In this episode, host Melissa Franks tackles a topic she’s never covered before: how to create an annual budget that actually works for you. Whether you’re a five-figure startup or a nine-figure company, Melissa breaks down why every business needs a budget and why it’s not the restrictive tool you think it is.

Drawing from her own experience managing $180 million in annual spend as a COO, Melissa shares the exact framework she uses with clients to build clarity, confidence, and control into their financial plans.

You’ll learn:

• Why budgets are a decision-making tool, not a limitation.
• How to categorize your spend using her four-part classification method: recurring, one-time, not needed, and invest more.
• The steps to build a monthly expense budget using historical data.
• How to plan for staffing changes and forecast projected revenue using trends and seasonality.
• The importance of assessing profit margin and adjusting expenses or revenue targets to stay in line with your goals.
• Why you must include discretionary spending and contingency planning—and how to do it without sabotaging your profitability.

Melissa wraps up with her signature perspective: a good budget isn’t about saying no to spending it’s about saying yes to what matters most.

If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt too rigid, too complex, or just plain boring, this episode will change your mind and your approach.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to make your budget your best business partner for the year ahead.

Connect with Melissa:

Website: www.melissafranks.com

Instagram: @melissa_franks

Connect with Melissa:

Watch the Episodes on Youtube

Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks

Schedule a call: melissafranks.com