Financial Snickens

Remember when checks were the standard form of payment for businesses? Thankfully, Automated Clearing House, or ACH payments, offer a more convenient option for businesses to receive payments from clients.

In this episode, I explain what ACH payments are and how they ensure a steady cash flow while enhancing your client’s overall buying experience. 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:01:09] It's a simplified payment process for your clients. They can set up these automatic payments and it creates convenience for them.

[00:02:07] When you set up this automatic ACH payment system, it empowers you to collect from your clients promptly and as a designated date.

[00:07:11] It is a game changer. The biggest reason why small businesses go out of business is due to (lack of) cash. So, moving to ACH will keep you in business, keep your clients happy, and give parameters on the expectations you have. 

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Do you have folders full of financial documents from 5,10, 20 years ago? It’s common to think you should keep every document but it’s not always necessary.  

In this episode, I review different financial documents and how to know which ones to keep and how long to wait before shredding them.  

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:02:54] You want to keep all tax records and all related documents, your receipt, your bank statements, for three years from the date you file your return, or two years from the date you pay your taxes, whichever is later.

[00:03:45] Keep active contracts, insurance documents, property records, stock certificates, keep all these items while they're active. After the contracts are completed or the policy, the insurance policy expires, then you can destroy those documents.

[00:05:29] Keeping your documents organized, both online and with paper, will give you easy access to them if you need them, or even better if you need to purge them. You know exactly what you're going to purge, and you also know what you need to keep.

Mentioned in this Episode:

ShareFile - https://www.sharefile.com/

IRS -https://www.irs.gov/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

The more we know about ChatGPT, the more we can use it to our advantage instead of being

afraid of it.

In this episode, I examine what ChatGPT is, what questions to ask it, and how artificial

intelligence might benefit your business more than you realize.

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments:

[00:00:54] The GPT in ChatGPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer, which is a program that can realistically write like a human and interact in a conversational way.

[00:04:08] If you are going to ask something that is complex, ask ChatGPT to cite its sources,

and that way, you can actually check back on those things.

[00:05:09] You can actually have ChatGPT write an ad for your marketing services, and you can

do it in all different kinds of languages.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial 

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/ 

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/  

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. Your business budget can be a simple spreadsheet or it can come with all the bells and whistles from the latest accounting software.   

In this episode, I cover easy ways to budget your business finances, how automating payments can predict your financial future, and why the best time to start or review your budget is always now.   

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:26] Budgets are not set in stone. It's something that you are going to revisit often.

[00:01:03] One of the most important aspects of budgeting is tracking your income and expenses, and this gives you a clear picture of where your money's going, where it's coming in from, and it actually helps you to allocate your resources.

[00:03:05] If you're starting from scratch on a budget, if you haven't even done a budget yet for this year and you want to start now, go for it. The best time to start a budget is today.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

It’s no secret raising a kid, much less raising multiple children, takes a ton of hard work. And yet, many people still don’t realize that motherhood is the perfect training ground for being a rockstar entrepreneur or employee.   

In this episode, I dial in on what gives moms and caregivers a natural advantage when it comes to running a business.  

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:47] We like to hire moms, or someone who has run a household, or taken care of kids. They make incredible employees for us because they understand how to put out the fires and in what order.

[00:03:05] From resolving conflicts with children, with spouses…they have to deal with people at school, whatever it is, they find creative solutions for these everyday challenges that they come across. 

[00:04:41] When you are the business owner, you're talking about your clients and you need to understand their needs, and you are developing these lifelong relationships with them if you wanna keep these clients, and mompreneurs tend to know how to do this already.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Recruiting employees who easily mesh with your team, align with your values, and have the skills you’re looking for can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

In this episode, I reveal 4 ways to find employees by using non-traditional platforms, online communities, and leveraging your existing talent! 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:02:05] For niche industries, thinking outside the box and employing unique recruitment strategies are gonna help you to find those unique people.

[00:03:03] My best employees have come from these online communities…we explored spaces that we knew we hung out in when we first started.

[00:05:05] One way that we have really been able to excel our hiring process is to tap into our current employees.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

If you want to increase your profitability, you must know your numbers, especially the expenses of your direct and indirect costs. 

In this episode, I break down the difference between direct and indirect costs, and how to know if you’re charging enough so you can cover your business expenses while still earning a profit!     

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:43] Direct expenses are expenses that are directly related to the sale of your product or service.

[00:02:46] Indirect expenses…they are things that cost to run your business, but they're not directly related to the item that you sell.

[00:05:44] Knowing the difference between those two [direct and indirect costs] is incredibly important because it'll keep you profitable. If you're charging enough for your product, and able to pay for your direct costs, and cover your indirect costs, and have money left over—that’s really good!

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Summer means hot days and long nights, and hopefully some time to slow down and take a much needed break.

In this episode, I share 5 tips for making the most of your summer to keep your business on the right track for the rest of the year.     

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:59] Take stock of your accomplishments, anything that you've accomplished in the first half of the year. Celebrate it. Find a way to praise yourself. 

[00:01:54] When you take a break, you can come back with clarity and maybe even be able to see those situations from a different point of view.

[00:03:46] Do those projects fit into the end of the year? Do they fit into my idea of what I want to happen by the end of the year? You have to decide that and really start to say no, and no is a powerful answer.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Guideline - https://www.guideline.com/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

How much should a business owner draw as their take-home pay? Too much, and you’re draining the business, but too little and your personal financial struggles will take the business down with them. 

So, how can entrepreneurs calculate their own fair wages? And how do they account for taxes and health insurance in their paycheck?   

Learn guidelines for how business owners can accurately determine their take-home pay, 5 things an entrepreneur’s compensation should cover, and when it’s time for them to reexamine the finances of their business.   

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:41] There are two major ways that you get paid through a business as the owner, you get an owner's draw, or you receive a paycheck.

[00:05:07] You should be making money. You take all the risks of your company, you work all the crazy hours, you do all the work, and you should be compensated accordingly.

[00:06:17] If you’re still doing that after years of being in business, or if you constantly have cash flow issues related to you taking a salary, then something is wrong, and you need to take a closer look at your revenues and expenses.  

Mentioned in this Episode:

Guideline - https://www.guideline.com/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Who’s the administrator on the software accounts you use to run your business? Think about your website, your bookkeeping and payroll software, and even your social media? 

In this episode, I explain why you should always be the master admin of any software your business uses, 4 rules to prevent fraudulent access, and tips for when it’s necessary to share access with your team.   

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:50] You gotta have systems in place that allow you to have access to what you need in case your trusted person leaves.

[00:03:16] Any software that you have, and this includes QuickBooks Online, your website, bank accounts, anything that you use online—it should be under your name.

[00:04:16] You can put a plan in place where two separate people on your team have access to one piece of information. Maybe one person has access to your username, and one person has access to your password.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services