In this episode, I’m sharing a very personal story. I’m a financial expert and a CPA, and have been for over 20 years. I write two columns on how to deal with your finances. I work with numbers every day. If anyone should have a grasp on how to maintain healthy finances, it should be me. Yet, I wound up $100,000 in debt over the course of just 12 months. I am here to tell you: it can happen to anyone. And until you understand the reasons behind your spending, it will be difficult to pull yourself out of that hole. Carrying debt holds a lot of stigma, despite the fact that so many people do. In fact, debt levels today are higher than they’ve ever been — and continue to increase! People are afraid to talk about it, and don’t want to admit that they don’t truly understand their finances and that they need help. Of course, this only makes the problem worse. I’m sharing my story because if it can help even one listener feel less ashamed and alone in their struggle, and help them gather the strength they need to climb out of debt, then that is worth more than anything to me. When you’re set up for financial success, not only are you on your way to making a million bucks, but you’ll feel like a million bucks, too!

One of the most common questions I’m asked is: how do I find the right bookkeeper for my business? Another common question: what exactly will having a bookkeeper DO for my business? Many entrepreneurs make the decision to keep their books themselves, but I believe that working with a skilled bookkeeper is invaluable — particularly as you grow and scale. Business owners often hesitate to take on the expense of hiring a bookkeeper, but the truth is that having accurate, well-kept books will SAVE you money at the end of the year. If your books are incomplete, inaccurate, or disorganized, your tax accountant will need to spend time fixing your numbers. Let me tell you, these corrections will cost you far more money than paying a skilled bookkeeper would! Not only are you paying a tax accountant their expensive hourly fee to correct these errors, but it takes much longer to repair your books than it would to input your numbers accurately the first time. Bookkeepers have the knowledge of how each transaction should be recorded and understand the generally accepted accounting principles (also known as GAAP). Skilled bookkeepers know how to deal with industry-specific transactions. Remember, this is their zone of genius, and having them take care of the numbers allows you to focus on your own zone of genius — building up your business! Finding a great bookkeeper is a challenge, but in this episode I share all the information you need to make the right choice for your business!

Are you a boomer in the process of selling your home? Or a family member helping an elderly parent downsize and transition into a new chapter of their life? Then this episode is for you! My guest Vivien Sharon is a real estate professional and the author of The Boomer's 7‑Step Guide to Downsizing: Overcoming Fear & Discovering Freedom, which shares key strategies and methods for transitioning to a joyful, downsized life. 50% of Vivien’s business today is the boomer and senior market. As a highly-trained transition specialist, she understands that most of her clients are fearful of change — and aren't sure where or how to begin. Luckily, Vivien has literally written the book on this!

Increasing your revenue is great, but it shouldn’t be your only goal. Not by a long shot! Planning ahead and finding ways to reduce expenses are just as important. My guest Eowyn Levene is a money coach and the host of the Creatives Do Money podcast. She’s found that many of her clients come to her with the idea that her coaching is all about helping them make more money. They soon realize that business finances are about so much more than increasing revenue. Often, they can tap into unexpected levels of financial freedom — without earning a single dollar more in revenue!

I always say, money is one of the most emotional things in the world. And for an entrepreneur, one of the strongest emotions connected to money is stress. My 4-step CFO Money Method Framework is a great way to dive into better understanding your business finances, keeping track of your cash flow, and learning how to develop an effective budget. In this episode, I’ll be breaking down each step — and they’re far less intimidating than you think! Many entrepreneurs launch their businesses without knowing how to manage their finances. Unfortunately, financial literacy simply isn’t something that most people are taught unless they go to school for accounting or to earn their MBA. But if you don’t know how to manage your business finances, you’ll have trouble figuring out how much profit (not revenue) you are earning. You’ll have difficulty identifying and plugging money leaks. And you’ll be less able to make needed changes in your business at the time that they’d be most effective.

When you’re an entrepreneur, financial literacy is everything. The difference between figuring it out as you go and working from a place of knowledge and support is like night and day. My guest for this episode, Emily Milling, knows that all too well. Emily’s podcast production agency, The Ultimate Creative, helps entrepreneurs launch amazing, professional podcasts that support their business goals. Without her, you wouldn’t be listening to Think Like a CFO!

“I really believe in building those strong relationships with other women … to help each other achieve their goals. There’s enough room for everyone at the top.”— Melissa Houston2020 may just be the year of the female entrepreneur.2020’s recession has...

How you work impacts not only your business, but your health. Are you focusing on the right things? My guest, Janis Isaman, is the founder of My Body Couture, a one-on-one private studio where she offers customized movement and nutrition coaching. Certified in both business and nutrition, Janis has been featured in Reader’s Digest, Prevention, and Women’s Health.

Are you making one of the top five major money mistakes in your business? It can be easy to make money management missteps, as many entrepreneurs — even the most passionate or seemingly successful — often have not learned the basics of business money management. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and it’s easy to fix. Even the most skilled and educated professional can feel like a failure if they don’t understand their numbers — after all, knowing how to expertly serve your clients is an entirely different skill set from being able to understand and manage your finances!

The holiday season in 2020 is a little different. Fewer parties, smaller gatherings, less extravagant gifts… but the season of giving more important than ever. As we reflect on the true meaning of the holidays, I urge you, as a business owner, to think about charitable giving. In addition to being the right thing to do, there are a surprising number of tangible and intangible benefits that come along with supporting your community.