When I started 4 Corners CFO, my purpose was to help women business owners with their finances. After MANY conversations with amazing women, I have realized that most of them do not start businesses to make millions; their first goal is to help others. 99% of the time, the women I speak with have a heart for their clients and want to help. I totally relate to that calling; my purpose in life is to help women feel empowered by their business finances and help business owners know their numbers. I am always a little troubled when I have conversations with brilliant women running unique businesses with little to no knowledge or confidence in their business finances. 

Most women I chat with know they have enough money coming in, but they aren’t thinking much farther than the end of the month or their next “campaign.” Many women avoid focusing on their business finances because it seems overwhelming. Sure, bills are paid, employees/contractors are compensated, and all obligations are met, but there is no financial planning for the future. So many times in these conversations, the business owner is not even paying themselves!  

Women-owned businesses are a cornerstone of the US economy and for long-term success healthy financials are key!

Are You Ignoring Your Financials? 

You are not alone! 

As business owners, we like to focus on our zone of genius. That means serving clients, providing solutions, and doing the things we love. For most people, financial forecasting, bookkeeping, accounting analysis, and anything else to do with the numbers make people want to crawl under a rock. As long as there is enough money, they don’t want to look too closely. 

The problem with this “head in the sand” method is that things can get complicated as soon as your financial situation changes…and it ALWAYS changes at some point. Without a firm grasp on your numbers and a strategic plan, you are operating on the hope that nothing goes wrong. 2020 to now has shown us that things can change in a moment. Unfortunately, many small businesses could not survive these last two years because they could not give themselves any financial breathing room. 

If we can learn anything from the pandemic, it is that our businesses need to be agile and ready to pivot. Business owners who know their numbers have taken the first step toward agility and business freedom. 

Financial Knowledge=Power

Being knowledgeable about your business finances gives you power! As the CEO, you need to make informed decisions about expenditures and the direction of your business. Having healthy financials also includes forecasting for the future and planning for the hard times. These plans allow for thoughtful decision-making instead of being reactionary and making decisions from scarcity and fear.

What does financial knowledge look like in your business? 4 Corners CFO clients say that it means you are prepared and can pivot when needed. Here are some scenarios that are familiar to our clients: 

• Your business has significant growth, and you need to hire a new team member. Instead of hoping that the new revenue will cover the cost of a new hire, you can KNOW what you can offer your new employee/contractor. 

• Your revenue takes a hit. Maybe you lose clients, or something happens to reduce your income. Instead of panicking and scrambling for new clients, you can rely on the savings you set aside for this exact situation. This safety net allows you to take a breath and make thoughtful decisions from a calm place.

• You have a clear plan for where you want your business to be financially in the next 1, 3, 5 years. Instead of simply looking at your numbers around tax time to see if you hit the mark, you are aware of what is happening in your accounts regularly and WHY. You don’t just have a goal, but you have a plan and the knowledge you need to pivot.

If any or all of those scenarios sound like something you want, you need to know your numbers! At 4 Corners CFO, we understand that business finances can be extremely daunting, so take a breath and keep reading. We have a super simple jumping-off point. 

Just Starting? Know This Number

 PROFIT

Simply put, profit is the money that is left after all of the expenses are paid at the end of the month. Also called your net income, this is the foundation and the goal for financial planning. Make a plan for your profit! 

Some of the ways you can plan to use your profit: 

• Invest back into the business (new technology, office space, or other investment) 
• Take a profit draw
• Pay off debt
• Add a team member
• Invest in education (conferences and training) 

When you are planning for profit and expenditures you take CONTROL of your money. “Where FOCUS goes, energy flows”- Tony Robbins. So let’s focus on where your profit goes and watch your business GROW.

Whether you have been in business for years or just getting started, business owners need to know their numbers for long-term success. Often, our clients come to us with a bit of shame around the status of their finances, don’t let these feelings keep you from putting more profit in your pocket! While we live and breathe business finances, we understand that most don’t. It is not your zone of genius, and that is OK! That is why 4 Corners CFO is here! Contact us today if you are ready to master your business finances and need help! Stop guessing what you are earning and spending, and let’s put your numbers to work for you!