E1: Brex COO/CFO Michael Tannenbaum on Taking Risks

On the inaugural episode of Run The Numbers, the COO/CFO of Brex, Michael Tannenbaum, joins host CJ Gustafson to talk through a wide-range of finance, business, and personal growth strategies. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/metrics --- ! Run The Numbers has a new Spotify and Apple show link. Follow the links to subscribe and ensure you'll never miss an episode  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/run-the-numbers/id1723787140  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zQCkklNnVgMD364kCW5SV --- SPONSORS: NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than thirty-six thousand companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅ NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/metrics and defer payments of a FULL NetSuite implementation for six months. Tropic is the next-generation Procurement Platform that’s helping modern CFOs take control of their budgets and bottom line. By combining approval workflows, supplier management, and pricing benchmarks all in one place, Tropic makes savings opportunities easy to find and act on. 🌴 Visit www.tropicapp.io/metrics to learn how.  --- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: The HR industry is at a crossroads. What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact? Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners, Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors. Check out the first episode with the architect of Netflix’s culture deck Patty McCord. https://link.chtbl.com/hrheretics --- X / TWITTER: @cjgustafson222 (CJ) @TurpentineMedia (Turpentine) --- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Episode Preview (2:25) CJ's opening monologue: on risk (6:56) Start of CJ and Michael's interview (7:14) Michael's key to longevity in his role at Brex (8:09) The startup hierarchy of needs (11:25) Two key signs of market validation at Brex (12:54) On taking the leap from SoFi to employee #1 at Brex (16:03) Sponsor: Netsuite (17:54) The key differences and considerations in being CFO of a fintech company (20:36) Michael on strategy for build vs. buy vs. partner M&A decisions (25:14) Michael's family CFO lineage (26:32) Where to find great talent (29:24) What does Michael look for in terms of talent profile? (31:22) Brex co-CEO dynamic (34:00) How Brex arrived at the decision to move away from serving SMBs (36:20) Long-ass lightning round: an example of when Michael screwed up on the job, advice for his younger self, Brex's finance software stack, the craziest thing someone has tried to expense This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].