Eli has over 25 years of hands on experience in the financial and business management of entrepreneurial companies.

As founder and CEO of Straight Line Management™ Eli specializes in providing financial expertise and mentoring to high-potential early stage companies. Eli helps them  increase profitability, secure funding, evaluate and capitalize on opportunities, streamline financial operations, and get the financial side of the business under control.

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What are you passionate about?

• Entrepreneurship – I love to provide business owners with tools to make them more successful. I am very proud of the financial models I create for my clients that clearly show investors how they plan to execute their business plan.
• Baseball, especially the San Francisco Giants. Baseball is the one major sport that doesn’t have a clock, so no matter what, there is always hope. Baseball teaches us that small things can make huge differences, and so it is in life that we should pay attention to the details.
• Teaching – I have always loved to teach, and that is why I enjoy mentoring and especially teaching workshops. Over the years, I’ve taught workshops on financial modelling and pitching to investors at The Preccelerator, Expert Dojo, the USC Marshall School of Business, Westmont College, Chapman University and Larta Institute. Earlier in my life, I had aspirations of becoming a college professor, and I would still love the opportunity to do so on a part time basis as a Lecturer or Adjunct Professor.
• Family – I have been married to my best friend for nearly 45 years. We have 3 great adult children and 8 amazing grandchildren. My family is my greatest blessing.

What one piece of advice would you give to an early stage startup regarding your area of expertise?

I tell them all the time that if they are planning to start a business, they should first lower their personal overhead. Eliminate expenses that are not essential for survival. Lower your rent, your transportation, your food and your entertainment. Create a strict, tight personal budget and stick to it. Entrepreneurship requires focus, and if you can’t meet your personal requirements for food and shelter, then you will be distracted from doing what you need to do in order to succeed. If you are in a relationship, then this will be exacerbated.

What do you like best about mentoring at the Preccelerator?

I love how receptive the Preccelerator companies are to advice.  They make me feel like I’m really making a difference. I also love the location. Nothing beats taking a break by walking out to the middle of Third Street and taking in all of the activity.