• Ep 304 From Bankruptcy at 24 to $35M: Building Profitable Business Through Discipline and Purpose with Mike Chaput
    Jan 20 2026
    Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com From Bankruptcy at 24 to $35M: Building Profitable Business Through Discipline and Purpose with Mike Chaput What if the worst business failure of your life became the foundation for 26 years of unbroken profitability? At 24, Michael Chaput bought a business that went bankrupt. At 50, he runs a $35 million company that hasn't had a single unprofitable month in 26 years—not through 2008, not through COVID, not ever. In this episode, Michael shares the hard-won lessons from hitting rock bottom and how financial discipline, tough decisions, and the right philosophy about profit built a business that never bleeds red. In this episode, you will learn: Why "caring too much" kills deals: How poor due diligence and bad leases destroyed Michael's first business and the bankruptcy lessons that changed everything. The 17% margin discipline: How Michael uses peer benchmarking to spot expense ratio problems (like rent at 20% vs. industry standard of 3-6%) and maintains profitability every single month. Why keeping poor performers is cruel: The science of play vs. economic pressure and why letting underperformers go is the kindest thing you can do for them and your team. Profit as constraint, not purpose: Michael's philosophy that profit is like staying in bounds in basketball—necessary, but not the point of the game. How operating systems create alignment: Using Rockefeller Habits and EOS to turn vision into action and inspire "play" instead of toil. The 1,000-book advantage: Why reading one business book per week for 20 years built the foundation for every major decision. Key Takeaway: Profitability isn't luck—it's discipline and hard decisions made quickly. Michael Chaput's 26-year track record without a single red month proves that success comes from three non-negotiables: (1) knowing your numbers cold (benchmark expense ratios, target specific margins like his 17%), (2) making tough calls fast (letting poor performers go is kindness, not cruelty), and (3) treating profit as a constraint, not your purpose. Bad deals have long tails, so care enough to walk away. Build a clear vision that inspires "play" instead of just paychecks. And never stop learning—Michael read 1,000+ business books over 20 years. That's how you build a business that never bleeds red, no matter what the economy throws at you. Bio: Mike Chaput bought his first company at 24 with borrowed money and no experience, a move that led to early failure and bankruptcy, but also ignited a lifelong drive to understand what makes businesses succeed. He took those hard-won lessons and built a new company from the ground up, scaling it to $35M in revenue with 140 employees, best-in-class margins, and a values-driven culture. With degrees from Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, Mike blends top-tier strategy with real-world execution. As a founder and the CEO of Endsight, as well as a board member and trusted advisor to multiple high-growth companies, Mike brings a grounded, operator's perspective to leadership, sustainable growth, and building resilient teams with purpose. Links: Website: https://www.endsight.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchaput/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechaputperspective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechaputperspective Conclusion: Michael Chaput's journey from bankruptcy at 24 to building a $35 million company with 26 years of unbroken profitability isn't just inspiring—it's a masterclass in what separates businesses that thrive from those that merely survive. The lessons are clear: financial discipline beats hope, tough decisions beat comfort, and a uniting vision beats just working for a paycheck. If you've been struggling with profitability, tolerating poor performers, or feeling like you're constantly firefighting, this episode gives you the blueprint to break free. Start by knowing your numbers, set your margin target, benchmark against your peers, and have the courage to make the hard calls. Remember: profit is necessary, but purpose is what makes the game worth playing. #ProfitAnswerMan #Profitability #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: : https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes ...
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    49 min
  • Ep 303 How to Legally Pay Less Tax as a Business Owner with Former IRS Agent Carlotta Thompson
    Jan 13 2026
    How to Legally Pay Less Tax as a Business Owner with Former IRS Agent Carlotta Thompson With Former IRS Agent Carlotta Thompson Most business owners believe high taxes are just the price of success. They're wrong. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky sits down with former IRS agent turned tax strategist Carlotta Thompson to reveal how the tax system really works, what actually triggers audits, and how profitable business owners legally keep more of what they earn. This is not about loopholes or risky moves. It's about understanding the rules well enough to play the game correctly. In This Episode, You'll Learn: What actually triggers IRS audits and why most business owners worry about the wrong things.The common tax and bookkeeping mistakes that quietly raise red flags with the IRS.Why home office and mileage deductions are usually not the real problem.How poor recordkeeping costs business owners money even when deductions are legitimate.Why constantly moving money between Profit First accounts is a warning sign, not a solution.When an S Corp makes sense and when it can actually cost you more in taxes.Why starting as an LLC gives you more flexibility as your business grows.How to shift from asking "Can I deduct this?" to "How can I deduct this legally?" The Big Takeaway: Paying less tax is not about gaming the system. It's about: Knowing what the IRS actually looks forBuilding clean, consistent financial systemsAligning profit, tax strategy, and long-term vision When you do that, audits become less scary, profit becomes more predictable, and your business stops leaking money quietly. Bio: Carlotta Thompson is a Founder + CEO When Carlotta was 14, she remembers becoming enthralled with a booklet on preparing taxes. She decided then that she wanted to work for the IRS, so at 14 years old, she began studying tax law with the dream of working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Shortly after attaining her dream of working for the IRS, Carlotta realized that the IRS isn't actually in place to help small businesses like she'd thought and it felt like she was working for the wrong side. As an auditor, she saw tons of tax returns with sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars of missed deductions that were detrimental for the client. Carlotta had a bigger dream and mission to directly help business owners pay the least tax legally possible, so what began as a ministry has evolved into Tax Strategists of America! She now has a Pathway to Zero™ program helping business owners pay the least taxes legally possible! Links: Website: https://taxstrategistsofamerica.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlotta.thompson.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlottathompsonfinance?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlottathompsonfinance?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlottathompsonfinance Conclusion: Paying less tax is not about shortcuts or loopholes. It's about clarity, structure, and intention. When you understand what the IRS actually looks for, keep clean records, and align your entity and profit strategy with your long-term goals, taxes stop feeling like a constant threat. This episode with Carlotta shows that real tax savings come from running a better business, not from taking bigger risks. #ProfitAnswerMan #ProfitFirst #BusinessProfit #TaxStrategy #CashFlow #SmallBusinessFinance #BusinessOwners #IRS #TaxPlanning #FinancialClarity #EntrepreneurLife #KeepMoreProfit #BusinessSystems #MoneyMindset Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: : https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.
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    50 min
  • Ep 302 The Financial Model Every 7–8 Figure Business Needs for Predictable Profit with Salvatore Tirabassi
    Jan 6 2026
    The Financial Model Every 7–8 Figure Business Needs for Predictable Profit with Salvatore Tirabassi Most business owners don't lack data. They lack clarity. They have a P&L, a balance sheet, maybe even a dashboard. But when a real decision shows up—Can I afford this hire? Should I scale marketing? Why did margins drop again?—the numbers don't give a clear answer. That's where growth starts to feel chaotic. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani sits down with fractional CFO and former private equity investor Salvatore Tirabassi to unpack what separates "clean books" from a finance function that actually drives predictable profit. The core insight is simple but uncomfortable: bookkeeping is not finance. And confusing the two is one of the biggest reasons growing businesses stall, leak cash, or scale problems instead of profit. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why clean books and tax-ready reports are not the same as decision-ready financialsHow a single, integrated financial model replaces disconnected spreadsheets and gut decisionsWhat driver-based forecasting looks like and why it creates predictable profit at scaleHow funnel math, capacity planning, and cash flow must work together to support growthWhy tracking customer acquisition cost by channel matters more than obsessing over lifetime valueHow private-equity thinking exposes hidden profit leaks in people, process, and culture Key Takeaway: If your financial reports are technically accurate but not helping you decide what to do next, the problem isn't effort—it's the model. Upgrade from bookkeeping to real finance, and your numbers will finally start working for you instead of against you. Bio: As a seasoned finance professional with over 24 years of experience, his journey began with a passion for helping businesses thrive. After earning his degrees from Harvard and Wharton, he spent 15 years in venture capital, where he learned the ins and outs of what makes businesses successful. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face, especially in emerging and family-owned businesses. Transitioning to the role of CFO in a high-growth company, he discovered his true calling: empowering business owners to take control of their financial futures. He founded CFO Pro + Analytics to provide virtual and fractional CFO services that demystify finance and make it accessible to all. His approach is built on a business owner-first mindset, where he prioritizes the unique needs of each client, helping them see their financial data not just as numbers, but as powerful tools for growth. Throughout his career, He developed a methodology that combines strategic financial modeling with actionable insights. His goal is to simplify complex financial concepts so that entrepreneurs can make informed decisions confidently. Whether it's guiding them through capital raising or enhancing their operational efficiency, he strives to provide clarity and direction that drives real results. He believes that every business has the potential to reach new heights with the right financial strategy. Links: Website: https://cfoproanalytics.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalvatoreTirabassi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatoretirabassi/ Substack: https://salvatoretirabassi.substack.com/ Conclusion: Chaotic growth is rarely a revenue problem. It's a clarity problem. As this conversation with Salvatore Tirabassi makes clear, most businesses don't struggle because they lack effort or ambition. They struggle because their numbers are built for compliance, not for decisions. When financial reports are shaped by tax rules instead of business drivers, owners are left guessing, reacting, and hoping growth will eventually smooth things out. Predictable profit comes from upgrading how you think about finance. One integrated model. One source of truth. Clear drivers that connect marketing, sales, capacity, and cash. When those pieces line up, the noise disappears. Decisions get easier. Teams align. And growth becomes intentional instead of exhausting. Whether you plan to sell or simply want a calmer, more profitable business, running your company with CFO-level discipline gives you options. And options are what real freedom looks like. #ProfitAnswerMan #BusinessFinance #FinancialClarity #CashFlowManagement #Profitability #FractionalCFO #FinancialModeling #DriverBasedForecasting #PredictableProfit #MarginManagement #BusinessGrowth #ScalingBusiness #RevenueDrivers #CEOInsights #7FigureBusiness Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/...
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    43 min
  • Ep 301 How to Build a Business Fortress: Liquidity, Cash Flow, and Exit Readiness with David Barnett
    Dec 30 2025
    How to Build a Business Fortress: Liquidity, Cash Flow, and Exit Readiness with David Barnett Build a Business Fortress: Why Liquidity Beats Leverage and Most Businesses Never Sell Most owners assume the big payoff will come when they finally sell the business. The hard truth is that roughly 80 percent of small businesses listed for sale never actually sell as going concerns. The real payoff is in the years of ownership: the cash flow you extract, the wealth you build outside the business, and the resilience you create so you can survive the next punch in the face. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, David Barnett, author of The Business Fortress, joins me to talk about how to make your company stronger, safer, and more valuable long before you ever talk to a buyer. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Cash Flow Problems Are Symptoms, Not Causes. Owners often shout "I have a cash flow problem" and immediately reach for more sales or more debt. David reminds us that cash flow pain is usually a symptom of a broken model: mispriced services, hidden payroll costs, or not truly knowing what it costs to deliver your product. A missing 4–5 percent in labor burden or benefits can wipe out half your planned profit before you even notice.Liquidity Is More Powerful Than Leverage. Everyone celebrates "other people's money." David flips the script: leverage depends on someone else's lending decision; liquidity is under your control. Lines of credit can be cut, termed out, or called just when you need them most. A healthy cash reserve inside your business lets you ride out downturns and seize opportunities when competitors stumble.Growth Can Quietly Crush Your Cash. On paper, growth looks amazing. In reality, fast growth often demands a massive "investment in accounts receivable." You hire staff, buy equipment, and deliver work long before you get paid. Without a plan for the cash gap, owners end up borrowing heavily just to float receivables, which weakens the balance sheet and increases risk.The Real Risk: Will Cash Flow Continue After You Leave? Buyers ask two questions: "What is the cash flow?" and "Will this cash flow continue after I become the owner?" The second question determines whether they do the deal at all and what terms they demand. If all the goodwill lives in you as the owner, or in a few concentrated customers, the risk to the buyer skyrockets and the value of the business drops.Most Businesses Never Actually Sell. David shares a sobering statistic: about 80 percent of businesses listed on the big marketplaces never sell as operating companies. Some equipment may get sold off, but the business itself doesn't transfer. That's why he urges owners to build wealth both inside and outside the business, treat the company as a cash-flowing asset, and have a plan B that does not depend on a big exit check. Key Takeaway: Treat your business like a fortress you're slowly building over time: strengthen cash flow, build liquidity, reduce dependence on debt, and design the company so cash flow continues even after you step away. Bio: Barnett loves to say that it took him 10 years to un-learn what he was taught in business school. University had trained him to be a middle-manager in big enterprises, he was totally unprepared for the realities of small business. After a career in advertising sales, Barnett started several businesses including a commercial debt brokerage house. Helping to finance small and medium sized businesses led to the field of business brokerage. Over several years, Barnett sold dozens of businesses for others while also managing his own portfolio of income properties and starting his career as a local private investor. Barnett regularly consults with professionals and banks on business and asset values. Presently he also works with entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs around the world who are buying, selling or trying to improve their businesses. Links: Blog: www.DavidCBarnett.com LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBarnettMoncton/ YouTube: https://www.SmallBusinessAndDealMakingPodcast.com Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dbarnettmoncton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbarnettmoncton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBarnettMoncton Email List Signup: https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com Conclusion: Building a Business Fortress isn't about chasing bigger numbers or hoping for a heroic exit someday. It's about creating a company that produces steady cash flow, protects you when the economy tightens, and gives you real options for the future. As David Barnett reminds us, the real payoff is in the years you own the business—not in a sale that may or may not happen. When you prioritize liquidity, understand your true costs, reduce dependence on debt, and build wealth outside the business, you create a fortress that can withstand storms and deliver lasting freedom. The question isn't whether your business...
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    47 min
  • Ep 300 The Referable Client Experience with Stacey Brown Randall
    Dec 23 2025
    The Referable Client Experience with Stacey Brown Randall Most business owners say they want more referrals. Very few are actually drowning in them. The default strategy is to do good work, hope people notice, and maybe ask for introductions when things get slow. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, I sit down again with referral expert and author Stacey Brown Randall to talk about why that approach does not work and how to build a truly referrable client experience. Stacey has spent years helping small business owners generate referrals without asking, without incentives, and without feeling manipulative. Her new book, The Referrable Client Experience, dives into how your day to day client journey can become your most powerful referral engine. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Referrals, Introductions, and Word-of-Mouth Are Not the Same Thing. One of the first big shifts Stacey brings is simply defining our terms. A referral happens when a referral source connects you directly to a prospect, clearly identifies a need, and positions you as the solution. An introduction is just a connection. There is no identified need. Word-of-mouth buzz is when someone talks about you or gives out your name, but you are never actually connected. Most business owners lump all three together. The problem is that only one of them consistently leads to new clients. If all you are getting is introductions and vague "I mentioned you to someone" comments, you are not really running a referral strategy.Your Small Size Is Your Superpower. When we talk about "client experience," most people picture big company initiatives, software, and dashboards. Stacey defines client experience more simply as how your client feels while they work with you. That is where small business wins. You can: Make clients feel seen and remembered, Adjust quickly when something is off, Add personal, human touches that big companies could never scale, If you want to go from a good client experience to a referrable one, you have to understand the emotions you are creating along the way and be intentional about them.The Science Behind Why Referrals Happen. Referrals are not magic. Stacey frames them through three lenses: What happens in the brain of the referral source. When someone makes a great referral, "feel good" chemicals fire in their brain. They get to be the hero who solved a problem for someone they care about. It is about them helping the prospect, not about you. The psychology of trust. Referral sources do not need to know every credential or detail about you. What matters is that they trust you as a person and do not forget you. That trust is nurtured by consistent, human touch points, not by dumping your resume on them. Behavioral economics. Instead of manipulating reciprocity, Stacey focuses on the positive side: using surprise, delight, and variety in your touch points so people remember you and feel connected to you.Gifts, Touch Points, and What Actually Lands. Gifts can be powerful but they are often used poorly. Stacey's guidance: A gift should not be tied directly to a single referral, or you train people to expect a payout each time. For each referral source, build a plan of five to seven touch points over the year that happen whether or not referrals come in. Use gifts sparingly, and make them meaningful, humorous, or heartfelt enough to be memorable. If it took you two seconds to choose and send, it probably will not stand out. For actual referrals as they happen, Stacey recommends something simple and powerful: a handwritten thank you note.Be Strategic, Not "Spray and Pray". When owners want more referrals, they often default to more networking. More coffee dates, more events, more people. Stacey calls out the problem with this "spray and pray" approach. Instead, she encourages business owners to: Identify their ideal referral sources by asking, "Who regularly sees my ideal client before I do?" Focus on building real relationships with those few instead of trying to convert every person in the room. Accept that it is a numbers game, but a strategic one: you may meet a hundred people and end up with three or four true referral partners. Key Takeaway: Referrals are not a mystery reserved for the lucky few. They are the predictable result of a client experience that makes people feel seen, cared for, and confident enough to put their reputation on the line for you. When you understand the science behind referrals and build a simple plan around your best referral sources, you can stop chasing cold leads and start welcoming more ideal clients who already trust you. Bio: Stacey Brown Randall is the author of the new book, The Referable Client Experience, and the multiple award-winning book, Generating Business Referrals Without Asking. She is also the host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast. Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally…without manipulating, incentivizing, or even asking. She has ...
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    44 min
  • Ep 299 How to Build a Business You Can Actually Sell with Saul Cohen
    Dec 16 2025
    How to Build a Business You Can Actually Sell with Saul Cohen Most business owners say the same thing: "I want to grow as big as I can." But when you press them on what they really want—time freedom, a great income, flexibility with their family—they're actually describing a lifestyle business, not a high-growth scale-up destined for a huge exit. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani talks with Saul Cohen, an accountant and advisor who helps ambitious entrepreneurs grow through acquisition and prepare for a successful exit. Together, they unpack the difference between chasing revenue and deliberately building assets and wealth inside your business. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Lifestyle Business vs Scale-Up: What Are You Really Building? Saul explains the critical fork in the road most owners never consciously choose. A lifestyle business is built to deliver strong income and flexibility now; a scale-up is built to reinvest profits into assets for a bigger exit later. The decisions, trade-offs, and timelines are totally different.Why Hustle Isn't a Strategy—and Maturity Wins. Saul shares the story of his first business, launched in his early twenties, and how a competitor with more experience and maturity quietly built a far more valuable company. The lesson? Execution, focus, and intention beat hustle and blind optimism every time.How Wealth Is Really Built: Assets and the Balance Sheet. Rocky reminds us that profit is only part of the story. Real wealth shows up on the balance sheet—in assets, not just income. The problem? Most owners never read their balance sheet as a series and have no idea whether they're actually building wealth or just spinning their wheels.Where Acquirers Find Hidden Profit After the Sale. When a "mediocre" business is sold, a new owner often finds profit quickly—not because they're smarter, but because they're less emotionally attached and more objective. Saul explains how strategic add-on acquisitions (like buying a supplier or complementary service) can boost margins, cross-sell opportunities, and overall business value.The Investor Mindset: Working On the Business, Not Just In It. Both Rocky and Saul emphasize the need to step out of firefighting mode, take time away from the office, and think like an investor. When you step back and ask, "What are my real opportunities and threats? Where's the biggest payoff for my time and capital?" the path to better cash flow and a stronger exit becomes much clearer. Key Takeaways: Most owners are accidentally building lifestyle businesses while pretending they're building scale-ups.Wealth is created by assets, not just hustle or revenue.Gross margin and business model clarity matter far more than top-line bragging rights.Your second business will often scale faster—if you integrate the lessons from your first.Taking time out to think like an investor is one of the highest-ROI activities you can do. Bio: Saul Cohen is a chartered accountant and founder of SC Digital Advisory, a boutique firm helping business owners grow through acquisition, optimize profit, and prepare for successful exits. With more than 20 years in finance and entrepreneurship, Saul blends hands-on operational insight with deep financial acumen to help owners turn complex challenges into scalable systems. He's advised seven- and eight-figure founders across sectors on strategy, M&A, and value creation. Links: https://www.scdigitaladvisory.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulcohenuk Conclusion: You don't need to copy the tech unicorns or chase a nine-figure exit to win. You just need to be honest about the kind of business—and life—you actually want, then align your decisions with that reality. For some, that's a highly profitable lifestyle business with strong margins, great clients, and plenty of free time. For others, it's a focused scale-up strategy, reinvesting profits to build assets and position for a major exit. Either way, the path runs through the same disciplines: knowing your numbers, understanding your business model, building real assets, and learning to think like an investor, not just an operator. If you're ready to turn your business into a true wealth-building engine—not just a stressful job with a logo—this episode with Saul Cohen is a powerful place to start. #ProfitAnswerMan #ProfitFirst #BusinessExit #LifestyleBusiness #ScaleUp #BusinessValuation #CashFlow #WealthBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset #FractionalCFO #FinancialClarity Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a ...
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    43 min
  • Ep 298 From Chaos to Cash Flow: How Business Owners Can Scale with Less Stress with David Forster
    Dec 9 2025
    From Chaos to Cash Flow: How Business Owners Can Scale with Less Stress with David Forster "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." If you're stuck reacting all day, this episode with David Forster hands you the blueprint: clarify roles, codify the 80%, install scorecards that measure what matters, and make Profit First automatic so cash is where you need it—when you need it. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why "boring, repeatable systems" beat heroics—and how to build them for people who crave structure.The clarity–consistency–accountability trio: what each really means in day-to-day ops.The 90–180 day "adoption dip" and how to push through it.Scorecards: tie activity → ratios → results (and stop tracking vanity metrics).Onboarding that sets the fence lines (and uses QR'd micro-videos for field teams).The "Think Like Me" cheat sheet so crews can make good calls without you.Profit First with Relay: reducing "move-the-money" friction to near zero. Key Takeaways: Build for the 80%. Don't rewrite SOPs for one-off edge cases; keep them simple and usable.Adoption is a habit curve. Expect drop-off at 90–180 days; consistency wins.Scorecards must link effort to outcomes (e.g., calls → close ratio → sales). If it doesn't predict success, drop it."Fence lines" create safety. Reward following process; improve the process when outcomes miss.Systemize onboarding. Use bite-size clips + QR codes; new hires set the tone for the rest.Cash discipline ≠ harder work. Automate allocations (Relay) so Profit First happens without willpower. Bio: David Forster is the founder of Systems Over Sweat and a strategic expert in business operations for home service businesses scaling past $1M - $5M in revenue. With over 20 years of experience building, scaling, and exiting service companies, David helps owners escape the chaos by fixing the processes that are quietly draining their time, profit, and energy. He's not a theorist—he's a tactician. David works with business owners to eliminate inefficiencies, simplify operations, and build scalable systems that allow the business to grow without the owner needing to be involved in every little decision. He's the guy that makes sure your operations actually operate. Links: Website: https://www.systemsoversweat.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rdavidforster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdavidforster/ Conclusion: Scale doesn't come from working harder—it comes from designing clarity, codifying the 80%, and reviewing scorecards with courage. Pair that with automated Profit First allocations and you'll stop firefighting and start compounding profit. #ProfitFirst #CashFlow #SmallBusiness #Trades #EOS #SOPs #Scorecard #OwnerPay #RelayBanking #Operations #Accountability #CFO Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.
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    40 min
  • Ep 297 Profit First with Megan Schwan
    Dec 2 2025
    Profit First with Megan Schwan Most owners chase revenue and wonder why cash keeps disappearing. In this episode, Rocky sits down with Megan Schwan—CEO of Sidekick Accounting and a certified Profit First Professional—to unpack the simple systems that turn chaos into cash: clean books, pricing discipline, expense sweeps, and a short list of actionable KPIs. If you want fewer surprises and fatter reserves, start here. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why "good books" are your #1 tax saver—and the foundation for pricing and fraud control.How Profit First creates guardrails, gut-checks overspending, and builds real reserves.The expense analysis that finds instant profit (and all those "I thought I canceled" subs).The handful of KPIs to watch: break-even, month-end bank balance trend, gross & net margins, plus 1–2 lead metrics.Why owners must read the balance sheet (AR, debt, cash) to explain the "profit but no cash" mystery.S-Corp myths vs reality: costs, payroll, compliance, and when it doesn't save you a dime.The mindset gap: let data overrule fear and emotion—especially in weird markets. Key Takeaways: Clean books first; dashboards second. Messy inputs = misleading decisions.Profit First is a behavior system that forces lean ops and automatic reserves.Trim subscriptions and non-ROI spend quarterly. Every line needs a purpose.Track few, not many: break-even, margin, cash trend, and one lead indicator.Entity choice is strategy—don't elect S-Corp on hype; do the math. Bio: Megan Schwan is the CEO and Founder of Sidekick Accounting Services, a national, virtual accounting firm working to change the statistic that 8 out of 10 small businesses fail. For over a decade, Megan and her team have educated 1000's of owners on their business accounting and taxes in order to create sustainable and successful businesses. Being in the accounting industry for over 2 decades, Megan has seen and experienced plenty of businesses' red flags and triumphs. Links: Website: www.sidekick-accounting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmschwan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmschwan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mompreneurof4/ Conclusion: Revenue is loud. Cash is quiet. Use Profit First to build guardrails, clean up the books so pricing and KPIs tell the truth, and revisit entity and expenses with a strategic eye. A 20-minute weekly review beats a 20-hour crisis. Start small; stay disciplined; let the numbers lead. #ProfitFirst #CashFlow #Bookkeeping #SmallBusiness #KPIs #PricingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #CFO #TaxPlanning #BusinessSystems Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.
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    35 min