Focused Energy Review (2026): Boutique CFO Services
Dedicated fractional CFO services for growing companies.
At a Glance
Key Takeaways
- •Boutique fractional CFO firm founded in 2013
- •Dedicated personal attention without junior staff delegation
- •Co-founders Drew Lyon and Mike Lavilla bring decades of experience
- •Serves growing companies in the $3M-$20M revenue range
- •Limited capacity by design—only accepts clients they can fully serve
What is Focused Energy?
Focused Energy is a boutique fractional CFO firm based in the Denver area, co-founded in 2013 by Drew Lyon and Mike Lavilla. Unlike larger fractional CFO firms where you might be assigned a team and frequently handed off to junior staff, Focused Energy operates with a deliberately small roster to ensure senior-level attention on every engagement. When you work with Focused Energy, you get direct access to experienced financial leaders who know your business deeply, not a rotating cast of associates who need to relearn your company with each interaction.
The boutique model creates meaningful advantages for growing companies that have outgrown a basic bookkeeper but are not yet ready for a full-time CFO. These companies need strategic financial guidance rather than just transaction processing, and they need a finance leader who attends board meetings, understands the nuances of their business model, and can serve as a true strategic partner. Focused Energy's structure supports exactly this level of engagement. Their team has seen companies through growth stages, fundraising cycles, and market disruptions, bringing pattern recognition that only comes from working with numerous similar situations.
Pricing for Focused Energy services typically starts around $5,500/month, positioning them in the mid-to-premium range for boutique fractional CFO services. This reflects the senior-level attention and limited client roster that ensures each company receives meaningful focus. For businesses that have experienced frustration with larger firms where they feel like a number, the dedicated attention model justifies the investment. The firm's testimonials highlight the passion and dedication of the team, with clients noting that Focused Energy has gone above and beyond in their commitment to client success.
The primary limitation of Focused Energy is capacity—by design, they accept only a limited number of clients to maintain service quality. This means they are selective about engagements and may not be available when you need them, particularly if you are looking for rapid onboarding. For companies that align with their focus and can wait for the right engagement, the personalized service is difficult to match at comparable price points in the fractional CFO market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of companies does Focused Energy typically work with?
Focused Energy primarily serves growing companies in the $3M-$20M revenue range that need strategic financial leadership without the overhead of a full-time CFO. Their clients typically have already outgrown basic bookkeeping and need more sophisticated financial planning, forecasting, and strategic guidance. The firm works across various industries but tends to focus on operationally complex businesses where financial leadership creates meaningful impact. Companies in expansion mode, preparing for fundraising, or navigating significant operational changes tend to be ideal fits for their engagement model.
How does Focused Energy's pricing compare to other fractional CFO services?
Focused Energy's starting price of approximately $5,500/month places them in the mid-to-premium range for fractional CFO services. While you can find less expensive options, particularly from larger platforms or shared-model providers, Focused Energy's pricing reflects the boutique structure where you receive dedicated senior attention rather than being cycled through a client roster. Many clients find the premium worthwhile given the direct access to experienced partners, minimal delegation to junior staff, and the depth of strategic guidance provided. The investment typically falls well below the $200,000+ annual cost of a full-time CFO when you factor in salary, benefits, and equity compensation.
What makes Focused Energy different from larger fractional CFO firms?
The primary differentiator is the boutique structure that ensures senior-level involvement on every engagement. In larger fractional CFO firms, you often work with a primary CFO who manages multiple clients and delegates operational work to junior staff. At Focused Energy, the co-founders and their small team provide direct service to clients without routine delegation. This means when you have a board meeting, your CFO knows your business thoroughly. When you call with a strategic question, you reach someone who has deep context rather than needing to relearn your situation. The trade-off is limited capacity—by design, they only accept clients they can fully serve.
What services does Focused Energy provide beyond basic financial management?
Beyond routine financial oversight, Focused Energy provides strategic financial leadership including fundraising preparation, financial modeling for growth scenarios, board presentation development, and operational finance optimization. They help companies build meaningful financial infrastructure that scales with the business, from dashboard design to cash flow forecasting systems. Their engagement model is designed to function as a true fractional CFO rather than a senior bookkeeper, meaning they participate in strategic decisions, not just reporting.
How do I know if Focused Energy is the right fit for my company?
Focused Energy works best for companies that value personalized attention and strategic partnership over volume-based service. If you have been frustrated with larger firms where you feel like an account number, or where you constantly get passed between different contacts, the boutique model addresses those pain points directly. The ideal client needs genuine CFO-level strategic guidance rather than just transaction processing and wants a finance leader who will deeply understand their business. Companies that prefer working with senior leaders directly and appreciate the limitations that come with a deliberately small practice will find Focused Energy well-suited to their needs.
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This article is part of our The Only Fractional CFO Review List You'll Need — Organized by Your Revenue Stage, Not Alphabetically guide.
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