Dreaming of selling your business for millions? Most owners underestimate what’s possible in five years. In this episode of The Profit Analyst, Gavin Smith breaks down the simple math and strategic roadmap behind creating a business that not only supports your lifestyle today but delivers a massive payout tomorrow.

Whether you’re stuck in the trenches or running a successful company, you’ll learn why a 5-year exit plan can transform your motivation, profitability, and future freedom. Gavin reveals the two critical numbers that determine your exit value, how to de-risk your business to increase multiples, and the practical steps you can take now to build a machine that prints money- With or without you.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• Why every business owner should create a 5-year exit roadmap (even if you don’t plan to sell).

• The two key numbers that determine your business’s exit value.

• How to increase profitability and position your business for a bigger payout.

• The role of multiples and risk in business valuations.

• How to de-risk and systemise your business so it runs without you and attracts higher buyers.

  
  

Jump to a chapter:

00:00 Hot topic: business exits & big payouts

00:37 Kevin’s intro & finance background

01:14 Why every owner needs a 5-year exit plan

02:22 Seeing the bigger picture through ups & downs

03:43 Coaching examples: struggling vs. seasoned owners

04:54 The two numbers that determine exit value

05:59 The CFO system & 5-year forecast tool

08:01 Case study: Eddie’s $5M construction business

10:12 Breaking down profit & multiples

16:00 Tools to hit your 5-year vision

18:25 Understanding multiples & risk

21:44 How to de-risk your business for higher payouts

23:50 The business you don’t want to sell (but could for millions)

25:41 Why even non-sellers need an exit plan

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/

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

LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

In Part 2 of last weeks Q&A, Gavin calls out the bad financial habits and outdated thinking holding founders back. With his signature mix of sharp insight and dry humour, he takes aim at cookie-cutter financial systems, the limitations of traditional accountants, and the anxiety-inducing trap of running a business by “watching the bank balance”.

He shares why financial clarity is the ultimate growth tool, how removing cash flow stress changes everything (including your posture), and why visibility over your numbers is worth more than an MBA. Along the way, listeners get a peek into Gavin’s personal quirks. From his evolving coffee order to his dream of starting a passion-fuelled, not-so-commercial side gig.

If you’re ready for straight-talking strategy with a side of relatable founder banter, this one’s got your name on it.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• Why your bank account is a rollercoaster and not a business health score.

• The difference between compliance accountants and strategic advisors.

• How to spot and ditch bad financial frameworks holding your business back.

• The two types of ROI every founder should obsess over: financial and emotional.

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/

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

LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

In this episode, Gavin trades places and becomes the guest, sharing the real story behind his latest milestone-  achieving “Black Belt” status in business coaching and scaling his business to over $1M.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at Gavin’s approach to numbers, strategy, and decision-making, including the moment he went against his gut and made a move that paid off big. He breaks down the four core pillars every business owner needs, the ripple effect of building a truly profitable company, and why financial clarity is the ultimate growth hack.

From Dom Perignon to kids’ movies, Gavin proves that success is as much about celebrating the wins as it is about making the right calls, even when they’re uncomfortable.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• Why financial clarity gives you the confidence to make big moves.

• The four core pillars every scalable business needs.

• How to use your numbers to spot growth opportunities.

• The common finance habits that frustrate Gavin most (and how to avoid them).

  
  

Jump to a chapter:

00:00 – Intro & why this is different

00:26 – Gavin’s background & mission

01:30 – The Black Belt milestone explained

03:53 – Big-picture thinking vs. chasing dollars

05:33 – How The CFO System™ fuels clarity

07:41 – Identifying knowledge gaps & next moves

08:45 – The four core pillars for scalable growth

10:41 – Marketing as a growth lever

12:42 – Simple equation for next-level profit

14:37 – Unlocking business investment opportunities

15:25 – Confidence from financial clarity

16:42 – Celebrating big wins (Dom Pérignon & all)

17:38 – A decision that went against gut instinct

19:42 – Pricing changes that increased impact

21:00 – Always investing to level up

22:42 – What frustrates Gavin about most owners’ finances

25:28 – Real client breakthrough example

27:36 – Why ignoring your numbers is limiting your impact

28:36 – Wrap-up & teaser for Part 2

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/

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

LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst
🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio

📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

Most founders are accidentally leaking profit every single day because they’re “winging it” with their numbers. In this episode, Gavin Smith from The Profit Analyst breaks down how tiny, boring-sounding tweaks can add up to jaw-dropping gains over the next five years.

We’re talking about practical, founder-friendly ways to use your numbers to make better decisions, stack great calls on top of each other, and harness the compounding effect in your business. Whether you’re at seven figures and stuck, or just sick of guessing, this is the roadmap to turn drift into growth.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• The “Four Futures” model that predicts your business trajectory.

• Why drifting feels fine now, but costs you big later.

• How small % changes in revenue and margin can double your profit.

• The CFO System™: simple tools for clarity, confidence, and control

  
  

If you’re ready to stop being in the dark and start playing the game of numbers like a pro, The CFO System™ can get you there in 30 days.

Jump to a chapter:

00:00 Why Your Business’s Profit Potential Is Bigger Than You Think

01:14 The Long-Term Game of Business Success

02:37 Playing the Numbers Game Right

04:46 The Four Futures Model Explained

07:05 Real Numbers, Real Profit Scenarios

09:45 The Compounding Effect in Action

11:34 What 30, 90, and 365 Days of the CFO System Looks Like

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/

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

LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio

📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

Think your accountant is managing your business’s finances? Think again.

In this eye-opening episode, Gavin Smith breaks down the real roles of a bookkeeper, an accountant, and a CFO. He explains why relying solely on any of them could be a massive mistake for your business. More importantly, Gavin shares what you actually need: a simple, plug-and-play CFO system that gives you financial clarity, cash flow confidence, and control without the huge overhead.

He explains how you, as the business owner, must stop outsourcing critical financial understanding, and instead empower yourself with the tools and insights to make smart, strategic decisions daily.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• The real difference between a bookkeeper, accountant, and CFO

• Why financial decisions shouldn’t be delegated blindly

• What most accountants focus on (hint: it’s not your growth)

• Why relying on a CFO (even a fractional one) can still backfire

• The power of using a CFO system instead of a high-cost hire

• How to protect your business from financial blind spots

  
  

Whether you're a startup or scaling past seven figures, this is the financial wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

Jump to a chapter:

00:00 - What This Episode Covers  

00:10 - Why You Can't Rely on Finance Roles Alone  

01:07 - Bookkeeper: What They Actually Do  

01:31 - The Truth About Accountants  

03:15 - Your Accountant Isn’t Your Strategist  

05:04 - What a CFO Really Does  

06:17 - Why Most Businesses Can’t Afford One  

07:00 - Financial Clarity is Your Job  

07:29 - How Gavin’s CFO System Works  

08:40 - Why Financial Confidence Changes Everything  

09:46 - Recap: Who Does What  

10:05 - Where to Learn More

Get in touch: IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theprofitanalyst LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio

📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

What if you could map out your business’s profit before it even happens? In this episode, Gavin Smith from The Profit Analyst reveals the exact strategy he used to grow his coaching business from $0 to over $1 million in just four years.

Gavin breaks down his simple yet powerful Profit Formula; A  practical framework that helps business owners make sense of their numbers and use them to drive real, intentional growth. You’ll learn how to confidently manage income and expenses, identify bottlenecks, and make strategic decisions that scale your profits.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• Why profit shouldn’t be a mystery or an end-of-year surprise

• The seven key numbers every business owner must understand

• How to identify the constraints that are blocking your growth

• Using the Profit Calculator tool to set and reach financial goals

• Real examples of how Gavin scaled multiple businesses using this framework

• How to apply the same strategy whether you’re at $100K or $10M in revenue

Whether you're just starting out, pushing through six figures, or aiming for a multi-million dollar business, Gavin’s proven method works at every stage. He shares real-world insights from his own journey, including how he transformed a loss-making bar into a thriving $10M group.

Jump to a chapter:

00:00 - Intro: From $0 to $1M Coaching Business  

00:48 - Who is Gavin Smith and Why Numbers Matter  

02:10 - The Profit Formula Explained  

03:50 - Income vs Expenses: Simplifying Profit  

05:00 - The 7 Numbers You Must Know  

06:15 - Using the Profit Calculator Tool  

08:00 - How Gavin Used It to Grow His Coaching Business  

10:45 - Common Bottlenecks & Scaling Strategies  

13:05 - From a Loss-Making Bar to a $10M Business Group  

15:00 - Customising the Formula for Your Stage of Business  

17:10 - Why Every Business Owner Needs to Master This Skill  

18:30 - Planning for Exit: Creating the Result You Want  

20:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Learn More

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/

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

LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio

📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

In this episode, Gavin breaks down P&L ratios. One of the easiest and most effective tools for understanding your business’s financial performance at a glance.

Using a relatable pizza-slice analogy, Gavin explains how to measure the efficiency of your cost categories like wages, rent, marketing and cost of sales, and how to spot where profit is getting eaten up. You’ll learn how ratios simplify complex financial reports, help you benchmark against industry norms, and reveal where the fastest wins lie to grow your profit margin.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• What a P&L ratio is and how to calculate it

• How to group expenses into five easy-to-track categories

• A simple pizza analogy to visualise where your profit is going

• How to identify which cost category to optimise firstWhy ratios work regardless of your business size

• How to benchmark against industry averages and yourself over time

Whether you're just starting out or running a seven-figure operation, this episode gives you a practical tool to track your business health and guide better decision-making month after month.

Jump to a chapter:

0:00 – What Are P&L Ratios?

0:36 – Why Ratios Are a Shortcut to Insight

1:05 – The Five Expense Categories

1:39 – The Pizza Analogy: Visualising Your Business

2:26 – Comparing Different Business Models

3:16 – What a Bigger Slice Means for Profit

3:46 – Focus on the Largest Cost First

4:10 – How to Calculate a Ratio

4:47 – Why Ratios Always Add Up

5:16 – Using Ratios to Benchmark Against Industry

5:58 – Common Hospitality Example: Cost of Sales

6:30 – Ratios for Internal Benchmarking

7:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Takeaway

📞 Book a free clarity call here: https://www.theprofitanalyst.com/podcastclaritycall 📲 Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn: @TheProfitAnalyst 👍 Like this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and share it with a fellow business owner!

Get in touch: IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theprofitanalyst LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

Understanding your numbers doesn’t have to be complex. In this episode, Gavin breaks down one of the most critical concepts in business finance: fixed and variable costs.

You’ll discover how these two cost types directly impact your break-even point, scalability, and profit potential. With practical examples including a real-world turnaround from one of Gavin’s own beach bar businesses; You’ll learn how to use your cost structure to plan growth with clarity and confidence.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• The clear difference between fixed and variable costs (with real-world examples)

• How to quickly categorise your costs—without overthinking it

• Why your break-even point matters more than you think

• How fixed costs shrink as a percentage of sales (and boost your margin)

• The mindset shift needed to scale profitably

Whether you’re currently stuck at breakeven or ready to scale, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to shift from low-margin survival to high-margin growth.

Jump to a chapter:

0:00 – Intro: Why Fixed and Variable Costs Matter 0:36 – Meet Gavin: Who This Is For 1:13 – Fixed Costs Explained 2:00 – Variable Costs Explained 2:54 – Don’t Overthink Cost Categorisation 3:12 – Categorising Costs into Five Buckets 4:50 – Why Knowing the Difference Really Matters 5:55 – Fixed vs Variable: Visualising the Cost Curve 6:47 – Reaching the Break-Even Point 7:20 – The Power of Scaling Past Break-Even 8:00 – Why Many Business Owners Get Stuck 9:00 – Breaking Through with Confidence 9:23 – Case Study: Scaling a Beach Bar 10:15 – Seeing Profit in the Next $500K 11:00 – Investing Ahead in Marketing 11:50 – Outcome: From Breakeven to $200K Profit 12:30 – Why This Matters for Your Business 13:00 – Recap and Final Takeaway

📞 Book a free clarity call here: https://www.theprofitanalyst.com/podcastclaritycall 📲 Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn: @TheProfitAnalyst 👍 Like this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and share it with a fellow business owner!

Get in touch: IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theprofitanalyst LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

In this episode, Gavin unpacks the real-world strategies behind boosting profit in your business without the overwhelm. You'll learn why profit isn’t something you make directly, but rather the outcome of managing your income and expenses with precision.

Gavin  introduces a practical framework that takes you beyond the textbook formula and into actionable levers you can pull to improve pricing, reduce waste, optimise team performance, and make smarter financial decisions. Whether you’re running a growing small business or navigating tight margins, this episode offers clarity, direction, and tools you can apply straight away.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• How to break down income into price and volume for clearer revenue growth opportunities

• The two types of business expenses—and how each impacts your bottom line

• How to identify quick wins to boost profitability with minimal effort

• The power of using financial levers to make smarter, faster decisions

• Real-world strategies for managing costs like wages, rent, marketing, and overheads

• How to avoid the most common cash flow mistakes that sink otherwise profitable businesses

Tune in to discover how to spot the right opportunities, focus your efforts where they count, and finally take control of your bottom line

Jump to a chapter:

0:00 – Introduction

0:30 – Gavin’s Business Background

1:07 – The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers

2:00 – Profit vs Cash Flow vs Financial Position

3:00 – Why Profit is an Outcome, Not an Action

3:45 – The Basic Profit Formula Explained

5:20 – Going One Layer Deeper: Price, Volume, Variable, Fixed

6:55 – The Real-World Profit Levers

8:00 – The Seven Key Profit Drivers

9:30 – Pricing Strategies

10:30 – Volume Metrics and Capacity

11:30 – Managing Cost of Sales

12:40 – Team Performance and Efficiency

13:30 – Smart Marketing Investment

14:15 – Property Costs and Utilisation

15:00 – Controlling Overheads

16:00 – Choosing the Right Levers for Maximum Impact

17:10 – Recap and Practical Application

18:30 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps

📞 Book a free clarity call here: https://www.theprofitanalyst.com/podcastclaritycall 📲 Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn: @TheProfitAnalyst 👍 Like this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and share it with a fellow business owner!

Get in touch:

IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theprofitanalyst LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst

🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]

Struggling with your business finances? You’re not alone. This episode is your wake-up call. Most business owners focus on profit or cash flow; but rarely master both. In this episode, Gavin reveals the crucial difference between the two, how they work together, and why understanding your numbers is the key to scaling without stress. Get clear, get confident, and take control of your business finances.If you’re making sales but still struggling with profit, cashflow, or clarity; This is the mindset reset you didn’t know you needed.🎧 You’ll learn:-The rollercoaster nature of cash flow in every business—even those with consistent income-The difference between profit and cash flow—and why understanding both matters-Why cash flow forecasting is essential for visibility, planning, and peace of mind-Understanding that cash flow management ≠ business growth—it’s about survival.Jump to a chapter:00:00 - Introduction: Why Profit and Cash Flow Mastery 00:18 - The Three Financial Numbers in Business 01:15 - The Difference Between Profit and Cash Flow 02:21 - Cash Flow: Visibility, Peaks and Valleys 04:02 - Why Cash Flow Forecasting Isn’t Enough 04:32 - Profit: The Outcome of a Formula 05:01 - Understanding the Profit Formula 06:11 - Why Profit Matters More Than Just Cash Flow 06:58 - Combining Profit Strategy with Cash Resources 08:04 - The Role of the Profit and Cash Flow Mastery Program 08:43 - Wrap-Up and Call to Action📞 Book a free clarity call here: https://www.theprofitanalyst.com/podcastclaritycall 📲 Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn: @TheProfitAnalyst 👍 Like this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and share it with a fellow business owner!Get in touch: IG | https://www.instagram.com/theprofitanalyst/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theprofitanalyst LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/theprofitanalyst🎙️ This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio 📩 For advertising opportunities: [email protected]