Let’s talk about staying in the black—and out of the “Oops, I forgot to pay myself again” trap.
At our last in-person training, a gentleman stood up and said something that hit me right in the entrepreneurial feels:
“I’ve been in business for years… and I never pay myself first, if at all.”
Oof. My heart ached a little. Because he’s not alone—this happens all the time.
Why Most Entrepreneurs Never See a Profit
You take the risk.
You invest the time.
You carry the vision.
You deserve the reward.
But here’s the problem: most small business owners follow the wrong equation:
Sales – Expenses = Profit
Which basically means:
📉 Pay all the bills
📉 Buy that fancy software you’re not sure how to use
📉 Maybe reinvest in your business
📉 And maybe pay yourself something… if there’s anything left
🙅🏾♀️ That’s not the move.
The Profit First Formula (and Why It Works)
The Profit First method flips the script:
Sales – Profit = Expenses
This simple change means you:
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Take your cut first
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Plan for taxes before they surprise you
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Decide how much profit you want to keep
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Run your business on the rest
It’s intentional, empowering, and sustainable.
Profit First is Just Grandmama’s Envelope Method (Upgraded)
When I first heard about Profit First, I thought it would be complicated. Turns out, it’s basically Grandmama’s envelope system—just for business.
She didn’t have QuickBooks—she had envelopes for rent, food, Sunday dinner, and a little extra for special occasions.
If your business is making less than $250K/year, here’s a simplified setup:
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Create multiple bank accounts or sub-accounts for Profit, Taxes, Owner Pay, and Expenses.
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Allocate income to these accounts immediately after it hits.
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Run your business within what’s left in the Expenses account.
💡 Pro tip: When I started, I used PayPal for incoming payments and transferred funds to two different banks—one for Profit & Taxes, and one for Expenses & Owner Pay.
The Game-Changing Mindset Shift
Watching that Profit account grow? Chef’s kiss. 👩🏾🍳
Sometimes I reinvest in myself—like taking a new course or attending a conference. Sometimes I bought something small but soul-lifting for my office—a plant, a candle, or a cozy new chair.
The point? I had control over my money, instead of my money controlling me.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’re not paying yourself consistently…
If you have no idea where your money is going…
You don’t need shame.
You need a plan.
That’s exactly why I created The Entrepreneur’s Launch Plan—a free, actionable guide that walks you through:
✔ Profit First for beginners
✔ Startup budgeting essentials
✔ Expense tracking systems that stick
✔ How to set your business up for sustainable profit
Build a Legacy Business, Not Just a Paycheck
This isn’t just about making ends meet—it’s about building a legacy business. One that:
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Pays you fairly for your expertise
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Funds your future goals
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Creates long-term wealth and impact
Your Next Step
If you’ve been running your business on vibes and prayer alone, it’s time to fix that.
👉🏾 Download The Entrepreneur’s Launch Plan here and start paying yourself first—every time.
You’ve got this.
To your (profitable) success!
