The Money Mistakes We All Make (and How to Fix Them) – Ep. 227
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Release Date: 06/17/2025
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
We’re officially at the halfway point of 2025, and no, it’s not too late to make this year your most productive year yet! In this episode, Danielle is joined by one of our numbers experts from our amazing Kickstart Accounting team, Account Manager Becky Teves, to talk through the biggest obstacles she sees small business owners experiencing right now, and how you can finish this year strong and strategic. Key Takeaways: It’s Not Too Late to Pivot Your 2025 Goals: You still have time to course-correct and make strategic decisions based on what’s working, even if it means setting...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
You’re reviewing your numbers monthly (go you!), but what about taking a step back to see the big picture? In this episode, Danielle walks you through the power of a quarterly financial review, one of the most practical ways to make smarter decisions, spot real trends, and align your business goals with your personal ones. She breaks down the difference between monthly and quarterly reviews (the micro vs. macro view each provides), what numbers to look at quarterly, and how to analyze those numbers. All you need is 90 minutes every 90 days to use your financials as a tool for success and...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Just because there’s money in the bank doesn’t mean your business is truly profitable. In this episode, Danielle lays out the most common (and sneaky) financial mistakes she sees entrepreneurs and small business owners making without even realizing they’re doing it. From undercharging to over-relying on your gut, Danielle is not here to shame you—she’s here to show you how to avoid them so you have the tools you need to build your business with confidence, clarity, and a financial plan that supports your vision. Key Takeaways: Your Bank Balance is Not the Full Picture:...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
In this episode, Danielle sits down with , founder of the unique and heartfelt illustrated greeting cards , to talk about what it really looks like to build a business that supports you today—not down the road, not after you hit this or that goal, but right now. From packing every order by hand to big-box retailers, Jess’s story is one of hard-won wisdom, practical mindset shifts, and the surprising ways having a business carried her through the hard times. It’s an inspiring and powerful reminder that entrepreneurship can be a beautiful, freeing, and life-giving journey when we use...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
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...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Are you chasing growth in your business but worried it might cost you your profits, sanity, or both? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., pulls back the curtain on the real strategies CFOs use to grow companies intentionally and profitably. These are the 5 CFO secrets you can and should start using today! Key Takeaways: Secret #1: Use Your Financial Reports as Decision-Making Tools - Your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement aren't just paperwork, they're your roadmap to smart business decisions. ...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Before you hire, launch, or invest, there’s one number you need to know: your future break-even point. It’s more than a “boring” accounting term; it’s one of the most powerful tools you have in your toolkit as a business owner and CEO. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., flips the script on how entrepreneurs look at their break-even point by turning it from a financial checkmark into a forward-thinking strategy tool. She walks through how to use it as a launchpad for smarter decisions and puts you in control of your...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
In this spirited and honest episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden sits down with multi-talented entrepreneur, comedian, host of the popular podcast , and author of , , for a candid conversation about what sustainable creative entrepreneurship really looks like, and why knowing your break-even point may be the most powerful financial move you can make for your mindset. Whether you're scaling back, starting over, or simply craving more core value alignment in your business, this conversation offers you permission to slow down, get clear on your enough number, and redefine success on...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Psst…Your numbers are talking to you—are you listening? Here’s a reminder that business is emotional, and it's easy to fall into decision-making based on gut feelings. But when you know your numbers, you take back control. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 5 essential financial numbers every business owner needs to know. This isn't just about spreadsheets; it's about stepping into your power as a CEO, removing emotional guesswork, and building a healthy, sustainable business. 5 Key...
info_outlineBusiness By The Books with Danielle Hayden
What if the secret to building your dream business isn’t about saving more, but about spending smarter? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., invites you to stop feeling guilty every time you make an investment in your business. Instead, learn how to spend with clarity, purpose, and profit in mind. She walks you through the healthy spending percentages successful businesses use across categories like marketing, payroll, operations, and more to thrive. You’ll also get practical tools and reflection questions to help you make CEO-level money...
info_outlineJust because there’s money in the bank doesn’t mean your business is truly profitable. In this episode, Danielle lays out the most common (and sneaky) financial mistakes she sees entrepreneurs and small business owners making without even realizing they’re doing it.
From undercharging to over-relying on your gut, Danielle is not here to shame you—she’s here to show you how to avoid them so you have the tools you need to build your business with confidence, clarity, and a financial plan that supports your vision.
Key Takeaways:
-
Your Bank Balance is Not the Full Picture: Why real profitability lives beyond what’s in your checking account. Profit is not the same as cash flow, and both matter in different ways.
-
You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself: You're not a bookkeeper—and you don't need to be! Delegating your money tasks is one of the most empowering moves you can make. Outsourcing your books (or any task that’s not your expertise) isn’t giving up control, it’s giving yourself the ability to make smarter business decisions.
-
Knowing Your Numbers Puts You In Control: Reviewing your financial statements monthly isn’t just “nice”, it’s necessary. It keeps you from guessing and it’s how you grow with intention.
-
Pricing for Profit, Not Panic: Undercharging leads to burnout. You deserve to get paid what your work is worth—and then some.
-
Create a Plan for the Slow Seasons: Feast-or-famine is not a strategy. Use data to build stability and breathe easier year-round.
-
Think In Terms of the Long-Game: Even if you love your work now, it’s never too early to plan for the future. Building a business that runs without you means real freedom.
Topics Discussed:
(00:49 – 01:43) Mistake #1: The Illusion of a Healthy Bank Balance
(01:44 – 02:47) Mistake #2: Doing Your Own Bookkeeping and Ignoring Your Financials
(02:47 – 03:16) Mistake #3: Not Looking at Your Financials on a Monthly Basis
(03:24 – 04:47) Mistake #4 & 5: Not Charging Enough and Not Raising Prices Regularly
(04:48 – 05:30) Mistake #6: Not Tracking Return of Investments on Expenses
(05:31 – 06:22) Mistake #7: Chasing Revenue Over Profit
(06:24 – 08:07) Mistake #8 & 9: Hiring a Team and Asking for Help Too Late
(08:07 – 08:53) Mistake #10: Not Planning for Slow Seasons and Creating a Money Buffer
(08:53 – 09:59) Mistake #11 & 12: Ignoring Financial Red Flags and Relying on Your Gut Alone
(10:00 – 10:34) Mistake #13: Allowing One Client or Revenue Source to Dominate Your Business
(10:35 – 11:10) Mistake #14: Not Having Standard Operating Procedures In Order to Delegate
(11:11 – 11:42) Mistake #15: Inconsistent Invoicing and Follow Up
(13:57 – 14:45) Mistake #16: Not Creating an Exit Plan and Having a Long-Term Vision for the Future
Resources:
Kickstart Accounting’s CFO Services | kickstartaccountinginc.com/cfo
Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:
https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book
Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc