Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmpowerED Podcast! I’m your host, Christa Gurka, and today we’re diving deep into the financial side of business with Danielle Hayden, founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping, taxes, or figuring out how much to pay yourself, this episode is for you!

Danielle is an expert in helping business owners understand their numbers, so they can make better financial decisions that support growth and sustainability. In this conversation, we break down some of the most essential financial strategies for entrepreneurs—like how to separate personal and business finances, when it makes sense to become an S-Corp, and why saving for taxes (before tax season hits!) is a non-negotiable.

Some of the key takeaways from the episode are…

• Get your finances in order. Learn why separating personal and business finances is a crucial first step in managing your money effectively.
• S-Corp advantages. Find out if electing S-Corp status is the right move for your business and what criteria you need to meet.
• Pay yourself like a CEO. Understanding reasonable compensation as an S-Corp owner is key to avoiding IRS scrutiny and ensuring financial stability.
• Prepare for tax season year-round. Danielle shares tips on tax-saving strategies, including setting aside money in a high-yield savings account.
• Know your financial benchmarks. Get insights into healthy financial ratios for payroll, facility costs, and profit margins to ensure your business stays on track.

If you’re ready to get serious about your business finances, Danielle has a free resource for you! Head over toKickstartAccountingInc.com/gift to download her Top 10 Deductions Worksheet and start keeping more of your hard-earned money.

And if you want to dive deeper into financial strategies, check out Danielle’s podcast, Business by the Books, where she covers these topics in even greater detail.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who could benefit! Let’s normalize financial confidence and take control of our numbers. 

Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business!