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12 Money Rules Every Successful CEO Follows to Build Profit and Wealth – Ep. 225

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Release Date: 06/03/2025

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Let’s set the record straight: Revenue is not the goal. Profit is. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything—chasing more sales, more clients, more offers—but still coming up short on cash and clarity, this episode is your permission slip to pause, stop worrying about sales numbers alone and start focusing on what generates profit. 

In today’s episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 12 money truths that successful CEOs live by to grow smarter, more sustainable businesses not just bigger ones. 

Key Takeaways: 

  1. Revenue ≠ Success: Profit is the real goal, not revenue. Chasing sales without watching expenses can leave your business cash-strapped and stressed. Focus on the bottom line.  (01:16 – 02:42)

  2. Align Your Personal & Business Finances: Your personal finances impact your business. Owner’s draws and misaligned personal spending can drain your business's resources and future growth. (02:47 – 04:24)

  3. Money Goes Where Focus Flows: You don’t need 3-4 revenue streams. The most successful CEOs stick to one core offering and master it before expanding. (04:24 – 05:51)

  4. Filter Your Advice Wisely: We love our friends and family, but unless someone has real experience running a business, their advice may do more harm than good. (05:51 – 06:47)

  5. Listen to Your Numbers: Your financials are trying to tell you something. Learn to read and review them regularly to help you avoid repeat mistakes and make smarter, future-focused decisions. (06:48 – 07:43)

  6. More Money Isn't Always the Fix: More capital won’t fix a broken strategy. Think 2-3 times longer than you normally would before taking on debt or outside investors. (07:44 – 09:05)

  7. Spending is Investing: When aligned with your goals, every dollar spent should help your business grow or strengthen. (09:05 – 09:52)

  8. Permission to Say No: Saying yes to everything leads to burnout—successful CEOs protect their time and energy. (09:56 – 10:55)

  9. Emergency Funds are a Must: A “just in case” or rainy day fund can be the difference between panic and peace when the unexpected happens. You never know when a new opportunity will pop up! (10:56 – 11:52)

  10. Invest in Your Education: You don’t have to do it all, but you do need to understand your business’s financial health. (11:53 – 13:01)

  11. FOMO is a Distraction: This goes back to “money goes where focus flows”—stay grounded in your vision, not someone else’s highlight reel. (13:01 – 14:10)

  12. Money is a Game—Play It Smart: Use your financial statements as tools to track your growth, not just your income. (14:12 – 14:50)

⭐Bonus Rule: When things get uncomfortable, lean in further. Successful CEOs step outside their comfort zones, because they know that’s where the real growth happens. 

 

Resources:

Kickstart Accounting’s CFO Services | kickstartaccountinginc.com/cfo 

Kickstart Accounting’s Tax Services | https://ksataxpartners.com/

 

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book 

 

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