Send us Fan Mail
Bonus Episode #101: If someone asked whether your business is financially healthy, could you answer without guessing? We walk through five numbers that cut through the noise and tell you what’s really happening, even when sales are up and your bank account looks fine.
We start with revenue, but we don’t stop there. We show you how to compare revenue month over month and year over year, and why “more sales” can still mean a weaker business if it costs too much to deliver. From there, we break down gross profit margin in plain language and connect it directly to pricing, discounts, labor, materials, vendor costs, and product or service mix. The goal is simple: understand how much you keep from every dollar you sell.
Next, we move to net profit margin to translate performance into a clear bottom line view, then zoom in on cash available so you can see your real short term flexibility after payroll, taxes, rent, debt payments, and vendor bills. We also explain why a rolling cash flow forecast beats relying on a bank balance snapshot. Finally, we highlight the break even point, the metric many owners skip, and the one that quickly reveals whether your sales goal is realistic or a structural problem.
If you want a practical small business finance framework you can review every month, this is your scorecard. Subscribe for more, share this with a business owner who needs it, and leave a review, then tell us which of the five numbers you’re going to track first.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.
Support the show
Stephen is an experienced Finance Professional and Leader who offers fractional CFO services and development opportunities. Please visit his LinkedIn profile or Finance Leader Academy for more information.
The views and information shared on The Finance Leader Podcast are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute financial, accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional before making decisions related to your specific circumstances.
