Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond

Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com   From Bankruptcy at 24 to $35M: Building Profitable Business Through Discipline and Purpose with Mike Chaput   What if the worst business failure of your life became the foundation for 26 years of unbroken profitability?   At 24, Michael Chaput bought a business that went bankrupt. At 50, he runs a $35 million company that hasn't had a single unprofitable month in 26 years—not through 2008, not through COVID, not ever. In this episode, Michael shares the hard-won lessons from hitting rock bottom and how financial discipline, tough decisions, and the right philosophy about profit built a business that never bleeds red.   In this episode, you will learn: Why "caring too much" kills deals: How poor due diligence and bad leases destroyed Michael's first business and the bankruptcy lessons that changed everything. The 17% margin discipline: How Michael uses peer benchmarking to spot expense ratio problems (like rent at 20% vs. industry standard of 3-6%) and maintains profitability every single month. Why keeping poor performers is cruel: The science of play vs. economic pressure and why letting underperformers go is the kindest thing you can do for them and your team. Profit as constraint, not purpose: Michael's philosophy that profit is like staying in bounds in basketball—necessary, but not the point of the game. How operating systems create alignment: Using Rockefeller Habits and EOS to turn vision into action and inspire "play" instead of toil. The 1,000-book advantage: Why reading one business book per week for 20 years built the foundation for every major decision.   Key Takeaway: Profitability isn't luck—it's discipline and hard decisions made quickly. Michael Chaput's 26-year track record without a single red month proves that success comes from three non-negotiables: (1) knowing your numbers cold (benchmark expense ratios, target specific margins like his 17%), (2) making tough calls fast (letting poor performers go is kindness, not cruelty), and (3) treating profit as a constraint, not your purpose. Bad deals have long tails, so care enough to walk away. Build a clear vision that inspires "play" instead of just paychecks. And never stop learning—Michael read 1,000+ business books over 20 years. That's how you build a business that never bleeds red, no matter what the economy throws at you.   Bio: Mike Chaput bought his first company at 24 with borrowed money and no experience, a move that led to early failure and bankruptcy, but also ignited a lifelong drive to understand what makes businesses succeed. He took those hard-won lessons and built a new company from the ground up, scaling it to $35M in revenue with 140 employees, best-in-class margins, and a values-driven culture. With degrees from Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, Mike blends top-tier strategy with real-world execution. As a founder and the CEO of Endsight, as well as a board member and trusted advisor to multiple high-growth companies, Mike brings a grounded, operator's perspective to leadership, sustainable growth, and building resilient teams with purpose.   Links: Website: https://www.endsight.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchaput/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechaputperspective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechaputperspective   Conclusion: Michael Chaput's journey from bankruptcy at 24 to building a $35 million company with 26 years of unbroken profitability isn't just inspiring—it's a masterclass in what separates businesses that thrive from those that merely survive. The lessons are clear: financial discipline beats hope, tough decisions beat comfort, and a uniting vision beats just working for a paycheck.   If you've been struggling with profitability, tolerating poor performers, or feeling like you're constantly firefighting, this episode gives you the blueprint to break free. Start by knowing your numbers, set your margin target, benchmark against your peers, and have the courage to make the hard calls. Remember: profit is necessary, but purpose is what makes the game worth playing.   #ProfitAnswerMan #Profitability #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: : https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

How to Legally Pay Less Tax as a Business Owner with Former IRS Agent Carlotta Thompson   With Former IRS Agent Carlotta Thompson Most business owners believe high taxes are just the price of success. They're wrong.   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky sits down with former IRS agent turned tax strategist Carlotta Thompson to reveal how the tax system really works, what actually triggers audits, and how profitable business owners legally keep more of what they earn. This is not about loopholes or risky moves. It's about understanding the rules well enough to play the game correctly.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: What actually triggers IRS audits and why most business owners worry about the wrong things. The common tax and bookkeeping mistakes that quietly raise red flags with the IRS. Why home office and mileage deductions are usually not the real problem. How poor recordkeeping costs business owners money even when deductions are legitimate. Why constantly moving money between Profit First accounts is a warning sign, not a solution. When an S Corp makes sense and when it can actually cost you more in taxes. Why starting as an LLC gives you more flexibility as your business grows. How to shift from asking "Can I deduct this?" to "How can I deduct this legally?"   The Big Takeaway: Paying less tax is not about gaming the system. It's about: Knowing what the IRS actually looks for Building clean, consistent financial systems Aligning profit, tax strategy, and long-term vision When you do that, audits become less scary, profit becomes more predictable, and your business stops leaking money quietly.   Bio: Carlotta Thompson is a Founder + CEO When Carlotta was 14, she remembers becoming enthralled with a booklet on preparing taxes. She decided then that she wanted to work for the IRS, so at 14 years old, she began studying tax law with the dream of working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Shortly after attaining her dream of working for the IRS, Carlotta realized that the IRS isn't actually in place to help small businesses like she'd thought and it felt like she was working for the wrong side. As an auditor, she saw tons of tax returns with sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars of missed deductions that were detrimental for the client. Carlotta had a bigger dream and mission to directly help business owners pay the least tax legally possible, so what began as a ministry has evolved into Tax Strategists of America!  She now has a Pathway to Zero™ program helping business owners pay the least taxes legally possible!   Links: Website: https://taxstrategistsofamerica.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlotta.thompson.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlottathompsonfinance?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlottathompsonfinance?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlottathompsonfinance   Conclusion: Paying less tax is not about shortcuts or loopholes. It's about clarity, structure, and intention. When you understand what the IRS actually looks for, keep clean records, and align your entity and profit strategy with your long-term goals, taxes stop feeling like a constant threat. This episode with Carlotta shows that real tax savings come from running a better business, not from taking bigger risks.   #ProfitAnswerMan #ProfitFirst #BusinessProfit #TaxStrategy #CashFlow #SmallBusinessFinance #BusinessOwners #IRS #TaxPlanning #FinancialClarity #EntrepreneurLife #KeepMoreProfit #BusinessSystems #MoneyMindset   Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: : https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

The Financial Model Every 7–8 Figure Business Needs for Predictable Profit with Salvatore Tirabassi   Most business owners don't lack data. They lack clarity.   They have a P&L, a balance sheet, maybe even a dashboard. But when a real decision shows up—Can I afford this hire? Should I scale marketing? Why did margins drop again?—the numbers don't give a clear answer.   That's where growth starts to feel chaotic.   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani sits down with fractional CFO and former private equity investor Salvatore Tirabassi to unpack what separates "clean books" from a finance function that actually drives predictable profit.   The core insight is simple but uncomfortable: bookkeeping is not finance. And confusing the two is one of the biggest reasons growing businesses stall, leak cash, or scale problems instead of profit.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why clean books and tax-ready reports are not the same as decision-ready financials How a single, integrated financial model replaces disconnected spreadsheets and gut decisions What driver-based forecasting looks like and why it creates predictable profit at scale How funnel math, capacity planning, and cash flow must work together to support growth Why tracking customer acquisition cost by channel matters more than obsessing over lifetime value How private-equity thinking exposes hidden profit leaks in people, process, and culture   Key Takeaway: If your financial reports are technically accurate but not helping you decide what to do next, the problem isn't effort—it's the model. Upgrade from bookkeeping to real finance, and your numbers will finally start working for you instead of against you.   Bio: As a seasoned finance professional with over 24 years of experience, his journey began with a passion for helping businesses thrive. After earning his degrees from Harvard and Wharton, he spent 15 years in venture capital, where he learned the ins and outs of what makes businesses successful. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face, especially in emerging and family-owned businesses.   Transitioning to the role of CFO in a high-growth company, he discovered his true calling: empowering business owners to take control of their financial futures. He founded CFO Pro + Analytics to provide virtual and fractional CFO services that demystify finance and make it accessible to all. His approach is built on a business owner-first mindset, where he prioritizes the unique needs of each client, helping them see their financial data not just as numbers, but as powerful tools for growth.   Throughout his career, He developed a methodology that combines strategic financial modeling with actionable insights. His goal is to simplify complex financial concepts so that entrepreneurs can make informed decisions confidently. Whether it's guiding them through capital raising or enhancing their operational efficiency, he strives to provide clarity and direction that drives real results.   He believes that every business has the potential to reach new heights with the right financial strategy.   Links: Website: https://cfoproanalytics.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalvatoreTirabassi  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatoretirabassi/   Substack: https://salvatoretirabassi.substack.com/   Conclusion: Chaotic growth is rarely a revenue problem. It's a clarity problem. As this conversation with Salvatore Tirabassi makes clear, most businesses don't struggle because they lack effort or ambition. They struggle because their numbers are built for compliance, not for decisions. When financial reports are shaped by tax rules instead of business drivers, owners are left guessing, reacting, and hoping growth will eventually smooth things out. Predictable profit comes from upgrading how you think about finance. One integrated model. One source of truth. Clear drivers that connect marketing, sales, capacity, and cash. When those pieces line up, the noise disappears. Decisions get easier. Teams align. And growth becomes intentional instead of exhausting. Whether you plan to sell or simply want a calmer, more profitable business, running your company with CFO-level discipline gives you options. And options are what real freedom looks like.   #ProfitAnswerMan #BusinessFinance #FinancialClarity #CashFlowManagement #Profitability #FractionalCFO #FinancialModeling #DriverBasedForecasting #PredictableProfit #MarginManagement #BusinessGrowth #ScalingBusiness #RevenueDrivers #CEOInsights #7FigureBusiness   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

How to Build a Business Fortress: Liquidity, Cash Flow, and Exit Readiness with David Barnett   Build a Business Fortress: Why Liquidity Beats Leverage and Most Businesses Never Sell   Most owners assume the big payoff will come when they finally sell the business. The hard truth is that roughly 80 percent of small businesses listed for sale never actually sell as going concerns. The real payoff is in the years of ownership: the cash flow you extract, the wealth you build outside the business, and the resilience you create so you can survive the next punch in the face. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, David Barnett, author of The Business Fortress, joins me to talk about how to make your company stronger, safer, and more valuable long before you ever talk to a buyer.   In This Episode, You'll Learn:  Cash Flow Problems Are Symptoms, Not Causes. Owners often shout "I have a cash flow problem" and immediately reach for more sales or more debt. David reminds us that cash flow pain is usually a symptom of a broken model: mispriced services, hidden payroll costs, or not truly knowing what it costs to deliver your product. A missing 4–5 percent in labor burden or benefits can wipe out half your planned profit before you even notice. Liquidity Is More Powerful Than Leverage. Everyone celebrates "other people's money." David flips the script: leverage depends on someone else's lending decision; liquidity is under your control. Lines of credit can be cut, termed out, or called just when you need them most. A healthy cash reserve inside your business lets you ride out downturns and seize opportunities when competitors stumble. Growth Can Quietly Crush Your Cash. On paper, growth looks amazing. In reality, fast growth often demands a massive "investment in accounts receivable." You hire staff, buy equipment, and deliver work long before you get paid. Without a plan for the cash gap, owners end up borrowing heavily just to float receivables, which weakens the balance sheet and increases risk. The Real Risk: Will Cash Flow Continue After You Leave? Buyers ask two questions: "What is the cash flow?" and "Will this cash flow continue after I become the owner?" The second question determines whether they do the deal at all and what terms they demand. If all the goodwill lives in you as the owner, or in a few concentrated customers, the risk to the buyer skyrockets and the value of the business drops. Most Businesses Never Actually Sell. David shares a sobering statistic: about 80 percent of businesses listed on the big marketplaces never sell as operating companies. Some equipment may get sold off, but the business itself doesn't transfer. That's why he urges owners to build wealth both inside and outside the business, treat the company as a cash-flowing asset, and have a plan B that does not depend on a big exit check.   Key Takeaway: Treat your business like a fortress you're slowly building over time: strengthen cash flow, build liquidity, reduce dependence on debt, and design the company so cash flow continues even after you step away.   Bio: Barnett loves to say that it took him 10 years to un-learn what he was taught in business school.  University had trained him to be a middle-manager in big enterprises, he was totally unprepared for the realities of small business. After a career in advertising sales, Barnett started several businesses including a commercial debt brokerage house.  Helping to finance small and medium sized businesses led to the field of business brokerage.  Over several years, Barnett sold dozens of businesses for others while also managing his own portfolio of income properties and starting his career as a local private investor. Barnett regularly consults with professionals and banks on business and asset values.  Presently he also works with entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs around the world who are buying, selling or trying to improve their businesses.   Links: Blog: www.DavidCBarnett.com LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBarnettMoncton/ YouTube: https://www.SmallBusinessAndDealMakingPodcast.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dbarnettmoncton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbarnettmoncton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBarnettMoncton Email List Signup: https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com   Conclusion: Building a Business Fortress isn't about chasing bigger numbers or hoping for a heroic exit someday. It's about creating a company that produces steady cash flow, protects you when the economy tightens, and gives you real options for the future. As David Barnett reminds us, the real payoff is in the years you own the business—not in a sale that may or may not happen. When you prioritize liquidity, understand your true costs, reduce dependence on debt, and build wealth outside the business, you create a fortress that can withstand storms and deliver lasting freedom. The question isn't whether your business will sell someday—it's whether it's strong enough to support the life you want today.   #ProfitAnswerMan #BusinessFortress #CashFlow #SmallBusinessFinance #Liquidity #ExitPlanning #BusinessSale #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwner #FinancialFreedom   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

The Referable Client Experience with Stacey Brown Randall   Most business owners say they want more referrals. Very few are actually drowning in them. The default strategy is to do good work, hope people notice, and maybe ask for introductions when things get slow. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sit down again with referral expert and author Stacey Brown Randall to talk about why that approach does not work and how to build a truly referrable client experience.   Stacey has spent years helping small business owners generate referrals without asking, without incentives, and without feeling manipulative. Her new book, The Referrable Client Experience, dives into how your day to day client journey can become your most powerful referral engine.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Referrals, Introductions, and Word-of-Mouth Are Not the Same Thing. One of the first big shifts Stacey brings is simply defining our terms. A referral happens when a referral source connects you directly to a prospect, clearly identifies a need, and positions you as the solution. An introduction is just a connection. There is no identified need. Word-of-mouth buzz is when someone talks about you or gives out your name, but you are never actually connected. Most business owners lump all three together. The problem is that only one of them consistently leads to new clients. If all you are getting is introductions and vague "I mentioned you to someone" comments, you are not really running a referral strategy. Your Small Size Is Your Superpower. When we talk about "client experience," most people picture big company initiatives, software, and dashboards. Stacey defines client experience more simply as how your client feels while they work with you. That is where small business wins. You can: Make clients feel seen and remembered, Adjust quickly when something is off, Add personal, human touches that big companies could never scale, If you want to go from a good client experience to a referrable one, you have to understand the emotions you are creating along the way and be intentional about them. The Science Behind Why Referrals Happen. Referrals are not magic. Stacey frames them through three lenses: What happens in the brain of the referral source. When someone makes a great referral, "feel good" chemicals fire in their brain. They get to be the hero who solved a problem for someone they care about. It is about them helping the prospect, not about you. The psychology of trust. Referral sources do not need to know every credential or detail about you. What matters is that they trust you as a person and do not forget you. That trust is nurtured by consistent, human touch points, not by dumping your resume on them. Behavioral economics. Instead of manipulating reciprocity, Stacey focuses on the positive side: using surprise, delight, and variety in your touch points so people remember you and feel connected to you. Gifts, Touch Points, and What Actually Lands. Gifts can be powerful but they are often used poorly. Stacey's guidance: A gift should not be tied directly to a single referral, or you train people to expect a payout each time. For each referral source, build a plan of five to seven touch points over the year that happen whether or not referrals come in. Use gifts sparingly, and make them meaningful, humorous, or heartfelt enough to be memorable. If it took you two seconds to choose and send, it probably will not stand out. For actual referrals as they happen, Stacey recommends something simple and powerful: a handwritten thank you note. Be Strategic, Not "Spray and Pray". When owners want more referrals, they often default to more networking. More coffee dates, more events, more people. Stacey calls out the problem with this "spray and pray" approach. Instead, she encourages business owners to: Identify their ideal referral sources by asking, "Who regularly sees my ideal client before I do?" Focus on building real relationships with those few instead of trying to convert every person in the room. Accept that it is a numbers game, but a strategic one: you may meet a hundred people and end up with three or four true referral partners.   Key Takeaway: Referrals are not a mystery reserved for the lucky few. They are the predictable result of a client experience that makes people feel seen, cared for, and confident enough to put their reputation on the line for you. When you understand the science behind referrals and build a simple plan around your best referral sources, you can stop chasing cold leads and start welcoming more ideal clients who already trust you.   Bio: Stacey Brown Randall is the author of the new book, The Referable Client Experience, and the multiple award-winning book, Generating Business Referrals Without Asking. She is also the host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast. Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally…without manipulating, incentivizing, or even asking. She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master's in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.   Links: Websites: https://staceybrownrandall.com/ https://referableclientexperience.com/ Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall https://www.instagram.com/staceybrownrandall/ https://www.facebook.com/StaceyBrownRandall https://www.youtube.com/@referralswithoutasking   Conclusion: Referrals don't come from luck, pressure, or clever tactics—they come from the way your clients and referral sources feel throughout their experience with you. Stacey's insights remind us that when you create a journey rooted in trust, care, and thoughtful connection, referrals become a natural byproduct—not a struggle. By understanding the science behind why people refer and building a simple, intentional plan around your best referral sources, you can replace unpredictable lead generation with a reliable, relationship-driven system that grows your business sustainably and profitably.   #ProfitAnswerMan #SmallBusinessGrowth #Referrals #ClientExperience #BusinessProfit #CashFlow #TrustedAdvisor #BusinessStrategy   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

How to Build a Business You Can Actually Sell with Saul Cohen   Most business owners say the same thing: "I want to grow as big as I can." But when you press them on what they really want—time freedom, a great income, flexibility with their family—they're actually describing a lifestyle business, not a high-growth scale-up destined for a huge exit.   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani talks with Saul Cohen, an accountant and advisor who helps ambitious entrepreneurs grow through acquisition and prepare for a successful exit. Together, they unpack the difference between chasing revenue and deliberately building assets and wealth inside your business.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Lifestyle Business vs Scale-Up: What Are You Really Building? Saul explains the critical fork in the road most owners never consciously choose. A lifestyle business is built to deliver strong income and flexibility now; a scale-up is built to reinvest profits into assets for a bigger exit later. The decisions, trade-offs, and timelines are totally different. Why Hustle Isn't a Strategy—and Maturity Wins. Saul shares the story of his first business, launched in his early twenties, and how a competitor with more experience and maturity quietly built a far more valuable company. The lesson? Execution, focus, and intention beat hustle and blind optimism every time. How Wealth Is Really Built: Assets and the Balance Sheet. Rocky reminds us that profit is only part of the story. Real wealth shows up on the balance sheet—in assets, not just income. The problem? Most owners never read their balance sheet as a series and have no idea whether they're actually building wealth or just spinning their wheels. Where Acquirers Find Hidden Profit After the Sale. When a "mediocre" business is sold, a new owner often finds profit quickly—not because they're smarter, but because they're less emotionally attached and more objective. Saul explains how strategic add-on acquisitions (like buying a supplier or complementary service) can boost margins, cross-sell opportunities, and overall business value. The Investor Mindset: Working On the Business, Not Just In It. Both Rocky and Saul emphasize the need to step out of firefighting mode, take time away from the office, and think like an investor. When you step back and ask, "What are my real opportunities and threats? Where's the biggest payoff for my time and capital?" the path to better cash flow and a stronger exit becomes much clearer.   Key Takeaways: Most owners are accidentally building lifestyle businesses while pretending they're building scale-ups. Wealth is created by assets, not just hustle or revenue. Gross margin and business model clarity matter far more than top-line bragging rights. Your second business will often scale faster—if you integrate the lessons from your first. Taking time out to think like an investor is one of the highest-ROI activities you can do.   Bio: Saul Cohen is a chartered accountant and founder of SC Digital Advisory, a boutique firm helping business owners grow through acquisition, optimize profit, and prepare for successful exits. With more than 20 years in finance and entrepreneurship, Saul blends hands-on operational insight with deep financial acumen to help owners turn complex challenges into scalable systems. He's advised seven- and eight-figure founders across sectors on strategy, M&A, and value creation.   Links: https://www.scdigitaladvisory.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulcohenuk   Conclusion: You don't need to copy the tech unicorns or chase a nine-figure exit to win. You just need to be honest about the kind of business—and life—you actually want, then align your decisions with that reality.   For some, that's a highly profitable lifestyle business with strong margins, great clients, and plenty of free time. For others, it's a focused scale-up strategy, reinvesting profits to build assets and position for a major exit.   Either way, the path runs through the same disciplines: knowing your numbers, understanding your business model, building real assets, and learning to think like an investor, not just an operator.   If you're ready to turn your business into a true wealth-building engine—not just a stressful job with a logo—this episode with Saul Cohen is a powerful place to start.   #ProfitAnswerMan #ProfitFirst #BusinessExit #LifestyleBusiness #ScaleUp #BusinessValuation #CashFlow #WealthBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset #FractionalCFO #FinancialClarity   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

From Chaos to Cash Flow: How Business Owners Can Scale with Less Stress with David Forster   "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."   If you're stuck reacting all day, this episode with David Forster hands you the blueprint: clarify roles, codify the 80%, install scorecards that measure what matters, and make Profit First automatic so cash is where you need it—when you need it.   In This Episode, You'll Learn:  Why "boring, repeatable systems" beat heroics—and how to build them for people who crave structure. The clarity–consistency–accountability trio: what each really means in day-to-day ops. The 90–180 day "adoption dip" and how to push through it. Scorecards: tie activity → ratios → results (and stop tracking vanity metrics). Onboarding that sets the fence lines (and uses QR'd micro-videos for field teams). The "Think Like Me" cheat sheet so crews can make good calls without you. Profit First with Relay: reducing "move-the-money" friction to near zero.   Key Takeaways:  Build for the 80%. Don't rewrite SOPs for one-off edge cases; keep them simple and usable. Adoption is a habit curve. Expect drop-off at 90–180 days; consistency wins. Scorecards must link effort to outcomes (e.g., calls → close ratio → sales). If it doesn't predict success, drop it. "Fence lines" create safety. Reward following process; improve the process when outcomes miss. Systemize onboarding. Use bite-size clips + QR codes; new hires set the tone for the rest. Cash discipline ≠ harder work. Automate allocations (Relay) so Profit First happens without willpower.   Bio: David Forster is the founder of Systems Over Sweat and a strategic expert in business operations for home service businesses scaling past $1M - $5M in revenue. With over 20 years of experience building, scaling, and exiting service companies, David helps owners escape the chaos by fixing the processes that are quietly draining their time, profit, and energy. He's not a theorist—he's a tactician. David works with business owners to eliminate inefficiencies, simplify operations, and build scalable systems that allow the business to grow without the owner needing to be involved in every little decision. He's the guy that makes sure your operations actually operate.   Links: Website: https://www.systemsoversweat.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rdavidforster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdavidforster/   Conclusion: Scale doesn't come from working harder—it comes from designing clarity, codifying the 80%, and reviewing scorecards with courage. Pair that with automated Profit First allocations and you'll stop firefighting and start compounding profit.   #ProfitFirst #CashFlow #SmallBusiness #Trades #EOS #SOPs #Scorecard #OwnerPay #RelayBanking #Operations #Accountability #CFO   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Profit First with Megan Schwan   Most owners chase revenue and wonder why cash keeps disappearing. In this episode, Rocky sits down with Megan Schwan—CEO of Sidekick Accounting and a certified Profit First Professional—to unpack the simple systems that turn chaos into cash: clean books, pricing discipline, expense sweeps, and a short list of actionable KPIs. If you want fewer surprises and fatter reserves, start here.   In This Episode, You'll Learn:  Why "good books" are your #1 tax saver—and the foundation for pricing and fraud control. How Profit First creates guardrails, gut-checks overspending, and builds real reserves. The expense analysis that finds instant profit (and all those "I thought I canceled" subs). The handful of KPIs to watch: break-even, month-end bank balance trend, gross & net margins, plus 1–2 lead metrics. Why owners must read the balance sheet (AR, debt, cash) to explain the "profit but no cash" mystery. S-Corp myths vs reality: costs, payroll, compliance, and when it doesn't save you a dime. The mindset gap: let data overrule fear and emotion—especially in weird markets.   Key Takeaways:  Clean books first; dashboards second. Messy inputs = misleading decisions. Profit First is a behavior system that forces lean ops and automatic reserves. Trim subscriptions and non-ROI spend quarterly. Every line needs a purpose. Track few, not many: break-even, margin, cash trend, and one lead indicator. Entity choice is strategy—don't elect S-Corp on hype; do the math.   Bio: Megan Schwan is the CEO and Founder of Sidekick Accounting Services, a national, virtual accounting firm working to change the statistic that 8 out of 10 small businesses fail. For over a decade, Megan and her team have educated 1000's of owners on their business accounting and taxes in order to create sustainable and successful businesses. Being in the accounting industry for over 2 decades, Megan has seen and experienced plenty of businesses' red flags and triumphs.   Links: Website: www.sidekick-accounting.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmschwan/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmschwan/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mompreneurof4/   Conclusion: Revenue is loud. Cash is quiet. Use Profit First to build guardrails, clean up the books so pricing and KPIs tell the truth, and revisit entity and expenses with a strategic eye. A 20-minute weekly review beats a 20-hour crisis. Start small; stay disciplined; let the numbers lead.   #ProfitFirst #CashFlow #Bookkeeping #SmallBusiness #KPIs #PricingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #CFO #TaxPlanning #BusinessSystems   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Simple Numbers, Big Profits with Greg Crabtree: How to Scale Without Debt or Chaos   Most business owners chase revenue—and lose sight of profit. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani sits down with Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits, to cut through the noise and talk about what really drives a successful business. A self-described "recovering accountant," Greg shares how data—not opinions—can transform how entrepreneurs see their numbers, make decisions, and grow sustainably.   If you've ever felt like your financial reports are confusing or your growth isn't showing up in profit, this conversation will show you exactly where to look and what to fix.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why accounting data is often misleading—and how to use "simple numbers" instead. How to measure labor efficiency so your team drives profit, not just revenue. The power of gross margin as the real top line of your business. Why debt-free growth is possible with strong cash discipline. What Greg's 100-company study reveals about the real state of today's economy.   Key Takeaways: Gross Margin is King – Stop paying attention to revenue. Profit lives in the margin. Know Your Labor Efficiency Ratio – Every $1 in labor should create $2 in gross margin. Cash is a Strategy – Keep two months of operating expenses in the bank—your safety net for growth. The Economy is Shifting – Growth won't come from the market; it'll come from taking share from weaker competitors. Simplify Your Dashboard – If a number doesn't drive a decision, take it off the report.   Bio: Greg Crabtree, speaker, author, entrepreneur and financial expert.  Greg founded his own firm Crabtree, Rowe and Berger to focus on helping entrepreneurs build their economic engine.  After being named to the INC 5000 list for 2019, Greg's firm merged with Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA's and Advisors, a top 20 U.S. Accounting firm to help broaden their impact on the entrepreneur community. Greg serves as the Partner in Charge of the Simple Numbers Consulting unit. In 2011, Greg's first book "Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits" shares his core principles of how to turn your business into a wealth building engine.  In 2014, Greg contributed a chapter to Verne Harnish's book, "Scaling Up" on how to improve profits though labor efficiency.  In 2020, Greg released his newest book, "Simple Numbers 2.0: Rules for Smart Scaling".  Greg is a frequent speaker to groups like EO, Scaling Up (Gazelles), Metronomics, Bloom Growth, Vistage, ACETECH and many Mastermind groups and has presented in over 15 countries.  Greg also chairs the EO@Wharton Executive Education program for the last 7 years and serves as an EO Accelerator trainer since inception of the Accelerator program. Both books are available on Amazon, Kindle and Audible.   Links: Simple Numbers - https://www.simplenumberscri.com/ Greg Speaking - https://gregcrabtree.net/   Conclusion: Greg Crabtree reminds us that business success isn't about how much you sell—it's about how efficiently you turn effort into profit. The future belongs to entrepreneurs who understand their numbers, make decisions from data, and lead with discipline. As Greg says, "You don't need more data—you need the right data."   Whether you're running a $1M or $10M business, this episode will help you stop guessing, start measuring, and finally take control of your profits.   #ProfitFirst #SimpleNumbers #GregCrabtree #BusinessProfitability #CashFlow #Entrepreneurship #FinancialClarity #FractionalCFO #ProfitAnswerMan #SmallBusinessFinance #GrossMargin #BusinessGrowth #CashManagement #LaborEfficiency #ProfitabilityMatters   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

How to 4X your Revenue in 4 Years with Alexis Sikorsky   Most business owners dream about growth, but few know how to scale without chaos. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani talks with Alexis Sikorsky, a strategic advisor who helps founders scale fast and exit strong. Alexis doesn't speak from theory—he built and sold his own Switzerland-based software company, New Access, in a $100M+ private equity deal.   He learned firsthand what it takes to go from exhaustion to exponential growth—and how the right strategy, mindset, and systems can help you 4X your revenue in just four years.   Key Lessons from the Conversation:  Buy, Don't Just Build: Most founders try to grow by grinding harder. Alexis shows why M&A can be a faster, smarter route when done strategically—with the right due diligence and cultural alignment. Don't Confuse Urgent with Important: Entrepreneurs often get stuck fighting fires instead of building vision. The CEO's real job is direction and value creation—not firefighting. Know What You Don't Know: Private equity buyers make money because they see what founders can't. Your blind spots could be worth millions, so get help from people who've done it before. Fire Yourself from the Day-to-Day: If your business can't run without you, it's not scalable—or sellable. Alexis teaches founders to identify the tasks only they can do and delegate the rest. Build a War Chest: Business cycles are inevitable. You need 9–12 months of cash reserves to weather storms and seize opportunities instead of scrambling to survive.   Key Takeaway: What you don't know about your business could be costing you millions. Clarity, cash reserves, and courage to think bigger are what separate sustainable success from burnout.   About Alexis Sikorsky: Alexis Sikorsky is a strategic advisor to founders who are serious about scaling fast and exiting strong. With a nine-figure private equity exit under his belt, Alexis isn't speaking from theory—he's lived the entrepreneurial highs and lows across decades of company building, boardroom negotiation, and international leadership. His flagship book Cashing Out lays out the APEX methodology, a four-part framework (Assess, Plan, Execute, Exit) that demystifies the journey to private equity for founders feeling stuck or overwhelmed by growth and decision fatigue.   Alexis founded, scaled, and sold New Access, a Switzerland-based software company, ultimately closing a $100M+ exit and transitioning into a new chapter as a Special Advisor to ambitious CEOs. Today, through Sikorsky Consulting and KnightScale Partners, he works with growth-stage businesses, typically doing $5M+ in annual revenue, who want to engineer their next chapter or PE exit.   Links: Website: https://www.asikorsky.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-sikorsky-consulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexissikorsky/   Conclusion: Growth without strategy is just motion. As Alexis shared, success comes when you think like an investor—anticipate risk, build systems, and plan your exit long before you need it.   So, how many seven-figure mistakes are you willing to make? Even six-figure owners can make million-dollar errors without financial clarity. That's why Profit Answer Man exists—to help you keep more of what you earn and build a business that truly serves your life.   #ProfitAnswerMan #BusinessGrowth #PrivateEquity #ScaleYourBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #MergersAndAcquisitions #CashFlow #ProfitFirst #FinancialFreedom #BusinessStrategy #Leadership   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Scale Smarter: Use EOS to Add Another Zero with Rick Benton   When business growth starts to feel like chaos, it's time to add structure. EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) gives you a clear roadmap to align people, processes, and profit — but when you combine it with the right financial systems, that's when the real transformation happens.   In this episode, Rick Benton, EOS Implementer and former multi-state business owner, joins Rocky Lalvani to unpack how EOS helps entrepreneurs simplify, scale, and create freedom. Together, they explore how visionaries can step back from the whirlwind, let go of control, and finally build a business that runs on systems — not stress.   5 Key Lessons from the Conversation:  Let Go of the Vine. Growth starts when you release control. EOS helps visionaries trust their team, delegate effectively, and stay focused on the high-value activities that drive impact. Weekly Scorecards > Monthly Panic. Measure what predicts the future, not what reports the past. Weekly scorecards with 5–15 KPIs give you 52 chances a year to course-correct instead of 12. Finance Is the Missing Gear. EOS brings clarity, but without a financial dashboard tied to gross profit and cash flow, you can hit your goals on paper and still miss in the bank account. When EOS and Profit First systems work together, growth becomes predictable and profitable. From Rock Bottom to Rock Foundation. The lessons you've learned — and the systems you've built — become the foundation you can always stand on. You're not starting over; you're building from strength. Stop Hustling, Start Delegating. Hustle culture leads to burnout. Smart owners out-delegate, not out-work. Systems and scorecards let you scale without grinding yourself or your team down.   Key Takeaway: EOS gives you the structure; Profit First systems make sure the structure actually pays. Together, they align your people, vision, and numbers so your business grows with ease — and adds another zero without adding more chaos.   About Rick Benton: Rick's entrepreneurial journey started in high school when he and a friend started an event company. Dedicated to a vision of creating the most exciting and energetic experiences, the business quickly found successes that extended far beyond the local Detroit market. Fast forward a few decades and this multi-state, award winning company provided event planning, coordination, entertainment, and AV production services for national corporate, social and educational clients. After a successful sale and exit of the business in 2018, Rick has been a teacher, a coach, and a business consultant. His superpower is his energy and passion for business, learning and growth, always challenging the existing status quo to find better solutions. He personally understands and experienced the power of EOS and how it offers freedom for entrepreneurs to break through their ceiling, clarify and achieve their vision, while improving the lives of leadership teams, employees and their families. Rick is excited to share that EOS power with you to achieve your VISION, gain TRACTION, and build a HEALTHY, cohesive, and fun-loving leadership team.   Links: EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/rick-benton    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickbenton/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.benton/    Conclusion: Scaling isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things in the right order, backed by clear numbers. EOS brings operational discipline. Profit First adds financial confidence. When those two worlds meet, your business becomes scalable, self-managing, and sustainably profitable.   If you're ready to connect your EOS scorecard to real profit and cash flow, schedule a Profit Assessment Call with Rocky and start turning structure into wealth.   #ProfitFirst #EOS #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CashFlow #FractionalCFO #Scorecard #Visionary #Integrator #Delegation #Systems #FinancialFreedom #SmallBusiness #ProfitAnswerMan   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

From Bankruptcy to 60 Million: The Systems Behind a Successful Exit with Jason Sisneros   Most business owners think success means more sales and more hustle. But Jason Sisneros discovered the opposite — freedom comes from systems, not speed.   After crashing three businesses and digging himself millions into debt, Jason rebuilt from scratch. Over time, he created, scaled, and sold 26 companies with 6,800 employees for more than $60 million — all without investors or partners. Today, through his company Built to Exit, he helps business owners do what he finally mastered: design a business that creates wealth and freedom instead of chaos and burnout.   5 Key Lessons from the Conversation:  Every Business Exits — It's Your Choice How. You'll leave your business one way or another. Build for a custom exit, not an involuntary one. Assess Honestly Before You Act. A turnaround begins with clarity — know your numbers, your relationships, and what truly drives value. Reignite Your "Why." Many entrepreneurs lose their original purpose. Rediscovering it reignites motivation and smart decision-making. Profit and Cash Flow Are Different Beasts. Jason uses the Profit First envelope system to separate profit, operating cash, and free cash flow — protecting the money that builds freedom. Systems Create Sellable Companies. Businesses that run on process, not personality, scale faster, stress less, and are worth more when it's time to exit.   Key Takeaway: Revenue looks impressive — but free cash flow buys freedom. Structure your money so it serves your life, not the other way around.   About Jason Sisneros: Jason Sisneros is a battle-tested Chairman obsessed with the game of business. His focus is consistently and predictably building 5% companies and 1% business owners. Renowned as one of the brightest minds in business and innovation, Jason has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Nike, Comcast, and Microsoft. His passion, however, is for the over 100 small—to mid-cap companies he has helped optimize for maximum cash flow or wealth-harvesting exits. Jason is sought after by business owners worldwide as a trusted resource for creating competitive advantages for their companies. His proprietary systems are called "Built To Exit" or B2X. He currently owns multiple businesses, has personally exited more than two dozen companies, and has spoken for hundreds of thousands of business owners on stages and podcasts around the world. Jason's commitment extends beyond business. He volunteers as an undercover operative and helps fund a child sex trafficking rescue unit called SERT Ministries. Actively involved in anti-domestic violence and food insecurity initiatives, Jason believes ethical capitalism improves the world. He champions that successful business owners are among the most generous, driving positive change globally. He considers a well-trained, robust small and mid-sized enterprise environment, where we all do business with each other, one of the most potent engines of freedom.   Links: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BuiltToExit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.sisneros.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasonsisneros Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sisneros/ X: https://twitter.com/thejsisneros?lang=en B2x Website: https://builttoexit.biz/about/   Conclusion: Jason's journey proves that even failure can become fuel when you apply the right systems. Whether you plan to sell someday or simply want a business that runs without you, start now: know your numbers, separate your accounts, and define your end game.   Because at the end of the day, every business exits — the smart ones are built to.   Richer Soul Ep. 459 From Drug Runner to 60 Million Exit: Jason Sisneros' Redemption Story: https://richersoul.com/ep-459-from-drug-runner-to-60m-exit-jason-sisneros-redemption-story/   #ProfitFirst #BusinessExit #CashFlow #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialFreedom #BuiltToExit #ProfitAnswerMan #SmallBusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #WealthBuilding   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Maximizing Business Value: Lessons from 800+ Deals with Matt Uhler   The Cash Discipline That Saves—or Sells—Your Business   Most companies don't go under because they lack revenue. They go under because they run out of cash.   And the worst part? It doesn't happen overnight. It happens slowly… then suddenly.   One month, you're profitable. The next, you're panicking over payroll and wondering what went wrong.   In this episode, I sit down with Matt Uhler—a business broker and owner who's evaluated over 2,500 companies, completed 800+ transactions, and personally owned more than 35 businesses. Matt has seen it all: the slow leaks, the bad habits, and the simple financial blind spots that quietly destroy good companies.   He's also seen what fixes them—disciplined cash management, clear financial dashboards, and owners who treat their business like an asset, not an ATM.   Key Lessons from the Conversation with Matt Uhler: Cash Is the Real Failure Point. Most businesses don't collapse because of competition or bad strategy — they fail when they run out of cash. Profit on paper doesn't equal money in the bank. Lesson: Cash flow is oxygen. Without reserves, one slow quarter can suffocate your business. Protect Your Operating Capital Floor. Matt's formula: Accounts Receivable (avg. days outstanding) + 1 Month of Fixed Expenses = Your Minimum Reserve. Lesson: Treat this number like sacred ground. No owner draws or distributions until you're above that floor. Watch the Percentages, Not Just the Dollars. Only about 10% of business owners track financials by percentages — yet that's where the truth hides. Lesson: A 2% increase in labor, 1% rise in COGS, and a few missed invoices can quietly erase your entire profit margin. "Creep" Will Kill Your Profit. Profit erosion happens quietly — small leaks across pricing, payroll, or waste. Lesson: Five small 2% inefficiencies equal a 10% hit to profit. Track it monthly and fix leaks early before they become habits. Run Sale-Ready, Even If You're Not Selling. Buyers pay a premium for companies with systems, diversified revenue, and consistent cash flow — but those same traits make your business easier and safer to run today. Lesson: Operate like you'll sell in three years. You'll earn more now and later.   Key Takeaway: Cash discipline isn't boring—it's freedom. When your reserves are full, you sleep better, make smarter decisions, and stop chasing bad business just to survive. A profitable business is one that's calm, clear, and ready for whatever comes next.   Bio: Matt Uhler is far from a typical business broker and acquisition strategist. Over the course of his 27-year career, he has evaluated more than 2,500 businesses, completed over 800 transactions, and successfully owned and operated more than 35 businesses across multiple industries. Matt's journey was not without its challenges. In fact, he attributes much of his expertise to the early setbacks he faced, where he learned firsthand the pitfalls that derail many entrepreneurs. What set him apart, however, was his ability to turn those experiences into powerful lessons. This mindset, combined with his focus on strategic partnerships and creative deal structures, has allowed him to help countless clients build wealth through small business acquisitions. Matt is founder of Amped Success, a company dedicated to educating and empowering entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors with the tools they need to confidently navigate acquisitions. He is also the creator of the Buyer's Acquisition Formula, a proven framework that is designed to reduce risk and maximize opportunities for long-term success. 27 Years Experience Over 35 Businesses Owned Over 800 Deals Closed Over 2,500 Deals Evaluated $250+ Million Transactions Funded   Links: Website: http://www.ampedsuccess.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557299191227&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=uV765w5z0S5PYnmb&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F19x2KTYQCb%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr# LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampedsuccess?igsh=MWRrOTA1MWthOThlcA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ampedsuccess?_t=ZP-8tXABIpBHxu&_r=1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmpedSuccess   Conclusion: Most businesses don't fail from lack of opportunity — they fail from lack of cash discipline. It's not the big mistake that kills them, it's the small 1–2% leaks that add up over time.   Matt reminded us that every owner needs a cash reserve floor — your operating capital formula of accounts receivable plus one month of fixed expenses. That's your safety net. Never draw below it. He also showed how tracking percentages instead of just totals helps you catch problems early — before the slow slide becomes a sudden crash.   And finally, the mindset shift: run your business as if you'll sell it someday. Whether you do or not, that discipline makes your company stronger, more profitable, and less stressful to run.   So take a moment after this episode — look at your numbers. Where has "creep" slipped in? How much runway would you have if revenue stopped for 60 days? And do you have the systems and reserves that let you sleep well at night?   #ProfitFirst #CashFlow #OperatingCapital #BusinessFinance #OwnerPay #SmallBusinessProfit #Profitability   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Build a Business That Serves Your Life (Not the Other Way Around) with John Nieuwenburg   Small business owners are great technicians—but often underpowered CEOs. Coach John Nieuwenburg breaks down why most owners feel squeezed by time, team, and money—and how to fix it. We cover building a simple, real-time dashboard (so you stop driving by the rear-view mirror), the "three-legged stool" of systems-people-leadership, recruiting a bench before you're desperate, plus hiring for culture over skills. The goal: a business that funds—and fits—your life.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why most small business owners struggle with time, team, and money—and how to regain control. How to build a dashboard with 3–5 KPIs that actually predict success, instead of relying on lagging P&Ls. The three-legged stool of systems, people, and leadership—and why systems must run the business. The 85/15 rule: systematize the routine, humanize the exceptions. How to shift from avoidance to mastery in crucial conversations with your team. Why recruiting should be ongoing—build a bench before you need it. The truth about culture: you don't get the one you want, you get the one you deserve. Why you must hire for culture and train for skills, not the other way around. The real purpose of a small business: to fund the life of its owner.   Key Takeaways: Dashboards beat rear-view P&Ls: pick 3–5 KPIs owners can act on weekly. The 3-legged stool: systems run the business; people run systems; you lead people. Systematize 85% (routine), humanize 15% (exceptions). Seek system fixes, not people fixes. Recruit before you need it—build a bench so you can enforce standards without fear. Hire for culture, train for skill; most terminations are culture, not skill. Crucial conversations are a core leadership skill; avoidance is expensive. Purpose check: Your small business should serve your life. If not, change it.   Guest Bio: John Nieuwenburg is a business coach (since 2004) who's helped 320+ small-business owners increase profits, remove chaos, and reclaim their lives. Formerly President of BC Liquor Stores (>$3B revenue; 4,000 employees), he was named MacKay CEO Forums' "Canada's CEO Trusted Advisor—Small Business" in 2019. He leads W5 Coaching, applying a Socratic approach to help owners think clearly and act decisively.   Links: https://w5coaching.com/  https://www.facebook.com/john.nieuwenburg/  https://ca.linkedin.com/in/business-coach-canada   Conclusion: At the end of the day, your business should exist to serve you—not consume you. As John Nieuwenburg reminds us, small businesses thrive when owners stop running by the "rear-view mirror," build dashboards that give them clarity, systematize their operations, and lead with courage in conversations and culture. The reward? A business that creates both profit and peace of mind. If your company isn't giving you the freedom and financial security you started it for, it's time to make the shifts that put your life back at the center.   #ProfitFirst #SmallBusiness #CashFlow #BusinessCoach #KPIs #Dashboards #Systems #Leadership #Hiring #CompanyCulture

The Next Level Revenue Formula with Kyle Mealy   Business growth doesn't have to be complicated. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I welcome back Kyle Mealy, Fractional Chief Revenue Officer and author of The Next Level Revenue Formula. Kyle has helped small businesses double their top line and, in many cases, 10x their profit by applying simple math to sales and marketing.   We dive into the new world of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), niching through the "Snow Globe Economy," and the power of his Revenue Cascade framework. This isn't abstract theory—it's practical math that shows you where your leads are leaking, how to align your EOS scorecards, and how to make sure revenue actually turns into profit.   Key Lessons from Kyle:  GEO > SEO. SEO alone won't cut it anymore. Buyers are finding answers through AI-driven engines and social platforms. To win, you need to focus on thought leadership, trust, and influence where your niche actually lives. The Snow Globe Economy. Kyle calls today's business landscape a snow globe—self-contained worlds where ultra-niche companies thrive. The key is to niche by problem. Even if your product isn't narrow, you must get crystal clear on the specific problem you solve better than anyone else. The Revenue Cascade. Sales and marketing aren't separate—they're two sides of the same coin. Kyle's Revenue Cascade simplifies lead flow into measurable stages. By tracking conversion at each step, you quickly see where leaks are happening and where to focus your efforts. ROASS vs. ROAS. Traditional ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) ignores profitability. Kyle's upgrade—ROASS—puts revenue on top and marketing + sales below. If your operations eat up the rest, you could be running at break-even or worse. This simple math makes sure "growth" isn't draining your profit. Scorecards That Predict Cash. Many EOS scorecards track metrics that don't correlate to profit. Kyle emphasizes designing scorecards that align directly with your P&L and forecast cash flow 8 weeks out. Done right, your scorecard becomes an early-warning system for profit and growth.   Key Takeaway: Profit doesn't come from more tactics—it comes from simple math. By mapping your buyer journey with the Revenue Cascade, calculating ROASS to protect margins, and aligning your scorecard to predict cash, you can stop guessing, plug leaks, and scale your business with clarity and confidence.   About Kyle Mealy: Kyle Mealy is a small business Fractional Chief Revenue Officer. His clients have achieved an average of 35% year-over-year top-line growth, with many experiencing 10x profit improvements.   Links: https://www.readyforthenextlevel.com/ ENRG - https://enrg.life/   Conclusion: As Kyle reminds us: "Measure first, strategy second." Too many business owners chase tactics—Facebook ads, new sales hires, trade shows—without knowing the math behind them. When you build your Revenue Cascade, calculate ROASS, and align your scorecard with profit, you stop guessing and start scaling with clarity. Profit isn't magic—it's math. And when you know the math, you win the game of business.   #ProfitFirst #CashFlowFix #RevenueCascade #ROASS #GEO #SmartScaling #BusinessProfit #OwnerPay #BusinessClarity #ProfitMindset   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Scorecards, Not Gut Calls: How to Run Profitable Weeks with Austin McMillan   Build a Profitable Business Buyers Can't Resist   Most business owners dream of selling one day—but the reality of what buyers actually pay can be sobering. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky sits down with Austin McMillan, founder of Flywheel Financial, to break down how investors truly evaluate businesses, why contractual revenue beats hype, and how Profit First and a handful of simple ratios can transform your company into a business worth buying.   Key Lessons from the Conversation:  Buyers Value Contracts, Not Stories. When Austin worked on acquisitions in the landscaping industry, he learned buyers cared far more about signed contracts than the stories in a P&L. Relationships matter, but recurring revenue is what sets your valuation. Reflection: How much of your revenue is secured by contracts vs. one-time sales? Your Books Tell the Truth. Clean, accurate financials can instantly raise your sticker price. Many owners think they'll get a big payout, only to find sloppy accounting drags down value. Reflection: If you had to sell tomorrow, could you prove your profit? Profit First is a System—Not a Straitjacket. Austin loves Profit First because it forces owners to prioritize profit—but he stresses that you must adapt the allocations to your business, not force your business to fit the book. Reflection: Where do your Profit First allocations need adjusting? Obsess Over the Labor Efficiency Ratio. For every $1 in total labor costs (including admin, taxes, contractors), service businesses should aim to generate about $2 in gross profit. This simple ratio is often the fastest lever for boosting margins. Reflection: What's your current labor efficiency ratio with and without owner labor? Run on a Simple Weekly Scoreboard. Instead of drowning in a 100-line P&L, Austin runs his firm with five weekly metrics: Sales activity (lead generation), New client onboarding experience, Operations consistency, Cashflow & receivables, Customer service response time (the "Queen Bee" role). This keeps the team aligned, accountable, and focused on leading indicators that drive real results. Reflection: What five numbers would tell you if your business is winning or losing? Fix Process Before People. If a metric stays in the red for three weeks, Austin first checks the process before blaming the person. Only after validating the process does he shift focus to coaching or replacement. Reflection: Where might broken processes—not bad people—be costing you profit?   Key Takeaway: A business that runs on clean books, clear systems, and a handful of key ratios isn't just more profitable today—it's more attractive to buyers tomorrow. Stop guessing by your bank balance. Start running the scoreboard that investors (and your future self) will thank you for.   About Austin McMillan: Austin McMillan is the founder of Flywheel Financial, an accounting firm that helps business owners scale with financial clarity and build companies of lasting value. He believes healthy businesses create healthy families, and healthy families create healthy communities.   Links: https://www.flywheel.financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austindmcmillan/   Conclusion: At the end of the day, buyers don't purchase your hustle—they purchase proof. Proof in the form of recurring contracts, clean books, efficient labor, and systems that keep a business running smoothly. Austin reminds us that profitability isn't just about bigger numbers on the top line—it's about clarity, discipline, and building a machine that works whether you're in the office or not.   The businesses that win—whether you keep them or sell them—are the ones designed with profit and process at the center. Start small: track the right five numbers, implement Profit First in a way that fits you, and focus on turning every $1 of labor into $2 of profit. Do that consistently, and you'll create a business worth keeping… and worth buying.   #ProfitFirst #CashFlowFix #BusinessProfit #FinancialClarity #SmartScaling #LaborEfficiency #Scorecard #ServiceBusiness #BusinessValuation #OwnerPay #EntrepreneurFinance #RevenueLeaks #SystemsAndProcesses #SmallBusinessGrowth #ProfitMindset   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

How Small Businesses Beat Big: Profit Lessons from McKinsey to Main Street with Sri Kaza   Most small business owners feel like underdogs—limited resources, endless responsibilities, and constant pressure just to keep up. But what if those very constraints were the secret to outpacing billion-dollar corporations?   That's exactly what Sri Kaza, former McKinsey consultant and now small business advocate, reveals in his book Unconventional and in our latest conversation on the Profit Answer Man podcast.   After years advising Fortune 500s and later scaling and selling private-equity backed companies, Sri discovered something surprising: small businesses that embrace their unique strengths can outmaneuver the giants.   Key lessons from our conversation: Profit Struggles Aren't Just for the Small Guys. Even Fortune 500 companies wrestle with profit pressures—just on a different scale. Every quarter, CEOs are forced to deliver "more" to investors. Small business owners feel the same weight, but without the safety net of massive budgets. The lesson? Pressure is universal—discipline is optional. Stop Digging, Take the Ladder. Many business owners keep "digging" harder when they're in a hole—working more hours, cutting corners, or avoiding debt even when smart investment could be the ladder out. Climbing requires perspective. Look up, not down, and take the smarter path to profit. The Underdog Advantage: Positioning, Proximity & Purpose. Sri's underdog principles are what separate resilient small businesses from the rest: Positioning – Know exactly who you serve, and stop trying to please everyone. Proximity – Stay close to your customers; your agility and speed are advantages no big corporation can match. Purpose – Profit matters, but purpose keeps you and your team going when times are tough. Build Jobs Around People, Not Just Seats. Unlike big corporations that design roles and then try to squeeze people into them, small businesses can craft jobs around people's strengths and passions. It's not just about skills—it's about values, culture, and fit. Trust Is the Invisible Profit Driver. There's no line on the P&L for trust, yet it may be your most valuable asset. Sri highlights the Trust Equation: credibility × reliability × intimacy ÷ self-interest. The more authentic, reliable, and human you are, the more customers and employees will follow you.   Key Takeaway: Small doesn't mean weak. It means nimble, personal, and resilient. By leaning into what makes you different—your closeness to customers, your unique positioning, and your purpose—you can outmaneuver the giants and build a business that's both profitable and fulfilling.   Abou Sri Kaza: Sri Kaza is a seasoned business leader and small business advocate with a background in corporate strategy and entrepreneurship. After earning degrees from the University of Michigan and Northwestern, he began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Blue Martini Software before advising Fortune 500 companies at McKinsey & Co.   He later transitioned to executive roles, including a leadership position at Viking Cruises, before shifting his focus to small business support. Sri founded Talytica, a data analytics startup that helped small businesses assess job applicants, and led the employment tax credit division at Tax Credit Co. (now part of Experian), supporting thousands of businesses in securing government incentives. Most recently, as CEO of ForwardLine Financial, he scaled the private equity-owned company and guided its sale to new investors.   His book, Unconvention, draws on this extensive experience, challenging conventional corporate thinking and empowering small businesses to succeed by staying true to their unique strengths.   Links: Website: Sri-Kaza.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikaza   Conclusion: The story of small business isn't about competing on size—it's about competing on strengths. While big corporations drown in bureaucracy and quarterly pressures, small businesses have the power to stay close to their customers, move quickly, and lead with purpose.   Sri Kaza reminds us that profitability isn't just about spreadsheets and strategies. It's about positioning yourself where you can truly make an impact, crafting a business around your people and values, and never underestimating the invisible currency of trust.   At the end of the day, being the underdog can be your greatest advantage. The question is: will you use it?   #ProfitFirst #BusinessProfit #CashFlow #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #BusinessClarity #Profitability #UnderdogAdvantage #SmartScaling #EntrepreneurTips   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Your P&L Is Lying—Here's What to Track with Laresa McIntyre   Stop Chasing Revenue: How Fractional CFOs Clear the Financial Fog   Most business owners measure success by one thing: revenue growth. The problem? Revenue isn't cash—and it doesn't always translate into profit.   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sat down with Laresa McIntyre, founder of Rockbridge CFO, to uncover the blind spots that keep owners stuck in financial fog. Laresa brings over 15 years of CFO experience and now helps service-based businesses scale smarter with fractional CFO insight—without the six-figure price tags.   Key Lessons:  Profit Lives in Margins, Not Revenue. Chasing top-line growth without tracking margins is a recipe for burnout. Know which products and clients actually contribute to the bottom line, and be willing to cut or reprice the ones that don't. A CFO Looks Forward, Not Backward. Bookkeepers and controllers record history. A CFO interprets that history to help you forecast the future and make smarter decisions 6–24 months out. That's where clarity—and profit—comes from. Cash Forecasting Prevents Panic. Revenue timing rarely matches expense timing. A 12-week rolling cash forecast shows when money will actually land in your account and when bills come due, so payroll never sneaks up on you. Growth Can Be Dangerous if Mis-Timed. Hiring ahead of sales is one of the fastest ways to destroy profitability. Use metrics like revenue per employee or labor efficiency ratio to know when it's safe to add headcount. Dashboards Need Action, Not Pretty Charts. Software may give you colorful graphs, but what matters is knowing which levers to pull: raise prices, renegotiate vendor terms, or shift client mix. Insight beats aesthetics. Benchmark Yourself, Not the Industry. Industry averages often include failing businesses. The best benchmark is your own improvement over time—measured by profit, not just revenue. Financial Fog Is Optional. Most founders walk around in a financial fog because the numbers feel intimidating. The cure? Honest conversations with someone who can translate financials into simple, actionable steps.   Key Takeaways from the Conversation:  The P&L Is Not Cash. Your profit and loss statement is an important report—but it leaves out distributions, debt payments, and sometimes even taxes. Use it in context with your balance sheet and cash forecasts, or risk flying blind. Margins > Revenue. A "big client" may look impressive on paper, but if their gross margin is weak, they're draining your business. Focus on products, services, and customers that actually add to the bottom line. Forecast Cash Like Payroll Depends on It (Because It Does). A 12-week rolling cash forecast helps you avoid Friday panic. It reveals not just what's in the bank today, but what's coming in and going out over the next three months. Hire After Sales, Not Before. Scaling too fast with payroll is one of the biggest traps. Track revenue per employee and labor efficiency to know when it's really time to bring on the next hire. Dashboards Are Useless Without Insight. Pretty graphs won't grow your profit. The value is in translating numbers into action: what's working, what's broken, and what needs to change this month to protect your margins and cash flow.   About Laresa McIntyre: Laresa McIntyre is the founder of Rockbridge CFO, where she helps service-based businesses scale smarter by providing executive-level financial insight without the cost of a full-time CFO. A Certified Management Accountant with an MBA and Master's in Accounting, Laresa specializes in turning financial chaos into clarity, improving margins, and bringing calm to growth.   Links: https://www.rockbridgecfo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laresamcintyre   Conclusion: Too many business owners work harder and harder for revenue, only to wonder why their bank balance never seems to catch up. The truth is, profit clarity comes not from chasing sales but from mastering margins, timing cash, and knowing when to grow.   As Laresa McIntyre reminds us, the P&L isn't cash, growth without discipline creates fragility, and dashboards without insight are just noise. When you cut through the fog with the right forecasts, metrics, and financial guidance, you finally get what every business owner craves: calm, control, and consistent profit.   #ProfitFirst #BusinessFinance #CashFlowFix #FractionalCFO #FinancialClarity #Profitability #SmartScaling #EntrepreneurFinance   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

The Profit Pitfalls Most Business Owners Miss with Lisa Hennigar   Most business owners don't lose profit because of one big mistake — it's usually a thousand tiny leaks. From not knowing your why, to ignoring customer service, to failing to track the right numbers, the truth is this: profit slips away quietly while you're busy working hard.   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sit down with Lisa Hennigar, Vice President of Franchise Development at ERA Group and a nationally recognized franchise strategist with over 22 years in the industry. Lisa has worked with everyone from household-name brands to emerging concepts, and she knows exactly where businesses get stuck — and how to turn things around.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why your "why" matters more than you think — and how it fuels resilience, team buy-in, and long-term success. The danger of ignoring your P&L — why most owners don't understand it, and what metrics you actually need to track. Scaling without losing profit — why growing too fast, or in the wrong way, can turn you into an employee of your own business. Customer service as a profit driver — how fast response times and the right client mix can outperform bigger competitors. The hidden costs that eat your margins — from bad leases to auto-renew contracts, to discounting that destroys profitability.   Key Takeaway: Profit doesn't come from working harder — it comes from working smarter. That means knowing your numbers, understanding your why, and being intentional about both the clients you serve and the systems you build. As Lisa reminds us, "Doing simple is hard — but simple is where the money is."   About Lisa Hennigar: Lisa Hennigar is a nationally recognized franchise growth strategist with over 22 years in the franchising industry. She currently serves as Vice President of Franchise Development at ERA Group, an executive cost intelligence consulting firm, where she has been instrumental in helping ERA achieve its highest ranking in 30 years in Entrepreneur Magazine and secure the #1 Global Franchise Brand designation.   Her expertise spans franchise recruitment, operations, and unit economics—bridging the gap between sales and ongoing franchisee success. She has worked with brands from iconic household names to emerging concepts, creating scalable growth strategies, improving validation, and streamlining onboarding.   Lisa is known as a true change agent, keeping culture, unit economics, and KPIs at the forefront of every transformation she leads—powered by grit, resilience, and a relentless work ethic.   Beyond corporate leadership, Lisa served as Chair of SCORE in Michigan, sat on the YMCA Board in Michigan where she helped drive donor fundraising, and was active in Toastmasters, contributing to membership growth.   Earning a Certified Franchise Executive, with the International Franchise Association in 2011, Lisa has also been instrumental in attracting top-tier executive talent into franchising and converting independent businesses into thriving franchise locations.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahennigar/   Conclusion: Profit isn't accidental — it's the result of clarity, discipline, and intentional choices. As Lisa Hennigar reminds us, too many business owners ignore their why, overlook their numbers, or scale without strategy — and those blind spots quietly drain their wealth. The good news? Profit is always within reach when you track the right metrics, serve the right clients, and make simple, focused improvements.   Remember, your business should give you both time and money. If it's not, it's time to plug the leaks and reset your strategy.   #ProfitFirst #BusinessProfit #SmartScaling #EntrepreneurFinance #CashFlowFix #RevenueLeaks #BusinessClarity #OwnerPay   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner   When profit is slipping, most businsess owners look to cut costs or push sales harder. But what if your biggest drain isn't on the P&L at all—it's in your people?   In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Pam Meissner—COO and CFO at CathCap—pulls back the curtain on why "right people, right seats" isn't just an HR slogan. It's one of the most powerful levers for profit growth that most companies ignore until it's too late.   The Gap: Why Profit Leaks Hide in Your People: You can have a stellar product, growing sales, and tight cost controls—and still lose money. The reason? People issues that don't show up as a neat line item on your P&L. Pam sees it all the time: companies hanging on to team members who no longer fit, tolerating culture-killers because they perform well in one area, or promoting loyal employees into roles they can't succeed in.   The Four Quadrants Every Leader Needs to Know: Pam breaks down the four categories of employees, based on competency and alignment with core values: Stars – High performers who live your values. Puppies – Aligned with values but lack skill; worth investing in if trainable. Rats – Low competency, no values alignment; they have to go—fast. Gremlins – Highly competent but toxic to your culture; they hold you hostage and quietly drain profit. Ignoring the "rats" and "gremlins" doesn't just hurt morale—it actively drives away your stars.   Why Core Values Aren't Just a Poster on the Wall: Most companies have core values, but few hire, fire, and promote based on them. Pam's advice: Define your values clearly. Interview with them in mind (AI tools like ChatGPT can help craft questions). Involve peers in hiring to assess fit. Hold quarterly conversations so performance and alignment are never a surprise.   The Real Cost of a Bad Hire: Replacing someone can cost multiple times their salary—especially if you use recruiters. But the hidden costs of keeping the wrong person are even higher: Lost productivity Star employee turnover Extra resources to "work around" problem employees Pam stresses: The cheapest solution is to hire right the first time—and act quickly when you don't.   The Profit Plan: Align People, Process, and Purpose: To plug these hidden leaks: Audit your team using the four quadrants. Invest in "puppies" with clear timelines and training plans. Remove "rats" immediately and plan a strategic exit for "gremlins." Keep your stars engaged and appreciated.   💡Bonus Listening: For a real-world example of how to build and keep an all-star team, check out Episode 141 with Emily Cole, co-founder of the Savannah Bananas. Her approach to hiring for culture fit will inspire you to rethink how you find your next great hire.   Key Takeaway: Profit isn't just about cutting costs or selling more—it's about aligning the right people in the right seats. When you protect your culture and your core values, profit follows.   Ready to uncover your hidden profit leaks? Let's talk. Book a time at ProfitComesFirst.com  and start building a team that fuels—not drains—your bottom line.   About Pam Meissner: Pam Meissner is a powerhouse in the world of finance and leadership, with a career that spans CFO, COO, and CEO roles across industries. Known for her ability to drive business growth, she has helped companies scale while navigating the complexities of financial strategy and operations. Her expertise lies in turning numbers into narratives—helping business leaders make informed, confident decisions that fuel long-term success.   Beyond her financial acumen, Pam brings a global perspective to her work. She has lived and worked across multiple countries, experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy and reinforced the importance of adaptability and innovation.   Pam's journey is also one of resilience. Recently widowed after 30 years of marriage, she continues to lead with strength and purpose. Her son, who has autism, recently graduated from college, and her daughter, a marathon runner, raises funds for autism research—both reflecting the family's spirit of perseverance and impact.   When she's not advising business leaders, Pam is an award-winning baker, avid reader, and self-taught fashion designer. Whether she's strategizing financial turnarounds, perfecting the art of the cake, or learning a new skill, she brings the same passion, precision, and problem-solving mindset to everything she does.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-meissner/ Website: https://cathcap.com/ Cathcap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cathcap/    Conclusion: Profit isn't just about financial spreadsheets—it's about people. As Pam Meissner shared, the wrong person in the wrong seat can quietly drain resources, culture, and profit. The real path to sustainable growth is aligning your team with your core values, investing in potential where it exists, and having the courage to let go when it doesn't.   Remember: profit follows people. When you get the right people in the right seats, you unlock not just financial performance, but a business that truly thrives.   Episode 141- Profit First Success with Savanah Bananas and Emily Cole- https://profitcomesfirst.com/ep-141-profit-first-success-with-the-savanah-bananas-and-emily-cole/   #ProfitFirst #BusinessClarity #ProfitLeaks #TeamPerformance #CultureFit #SmartScaling #OwnerPay #LeadershipMatters #BusinessGrowth #CoreValues   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.