday ends.

3/ They search for the right business, not just any
↳ The wrong fit drains money, energy, and time faster than expected.

4/ They make decisions before doubt builds up
↳ Winners understand that hesitation can cost them the entire opportunity.

5/ They adjust quickly when markets shift
↳ They stay flexible so changes do not throw their plans off track.

6/ They run operations with real discipline
↳ Strong systems and steady leadership keep a business healthy long term.

7/ They protect their downside at every step
↳ Smart deal structure shields them when unexpected problems show up.

8/ They understand their numbers fully
↳ Clear financial insight helps them avoid surprises after the deal closes.

9/ They build dependable relationships
↳ Trust with brokers and sellers leads to better deals and smoother talks.

10/ They rely on systems, not endless effort
↳ Clear processes allow growth without burning out the entire team.

11/ They think far beyond the short term
↳ Real wealth comes from choices that compound over many years.

12/ They lead with confidence instead of ego
↳ Calm leadership allows the deal to move forward even in tough moments.

Buying a business is not just buying a business.
It is taking on pressure, people, and problems.
The ones who win know how to handle all of it.

Which trait lands the hardest for you today?
Let’s discuss in the comments 👇

♻️ Repost if this resonated
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for more on growing, leading, and scaling smarter.

10 AI Skills Every Founder Must Learn

(If you want to scale faster in 2026)

Most founders still treat AI like a nice-to-have skill.
But forget it’s the easiest way to save time, cut stress, and run your biz smoother.

If you want cleaner decisions and lighter days in 2026; 
Start with these 10 AI skills.

1️⃣ AI for Decision Support
↳ Ask AI to compare options with clear pros and cons.
↳ Check blind spots before you commit to a choice.

2️⃣ AI for Problem Solving
↳ Break tough problems into small, doable steps.
↳ Find faster paths instead of spinning your wheels.

3️⃣ Prompt Engineering
↳ Give AI context and examples so output stays sharp.
↳ Communicate clearly to get exactly what you need.

4️⃣ AI for Workflow Building
↳ Link tools so tasks run quietly in the background.
↳ Build routines that work even when you’re offline.

5️⃣ AI for Automation
↳ Remove repetitive tasks that drain your day.
↳ Free up time so you can focus on real growth.

6️⃣ AI for Customer Comms
↳ Draft support replies that keep your tone consistent.
↳ Build response templates so your team answers faster.

7️⃣ AI for Content Repurposing
↳ Turn one idea into a full week of content.
↳ Stay consistent without constant brainstorming.

8️⃣ AI for Research
↳ Pull insights and trends without long searches.
↳ Compare options quicker so decisions feel easy.

9️⃣ AI for Writing
↳ Turn rough drafts into clean, ready-to-send copy.
↳ Save hours by letting AI rewrite instead of you.

🔟 AI for Planning & Structuring
↳ Turn chaos into simple plans you can execute.
↳ Break big ideas into clear steps fast. 

Your days get lighter.
Your decisions get cleaner.
Your growth stops feeling like chaos.

Founders who use AI are not cutting corners.
They’re building smarter systems that scale w/o burning them out.

So founder to founder…

Which AI skill are you learning next?
Drop it below. 👇

♻ Repost to help another founder get their time back
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

You think messy books mean “I need better accounting.”
Buyers think it means “What else is broken?”

A business buyer I was coaching said this reviewing a seven-figure business: “It's just bank statements and vibes.”

No categorization.
No financial review cadence.
No real visibility…aside from bank balance.

I teach buyers how to interpret risk:
- Sloppy books signal sloppy operations
- Vague math means hidden problems
- If owners can’t explain numbers, surprises are guaranteed

But here’s the catch.
Messy books don’t kill deals.
They just give buyers ammo to cut price and shift risk to you.

Business owners, the message is clear.

Tighten your financials now: monthly closes, clean categories, clear docs.

And if not, take haircuts on price, terms, and let someone play with your legacy.

If a buyer can understand your books fast, they pay faster.

This is the first thing we fix in our exit readiness process for owners preparing to sell.

Repost to help more founders stop losing value over preventable chaos.

Follow Kinza for more

70% of small businesses can't sell. 
The market isn't the problem.

Investors see it constantly: 
 ⤷ unclear financials
 ⤷ owner dependency
 ⤷ businesses managed by bank balances

Most small businesses don't fail from lack of demand. 
They fail because owners operate without clean numbers, systems, or benchmarks. That creates risk investors won't touch.

It shows up three ways:
 1/ Financials that break down under scrutiny
 2/ Revenue that's concentrated, inconsistent, or tied to the owner
 3/ No repeatable processes, making growth impossible

What investors actually need:
 ⤷ Clean data & real answers
 ⤷ Teams & systems without the owner
 ⤷ Durable revenue & defensible brand

🏴‍☠ Chief Rebel fixes this at the source.

We make founder-led companies scalable and investable. 

Not consulting, a course, or another marketplace. 

But a platform for clarity and execution.

Backed by Antler in three weeks. Nearly $100M in business value on the platform since launch.

What we deliver:
 ⤷ Valuation in seconds, not weeks
 ⤷ A diagnostic that surfaces risk immediately
 ⤷ Strategic planning & tools to build a premium exit

The small business economy is huge, fragmented, and mispriced. 

Investors need better signals. Founders need control. 

Chief Rebel is the infrastructure for both.

This model comes from years on every side of the table: buying, operating, exiting, and coaching other owners through it.

Now we're raising our pre-seed.
Clean terms, strong pipeline, clear roadmap.

DM or reach out to investor@thechiefrebel.com.
Links in profile.

♻️ Share if you think American small business deserves better.

👉 Follow Kinza Azmat and stay tuned on Chief Rebel's raise.

Small Business America needs the truth.
And the tools to build with it.

Growth isn’t about speed. It’s about people. 

Profit follows when purpose leads. 

Because you can’t scale what your team doesn’t believe in.

Here are 7 ways people-first founders grow stronger businesses:

1️⃣ Listen before you fix
↳ When people feel heard, they go all in.

2️⃣ Give trust early
↳ Ownership builds faster than control ever will.

3️⃣ Celebrate small wins
↳ Progress beats perfection every time.

4️⃣ Make space for rest
↳ You don’t grow a company by burning out its builders.

5️⃣ Lead with context
↳ When people understand the “why,” they move with purpose.

6️⃣ Coach more than you correct
↳ Growth sticks when people feel guided, not judged.

7️⃣ Hire for heart, then skill
↳ You can teach skills. You can’t teach care.

The more founders lead with empathy and intention,
the stronger their culture... and the longer their growth lasts.

Because when people grow, the business follows.

Who’s one founder you’ve seen lead with people first?
Tag them below 👇

♻️ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✚ Follow Kinza Azmat for exit prep that builds businesses built to last.

Saying yes to everything is just a slow way to say no to yourself.

If you do not set the rules, everyone else will.

Real talk,

The strongest people I know are not the ones who say yes to every request.
They are the ones who know what matters
And protect it without guilt.

They do not rush to agree.
They do not give away their time to avoid tension.
They do not treat their schedule like it belongs to everyone else.

They do this instead:

1️⃣ They define their non-negotiables
↳ The things that stay on the calendar no matter what

2️⃣ They set clear office hours
↳ No late-night replies, no constant availability

3️⃣ They say “Let me check” before committing
↳ A pause that protects them from automatic yeses

4️⃣ They block focus time
↳ If it is not blocked, it gets taken

5️⃣ They create a simple no-script
↳ Clear, kind, and firm, without over-explaining.

6️⃣ They choose opportunities based on return, not pressure
↳ Only say yes to what clearly moves them forward.

7️⃣ They delegate what drains their energy
↳ Refuse to carry what others can own.

8️⃣ They protect their weekends
↳ Rest is scheduled as fuel, not treated as a luxury.

Strong people do not avoid boundaries.
They build them so they can think, grow, and lead with clarity.

If you want a life that feels lighter,

Let people adjust.
Let people wait.
Let people figure things out without you.

You cannot build your future if everyone else is writing your schedule.

What is one boundary you are learning to hold right now?
Share it below 👇

♻️ Repost to help someone protect their time
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for more on growing, leading, and scaling smarter.

Sellers try to lock in a number.
Banks decide whether it holds.

A friend trying to buy a business shared her frustrations with the seller:
“He insisted no more price changes. ”

A week later, updated financials changed the whole deal.
Buyers can’t protect your price from new facts.
They inherit the consequences.

So she told him what he didn't expect to hear:
“I can’t promise I’ll protect your price. New information changes the deal.”
Price confidence means nothing if the numbers shift under pressure.

Stress-test your numbers now.
If you can’t explain a fluctuation simply, you need to fix it before diligence...
not during it.

And if you want your future price to hold through bank diligence, our exit readiness process is built for that.

Repost this so more founders understand how deals actually get priced.
Follow Kinza for grounded advice on building sellable companies.

Profit ≠ Success.

Unless you want to be scaling losses.

I see founders celebrate profit...
While their cash quietly bleeds out the back door.

The P&L says growth.
The bank balance says otherwise.

Here’s what’s really happening 

1. OpEx: what it costs to run the business
↳ Salaries, rent, software. These are the essentials that keep operations alive.
↳ Cut too deep, and your systems, people, and productivity can collapse overnight.

2. CapEx: what it costs to build the business
↳ New equipment, infrastructure, or assets that strengthen your long-term foundation.
↳ They can become strategic bets that compound over years or heavy drains if timing or execution is off.

3. RevEx: what it costs to earn revenue
↳ Ads, commissions and delivery costs. All the moving parts that bring money in the door.
↳ When this category spikes faster than revenue, your “profit” on paper hides a dangerous cash illusion..

4. FinEx: what it costs to borrow money
↳ Loan interest, investor payouts and bank fees. The silent taxes of scaling through leverage.
↳ Ignore them too long, and your growing debt quietly consumes every bit of real cash you earn.

One founder I worked with had 30% margins on paper...
But was losing $18K a month in RevEx and FinEx leaks.
Same revenue, negative cash flow.

We rebuilt their expense model.
Six months later, same top line, positive cash.

That’s real profit.

3 reminders for every founder chasing “growth”:

→ Cash flow is truth.
→ Know your 4 expense buckets.
→ Scale cash, not chaos.

So founder to founder,

When was the last time you checked where your money actually goes?
Let’s discuss in the comments. 👇

♻ Repost this to help another founder spot their cash leaks.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

Your business is not your retirement plan.

It’s your leverage to build one.

A business can change fast.

Markets shift.
Clients pause.
Cash flow dips.

But here’s what most founders forget…

Your business gives you income.
Your financial plan gives you freedom.

Two different jobs.
Same mission.

Most folks I meet aren’t struggling with growth.
But, they struggle with concentration risk.

They pour everything back into the business…

Ride the highs…
Absorb the lows…
And hope it all pays off someday.

But hope is not a plan.
Especially when your whole life sits on one source of income.

Here’s what the smartest founders do instead:

1️⃣ They treat saving like payroll.
2️⃣They build wealth outside the business.
3️⃣ They keep their lifestyle safe even when revenue wobbles.

Your business can fund your future.
But it shouldn’t be the only future you have.

Make money in the business.
Build wealth outside it.

What’s one thing you’re doing now to take pressure off your business income?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

10 EBITDA mistakes most CEOs still make.

And they do not realize how risky they are.

EBITDA looks, 

→ Clean.
→ Simple.
→ Comforting even.

But it can fool you so fast if you treat it like the full story.

Here are the mistakes that get CEOs into trouble:

1️⃣ Treating EBITDA like cash
↳ A company can show strong EBITDA and still have very little money.
Fix: Check cash flow first. Then check EBITDA.

2️⃣ Ignoring one time gains
↳ A random boost makes the number look better than it really is.
Fix: Strip out anything that does not happen every month.

3️⃣ Forgetting upcoming big costs
↳ Repairs, taxes, upgrades... EBITDA does not warn you at all.
Fix: Build a simple list of future cash hits and review it weekly.

4️⃣ Taking on more debt because EBITDA looks solid
↳ The number stays pretty while debt climbs all the way up.
Fix: Track debt payments and interest as real cash outflows.

5️⃣ Adding back everything
↳ If every cost becomes an “add back,” the number stops being real.
Fix: Only add back items that truly are non recurring.

6️⃣ Ignoring margin drop
↳ Flat EBITDA with falling margins is a quiet red flag.
Fix: Watch margin trend every month, not just the final number.

7️⃣ Comparing to companies that do not match
↳ Bad comparisons create bad decisions.
Fix: Compare only to similar size, industry, and model.

8️⃣ Forgetting working capital
↳ Inventory, receivables, payables... EBITDA misses all of it.
Fix: Track working capital like it is vital. Because it is.

9️⃣ Thinking EBITDA equals valuation
↳ Buyers look at cash, debt, and risk. Not just one clean number.
Fix: Use EBITDA as a signal, not a final price.

🔟 Trusting EBITDA as the truth
↳ It is a tool. Not the full picture.
Fix: Pair EBITDA with cash flow, margins, and debt health.

EBITDA is helpful, but it is only one piece.

Smart CEOs check the parts of the business that actually move money.

Which of these mistakes do you see founders make the most?
Drop it below. 👇

♻️ Repost this if it helped you.
✅ Follow Kinza Azmat for real strategies to grow, scale, and sell smarter.

Daniel Astleford, CPA

Daniel Astleford CPA PLLC

Tax CPA Firm Founder

Big Arrow Fireworks LLC

Big Arrow Fireworks LLC is a seasonal Texas Firework Brand. We are the perfect business for our investment-minded ownership. 5 locations, all cash-flow positive and self-sustaining.

Co-Founder

6 TO 9 DENTAL TEXAS, PLLC

I joined 6 to 9 Dental Texas during a time of difficult financial outlook on a one-year contract. Upon fulfillment of the contract and the official launch of my CPA firm, I transitioned out of the business.

In 2023, the company had made a decision to legally reorganize through the courts and they wanted a financial mind to lead that team.

There were two offices and over 20 employees. We consolidated the offices and the financials, making one strong office that continues to operate cash flow positive.

I have been integral on each facet of the company during the transition:

- Lawyer Negotiations and communication.

- Hiring Dentist and keep the company properly staffed

- Review of company tax returns and controller of financial data. 

- HR Compliance

Key Accomplishments:

(1) Securing the financial back-work to negotiate a $150,000+ settlement on a workplace insurance policy in favor of the business.

(2) Large financial decision making, including securing a $130,000 tax deduction that was previously missed by the 3rd party firm preparing the taxes and financials.

(3) Securing a key partnership with a large company that sends almost all of their workers to 6 to 9 Dental on a partner level discount. This will likely secure over $100,000 in additional revenue in 2024/2025.

General Manager

CAPTRUST

- Review and Preparation of complex, multi-generational, tax and business returns. Focus on closely held Partnerships. Trust and Estate accounting experience.

- Advise clients on their generational tax needs, including collaboration with the investment team.

- Family Office experience and collaboration with key decision makers.

Senior Tax Advisor

Nimbl

•	Preparation & Review of complex tax returns including multi-state returns, research and development credits, Early Stage Startup, and Closely Held Businesses. Emphasis on Partnerships & Corporations.

•	Team Leader for Nimbl’s newly founded tax department and a team of 3 associates. Direct report to Senior Manager & Partner.

•	Daily client interaction and team building responsibilities with an emphasis on creating internal process.

Tax Advisor

Brehm, Havel & Company, LLP (Now ABIP CPA's)

•	Primary duties: Advising individuals and businesses on their taxes and business strategies. Including face-to-face client meetings and new client acceptance on behalf of the firm. Onboarded 150+ clients in 2021.

•	Managed Brehm, Havel, & Company’s office in Kenedy, Texas. Included consulting meetings with clients, business planning, Trust & Estate Planning, and personal financial advising of clients.

•	Advanced understanding of the principles of Taxation and the internal revenue code, Texas state and local tax laws, and generally accepted accounting principles.

•	Preparation of complex business and personal tax returns, with an emphasis on multi-level entities and scaled tax strategies.

Brigham Young University - Idaho

I was contracted by BYU-Idaho to teach Managerial Accounting for one semester due to a shortage of on-campus professors due to COVID-19. It was a wonderful experience, the students were the best, a cherished experience for my life.

Adjunct Faculty

Tanner LLC

• Private & SEC clients with revenues from $10,000 to $250 million. Industries included Software, Real Estate, Logistics, Manufacturing, Insurance, Tractor-Trailer Sales, and Healthcare. 

• Responsibilities included Revenue, Equity, AR, AP, Cash Testing, Physical Inventory Counts, ETC.

--Achievements--

• I completed the staff and senior work for an entire audit for an Insurance Client. I performed all the test work, drafted the financial statements, and managed the engagement budget.

• I was given the opportunity to meet with a client’s Spanish-Speaking Management Team in Mexico. I reviewed the location’s operations, gained an understanding of their internal controls, and translated all the workpapers into English. The Partner in charge was impressed with my work and sent me to Mexico a few weeks later to do similar work for another client. These were outstanding experiences that will forever shape my career.

• Served on the engagement team for Tanner’s largest up-and-coming client, ranked one of the fastest growing business's in Utah.

Audit Associate

Self Employed

• iPhone Sales of Utah was started as a side-business with a $200 initial investment where I acquired used devices at wholesale prices and sold them to the public at the market price. I made close to $75,000 in revenue in first year. The bottom-line income supported my family during my Master's program at Southern Utah University.

• This was my first shot at owning a business and I loved it. It gave me a concrete knowledge of business best practices and the “street smarts” that go beyond the basic text-book knowledge taught in school.

Owner

Innovative Health, Orem Utah

• Finance & Sales Internship for a local Chiropractic Office in Orem, Utah. I helped the owner implement an optimal pricing strategy, an innovative customer acquisition plan, and establish a new business line. I also sold nutrition products and did all social media marketing for the practice. All work was done while a full-time student in the Master's program at Southern Utah University and was an approved internship.

Finance Intern

I am a CPA & small-business advisor. 

My clients trust me with their financial needs in the areas of Tax and Accounting. 

I specialize in small business advisory and love to connect with business stories. I own 2 small businesses and know first-hand the struggles that owners face.

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