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Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to avoid looking at your financial reports when the numbers feel overwhelming or emotionally charged. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial concept using practical examples and simple explanations to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about one of the most important leadership habits every successful CEO develops: intentional awareness. Many business owners think avoiding their numbers protects them from stress, but in reality, avoidance only delays clarity and makes financial decisions more difficult. I'll show you how to remove emotion from your financial reports, use your numbers as neutral information instead of personal judgment, and develop a simple weekly habit that leads to calmer, more confident decision-making.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, coaches, and leaders who know they should be reviewing their financial reports but often put it off. If you've ever avoided opening your profit and loss statement, relied only on your bank balance, or felt anxious every time you looked at your numbers, this episode will help you replace fear with clarity and build healthier financial habits.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who's been avoiding their numbers because they feel overwhelming, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Schedule a recurring 10-minute financial check-in with yourself this week and commit to observing your numbers without judgment.
During your check-in:
Don't focus on solving every problem immediately. Your goal is simply to build awareness, because awareness always comes before action.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to focus on finding more tax deductions instead of building a real tax strategy. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial concept using practical examples and simple explanations to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest misconceptions in small business finance: the belief that tax write-offs are the same as tax strategy. Many entrepreneurs spend money simply to lower their taxes, without realizing they're sacrificing cash flow and long-term profitability. I'll explain why deductions are only one tool in a much larger strategy, how proactive tax planning creates financial stability, and the key decisions every business owner should make before tax season arrives.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants, coaches, and self-employed professionals who want to stop guessing when it comes to taxes. If you've ever wondered whether you should buy something just for the write-off, questioned whether your business structure is still the right fit, or found yourself scrambling at year-end, this episode will help you shift from reactive tax decisions to proactive financial leadership.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who's always asking, "Can I write this off?" share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Replace reactive tax thinking with strategic planning by asking yourself a few important questions.
Then choose one action this week to improve your tax planning, whether that's reviewing your entity structure, creating a tax savings plan, or scheduling time to develop a proactive strategy before year-end.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to let fear quietly influence the decisions we make—especially when it comes to pricing, clients, and sales. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial or operational concept using practical examples and simple strategies to help you improve profitability, make confident decisions, and build a business that truly works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest hidden threats to profitability: scarcity mindset. Scarcity doesn't always look like panic or financial struggle. More often, it shows up through unnecessary discounts, over-delivering, weak boundaries, and saying yes to the wrong opportunities. These small decisions slowly erode your margins and leave you working harder without earning more. I'll show you how fear affects your pricing decisions, why confidence creates healthier businesses, and how to shift from scarcity to sustainable profitability.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, coaches, and service providers who struggle with pricing, over-delivering, or constantly feeling like they have to prove their value. If you've ever discounted your services out of fear, taken on more work than you quoted, or found yourself attracting difficult clients, this episode will help you identify where scarcity may be affecting your business—and how to change it.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who struggles with pricing confidently or setting healthy client boundaries, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Review your recent sales conversations or client engagements and honestly evaluate where fear may have influenced your decisions.
Then choose one area where you'll strengthen your boundaries this week—whether that's maintaining your pricing, limiting scope creep, or becoming more confident in communicating your value.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to get caught up chasing bigger numbers, higher sales targets, and ambitious growth goals. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial concept using practical examples and simple explanations to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest mistakes business owners make when setting goals: focusing on revenue without considering profit. While revenue goals often sound exciting, they don't necessarily create a healthier, more sustainable business. In fact, chasing revenue alone can lead to burnout, poor margins, overloaded schedules, and unnecessary stress. I'll walk you through the difference between revenue-focused thinking and profit-focused leadership, and show you how to set goals that support both your business and your life.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, coaches, and service providers who want to grow their business without sacrificing profitability, capacity, or quality of life. If you've set ambitious revenue targets but still feel overwhelmed, stressed, or financially frustrated, this episode will help you rethink what success really looks like.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who is chasing revenue while feeling stretched too thin, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Then rewrite one goal this week to focus on profit, capacity, or margin instead of revenue alone.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how overwhelming taxes can feel when you're trying to manage cash flow, grow your business, and make smart financial decisions. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial concept using practical examples and simple explanations to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about estimated taxes and why so many business owners avoid them until it's too late. For many entrepreneurs, estimated taxes feel confusing, unpredictable, and easy to put off. But avoidance often leads to surprise tax bills, cash flow stress, and unnecessary financial anxiety. I'll walk you through how estimated taxes work, why they matter, and how to create a simple system that helps you stay ahead instead of scrambling when tax deadlines arrive.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants, coaches, and self-employed professionals who want more clarity and confidence when it comes to taxes. If you've ever worried about owing more than expected, struggled to set aside enough money, or found yourself avoiding tax conversations altogether, this episode will help you create a simpler and more sustainable approach.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who gets stressed every tax season, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Take a moment to assess your current approach to taxes and ask yourself:
Then choose one action to implement this week:
Small changes now can prevent major financial stress later and help you build a more predictable, profitable business.
Resources Mentioned
• Premier Tax Access Pass
• Profit First Methodology
• Free Business Consultation
• Sidekick Accounting Tax Planning Support
• Sidekick Accounting Resources
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to focus on strategy, growth, and getting things done while overlooking one of the most important business assets you have—your energy. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial or operational concept using practical examples and simple strategies to help you improve profitability, make better decisions, and build a business that truly works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about a topic many business owners don't associate with financial performance: burnout. Most people think burnout only affects motivation or mindset, but the reality is that emotional fatigue shows up directly in your numbers. When you're exhausted, boundaries weaken, pricing conversations become harder, important decisions get delayed, and cash flow management often suffers. I'll walk you through the hidden ways burnout impacts profitability, the warning signs to watch for, and practical steps you can take to protect both your energy and your bottom line.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, coaches, and leaders who feel like they're carrying too much responsibility while trying to keep everything moving forward. If you've ever found yourself avoiding difficult conversations, struggling to maintain boundaries, feeling resentful toward work you once enjoyed, or wondering why profitability feels harder than it should, this episode will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who has been pushing through exhaustion while trying to grow their business, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Then choose one small action this week to reset that area. Raise one price, strengthen one boundary, automate one task, or address one process that's draining your energy.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how easy it is to focus on sales, systems, and staying busy while ignoring the internal engine that actually drives results—your people and your culture. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one core business concept into simple, practical lessons that help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that actually works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about something most business owners underestimate: culture. Many people assume culture is about perks, vibes, or team lunches. But real culture shows up in pressure, deadlines, mistakes, communication, and leadership behavior. And here’s the truth—your culture is either driving your profitability or quietly draining it. I’ll walk you through how culture forms, why it directly affects performance and profit, and the three key shifts you can make to build a stronger, more intentional team environment.
In This Episode, you'll learn:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, team leaders, consultants, freelancers with growing teams, and anyone responsible for managing people or processes. If you’ve ever felt like your team isn’t fully aligned, performance feels inconsistent, or things keep slipping through the cracks even when revenue is growing—this episode will help you identify what’s really going on beneath the surface.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an opportunity to strengthen your business foundation. And if you know another business owner struggling with team performance, communication, or culture issues, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Do a culture audit inside your business. Identify three things: what behaviors you consistently reward, what behaviors you tolerate, and what behaviors you personally model as a leader. Then choose one area where you will introduce more clarity, consistency, or recognition this week. Small leadership shifts create major cultural and profit outcomes over time.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how frustrating it can be when leads seem interested but take weeks—or even months—to make a decision. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial or operational concept using practical examples and simple strategies to help you increase profitability, improve efficiency, and build a business that truly works for your life.
Today, we're talking about sales cycles and why many business owners don't actually have a lead problem—they have a sales process problem. When your sales cycle drags on, prospects lose momentum, follow-ups pile up, and potential revenue slips through the cracks. I'll share three simple ways to shorten your sales cycle, improve your conversion rates, and guide prospects toward a decision faster without feeling pushy or salesy.
In This Episode, you’ll discover:
This episode is for service providers, consultants, coaches, freelancers, agency owners, and small business owners who are generating leads but struggling to convert them consistently. If you're spending too much time following up, waiting on decisions, or wondering why interested prospects aren't becoming paying clients, this episode will help you identify where your sales process may be slowing things down.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who's tired of chasing leads and wants to improve their sales process, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Take a close look at your current sales process and identify one area where prospects tend to get stuck, go quiet, or delay making a decision. Then choose one improvement to implement, whether that's adding qualifying questions to your booking form, creating a follow-up template, or documenting your sales process with a simple script.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points! I'm your host, Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, Certified Profit First Professional, Fix This Next Advisor, and your accounting sidekick. As a business owner myself, I know how challenging it can be to make financial decisions with confidence when you're not sure what your numbers are really telling you. That's why each week on Profit Points, I break down one financial concept using practical examples and simple explanations to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and build a business that works for your life.
In this episode, we're talking about marketing ROI and how to know whether your marketing dollars are actually generating results. Many business owners invest in social media, advertising, networking groups, software, and other marketing efforts without having a clear way to measure what's working. The result? Wasted money, wasted time, and missed opportunities. I'll walk you through how to track the right metrics, identify which marketing activities are producing leads and sales, and make smarter decisions about where to invest your resources.
In This Episode, you'll learn:
This episode is for small business owners, entrepreneurs, service providers, consultants, and anyone investing time or money into marketing. If you've ever wondered whether your ads, social media efforts, networking groups, or marketing subscriptions are actually generating revenue, this episode will help you stop guessing and start making data-driven decisions.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss an episode. And if you know another business owner who is struggling to figure out what's working in their marketing, share this episode with them.
This Week's Action Step
Choose one marketing activity you're currently investing in, whether that's advertising, networking, social media, or another marketing channel. Calculate the revenue generated from that activity and compare it to what you've spent. Then identify one marketing expense that may be underperforming and consider whether those resources could be better invested elsewhere.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
Got a Question? Send us a Text!
Welcome to Profit Points, I'm your host Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, certified Profit First Professional and Fix This Next advisor, and the person small business owners call when the numbers stop making sense. Here, you will find one financial or business growth concept broken down per episode, with real examples and language that actually makes sense, so you can stop guessing and start making decisions that move your business forward. Every episode ends with one clear action step, because information without application is just noise.
In this episode, we are talking about the growth strategy most small business owners completely overlook: the money that is already sitting in the relationships you have built. If you have been pouring energy into finding new leads while your existing clients sit quietly in your inbox, this one is going to shift how you think about revenue. Megan walks through three specific opportunities for increasing profit without adding a single new customer, and backs it up with real client examples that show just how simple and effective these moves can be.
This episode answers questions like:
This episode is for you if you are a small business owner who has been working hard to grow but feels like you are always starting from zero. If your marketing efforts feel exhausting and the pipeline never seems full enough, this is the episode that will make you look at what you already have differently. It is also for anyone who has a solid client base but has never thought intentionally about the next offer, the upgrade, or the client who has not heard from you in six months. Whether you sell services or products, the principles Megan covers here apply directly to how you build sustainable, repeatable revenue.
If this episode gave you a new way to think about your revenue, share it with a fellow business owner who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Profit Points so you never miss a week, leave a review on your podcast platform, and drop a comment or question to let Megan know what financial topic you want her to tackle next.
This Week's Action Step
· Your three challenges from this episode:
· Logical next step: Write down one next step offer you could suggest to a current client this month.
· Enhancement add-on: Review your current services and identify one easy upgrade that delivers extra value without overwhelming your operations.
· Win-back: Reach out personally to three past clients this week. Do not pitch. Just check in.
Resources Mentioned
Profit First implementation and coaching with Megan (book at chatwithmeg.com)
Connect with Megan
LinkedIn: Megan Schwan
Website & Community: youraccountingsidekick.com
Book a Free Consultation: chatwithmeg.com
Connect with me for practical financial education, resources, and support designed to help you build a profitable, sustainable business that works for your life.
From the publisher's feed
What nobody tells you when you start a business is that the financial stuff is actually learnable. You don't have to be good at numbers or have a BA in business. All it requires is someone willing…
That is what Profit Points is.
I am Megan Schwan, founder of Sidekick Accounting, certified Profit First Professional, single mom, and the person my clients call when the numbers stop making sense. Every week on this show, I take one financial concept and make it completely accessible — profit margins, tax strategy, cash flow, pricing, the whole picture — with real numbers, real examples, and language that actually makes sense.
Every episode ends with one clear action step you can take immediately, because information without application is just noise. And to build a successful, sustainable business... you as the CEO need to take action!
If you have been running your business on gut feelings and bank balance checks, and you are ready to actually know what is happening financially, this show is for you.
New episodes every week. Let's get into it.