Money Basics

New to the money side? Start here — separate your accounts, see what's really happening, and price so you actually get paid.

1. Stop mixing business and personal money: The first real money move isn't fancy — it's a separate bank account. When business and personal money share one account, you can't tell if…
2. Know what's coming in and going out: You can't manage what you can't see. You don't need accounting software on day one — you need a simple, honest record of money in and money…
3. Set money aside for taxes before it bites you: The most common gut-punch for a new owner is a tax bill for money they've already spent. Nobody withholds taxes for you now — that's your…
4. Busy isn't the same as making money: Plenty of owners are slammed with work and still broke. The reason is the gap between three different things: revenue (what comes in),…
5. Price so you actually make money: The most expensive mistake a new owner makes is pricing by copying a competitor or guessing what feels fair. Your price has to cover your…