What if the secret to building your dream business isn’t about saving more, but about spending smarter? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., invites you to stop feeling guilty every time you make an investment in your business. Instead, learn how to spend with clarity, purpose, and profit in mind.

She walks you through the healthy spending percentages successful businesses use across categories like marketing, payroll, operations, and more to thrive. You’ll also get practical tools and reflection questions to help you make CEO-level money decisions that align with your short-term goals and long-term vision.

Key Takeaways: 

• Spending is Necessary for Growth: Healthy businesses spend money, and the key is doing it with intention and a clear plan.

• Your Mindset Matters: Guilt-free spending starts with shifting how you view expenses—from “costs” to “investments.”

• Budget by Business Season: Your business’s financial plan should match the stage you’re in: growth, maintenance, or development.

• Know Your Numbers & What’s Healthy: Breaking down your expenses into healthy percentage benchmarks can help you make informed decisions.

• You Get to Define Success: Don’t compare your business to others. Use your goals to determine where your money should go.

Topics Discussed:

The CEO Mindset Shift: Spending as a Growth Strategy (01:01 – 03:32)

Understanding Your Business Season and What It Means for Your Budget (03:34 - 06:03)

Healthy Percentage Benchmarks Breakdown (05:07 – 14:34)

Using the Healthy Percentages Worksheet to Plan for the Future (14:40 – 16:53)

 

Resources:

KSA Healthy Percentages Worksheet | KickstartAccountingInc.com/Healthy 

How to Build Your Team Series | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/category/hiring/ 

CFO Services | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/the-cfo-solution/ 

 

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book 

 

Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc