E4: Can Turning Down a Huge Upround Lead to a Greater Outcome? FloQast CFO Razzak Jallow Proves It Can

In this episode, Sasha sits down with Razzak Jallow, CFO at FloQast, to discuss the evolving role of the modern CFO as a strategic partner across the organization. They dive into how he builds trust with the CEO, his approach to fostering product innovation responsibly, and why he turned down a financing round that would have doubled FloQast's valuation. Razzak also offers advice for aspiring CFOs on evaluating their first CFO role, skills like "precision Q&A", and hiring great talent This show is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co --- SPONSORS: Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join ElevenLabs, Replicate, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/attioturpentine --- Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple 📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812 --- 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]. --- X/Twitter: @sashaorloff (Sasha) @floqast (Floqast) @turpentinemedia TIMESTAMPS: TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Preview (02:22) How Razzak would describe the role of CFO (02:55) Razzak’s superpowers: hiring and working with different people (04:28) Building trust with different colleagues across different functions and cultures (06:31) How to be the office of “how to” rather than “no” (08:47) Having an effective discussion when there isn’t a right answer (11:47) Changing the culture from being a no shop to a let’s be a partner shop (14:26) Precision Q&A (15:24) Sponsor: Attio (17:22) What is FloQast (19:34) Taking on the first CFO role and evaluating fit (21:45) Deciding not to raise at a higher valuation and why (25:20) Having a cash war chest (27:02) Balancing product innovation and financial discipline as CFO (30:00) The early milestones in a new product that unlock more capital (31:32) Getting alignment on what payback on a new product should be (38:16) Advice to future CFOs and an underrated skill people should work on more (41:39) Building trust with your CEO (45:27) Wrap