SMB FinanceOS
Get smarter about business finance in 5 minutes a week. Join 35k+ business owners and leaders learning financial statements and growing their business, for free.
GRATITUDE WILL MAKE YOU RICHER (HERE'S HOW)
Last week I opened enrollment for 5 Days to Financial Clarity—the live workshop designed to help owners unlock hidden profit and cash inside their business. Over 50 business owners have already gone through my earlier cohorts. Here’s what they found: One owner spotted a $180K cash-flow gap they fixed within 30 days. Another realized their “profitable” service line was losing 8 points of margin. Several walked away with a 90-day plan that more than paid for the workshop before month-end....
THE ONE-PAGE TOOL EVERY SMB SHOULD BE USING (BUT ALMOST NONE DO)
Before we jump in today, I have an exciting announcement! Most owners don’t need to become financial experts. They just need to know where money is leaking, where margin is hiding, and why cash never seems to match the P&L. And after running over 50 business owners through my previous cohort, I rebuilt the entire thing into a faster, clearer, more actionable 5-day workshop. This new format is designed for one thing: unlocking hidden profit and cash inside your existing business. It’s not an...
THE GROWTH CYCLE: HOW TO SCALE WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR BUSINESS
The Growth Cycle: How to Scale Without Breaking Your Business Last week, we talked about the Operating Cycle and **how rhythm and discipline turn plans into predictable performance. When that rhythm becomes culture, execution becomes effortless. This week, we close out the series by looking at what comes next: the Growth Cycle. When you start with Planning, you gain clarity. When you move into Operating, you build rhythm. And when you reach Growth, you create momentum. Everyone loves growth....
THE OPERATING CYCLE: THE KEY TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
The Operating Cycle: The Key to Sustainable Growth Last week, we talked about the planning cycle. When done well, the planning cycle can lead to the growth or operating cycles. But if you haven’t gone through an operating cycle, a growth cycle could break your business. So today, we’re going to talk about the purpose and rhythms of the operating cycle, as well as how you build a culture that values the operating cycle. Everyone gets excited for growth, but very few get excited for consistent...
WHY ANNUAL PLANNING FAILS (AND WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS)
WHY ANNUAL PLANNING FAILS (AND WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS) I’ve heard more than one person say that annual planning is a waste of time. The first time, it caught me off guard. The second time, I shrugged it off. But when I started hearing it from smart, successful owners, I started to listen. Their frustrations all sounded the same: “By the time the plan’s in place, it’s already outdated.” “The world changes too fast and the plan slows us down.” “We spend weeks planning and then everyone just goes...
THE THREE HIDDEN CYCLES THAT RUN EVERY BUSINESS
The 3 Hidden Cycles That Run Every Business Every business owner loves momentum. Growth feels good… revenue’s up, headcount’s up, energy’s high. You’re hiring, launching, expanding. The engine’s running hot, and it feels like you’ve finally cracked the code. But then something shifts. What used to work… stops working. Margins tighten. You’re busier than ever but somehow less profitable. The team’s worn down, and the spark that fueled your early years fades into exhaustion. That’s because...
THE MYTH OF A SOLID SYSTEM: PARENTING, BUSINESS, AND RISK
THE MYTH OF A SOLID SYSTEM: PARENTING, BUSINESS, AND RISK Two weekends ago, I had both of our boys to myself. One is three (almost 4) and the other one and a half. We had a big morning planned: the zoo, lunch out, and paying outside in the afternoon. I got them both dressed, packed the stroller, and it felt like everything was going perfectly. I told the boys to put their shoes on and unlocked the back door to head to the garage. Then, right as I stepped out, I caught the unmistakable smell....
THE FIVE STAGES OF FINANCIAL MATURITY
THE FIVE STAGES OF FINANCIAL MATURITY Every week, I get the same questions in my inbox: “We just hit $X what do we need next?” “Should I hire a CFO?” “Our books are fine, but I feel like I’m flying blind. What’s missing?” They’re all variations of the same question: what’s next for my finance function? And it’s a good question. Because too many business owners either build too soon and add layers of complexity before they’ve nailed the basics or wait too long, letting chaos and uncertainty...
HOW TO FRAUD-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS
HOW TO FRAUD-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS Last week Tai Lopez was accused of running a Ponzi Scheme. If you’re not familiar who Tai Lopez is, consider yourself blessed. Tai Lopez became known as the guy who ran a YouTube ad with his sports cars, but then pivoted to bookshelves in his garage to say he valued “knowledge” more than the nice things. All while renting mansions and luxury toys to sell his course on acquiring “knowledge.” Now he and his partner are now facing SEC charges for allegedly...
THE HIDDEN REASON AMAZON TOOK OVER THE INTERNET (AND 10 WAYS IT CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS)
THE HIDDEN REASON AMAZON TOOK OVER THE INTERNET (AND 10 WAYS IT CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS) In the early days of the internet, no one could figure out how to actually sell something online. We had static sites, but no real commerce happening. Even once they “figured it out,” spending money online still felt hard and risky. Every checkout felt like airport security: take out your wallet, set your laptop aside, shoes off, belt off, fill out the form, and please… don’t miss a field or you’ll be sent...
Get smarter about business finance in 5 minutes a week. Join 35k+ business owners and leaders learning financial statements and growing their business, for free.