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Operational Strategy, Knowing Your Numbers, and Succession with Christina D. Lynch · Black Business Live Podcast

• 0:00
  Christina D. Lynch: It always starts with what does success look like for you and what are you trying to do? Where do you see yourself in three years? The decisions we make today affect what we can do three to four years from now. So if we've ever went to the bank and asked for a loan, the first thing they ask for, two years of financials, two or three years of tax returns. If we are not planning ahead, we're already behind.
• 0:21
  Yeah. So when we think about how do I help them from an advisory standpoint, the first thing is understanding where you're trying to go and then where are you. So if I ask where are you? Without judgment, do you have financial statements? Do you know how to read your financial statements?
• 0:42
  Do you understand the revenue generated from your employees? So all these components about how we operate our business, that tells me right then and there, where are we going? Because if you don't know that, we have to start with understanding your position first.
• 1:03
  Tolu Akindunni: Welcome to the Black Business Live Podcast where we amplify Black innovation, culture and excellence. And this time around, we happen to be all the way in Accra, Ghana, doing the Wisdom Table Legacy Tour in Ghana 2026. Today, we have with us the CEO of Trident Investments, and it's Ms. Christina Lynch. Christina has had several experiences, several years and years of experience in finance, and she's going to tell us a little bit about her business, but also what brings her to Ghana and what opportunities lie ahead of her.
• 1:38
  So Christina, talk to us.
• 1:41
  Christina D. Lynch: One, thank you for letting me attend the podcast Thank you
• 1:44
  Tolu Akindunni: for being here.
• 1:45
  Christina D. Lynch: I'm much grateful and excited to share my experience and a little bit about Trident.
• 1:50
  Tolu Akindunni: Yes. We're so delighted to have you, Christina. I've had the opportunity of chatting with Christina several times on this trip. And honestly, it's been a joy just listening to your mind, thought process, the way you analyse and synthesise and summarise. I know that this brain is working hard.
• 2:06
  Always. So thank you for being on the show. Thank you. So, Christina, tell us a little bit more about Trident and how you got here. Sure.
• 2:18
  Yeah, absolutely.
• 2:19
  Christina D. Lynch: So I must say, I have to tell everyone, my family is from Barbados. And so for those Beisians out there, we know that every other Beisian business is a Trident business. So I am no exception to the rule. So Trident Investments is actually our parent company. And then they have the baby Tridents, so Trident Advisors, Trident Consulting.
• 2:39
  So we have Trident Consulting, which is really the vehicle that we use, and we primarily support enterprises that have revenue up to $10,000,000 in gross revenue. Our primary services are management accounting, tax, strategic planning, and program management. What that means and how do we analyze and synthesize that? We help our business owners meet their goals. So I always say that we're the bridge between the business owner and the goals.
• 3:11
  And many times we have a banker who helps us with banking. Our financial advisor helps us with insurance, and our investments. And then if you have an accountant, they typically help with the taxes or the audits. But there isn't really a person internally that's helping you to assemble all these different financial components, and how do you leverage that information to get you from point A to point B? And that is what we do.
• 3:36
  So our suite of services might sound complicated or a host of things that we do, but the reality is, is that we're here to walk along our businesses on their journey towards what success means to them.
• 3:48
  Tolu Akindunni: Absolutely. I remember we had that conversation as well, especially thinking about business owners as they grow, as they navigate the growth phase. Yes. You know, they've already got a million dollar under their belt and then they're expanding on to several millions on. And sometimes as a founder, you've worn so many hats that you don't even know which one to take off, right?
• 4:07
  Yes. And your role is to help them to take that step back and see things differently.
• 4:12
  Christina D. Lynch: Yes, it is. And even with, as we spoke with founders, executives, when you have everything you own in the business, and you have skin in the game, you're emotionally charged a lot of times. You're so far in, you can't let things fall apart, that we miss the bigger picture. How do we transition from being operational to strategic. And it is a gift.
• 4:34
  And as easy as I make it sound, it took me several years for me to personally practice that to see beyond the day to day.
• 4:42
  Tolu Akindunni: Indeed. And so, how do you... So you talked about the consulting part of the business. So then how do you take that a step up to the advisory side of things? Because as a business owner, obviously you're in business to make wealth.
• 4:56
  Well, maybe to create impact, do something for the community or to provide a service, etcetera. But at the end of the day, the health of the business is generally checked by the bottom line. This is true. Now... So you're getting to the point where you are are you're generating significant income and you're growing.
• 5:17
  Where do you step in in terms of advisory and how do you
• 5:20
  Christina D. Lynch: help them to see beyond and also to think about what investments they're making to secure their future? Right. So great question. It always starts with what does success look like for you, and what are you trying to do? Over the years, I've seen where my advice has transformed just because of my observations and the patterns, and I always start with, Where do you see yourself in three years?
• 5:44
  The decisions we make today affect what we can do three to four years from now. If we ever went to the bank and asked for a loan, the first thing they ask for, two years of financials, two or three years of tax returns. If we are not planning ahead, we're already behind. When we think about how do I help them from an advisory standpoint, the first thing is understanding where are you trying to go, and then where are you. So if I ask where are you, without judgment, do you have financial statements?
• 6:18
  Do you know how to read your financial statements? Do you understand the revenue generated from your employees? So all these components about how we operate our business, that tells me right then and there, where are we going? Because if you don't know that, we have to start with understanding your position first. So the advisory piece becomes somewhat transactional in that we have to compile the information and create something concise.
• 6:44
  So this is where I get really creative. I'm an artist, but with financial statements. I know, true accounting jokes. So we have to figure out and take all this information, we create our one page financial statements, and then the magic begins. So from there, okay, we know where we are.
• 7:01
  And I ask, where are we trying to go? What are your goals, personally and professionally? My newest kick is all about succession planning. Everyone is going to have to succeed in their business, whether it's voluntary or involuntary. And so personally, if your goal in retirement is to sell your business, that changes the advice entirely from if you say, Hey, I'm going to work in my business until I pass away, which is okay as well.
• 7:30
  When I ask, Where do you see yourself? I need to know personally and professionally, And then from there, that's when we create our rainbow, because it has, I like Skittles. So then we're going to create our rainbow and say, these are the things that we're going to do in this timeline to get you to point B. But we have to start with where are we now, and making sure that we understand that. This probably takes the most time, especially if a business owner doesn't know, because if you're operating in fear, you may not want to know where you are.
• 8:02
  Then usually the goal is a little bit easier because that's our vision, that's our dream, it's why we may have went in business. We're thinking about putting all the stress behind us, and then I just do the work of being able to map it out with that business owner or executive team, depending on the size of the business and who's involved in that strategic planning.
• 8:25
  Tolu Akindunni: Yes. And presumably, then that helps them to shape the... Because you're talking here about helping them to shape what their future is going to be, and that could be succession planning,
• 8:37
  Christina D. Lynch: but also it could be legacy. Exactly. And that goes back into the idea of generating wealth. Wealth for business owners can be completely different. I have business owners where they have a different childhood experience or adult experience, and their primary goal is genuinely to be financially stable.
• 8:56
  And that's enough for them. I have others that want to conquer the world and in their industry, in their country, whatever it is, and then I'm like, Okay, well, we know that there may be a different level of effort or planning involved. And some may be more sophisticated and say, I need this profit margin. I need this amount in my retirement account. They might already have a portfolio.
• 9:20
  And then we just have to tweak based on that plan. So the generation of wealth and legacy really is contingent on the individual value. Where we struggle are when folks say, What are your packages? They're like, Well, I can't really give you a package because I have to get to know you first. We're all about having intentional relationships so that way we can customize our efforts and how we work with our clients based on what they actually desire and how we can fit into their dream.
• 9:54
  Tolu Akindunni: Yeah. So let's take it back a step because I know we're in Ghana, right? We are. And we're talking about Legacy Without Borders and we're talking about, you know, these big topics, right? Now, let's take it a step back first of all, because I'm hearing so much what you're saying and I'm like, oh yeah, your clients could be thinking about international expansion, investment.
• 10:15
  You're the ones who are providing that sort of advice, right? Yes. Now, having been here, having stepped into the shores of Ghana, is this your first time in Ghana?
• 10:23
  Christina D. Lynch: This is my first time in Ghana.
• 10:25
  Tolu Akindunni: My god. You've taken it in at least twenty four hours plus of Ghanaian African experience, right? But you're from Barbados, so you kind of have some pre exposure. Now let's talk about that a bit. What has your experience been so far with that background, with the mindset and, you know, the way you consult with your customers and the way, you know, the exposure that they get from your services?
• 10:51
  How has your experience been in The Ghanaian? Just seeing the Ghanaian environment? It's been lovely.
• 10:59
  Christina D. Lynch: And so from when we arrived, we have been warmly welcomed, which is not always something that occurs when you're going internationally to different places. So the warm welcome helped to just relieve that initial anxiety of how am I going to be received. From there, connecting with the other delegates that are here has been, for me, also another place of warmth. I am an introvert. I play really well at the extroversion game.
• 11:28
  But I'm always overthinking, Oh, what if we don't get along? What does this look like? Are my goals the same as their goals? So, having that connection with the delegation also provided validation that we're here to also have an impact. From meeting the various entrepreneurs and business owners, I have continued to receive their visions.
• 11:53
  I can see the energy, I can see the passion in what they're doing and also the intentionality of seeking support. And that is, to me, very special because it's very difficult for a business owner to ask for help. You know, in The U. S, we can be very private about it, and there's a level of intimidation that, occurs when someone asks for help. And here, the level of authenticity that has been shown is just has blown me away, to be honest.
• 12:25
  Tolu Akindunni: Yeah. And to me as well is the fact that, you know, they're not shy. They're like, well, we are one. We are one. We're one family.
• 12:31
  I can go to my brother and ask for help. Right. You know, it's the same feeling you get when you come here. Like, we're not, you know, there's nothing between us here. We can be open and honest with you about our situation.
• 12:41
  Yes. Yeah. And that, that to me is so heartwarming to see. Agree. So, so now let's talk about the matchmaking sessions because you've had the opportunity to meet with, oh my god, how many businesses have you met with today?
• 12:54
  I think five. Five? I saw you at your table earlier, like talking away. I'm like, oh my god, this is so much going on. Yeah.
• 13:02
  And you've also had some pitching, some businesses pitched here as well. What has that been like? And so let's just talk about that from the perspective of the the Blizzm table and the partnership with Ghana Tourism Federation. What has that been like? What has it shown you about Ghana?
• 13:16
  What's the you've gotten from that?
• 13:18
  Christina D. Lynch: Each business owner has been prepared. That speaks volumes. They have business plans. They brought prototypes.
• 13:27
  Tolu Akindunni: Oh my
• 13:28
  Christina D. Lynch: gosh. They were ready with their pitches. When I asked, what do you need? They did not hesitate to say, one, two, three. And that, oh, I was excited.
• 13:39
  You know, the sleep deprived lady was like, tell me more. What's going on? The clarity that they were able to provide, not only on what they do, but what they need, makes it just more... It increases the likelihood that we can work together. I don't have to navigate.
• 13:56
  You're saying, No, this is where I am, And it's already written out. Here's the vision. Here's the pitch deck. Here are the photos of our journey. And so the conversations have been very engaging and lively.
• 14:10
  We're exchanging contact information. We've already had preliminary discussions on strategic partnerships because I have a wealth of knowledge to provide, and there are people willing to receive it. One particular business asked, Well, what's in it for you? I had to pause, Well, know, that's a great question. I'm a
• 14:32
  Tolu Akindunni: business owner too, right? Exactly.
• 14:36
  Christina D. Lynch: Explained, part of our business model with TriNet, we have a social impact program. So we are primarily a team of women. We are women led, but we have a formalized social impact program to where we can support businesses because that's important to me. It is important that we have access to professional services because historically it's very difficult to gain access to high level quality services without an expensive price tag. So I was explaining that what you're providing me is access to support you.
• 15:14
  It's the ability to impact internationally, and it helps us with our learning curve because the culture in which we experience in The US is quite different than the culture that's here in Ghana. And I want to learn how I can best help.
• 15:28
  Tolu Akindunni: That's amazing. That's amazing. And so in all, I mean, is only day one. Yes. So what would you tell another business owner who's who's dipping their toes into Ghana, who's dipping their toes into international shores?
• 15:41
  What would you tell them, just from what you've seen so far?
• 15:43
  Christina D. Lynch: Okay. One, be open. So be open, be engaged, be transparent. So there's, I have not felt judged with anything, and I'm a quirky girl, so that's, you know, for me, that's a big thing to say. But also, the ability to be open has allowed me to have conversations where I may be uncomfortable in a room with strangers, and everyone has been warm, everyone has great opportunities, and so by being open, I have allowed myself to have conversations to see how we can partner together for a greater impact that goes beyond our business.
• 16:20
  So even from a quantitative standpoint, for those that want to do business in Ghana, there are so many opportunities, and Ghana is inviting us in to help in their expansion, and this seems to be a really great time, in Ghana's economy where they're growing.
• 16:38
  Tolu Akindunni: Yes, yes indeed. And so for the listeners out there, wherever you may be, in Ghana, outside of Ghana, in The U. S. Or in The U. K, wherever you may be, Ghana is inviting you to come.
• 16:50
  You probably hear this from me several times throughout the series, but it's the recurring message we've been hearing, isn't it? Come back to the motherland. There is so much more here for you. So thank you so much. It's been such a pleasure, Christina.
• 17:04
  I always enjoy talking to you. I can sit with you and talk so many things. You you strike me as that woman who just sits there, her brain is, like, going calculating all the risks and everything in the background. And then she'll just say one word and that one word is full of like Yes. A lot of things.
• 17:22
  So so it's been such a great pleasure. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope the rest of the week works out to be an amazing... As amazing as this first day has been. Thank you. Thank you.
• 17:33
  And there we go. Tolu from the Black Business Live Podcast.