Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

In this episode, Danielle sits down with Jess Walker, founder of the unique and heartfelt illustrated greeting cards Five Dot Post, to talk about what it really looks like to build a business that supports you today—not down the road, not after you hit this or that goal, but right now. From packing every order by hand to big-box retailers, Jess's story is one of hard-won wisdom, practical mindset shifts, and the surprising ways having a business carried her through the hard times. It's an inspiring and powerful reminder that entrepreneurship can be a beautiful, freeing, and life-giving journey when we use intentionality to build the business we want and need. Key Takeaways: Doing It Yourself Isn't Always Cheaper: Jess realized she was the bottleneck in her business and nearly turned down $50k in revenue before outsourcing fulfillment. By delegating the logistics, she was able to focus on scaling and strategy, ultimately making more money while working less. Growing with Heart: Jess has grown her retail presence to over 550 stores and is now expanding into big-box retailers, while still staying connected to her brand's roots in smaller stores and their communities. Building a Business That Supports You: She shares how her business sustained her after the loss of her husband, thanks to the systems and support she had built into it beforehand. Don't Wait to Build the Business Right for Your Life: Create your business model to support you now—not "someday"—is the key to long-term success, sustainability, and joy. Topics Discussed: (00:41 – 08:08) Jess's Entrepreneurial Journey (08:25 – 12:18) Understanding the Business Side of Things (12:19 – 14:12) Overcoming DIY Overwhelm by Hiring Help (14:13 – 14:25) Rate & Review Promo Break (14:40 – 16:15) Scaling Authentically & Embracing New Opportunities (16:27 – 18:15) Building a Sustainable Business Now (Not Later) Connect with Jess Walker & Five Dot Post: Website | https://www.fivedotpost.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/fivedotpost/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

Let's set the record straight: Revenue is not the goal. Profit is. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything—chasing more sales, more clients, more offers—but still coming up short on cash and clarity, this episode is your permission slip to pause, stop worrying about sales numbers alone and start focusing on what generates profit. In today's episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 12 money truths that successful CEOs live by to grow smarter, more sustainable businesses not just bigger ones. Key Takeaways: Revenue ≠ Success: Profit is the real goal, not revenue. Chasing sales without watching expenses can leave your business cash-strapped and stressed. Focus on the bottom line. (01:16 – 02:42) Align Your Personal & Business Finances: Your personal finances impact your business. Owner's draws and misaligned personal spending can drain your business's resources and future growth. (02:47 – 04:24) Money Goes Where Focus Flows: You don't need 3-4 revenue streams. The most successful CEOs stick to one core offering and master it before expanding. (04:24 – 05:51) Filter Your Advice Wisely: We love our friends and family, but unless someone has real experience running a business, their advice may do more harm than good. (05:51 – 06:47) Listen to Your Numbers: Your financials are trying to tell you something. Learn to read and review them regularly to help you avoid repeat mistakes and make smarter, future-focused decisions. (06:48 – 07:43) More Money Isn't Always the Fix: More capital won't fix a broken strategy. Think 2-3 times longer than you normally would before taking on debt or outside investors. (07:44 – 09:05) Spending is Investing: When aligned with your goals, every dollar spent should help your business grow or strengthen. (09:05 – 09:52) Permission to Say No: Saying yes to everything leads to burnout—successful CEOs protect their time and energy. (09:56 – 10:55) Emergency Funds are a Must: A "just in case" or rainy day fund can be the difference between panic and peace when the unexpected happens. You never know when a new opportunity will pop up! (10:56 – 11:52) Invest in Your Education: You don't have to do it all, but you do need to understand your business's financial health. (11:53 – 13:01) FOMO is a Distraction: This goes back to "money goes where focus flows"—stay grounded in your vision, not someone else's highlight reel. (13:01 – 14:10) Money is a Game—Play It Smart: Use your financial statements as tools to track your growth, not just your income. (14:12 – 14:50) ⭐Bonus Rule: When things get uncomfortable, lean in further. Successful CEOs step outside their comfort zones, because they know that's where the real growth happens. Resources: Kickstart Accounting's CFO Services | kickstartaccountinginc.com/cfo Kickstart Accounting's Tax Services | https://ksataxpartners.com/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

Are you chasing growth in your business but worried it might cost you your profits, sanity, or both? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., pulls back the curtain on the real strategies CFOs use to grow companies intentionally and profitably. These are the 5 CFO secrets you can and should start using today! Key Takeaways: Secret #1: Use Your Financial Reports as Decision-Making Tools - Your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement aren't just paperwork, they're your roadmap to smart business decisions. Secret #2: Forecast for the Future, Not Just the Present - Strategic forecasting (including rolling and quarterly re-forecasts) helps you anticipate growth and plan for big investments like hiring or marketing. Secret #3: Align Spending with Your Goals - Every dollar you spend should support your vision. Focus on return-on-investment instead of random or feel-good expenses. Secret #4: Protect Your Profit - Set up multiple accounts, including a rainy-day fund, to safeguard your profit and prepare for future opportunities or challenges. Secret #5: Get Support from a Money Team - You don't have to be your own CFO. Surround yourself with financial pros who can guide you, hold you accountable, and cheer you on. Topics Discussed: Intro: The Risk of Growing on Hustle and Intuition Alone (00:00 – 02:00) CFO Secret 1: How to Use Your Financial Reports to Make Better Decisions (02:06 – 03:59) CFO Secret 2: Forecasting Strategies That Work (04:00 - 05:41) CFO Secret 3: Budgeting with Purpose - Aligning Your Spending & Goals (05:42 - 06:23) CFO Secret 4: Smart Savings Habits That Protect Profits (06:23 - 07:16) CFO Secret 5: Who You Need on Your Money Team (07:17 - 09:08) Resources: Kickstart Accounting's CFO Services | kickstartaccountinginc.com/cfo Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

Before you hire, launch, or invest, there's one number you need to know: your future break-even point. It's more than a "boring" accounting term; it's one of the most powerful tools you have in your toolkit as a business owner and CEO. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., flips the script on how entrepreneurs look at their break-even point by turning it from a financial checkmark into a forward-thinking strategy tool. She walks through how to use it as a launchpad for smarter decisions and puts you in control of your numbers. Key Takeaways: Break-Even as a Planning Tool: Knowing your break-even point helps you look forward, not backward, and make strategic choices with confidence. Know Your Break-Even Before Big Decisions: Calculate how your expenses will change first and then what new revenue you'll need to cover them. Turn Your New Break-Even into Your Revenue Goal: Add a 10–15% profit margin to your break-even number to set a clear, sustainable monthly revenue target. Create a Margin of Safety: If you're not ready to make a leap, build savings in advance so you're financially prepared to take on new expenses with confidence. Numbers Beat Guesswork Every Time: Ditch the gut-based decisions and use this method to plan investments without fear or uncertainty. Topics Discussed: What is Break-Even Point in Business & How to Use It (00:50 – 01:57) How to Calculate Your New Break-Even Number (01:58 – 04:41) Real World Example of Calculating a New Break-Even (04:41 - 06:08) Saving for an Investment & Margin of Safety (06:08 - 07:11) Using Break-Even to Plan Your Next Business Move (07:11 - 08:35) Related Episode: Ep. 222 | From Burnout to Balance: Redefining Entrepreneurial Success Through Break-Even Analysis with Delanie Fischer of Self-Helpless Podcast Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

In this spirited and honest episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden sits down with multi-talented entrepreneur, comedian, host of the popular podcast Self-Helpless, and author of MockTales, Delanie Fischer, for a candid conversation about what sustainable creative entrepreneurship really looks like, and why knowing your break-even point may be the most powerful financial move you can make for your mindset. Whether you're scaling back, starting over, or simply craving more core value alignment in your business, this conversation offers you permission to slow down, get clear on your enough number, and redefine success on your terms by letting go of traditional success metrics. Key Takeaways: Redefining Entrepreneurial Success: Why Delanie made a conscious choice to step away from the ups and downs of fully self-employed income and instead build a business model that supports her core values and long-term vision. Seasonality & Self-Awareness: How embracing "sprint" periods and knowing when to pivot has helped Delanie sustain her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Financial Partnership in Marriage: Delanie opens up about the evolution of her financial relationship with her husband, from keeping money completely separate to managing a joint account with aligned goals. Letting Go of Control: Insights on building a money team that includes a financial advisor, CPA, and bookkeeper, and how accepting support and letting experts do what they do best has been a game changer. Break-Even Point Clarity – From Metrics to Meaning: Why Delanie no longer chases financial benchmarks for the sake of growth and instead focuses on a break-even number that allows for creativity, her lifestyle, core values, and purpose-driven work. Topics Discussed: Delanie's Entrepreneurial Journey (00:29 – 06:14) How Delanie Manages the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship (06:14 – 11:49) Building a Business Model That Suits Your Lifestyle & Values (11:49 – 15:38) Please Rate & Review Break (15:39 - 15:56) Redefining Success in Entrepreneurship & Life (15:56 - 19:00) How Entrepreneurship Affects Delanie's Personal Life (18:33 - 22:18) Working with a Financial Advisor and Building a Money Team (22:18 - 26:37) The Power of Break-Even Analysis (26:37 – 30:48) In Today's Episode: Delanie's Book: MockTales: 50+ Literary Mocktails Inspired by Classic Works, Banned Books, and More by Lindsey Smith & Delanie Fischer | https://www.delaniefischer.com/ Delanie's Podcast: Self-Helpless | https://www.selfhelplesspodcast.com/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

Psst…Your numbers are talking to you—are you listening? Here's a reminder that business is emotional, and it's easy to fall into decision-making based on gut feelings. But when you know your numbers, you take back control. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 5 essential financial numbers every business owner needs to know. This isn't just about spreadsheets; it's about stepping into your power as a CEO, removing emotional guesswork, and building a healthy, sustainable business. 5 Key Metrics for Your Business: Know Your Rolling 12-Month Revenue: One month of income doesn't tell the full story, instead look at the full year to see growth trends and forecast with confidence. Track Rolling 12-Month Profit: Revenue may be impressive, but it's your profit that reveals if you're actually building a healthy business. Calculate Average Monthly Expenses: Knowing your baseline costs prepares you for the unexpected and helps you build a proper emergency fund. Monitor Average Monthly Profit: This is your opportunity fund—it's what you use to pay yourself, invest back into your business, and plan for growth. Review Year-to-Date Owner's Draws & Debt Payments: These aren't reflected in profit but have a huge impact on your cash. Track them to know where your money really goes. ⭐ Pro Tip for Kickstart Clients: If you're already a Kickstart Accounting, Inc. client, your monthly KSA financial Snapshot includes all 5 of these key metrics—no digging required! Pull up your Snapshot and follow along with this episode! Topics Discussed: Why These 5 Essential Business Numbers Matter (00:28 – 03:32) The Power of a Rolling 12-Month View (01:49 - 05:13) The Truth About Profitability & Building a Financial Safety Net (05:13 – 06:26) Finding Out Where Your Cash Is Going (06:49 – 08:11) Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

What if the secret to building your dream business isn't about saving more, but about spending smarter? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., invites you to stop feeling guilty every time you make an investment in your business. Instead, learn how to spend with clarity, purpose, and profit in mind. She walks you through the healthy spending percentages successful businesses use across categories like marketing, payroll, operations, and more to thrive. You'll also get practical tools and reflection questions to help you make CEO-level money decisions that align with your short-term goals and long-term vision. Key Takeaways: Spending is Necessary for Growth: Healthy businesses spend money, and the key is doing it with intention and a clear plan. Your Mindset Matters: Guilt-free spending starts with shifting how you view expenses—from "costs" to "investments." Budget by Business Season: Your business's financial plan should match the stage you're in: growth, maintenance, or development. Know Your Numbers & What's Healthy: Breaking down your expenses into healthy percentage benchmarks can help you make informed decisions. You Get to Define Success: Don't compare your business to others. Use your goals to determine where your money should go. Topics Discussed: The CEO Mindset Shift: Spending as a Growth Strategy (01:01 – 03:32) Understanding Your Business Season and What It Means for Your Budget (03:34 - 06:03) Healthy Percentage Benchmarks Breakdown (05:07 – 14:34) Using the Healthy Percentages Worksheet to Plan for the Future (14:40 – 16:53) Resources: KSA Healthy Percentages Worksheet | KickstartAccountingInc.com/Healthy How to Build Your Team Series | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/category/hiring/ CFO Services | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/the-cfo-solution/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

When it comes to running a thriving business, it's not just the big moves that count—it's the small, consistent ones that truly build momentum. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., shares the financial micro habits that high-performing CEOs use to stay aligned with their goals, grow strategically, and stay empowered all year long without burning out or second-guessing every decision. Whether you're in a season of growth or a slower quarter, these habits can help you lead with clarity and confidence. Key Takeaways: Automate for Success: Set up systems to automate your bookkeeping, savings, and financial analysis so you can focus on growth, not spreadsheets. Know Your Numbers Year-Round: Make tax planning a monthly habit, not a once-a-year panic. Know your estimates, and stash them away in a high-yield savings account. Pay Yourself Intentionally: Gradually increase your pay through sustainable salary and owner's draw strategies instead of inconsistent withdrawals. Consistency Over Trends: Stop pivoting your brand and offerings every quarter. Successful CEOs stay the course and master their strategy. They show up day after day, month after month, and put in the work. Your Time Is Money: How long are you going to have to work to recoup the money spent on that new course of software? Knowing your hourly rate helps put a purchase into perspective and allows you to determine if that item is worth the price. Spend Strategically, Not for the Tax Write-Off: Only invest in tools, services, or experiences that actually move the needle for your business. If the value is not worth the price tag, then it's not worth the deduction. Talk to Your Money Team: Your financial team is your secret weapon. Book those calls, ask questions, and use their insights to make confident decisions and future-focused strategies. Topics Discussed: The Importance of Goal-Based, Automated Savings (00:45 – 03:51) How to Manage Monthly Tax Estimates Proactively (03:52 – 05:10) Growing How Much You Pay Yourself Over Time (05:10 - 06:03) Why Consistency Beats Trendy Business Strategies (06:03 – 08:28) The Importance of Knowing Your Hourly Rate (08:29 – 09:07) Spending Strategically, Not Only for the Tax Write-Off (09:08 – 09:53) Connecting with Your Full Money Team Regularly (09:55 – 14:23) Resources: KSA Calculator | How Much to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner Build Your Money Team Episode | The 4 People You Want on Your Money Team All Our Episodes & Articles on Taxes | Tackle Your Taxes with Kickstart Accounting, Inc. KSA Tax Partners | https://ksataxpartners.com/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

If you've ever made a quick purchase that didn't quite align with your financial goals, you're not alone. It happens to the best of us! In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CPA and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., tackles the challenge of impulse spending as an entrepreneur with a practical approach that's meant to empower you, not make you feel guilty. Whether you're a free spender, saver, perfectionist, or balance seeker, this episode is filled with strategies you can use to stay in control of your money, help curb those impulse purchases, and make smarter financial decisions that align with your goals, personality, and core values. Key Takeaways: Know Your Money Personality: Understanding whether you're a Free Spender, Saver, Perfectionist, or Balance Seeker can help you become more mindful of your financial habits and tailor your strategies accordingly. Step 1 - Budgeting as a Planning Tool: A budget isn't about restriction, it's your business's roadmap. Setting aside time to plan expenses helps you make smarter, more intentional decisions. Step 2 - Use the 48-Hour Rule: Delaying purchases by just two days can dramatically reduce impulse spending and give you space to assess alignment with your budget and goals. Step 3 - Don't Decide Based on Price Alone: The cheapest option isn't always the best fit. Consider alignment with your values, quality of service, and long-term ROI when choosing vendors. Step 4 - Review Existing Vendors First: Before jumping ship, explore whether your current tools or service providers can meet your evolving needs. Feedback and a simple conversation could reveal untapped value. Step 5 - Plan for Impulse Spending: Set aside an "allowance" in your budget for unplanned yet exciting opportunities. This helps you stay flexible without blowing up your financial goals. Step 6 - Avoid Last-Minute Decisions: Waiting until the final hour leads to rushed (and usually regrettable) choices. Plan ahead for renewals, tax time, and big expenses. Step 7 - Review Financials Monthly: Regularly reviewing your KSA Snapshot and financials keeps you grounded in reality, reveals patterns, and helps you make better decisions month over month. Bonus - Involve Your Money Team: Share your goals with your financial team so they can hold you accountable, offer insights, and help course-correct when needed. Topics Discussed: How Your Money Personality Type Affects Your Spending (00:00:16 – 00:02:12) Why a Budget is Necessary to Help with Spending Freedom (00:02:12 – 00:03:02) Ways to Help Curb Impulse Buying (00:03:02 – 00:08:38) Planning for Unexpected Opportunities or "Allowance Budgeting" (00:08:38 – 00:09:58) Using Monthly Financial Reviews to Keep Your Spending Aligned with Your Goals (00:12:01 - 00:13:40) Resources: Money Personality Quiz | kickstartaccountinginc.com/quiz Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

In today's episode, Danielle Hayden, CPA and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into a topic that every small business owner needs to take seriously: cybersecurity. As entrepreneurs, we're focused on growth, profitability, and strategy, but all of that hard work can be put at risk in an instant if we fall victim to cyber threats. A single phishing email, password breach, or scam can lead to lost revenue, stolen data, and massive headaches (and let's be real, none of us have time for that!). But don't worry, we've got you covered! Danielle breaks down the biggest cybersecurity threats facing small businesses and shares simple, practical steps to keep your business and finances safe. Key Takeaways: Phishing Emails & Texts Are Everywhere: Be on the lookout for fake DocuSign requests, "unpaid" toll or shipping texts, gift card scams, and urgent wire transfer emails. If something feels off, don't click! Verify directly with the sender outside of the potential scam text or email before doing anything and immediately report it. Scammers Want You to Act Fast: Cybercriminals rely on urgency to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information; slow down and verify before taking action. Strong Passwords & Two-Step Authentication Are Essential: Using unique passwords and enabling two-step authentication makes it harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts. Yes, it's annoying but it's worth it! Backup Your Data to the Cloud: Use Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive for automatic backups so that if your device is compromised, your business documents are safe and easily recoverable. Trust Your Gut & Double-Check Everything: If you weren't expecting an email, text, or request for money or information, take a moment to verify before you click or send anything! It's always okay to say no and follow up through a secure method. Topics Discussed: Common Cyber Scams Targeting Small Businesses (00:01:06 – 00:03:24) How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Emails and Text Scams (00:03:24 – 00:04:53) Best Practices for Password Security and Two-Step Authentication (00:04:53 – 00:06:42) Why Backing Up Your Business Data is Critical (00:06:42 – 00:07:43) The Power of Slowing Down and Verifying Before You Click (00:07:43 – 00:09:18) Recap of Cybersecurity Steps to Take (00:09:18 - 00:10:51) Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc