Jonathan Winfield’s Post

Happy Mother's Day! I want to give a special shoutout to all our clients who have shown me how to juggle motherhood and running a business. You are a daily source of inspiration for me! This is my first Mother's Day as a new mom with my little girl now 4 months old. When I found out I was pregnant, I was nervous to say the least. I questioned my ability to successfully grow Frontier CFO Services Inc. while being an engaged mother. Upon learning the news, our team demonstrated unwavering confidence and enthusiasm, which became contagious. One of our managers shared a most impactful message, herself a mom of two young boys: "I don't doubt your ability to have a baby then immediately continue ploughing through work so no one even notices that anything changed. But I don't think that's the most impressive thing you can do. What would be really impressive is if you could find a way to take time off to be there for an important personal milestone and have the business continue to run strong without you. That would be the most powerful way to show our team how you live and breathe our values." And so, that became our team goal. Today, I am so proud to celebrate our team's many successes: - We made it on Forbes 2024 Canada's Best Startup Employers list. - This year, we've hit our highest sales to date. - We've experienced record low team churn with multiple FrontierCFO alumni coming back. I cannot say enough how inspired I am by our team's dedication to deliver excellent work, care deeply about our clients, and foster an inclusive and collaborative culture. And we've created a place where we can offer each other the most precious gift of all - time with our family. #HappyMothersDay #FractionalCFO #FrontierCFO #MomFounders #Startups

Entrepreneurship changed me more than parenthood. It's been far more important. Before you get mad, realize: → I had my first child at 24 → Caught up in American Dream whirlwind → In provider mode (job success 𝘸𝘢𝘴 life success) Dad GUILT was my constant undercurrent 😔 Knowing I should be much more — even preaching it. But corporate had me in a vise-grip. (That whole "doing it for my family" BS) Took years of experimentation just to create space: → Corporate on autopilot → Able to finally breathe again → Real attention to my wife & 4 kids But corporate "gravity" still weighed me down. And I had a higher calling that I was ignoring ✨ So then, my next great experiment: giving energy to the entrepreneurial bug inside me. (Mind you, I'd never met an entrepreneur 😮) → Several years of failing forward → I started to feel more ALIVE than ever → Coaches, mentors, & peers helped a ton I became more energized during family time (not just empty words this time). Made bold decisions to do more and be more for them. Realized the REAL purpose of my entrepreneurial path: 👉 It was to put parenthood in context The more I became my highest self: → The better dad (& husband) I became → The more I role-modeled a self-directed life → The more excitement & energy I brought home I absolutely value being a dad more than anything. 💚 But...it was the deeply personal, grueling, transformational process of becoming an entrepreneur that put parenthood into proper context for me 💚 Entrepreneurship made me a 10X better dad. Not about "7 figures." This is REAL legacy. And for that, I'll be forever grateful. ----- PS - My clients are all graduating corporate...and they ALL have families. DM me "family" if that's you 💬

❤️From playgrounds to boardrooms, life is full of incredible twists! ☺️Last week, I had the unique pleasure of reconnecting with a dear childhood friend who, as it turns out, has become my latest client. It's amazing to think that the same person I used to share my snacks with during recess is now trusting me with their business goals. 🚀Our journey from childhood to the professional world is a testament to the bonds that withstand the test of time. It’s a reminder that relationships built on trust, understanding, and mutual respect can flourish into rewarding partnerships, both personally and professionally. 🤝Cheers to old friends and new beginnings! ➡️If you’ve ever had a similar experience of working with someone from your past, I’d love to hear about it. Share your stories of reconnecting with old friends in the comments, and let’s celebrate these special moments together.👇 Also, don’t forget to tag someone who has been a part of your journey from the beginning! #FullCircleMoments #Nostalgia #ChildhoodFriends #NewBeginnings #BusinessPartners #Pitchdecks #Valuation #Startups #Funding

Imagine juggling diapers and deadlines, tantrums and business plans—all while trying not to spill coffee on that precious startup pitch. 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈, and guess what? 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱! 🚀 Ever tried staying cool while convincing a tiny human that bedtime is not a conspiracy? Parenthood is your crash course in mastering the art of "𝑰 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔" under pressure. It's basically an entrepreneur’s boot camp without the boots, but with plenty of adorable baby booties. ✨ Every parent knows 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 when convincing a toddler to eat broccoli. Well, that's a skill set you'll flex when closing those game-changing business deals. 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎. 💪 Multitasking? 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐌𝐕𝐏𝐬. It's like a game show where you have to change a diaper, answer a call, and locate the elusive pacifier simultaneously. Spoiler alert: you win every time, even if you're not entirely sure where the pacifier ended up. 😜 Remember that love you feel for your little one? That's the secret ingredient for entrepreneurial passion. The sleepless nights become fuel for your business fire. Parenthood whispers in your ear, "𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦; 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪-𝘮𝘦." 💫 And let's not forget the humour! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 is the golden ticket to parenthood and entrepreneurship alike. From spit-up on your shirt to setbacks in the market, laughter is the best armour. So, buckle up, aspiring parent-preneurs! Parenthood isn't just a journey of sleepless nights; it's the launchpad for your entrepreneurial adventure. Embrace the chaos, savour the milestones, and remember: 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆! 🏆 #parententrepreneurship #lifebalance #parenthoodjourney #parentpreneurs #lifeboat

👩💼💕 Parenthood and entrepreneurship – two incredibly rewarding roles, each with its own set of challenges and triumphs. As I celebrate the arrival of my little bundle of joy, I find myself reflecting on the beautiful synergy between nurturing a business and nurturing a child. 🌱 Just as I've nurtured my startup, Ekpehel, from its inception to innovative products like the Ekpehel Spit Cup and Ekpehel Bio Spittoon, I now embark on the exhilarating journey of parenthood. It's a journey of growth, resilience, and boundless love – qualities that resonate deeply in both my personal and professional life. 🔍 Balancing the demands of running a startup with the joys of motherhood requires adaptability and determination. Yet, with each challenge comes an opportunity for growth and learning. As I navigate this dual role, I'm continuously reminded of the importance of prioritization, effective time management, and seeking support when needed. 💡 Innovation knows no bounds – whether it's revolutionizing hygiene practices with our products or fostering a nurturing environment for my little one to thrive, creativity and determination are at the heart of everything I do. Parenthood has only fueled my passion for creating positive change, both in the business world and in society. 🤝 Join me on this journey of embracing the dual role – let's shatter stereotypes, defy expectations, and empower each other to pursue our dreams, both as entrepreneurs and as parents. Together, we can create a world where success knows no boundaries and where love knows no limits. #parenthood #entrepreneurship #innovation #empowerment #ekpehel #socialimpact #parentpreneurship #dreambig #worklifebalance 🌟

From Startup Magazine: Life Surge CEO Joe Johnson’s Journey From Bankruptcy to a Mission of Hope ------------------------------- Americans spend 42.5 years of their lives at work, and most people spend just one day a week talking about The post Life Surge CEO Joe Johnson’s Journey From Bankruptcy to a Mission of Hope appeared first on The Startup Magazine . #entrepreneur #startups #learnbusiness #techstartups #marketingtips #emailmarketing #businesstools #marketingstrategy #businessowner #startupbusiness #startuplife

In the world of entrepreneurship and motherhood, every day brings a new story. Today, my six-year-old daughter decided she's in the market for a Baby Alive doll. Her strategy? To load the dishwasher at Cowo & Crèche, our family's labor of love. Watching her tiny hands struggle not to drop mugs and cups, placing them in all the wrong spots, was a scene that could only inspire a mixture of amusement and admiration. It wasn't about the dishes getting done right (let's be honest, I'll be reorganizing them later), but about her spirit. Her initiative to contribute, to earn her desires through her efforts, even in the most adorably flawed manner, is something I can't help but applaud. This is the hustle - raw, pure, and entirely heartwarming. Being a mom and a business owner is a complex dance of roles, but moments like these highlight the beauty of it all. It's not just about building a successful enterprise but about the lessons of resilience, creativity, and determination we pass on to our children. My daughter's dishwasher adventure is a small testament to the environment we've nurtured at Cowo & Crèche, where every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired, regardless of your age or the task at hand. This journey of motherhood intertwined with entrepreneurship is filled with these precious teachable moments. It's about showing our children that their efforts are valuable, that their willingness to try is the first step to achievement, and that their mom's business can be a playground of learning and growth. Cheers to the hustle of the next generation, starting one dishwasher load at a time! #bettertogether #betterbusiness #mompreneurs #momsinbusiness #startup #veteranowned #womanowned #startuplife #alexandriava #northernvirginia

The Balancing Act: Entrepreneurship, Live Events, Str.... ess and Parenthood! Navigating the 'startup journey' is a complex dance of innovation, resilience, and, for some of us, the profound responsibilities of young parenthood (total chaos at times, but I LOVE every moment) But when summer rolls around soon, another intense layer gets added to this mix: running live events! Below are just a few quick points of reflection from me;  Summer Live Events bring their own brand of epic chaos. The excitement of bringing people together, the buzz of live interactions, and the satisfaction of a successful event fuel's our passion. Yet, they demand late nights, extensive travel at times, and time away from family. Young Parenthood, amidst this whirlwind, becomes a test of patience and time management. It's about sneaking in those precious moments with your child between back-to-back meetings or reconciling with their puzzled frowns when you have to leave each day for the needed daily grind. "Entrepreneurship" already requires a high degree of commitment and energy. When combined with the demands of organising live events, the pressure multiplies, pushing myself and Will Goy to find innovative solutions to keep the business thriving while ensuring our presence in our family's lives. Stress Management in such times becomes more critical than ever. It's about finding tranquility and positive in the chaos, learning to prioritise mental well-being, and embracing practices that keep you grounded amidst the whirlwind of professional commitments and family responsibilities. As someone who walks this tightrope and admittedly at times falls off quite spectacularly, balancing the demands of startup life, planning live events, and young parenthood, I've recently learned the importance of taking a step back, reflecting on all that is positive, giving myself some needed flexibility, and, most importantly, the support of a strong community. It's easy to get caught up in the daily slog, but at times taking 5 for yourself just to reflect back is very important. #eventprofs #startuplife #founderstories

Bringing my kids along on my entrepreneurial journey isn't just about necessity; it's a conscious choice, mixed with the reality of childcare as well. Myri Health (Techstars '23) was born from a personal frustration with the lack of postpartum resources. As a mom, I wasn't satisfied with what was available, and I knew I had to bridge this gap not just for myself, but for other mothers too. Juggling motherhood with entrepreneurship is an art; making efficient founders, IMO. Of course, there are sacrifices, deadlines, and expectations/timelines that don't always align with my reality. But, I believe in showing my children the real face of grit, resilience, and building confidence. By involving them in my journey, I hope to instill these values in them. I'm also challenging the norms of what an entrepreneur is 'supposed' to look like. I want to inspire others who share my background, who look like me, who’s parents came to America with $7 for an American dream, who've faced similar challenges, and who are driven to make a change. In a world focused on serial entrepreneurs and funding rounds, I want my children to see that everyone starts somewhere - you have to listen and learn enough to cut past the fat and remain focused on the journey and impact. This was when I took them to Foundercon to present on the global Techstars stage, Arjun’s (my 4 YO’s) birthday landed right on day I presented. I don’t miss birthdays, so we took them with. We basically continued our negotiations gummy bears, just in another city 😅, but fun was had. 🙌🏼 #womenshealth #myrihealth #entrepreneurship #femalefounder #techstars #postpartum #femhealth #femtech #entrepreneur #mompreneur

Schools out for summer... Which has got me thinking about parenthood. As we navigate our first summer holiday. I looked back to previous Founded & Grounded episodes for inspiration. Zoe Whitman challenges the conventional notion that startup founders can't be successful while embracing motherhood. Zoe was taking her 8-week-old baby to business meetings. More power to Zoe. If we want to truly change the way people feel about working mums and women running businesses, it's time we embrace the realities of motherhood in the startup world. Tune in to Season 1 Episode 14 of Founded & Grounded to hear more about Zoe's inspiring journey and learn how she balances more than just the books! #Bookkeeping #parenthood #startups #entrepreneurs