# 219 Celebrating 5 Years of Driving Change for Finance Leaders with Dan Wells, Founder & CEO

# 219 Celebrating 5 Years of Driving Change for Finance Leaders with Dan Wells https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mgQkjEkaaBVBghRye7nhD Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the GrowCFO podcast takes a deep dive into the remarkable journey of the finance community platform. Led by founder and CEO Dan Wells, this special episode reflects on the evolution of the business, the key milestones, and the vision for the future. As a purpose-driven startup that has transformed into a leading resource for finance professionals worldwide, GrowCFO's story offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses alike. Throughout the conversation, Dan and Kevin explore the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the GrowCFO narrative over the past five years. From the initial community-focused vision to the pivotal shift towards virtual and global expansion, the podcast delves into the strategic decisions, innovative programs, and the power of a dedicated team and supportive community. Key topics covered: * The evolution of GrowCFO's business model, from community-based to virtual and global * The launch and success of flagship programs like the Future CFO and CFO programs * The transition to experiential learning and the impact of the XLF (Experiential Learning for Finance) initiative * The importance of mentoring, partnerships, and the diverse team of experts that have contributed to GrowCFO's growth * The key learnings and challenges faced by the startup, including the willingness to pivot and the power of purpose-driven leadership * The future vision for GrowCFO, focusing on strategic finance, technology integration, and empowering finance teams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prCNHnQyBDI&t=55s Links * Dan Wells on LinkedIn * Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn * GrowCFO Mentoring Timestamps * 0:00:22 - Introduction and discussion of the 5-year anniversary * 0:00:44 - Reflecting on the early days and the launch of the business * 0:04:29 - Discussing the initial community-focused vision and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic * 0:08:05 - Exploring the evolution of the business model and the importance of mentoring * 0:12:24 - Introducing the CFO program and the role of mentors * 0:17:23 - Transitioning to experiential learning and the success of the XLF program * 0:23:35 - Discussing the key learnings and challenges faced over the past 5 years * 0:29:37 - Partnerships with tech companies and the transformation of the finance function * 0:35:28 - Future vision and objectives for the next 5 years * 0:39:30 - Closing remarks and a special offer for the community Find out more about GrowCFO