What does it really take to build a strong finance function from day one? In this episode of the JustPaid Podcast, Daniel sits down with Kim Walch, Founder of Rio Finance LLC, to talk about startup finance, accounting, fundraising readiness, cash flow forecasting, and the mistakes founders make when they ignore their numbers too long. Kim shares her journey from public accounting and startup finance leadership to building her own boutique finance and accounting firm. She also breaks down when founders should hire an accountant, the difference between accounting and fractional CFO work, how startups should think about burn and runway, and why AI still can't replace experienced finance professionals. This episode is packed with practical advice for founders, startup operators, finance professionals, and anyone curious about how great companies stay financially healthy while scaling. In this episode, we cover: Kim's path into finance and startups Why public accounting is a strong foundation When early-stage founders need finance help The difference between bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO strategy Why cash flow forecasting matters Common startup finance mistakes How finance supports fundraising Why AI still needs human oversight in finance Advice for founders on investing in the right G&A support

What does it really take to survive 8 years as a physical product startup?

In this episode, we sit down with Justin, co-founder of MODL and creator of the Infinity Tool — a modular, flexible attachment system often described as "Legos for life." From launching a modular water bottle on Kickstarter to making a full pivot that changed the company's trajectory, Justin shares the raw realities of building in atoms, not bits. We dive deep into:

• Why most startups don't fail — founders quit

• The emotional moment where they almost shut everything down • Pivoting from a complex product to a simple, scalable one

• Manufacturing in China and managing inventory risk

• The magic of having 3 co-founders (and how they avoid killing each other)

• Why Shopify's AI "Sidekick" is underrated • Using AI tools like Claude for DTC copywriting

• Running EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) as a 5-person team

• Competing by building the best product, not obsessing over rivals Justin also shares how an executive coach helped them unlock growth, how they carved clear ownership across marketing, operations, and design, and why three co-founders might actually be the ideal founding structure.

If you're a founder, operator, or finance leader navigating product-market fit, pivots, or co-founder dynamics — this episode is packed with honest lessons.

In this episode of the JustPaid Podcast, we sit down with Valentin Recker, operator, turnaround expert, and longtime finance leader, to unpack why startups don't actually fail suddenly — and what really causes them to run out of money. This is a must-watch for founders, operators, and finance leaders navigating growth, AI costs, hiring decisions, and financial clarity without losing momentum.