Libsyn Directory

Bonuses Made Simple: A 6-Step Framework for Rewarding Your Team – Ep. 245

CEO Numbers Network with Danielle Hayden

Release Date: 10/21/2025

Why Your "Tax Savings" Are Killing Your Business

CEO Numbers Network with Danielle Hayden

I'm recording this on April 15th, the tax deadline, and I just got a surprise tax bill from my own accountant with almost no communication leading up to it. That experience reminded me exactly why we built KSA Tax Partners the way we did, because there's a real difference between a tax preparer and a tax partner, and most business owners don't know which one they actually have until something goes wrong. In this episode of CEO Numbers Network, I get raw about what worked this tax season, what didn't, and the real story behind a December tax strategy that left a client unable to fund her second...

The CEO Playbook for Scaling Without Stress

CEO Numbers Network with Danielle Hayden

Something new is coming, and if you're a small business owner who's tired of making financial decisions on gut feeling, you'll want to be here for it. CEO Numbers Network launches tomorrow. Hosted by Danielle Hayden, former corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., this is the show that brings boardroom-level financial strategy to small business owners who are ready to lead with their numbers. Expect real conversations about profit, cash flow, decision-making, and what it actually takes to run a business like a CEO. Just the financial clarity you've been looking for. If running your...

The Problem with Profit First And What to Do Instead

CEO Numbers Network 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...

10 Profit Strategies Every CEO Should Be Using Right Now

CEO Numbers Network with Danielle Hayden

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When Your Numbers and Your Instincts Tell Different Stories

CEO Numbers Network 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...

When Your Values Are Clear, Feedback Can't Shake You

CEO Numbers Network 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,...

The Quarterly Financial Review Every CEO Should Be Running

CEO Numbers Network 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,...

The 3 Financial Checkpoints Every CEO Should Follow

CEO Numbers Network 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...

7 Simple Levers to Increase Your Profit Right Now

CEO Numbers Network 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...

Revenue Is Up. So Why Does Cash Feel Tight?

CEO Numbers Network 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: ...

More Episodes

It’s the season of gift giving, evaluating team performance, and bonuses, and for many business owners, that can bring up hard questions. Can I afford to give out bonuses this year? What if it’s not as much as last year? How much is fair? And how do I reward my team without draining my cash or putting my business at risk?

In this episode, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc.’s Danielle Hayden walks you through a simple, repeatable framework to help you decide if, when, and how much to give your team in bonuses that’s fair, financially sound, and aligned with your business’s core values.

Key Takeaways:

Profitability Comes First: Only give bonuses when your business is profitable. A healthy, sustainable company is the best gift you can give your team.
Protect Your Cash Flow: Separate accounts for operations, taxes, and savings (including bonuses) will help you plan ahead and avoid surprise shortfalls.
Use Data, Not Emotion: Base your decisions on your financial reports and goals, not guilt, pressure, or last year’s habits.
Reward Performance with Purpose: Tie bonuses to performance and your company’s core values, using consistent criteria your team understands.
Timing Matters for Taxes: Be consistent year over year, and confirm with your accountant when it makes the most sense to issue bonuses based on your filing method.

Topics Discussed:

(00:00) Intro: What You’ll Learn in the Episode

(01:46) Step 1: Pool Your Business's Profitability – Is Your Business Profitable Enough for Bonuses

(03:38) Step 2: Check Cash Reserves – Why Cash Savings and Planning Ahead Are Essential Before Paying Bonuses

(06:39) Step 3: Set Your Bonus Pool – How to Calculate a Realistic Bonus Pool

(08:18) Step 4 & 5: Define Eligibility + Allocate Bonuses – How to Fairly Decide Who Qualifies and How Much to Award

(11:03) Step 6: Decide on Timing – When to Pay Bonuses for the Best Tax Results and Long-Term Consistency

(13:20) Outro: Kickstart’s Team Bonus Worksheet and Resources + Like, Share and Subscribe!

Resources:

KSA Tax Partners | https://ksataxpartners.com/

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/

Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

TOPICS