Celebrating Florida's Growth Leaders with Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services

Title Sponsor of the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Gala

GrowFL is proud to recognize Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services as the Title Sponsor of the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Gala, taking place on Friday, February 26, 2027, at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk Orlando. Nperspective's longstanding partnership helps GrowFL celebrate Florida's most dynamic second-stage companies and the leaders who are driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the state.

This year's gala will bring together CEOs, entrepreneurs, trusted advisors, business leaders, and supporters from across Florida to celebrate the 50 Honorees of the 16th Annual Florida Companies to Watch program. We invite you to join us for an evening of inspiration, connection, and recognition as we celebrate companies helping shape Florida's economic future.

We are grateful for Nperspective's continued support of GrowFL and Florida's second-stage business community. As a trusted advisor to growth-stage companies across the region, Nperspective understands both the opportunities and challenges that come with scaling a business.

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Leadership Insight from Russell Slappey

What Separates Companies That Scale from Those That Stall?

For many entrepreneurs, growth is the goal.

Then it happens.

Revenue is climbing. New customers are coming on board. Opportunities are emerging faster than they can be evaluated. What once felt straightforward suddenly becomes far more complex.

Questions that didn't exist a few years ago now demand answers:

  • Is it time to hire the next key executive?
  • Can we afford to expand into a new market?
  • Why does cash still feel tight despite strong sales?
  • Which parts of the business are truly driving profitability?
  • Are we building a company that can scale, or simply adding complexity?

Many entrepreneurs build successful companies through vision, determination, and execution. However, as organizations enter a rapid-growth phase, financial complexity often becomes the limiting factor.

The Growth Trap Many CEOs Don't See Coming

One of the most common challenges facing second-stage companies is managing cash flow while scaling.

"Companies are growing revenue but burning cash because they don't understand their cash conversion cycle or working capital requirements. Most second-stage CEOs manage by P&L and bank balance instead of rolling 13-week cash forecasts, and that's how profitable companies hit cash crises."

— Russell Slappey

Growth alone isn't the goal. Sustainable growth is.

The Financial Metric CEOs Overlook Most

According to Slappey, one of the most overlooked financial indicators is the cash conversion cycle, or how long it takes to turn a dollar of working capital into a dollar of cash.

"CEOs obsess over revenue growth and EBITDA but ignore that they're funding growth by tying up cash in inventory and receivables. That's why they're often surprised when they're profitable but cash-poor."

By tracking cash flow, customer profitability, working capital requirements, and future cash needs, leaders gain the visibility necessary to avoid costly surprises and make confident decisions.

What Separates Companies That Scale from Those That Stall

"Financial discipline and infrastructure separate the companies that scale from those that stall. The scalers close their books in 10 days with dimensional reporting by product, customer, and channel and make data-driven decisions. The ones that stall are still managing by gut feel with 30-day closes and top-line financials."

The companies that scale successfully are not necessarily the ones generating the most revenue today. They're the companies that understand their numbers well enough to make confident decisions about tomorrow.

The CFO Has Become a Strategic Advisor

"The CFO has shifted from scorekeeper to strategic advisor. We're now capital allocators helping CEOs decide where to invest for the highest return, exit planners building enterprise value, and growth strategists modeling scenarios before committing resources."

Why Nperspective Supports GrowFL

"Second-stage companies are Florida's economic engine. They create jobs, drive innovation, and build generational wealth. GrowFL gives these CEOs access to the financial expertise and peer learning they need to scale successfully, and we're proud to help Florida entrepreneurs build transferable, valuable businesses that strengthen our entire economy."

Join Us in Orlando on February 26

On Friday, February 26, 2027, GrowFL, Nperspective, and business leaders from across Florida will gather at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk Orlando to celebrate the 16th Annual Florida Companies to Watch Awards Gala.

Join fellow CEOs, entrepreneurs, trusted advisors, and community leaders as we recognize Florida's outstanding second-stage companies and celebrate the impact they are making throughout the state.

Reserve Your Seat Today

Be part of Florida's premier celebration of second-stage business success.

Purchase Gala Tickets