Gunnar harris, fpap
Fractional CFO for Founder-Led Coffee Businesses & Outdoor Brands
I help founder-led coffee businesses and outdoor brands move from reactive day-to-day operations to clear, aligned, and intentional growth.
I work directly with founders and leadership teams to bring clarity to the financial, operational, and strategic realities of the business.
That means improving financial visibility, strengthening decision-making, and integrating finance, operations, and strategy so the business operates as a cohesive whole.
The goal is to move from constant reaction to intentional execution.
My Goal
My goal is simple:
Help organizations become more intentional, integrated, and effective.
To help founders make better decisions through greater financial clarity. To increase alignment between financial resources, operations, and long-term objectives. To create organizations with more autonomy, accountability, purpose, and collaboration while reducing unnecessary complexity and waste.
To help businesses move from reactive to intentional, scattered to integrated, and from merely efficient to truly effective.
Who this is for
This work is designed for coffee businesses and outdoor brands that have momentum but are starting to feel the weight of growth and complexity.
Founder-led businesses (ideally, but not mandatory)
~$1M–$20M in annual revenue
Typically between ~5-50 employees
Businesses that have grown, but now feel increasingly complex or reactive
Typically, the founder:
Is still heavily involved in day-to-day operations
Has achieved success but feels pulled in too many directions
Wants to make decisions proactively instead of reactively
Cares about building a durable, well-run company rather than simply chasing growth
What It Often Feels Like
Most businesses do not struggle because of a lack of effort. They struggle because decisions, operations, and financial realities become disconnected.
Constantly putting out fires instead of operating with intention
Growth that feels increasingly difficult to manage
Limited visibility into future cash flow and financial performance
No clear priorities or framework for decision-making
Financial reports that explain the past but do not guide the future
Operations and resources that are not aligned with business objectives
Everything still depending on the founder
What I Help Build
The goal is not more activity—it’s a business that actually works as an integrated system.
Financial Clarity
Understand what is happening in the business and why
Cash Flow Visibility
Gain confidence in future cash needs, opportunities, and risks
Better Decision-Making
Make decisions based on priorities, data, and long-term objectives rather than urgency
Execution That Reflects Priorities
Ensure resources, time, and capital are directed toward what matters most
Alignment Across the Business
Connect financial resources, operations, and strategy
Integrated Financial & Operational Systems
Use financial information to improve decisions and execution throughout the organization
Ongoing Adaptation
Review, adjust, and improve as the business evolves
What Working Together Looks Like
This is an ongoing advisory relationship—not a one-time project.
I work directly with founders and stay involved as decisions are made, priorities shift, and the business evolves.
Ongoing monthly CFO support
Regular conversations and working sessions
Financial forecasting, analysis, and planning
Operational and strategic decision support
In-person when helpful
Built around real business needs, not a fixed template
What Changes
The founder operating at a higher level instead of staying stuck in operations
Clear direction and priorities across the business
More consistent and confident decision-making
Improved cash flow planning and resource allocation
Financial and operational visibility that guides action
Growth that feels structured instead of overwhelming
Less day-to-day chaos and reactivity
How This Work Is Structured
This work connects financial management, strategic decision-making, and operational understanding into a single system.
Instead of treating finance, strategy, and operations as separate functions, they are integrated so the business can operate as a cohesive whole.
The result is greater clarity, stronger decisions, and more intentional execution.
For a more detailed view, visit my “Approach” page
Background
Accounting background with focus on management and operations
Founder of Essentially Intentional, LLC
Fractional Controller & CFO experience with small and mid-sized businesses
Experience working across finance, operations, inventory, and business management systems
Built and operated businesses directly
Experience teaching and building systems used by hundreds of thousands of business owners
One Relevant Case Study: Created a five-year financial forecast for a coffee company that was presented to banks and investors and contributed to securing more than $1 million in financing for the construction of a dedicated coffee roasting facility
Start With a Conversation
If this sounds relevant, the next step is simple—send me a message, or grab a coffee with me (location-dependent), and let’s talk through your business.
No pitch. Just a real conversation about what is going on, where you want to go, and whether working together makes sense.