Exclusive Interview with The 1839
Fortune‑500 finance, built for Galveston
“You don’t need a corporate budget to think like a CFO.” – Teresa Wagonseller
From corporate boardrooms to coastal main streets, Teresa Wagonseller has seen what makes businesses thrive—and what makes them stall. In this exclusive interview with The 1839, she distills decades of CFO experience into practical, no-nonsense guidance for Galveston entrepreneurs who want to build smarter, steadier, and stronger.
At a Glance
In our conversation, I asked Teresa to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build financial clarity in a business—not just the numbers, but the habits and frameworks behind them. She walked us through how to set up stream-lined decision-making: separating owner-level strategy from day-to-day operations, and giving each its place. She emphasized the importance of weekly cash-flow check-ins, not just quarterly reports, so you catch issues early. She also talked about margin not as a budgeting line-item but as a living metric you protect like your brand reputation—because it tells you how well your model shows up in the real world.
We also zoom into how these big-company tools translate to our Galveston-scale businesses—tourism-driven shops, restaurants, service providers. Teresa made it clear: you don’t need a corporate budget to think like a CFO. What you need is discipline in your process, clarity in your roles, and routine in your metrics. The result? You free yourself from reacting and move into proactive growth. For local business owners juggling every hat, that’s the shift she’s offering: build smart now, so you’re ready for what’s next.
~ David Landriault
Watch the Full Interview
Dive into a conversation with Teresa Wagonseller as she breaks down the disciplined, jargon-free financial frameworks she uses to help Galveston-area business owners grow smarter, stabilize stronger, and prepare for what’s next.
Big-picture thinking, local impact.
Higher-Up CFO Teresa Wagonseller shares Fortune‑500 finance, built for Galveston
Clear Thinking, Strong Foundations
When you talk with Teresa Wagonseller, one thing becomes clear quickly—she doesn’t believe in guesswork. As the CFO of Higher-Up, she’s guided organizations through high-stakes decisions, mergers, and pivots. Her approach blends discipline with empathy: “Numbers are never just numbers,” she says. “They tell you where your habits are helping—or hurting—you.”
Teresa’s frameworks come from years spent inside major companies, but she’s quick to translate them for smaller operations. “You don’t need a corporate budget to think like a CFO,” she explains. “What you need is a clear process for how money moves, and how you measure what’s working.”
From the Boardroom to the Beach
For The 1839, this interview is part of a broader mission: connecting Galveston’s local business community with ideas that usually live far beyond the island. Host David notes, “What struck me most was how Teresa makes something as intimidating as financial structure feel simple—like a good recipe. Follow the steps, stay consistent, and your business naturally becomes more stable.”
Frameworks Built for Growth
Throughout the conversation, Teresa shares practical, repeatable actions:
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Create systems before you scale.
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Separate owner decisions from operational ones.
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Track cash flow weekly—not quarterly.
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Protect margin like you protect your reputation.
“These are the same tools I’ve used in multimillion-dollar companies,” she says. “The scale is different, but the logic is identical.”
A Local Perspective
For Galveston business owners, the timing of this message couldn’t be better. With tourism rebounding and investment flowing into new ventures, financial maturity is becoming the competitive edge. “It’s not about cutting costs—it’s about clarity,” David reflects. “Teresa helps people see that structure isn’t restrictive. It’s what gives you freedom to grow.”
David Landriault
Founder of The 1839
David Landriault serves as the Founder of The 1839 and Co-Founder of Falcontail Marketing & Design. Under his leadership, Falcontail has grown into a boutique firm known for collaborating with a diverse range of distinguished clients. The firm’s portfolio includes notable names such as Stanford University, the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, and other esteemed organizations.
Teresa Wagonseller
CPA, fractional CFO, and proud member of The 39ers
Teresa Wagonseller is a fractional CFO, strategic advisor, and proud 39er helping Galveston businesses turn chaos into clarity. With decades of experience in finance, she brings both big-picture thinking and day-to-day practicality to every client—making cash flow simple, growth achievable, and success feel personal. When she’s not helping business owners build money-making machines, she’s winding down with a Tito’s in hand while her cat shows off on the deck. Learn more at Higher-Up CFO.
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