The CEO’s Guide to Budgeting: A Financial Plan That Supports Your Season of Life – Ep. 239
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Release Date: 09/09/2025
The Problem with Profit First And What to Do Instead
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
If Profit First is supposed to reduce financial stress, why do so many business owners feel more overwhelmed after setting it up? Multiple accounts, confusing percentages, and overdraft fees were not part of the pitch. In this episode of CEO Numbers Network, Danielle Hayden cuts through the noise around Profit First and explains what a simpler, proven cash management system actually looks like for small business owners. You will learn how to build financial clarity using four core accounts, how to set aside the right amount for taxes based on net income, and how to stop moving money weekly and...
info_outline
10 Profit Strategies Every CEO Should Be Using Right Now
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Most businesses that look successful are expensive behind the scenes. Tight margins, no breathing room, and a CEO wondering where all the money went. This episode is for small business owners dealing with financial stress and money anxiety while revenue keeps growing. Danielle Hayden, a former corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, shares the profit strategies she has refined over 11 years working with thousands of small business owners. The conversation covers how to diagnose where profit is leaking, the order of operations for fixing it, and how to build margin back into a business...
info_outline
When Your Numbers and Your Instincts Tell Different Stories
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Your gut says things are fine. Your numbers say something different. That tension is real, and it shows up in almost every business. This episode covers what your numbers are actually communicating when instinct and data don't line up. Danielle walks through how to use the Healthy Percentage Worksheet as a guardrail rather than a rule, and how the Start, Stop, Continue framework helps you turn that information into a real decision. If you've ever felt confident in your business and then been caught off guard by the financials, this gives you a concrete way to move forward. You will learn how...
info_outline
When Your Values Are Clear, Feedback Can't Shake You
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Have you ever received feedback from a client and felt your stomach drop? That's not weakness — it's a signal your foundation needs work. When your values aren't defined, every opinion feels bigger than it is. A client comment, a bad month, a shift in the market — all of it feels personal. With that foundation in place, feedback becomes a tool instead of a trigger. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden shares what 11 years of building Kickstart Accounting has taught her about core values. You will learn how to identify the core values that actually run your business,...
info_outline
The Quarterly Financial Review Every CEO Should Be Running
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Most business owners are so focused on the day-to-day that the bigger picture never gets looked at. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden walks through exactly how to run a quarterly financial review — and why it's one of the most important things you can do as a CEO. Instead of reacting to slow weeks or tough months, a quarterly review gives you the structure to zoom out, find the real patterns in your business, and decide where you're going next. You will learn what to review each quarter, from revenue and operating expenses to cash flow, compensation,...
info_outline
The 3 Financial Checkpoints Every CEO Should Follow
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Most business owners know they should be looking at their numbers. But the real question is: which numbers, and when? In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden explains the simple financial rhythm every business owner should follow to stay in control of their business finances. Instead of trying to analyze everything all the time, Danielle breaks down how to structure your financial reviews so they actually support better decisions. You will learn what numbers to review weekly, monthly, and quarterly and how each review plays a different role in running a stable and profitable...
info_outline
7 Simple Levers to Increase Your Profit Right Now
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Profitability doesn't require a dramatic business overhaul. It requires the right levers, pulled consistently. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting Inc., walks small business owners through 7 actionable profit levers drawn from her years in the CFO seat for large organizations, now translated for where you are today. You'll walk away knowing exactly what to look at in your numbers, which one thing to adjust first, and how 1% changes across pricing, volume, expenses, cost of goods sold, labor, receivables, and payables can compound into...
info_outline
Revenue Is Up. So Why Does Cash Feel Tight?
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
Are cash flow problems making growth feel risky? If your revenue is climbing but profit keeps disappearing, this episode will show you exactly what to fix first. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden breaks down the 65-20-15 framework — the exact system Kickstart Accounting uses with CFO clients to help small business owners scale without draining cash or funding growth with debt. If you've been avoiding your numbers or making financial decisions based on stress instead of strategy, this is your starting point for building real financial clarity as a CEO. You'll learn: ...
info_outline
Under 15% Profit? Your Business Is at Risk
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
There’s one number every business owner needs to know… and it might surprise you. Net profit isn’t just what’s left at the end of the year—it’s the heartbeat of a sustainable, healthy business. Today on Business by the Books, we’re diving deep into why 15% net profit is the sweet spot, how too much or too little profit can signal imbalance, and what small business owners can do to protect and grow their money. You’ll learn: Why net profit matters more than revenue How “too much” profit can actually hurt your business The owner behaviors that impact profit...
info_outline
The 3-Year Growth Plan Most Business Owners Never Build
Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden
There comes a point where what worked before stops working… Watching the numbers. Reacting to problems. Making decisions as they come up. Real growth requires a different role. The CEO role. Today on Business by the Books, I’m breaking down the shift from managing what has already happened to leading what comes next with the help of specialized CFO services. This episode is for the owner who is ready to think bigger, plan long term, and step into the visionary role. You’ll learn: The difference between bookkeeping and CFO support Why vision without structure creates chaos The...
info_outlineA lot of business owners look at budgeting as punishment for past money mistakes, but budgeting doesn’t have to feel restrictive. In fact, budgeting can be used as a tool for freedom while protecting your business at the same time, especially if you allow yourself the space and time to plan.
In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., shares how to use budgeting as a tool for clarity, confidence, and intention in your business, and she explains why Q4 is the best time to reflect, reset, and plan for the year ahead, instead of waiting until January.
Key Takeaways:
-
Budgeting Is About Clarity, Not Restriction: Budgeting isn’t punishment. It’s a tool that provides direction, helps you spend with intention, and protects your vision for the year ahead.
-
Pay Yourself with Confidence: Danielle breaks down the three key numbers every business owner should define: what you want to pay yourself, what you need to feel secure, and what you desire to feel free.
-
Quarter 4 Is Your CEO Power Season: The most strategic business owners use Q4 to zoom out, reflect on what worked, and plan for the next year, so they start January with confidence, not chaos.
-
Your Budget Should Reflect Your Real Season of Life: Whether you’re scaling up, slowing down, or balancing big life changes, your budget should support the business season you’re actually in, not the one you think you “should” be in.
-
Overcome Financial Shame & Guilt: Fear and past money mistakes don’t define you. By using strategy and support, you can rebuild confidence and step fully into your CEO role.
Topics Discussed:
(00:00) Intro: How Budgeting Is About Stepping Into Your Role As CEO, Not Restriction
(01:00) Why Q4 is the Most Strategic Time to Plan and Budget for Next Year
(02:55) How to Set Aligned Revenue Goals and Map Out Investments with Intention
(03:39) Budgeting for Your Real Season in Business and Life
(04:42) Overcoming Financial Fear, Shame, and Money Stories with Strategy and Support
(07:24) Outro: Like, share, and subscribe!
Resources:
Free Downloadable Budgeting Template | kickstartaccountinginc.com/budget
Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:
https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/
Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting