Kathryn Schifferle is the founder and CEO of Work Truck Solutions and Comvoy. She founded Work Truck Solution in 2012, a cloud-based solution to help automotive dealers stock and market the right work truck online, and meet work truck buyers' needs. It serves over 800 dealers across the U.S. and is growing rapidly. Comvoy is the first and only structured, searchable marketplace for work-ready trucks. Her deep understanding of the commercial truck space stems from her role as executive director at the National Ford Truck Club, which she’s held for nearly 13 years. She previously served as a director at Balestra Automotive Marketing, a marketing consulting business, and founded cable systems company Multi-Image Network, where she served as president and CEO for nearly 20 years. Kathryn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in 1976, and an MBA in 2007, both from California State University, Chico. Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episodes with Jill Earthy, the interim CEO of Women Enterprise of BC about financing a small business with purpose and my bonus episode to answer a Canadian listener’s request about the details on Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).These episodes can help you navigate the uncertain business environment that we are currently experiencing together. In this episode, Kathryn shared:➤ Kathryn’s journey as a serial entrepreneur (7:44)➤ External investors are valuable (11:32)➤ Hired the wrong individual led to bankruptcy (13:21)➤ Started the Work Truck Solutions with the right foundation (15:50)➤ “Truckma” the power of three to build a sustainable business (20:50)➤ Why it’s important to build a financial model from the very beginning (26:25)➤ How to create a baseline financial story (28:00)➤ The current struggle for Work Truck Solution in this COVID-19 crisis (31:28)➤ How a CFO help Work Truck solution to pivot strategically (33:26)➤ Why it’s important to forecast for the next 12 months in an uncertain situation (37:25)➤ How to balance clients, suppliers and cash flow (38:21)➤ How to manage internal and external expectation during a crisis (41:40)➤ Never let a good crisis go to waste (49:36)➤ Important information for the board of directors and external investors (51:45)➤ Kathryn’s advice to entrepreneurs during this crisis (53:00)Contact MeReady to transform your purpose to an impactful business financial story, profit, and joy? Schedule a chat with me at any time.Connect with Kathryn :➤ Website➤ Linkedin
