In this episode of Chat CFO, Tom Platford, fractional CFO to early-stage startups, shares his journey on scaling SuperAwesome from Series A to exit, and what he learned along the way.
Tom reflects on the toughest moments of his journey, including managing a nine-figure acquisition deal and why being an expert generalist is no longer optional.
Tom covers:
•The difference between early and late-stage CFO roles
•When and how to bring in a fractional CFO
•Why future finance teams will include AI agents
•The importance of storytelling, design thinking, and failure in CFO leadership
Tom also shares personal reflections on burnout and the habits that keep him grounded through high-pressure moments.
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About our guest
Tom is a CFO with over 12 years of experience in startups and knows the challenges founders face when navigating a business to an exit. He now helps founders build shareholder value and achieve a successful exit.
Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasplatford/
About Chat CFO
The Chat CFO podcast gives you insights from CFOs, COOs, and CEOs behind some of the most meaningful business decisions in recent years.
Listen to honest conversations from leaders about what worked, what didn't, and what it really takes to lead when it matters most.
Find more episodes and conversations with finance leaders on Chat CFO.
https://www.youtube.com/@stoixChatCFO