Serving With Compassion, Leading With Numbers | Interview with Melissa Kennebrew

In this episode of Conversations: Beyond the Brand, host Dr. Tashana Thompson sits down with fractional CFO and financial strategist Melissa Kennebrew of MBK Financial Services. Melissa brings a refreshing blend of empathy and expertise to business finance. Melissa shares how she helps entrepreneurs move from confusion to clarity, lead with confidence, and build businesses that are both purpose-driven and profitable.

You’ll hear her philosophy on why numbers tell a story, how to pay yourself without guilt, and why financial leadership should never feel intimidating. This conversation is packed with insight for founders who want to lead with heart and build a sustainable foundation for growth.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Episode overview

02:45 – Melissa’s path to becoming a CFO

05:15 – What it means to lead with compassion and strategy

08:40 – The biggest financial mistakes business owners make early on

12:00 – How to pay yourself consistently as a founder

16:10 – Why clarity is more important than hustle

19:45 – The right time to bring in a CFO

23:30 – What’s stopping founders from looking at their numbers

26:55 – The emotional side of financial decision-making

30:00 – Melissa’s go-to tools and mindset tips

33:10 – Final reflections on legacy, leadership, and faith

📣 Ready to build a business rooted in strategy, clarity, and authentic relationships?

At Beyond Business Solutions, we help women-led businesses grow with confidence through marketing and brand strategies that drive results. Learn more at https://beyondsolutions.biz.

📬 Connect with Melissa Kennebrew:

https://mbkfinancialservices.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MBKFinancialServices/  

https://www.instagram.com/mbk.fin.svcs/ 

👉 Let’s connect:

Website: www.beyondsolutions.biz

Instagram: @growwithbbs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashanathomas/

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.