By Melissa Houston
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The podcast currently has 166 episodes available.
Are you dreaming of leaving your 9-to-5 and stepping into the world of entrepreneurship?
In this episode, I dive deep into my own journey of transitioning from a secure job to becoming a full-time business owner. If you’ve ever felt the desire for more freedom, fulfillment, or financial independence, this episode is for you.
I start by addressing one of the biggest challenges in any major life change—fear. I know firsthand how natural it is to feel uncertain, whether it’s fear of failure, success, or simply the unknown. But here’s what I’ve learned: fear is a signal that you’re on the brink of growth. It’s about embracing that fear and using it as a driving force to push toward your goals. Every successful entrepreneur has faced these emotions. The key is to take that first step, even when it feels overwhelming.
From there, I share practical strategies. One of the best ways to transition from employee to entrepreneur is by starting a side hustle—exactly how I did it. This approach allowed me to build a customer base and refine my offerings while still maintaining the safety net of a full-time job. In this episode, I offer advice on finding your passion, managing your time, and testing your business idea. Based on my own experience, you’ll likely need to refine your offer as you go, but the rewards—freedom, fulfillment, and financial independence—make the journey worthwhile.
If you’re ready to take the leap from office to entrepreneur, this episode is full of actionable tips to get you started. I also introduce my digital course, From Office to Entrepreneur, designed to guide you through this transition step-by-step. You’ll learn how to build your business gradually, manage the risks, and maintain consistency for real growth. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about making a living—it’s about creating a life.
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"The way you think determines your success."
— Melissa Houston
Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs thrive while others falter? It’s not just about skills or strategy—it's mindset. In today's episode, we're diving into the first step of my Profit Method Framework: mindset. Why start here? Because your mindset can make or break your business. It’s the foundation on which every decision is made, whether you're just starting or ready to scale to the next level.
Whether you’re stuck in fear or just playing it safe, mindset can help you navigate through those barriers. I get it—being an entrepreneur is filled with ups and downs. You want to make an impact, but you also want financial success, and maybe you feel those two are at odds. They aren’t! You can absolutely make a lot of money while making a meaningful impact, and that’s where mindset comes into play.
Mindset isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about resilience—about understanding that fear will always be there but pushing forward anyway. I’ve often heard people say, “What if I fail?” but I encourage you to ask, “What if I succeed?” It’s a scarier question in many ways because success opens doors you might not have imagined. And yes, stepping out of your comfort zone is uncomfortable, but it’s where growth happens.
In today’s episode, we dive deep into these mindset strategies, and I share my personal journey—from battling self-doubt to creating a seven-figure business. And believe me, it didn’t happen overnight.
So, are you ready to transform your mindset and take your business to the next level? In this episode, I’ll show you how to reframe fear, visualize success, and stay present in your entrepreneurial journey.
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"If it’s too late to start something new, especially a business, let me reassure you: it’s never too late."
— Melissa Houston
Are you feeling stuck in your business or contemplating a big change in your career? In episode 164 of the She Means Profit podcast, I’m thrilled to introduce the new PROFIT Method Framework, a game-changer designed to guide you through every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.
This month has been full of personal milestones for me—celebrating 25 years of marriage and my children’s significant life achievements. Reflecting on these moments has reminded me how important it is to embrace change and new beginnings, no matter our age or stage in life. For those of you wondering if it’s too late to start something new, especially a business, let me reassure you: it’s never too late. I started my business at 46, and I’m here to help you do the same with confidence and success.
The PROFIT Method Framework is tailored to meet you where you are, whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale. This episode dives into each step of the framework, starting with the critical mindset foundation.
Join me as we explore how this framework can transform your business and help you build the wealth and impact you deserve. Don’t forget to check the show notes for links to additional resources, courses, and free strategy calls. Let’s turn your business dreams into a thriving reality!
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Work with me:
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IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @melissahoustoncpa
"What if the real issue in your business isn't about money, but sales?"
— Melissa Houston
In this episode of She Means Profit, I dive into the biggest misconception many of my clients have: they think they have a money problem, but the truth is, it’s a sales issue. After working with 90% of my clients, I’ve seen this pattern emerge time and time again. In this reintroduction episode, I’m excited to get back into helping women build profitable businesses.
I’ve been through my own challenges this past year, including battling severe anemia and depression during perimenopause. It hit me like a Mack truck, and for the first time in my life, I was forced to take a step back from my business to focus on my health. But now, I’m feeling stronger and more determined than ever to help you grow your business and build your wealth.
Only 1.9% of women-owned businesses make over a million dollars annually. That statistic has to change. Women face both systemic barriers, like access to capital, and internal struggles, such as a lack of confidence, which holds us back from pricing our services correctly or pitching our ideas with authority.
But I believe that when women succeed in business, the impact ripples through communities. This episode is all about building confidence, mastering sales, and creating a supportive community of women entrepreneurs. Let’s talk about how we can overcome these challenges and help each other thrive, both financially and personally.
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IG: @melissahoustoncpa
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“A thought leader is defined as an individual or firm recognized as an authority in their specialized field whose expertise are sought after and often rewarded. ”
— Melissa Houston
In an ever-growing industry, what sets you apart from the crowd of thousands proclaiming they’re the best and the greatest at what they do?
The answer to this question gets harder every day. There will always be startups popping out of nowhere, small businesses that go viral, and established conglomerates that control half the industry. You might think the safest bet is to just do well and see how it goes.
But here’s something tried and true for you. This is a solution that’s been honed over time and proven effective: let yourself be the face of your business. Give the public someone to listen to, someone to root for, someone to lean on. Don’t just be the boss of your business; let yourself become a thought leader.
In this episode, we will be discussing everything there is to know about thought leadership. From what it takes to get started to establishing yourself as one, whether through traditional media appearances or creating content for Tiktok, we will explore the steps you can undertake to become a respected thought leader in your industry.
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IG: @melissahoustoncpa
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"As you're starting your business, you're going to come across so many interesting and sometimes real challenges, really exciting problems to solve, areas of compliance and requirements that probably seem daunting, and I would say really seek out resources, seek out mentors.”
— Dina Segal
Contracts will always be an essential part of a business. Whether it’s a business deal with your supplier or establishing a new agreement with your client, this piece of paper plays a vital role in protecting not only your business’s best interests but also the rights of the other party.
Writing down agreements and signing them may seem simple, but contracts are significantly more complex. They leave no stone unturned, explore every point thoroughly, and allow for no exceptions—except when both parties agreed to do so.
This episode will explore the ins and outs of the beginning of every business journey: the contracts. Beyond the lengthy paragraphs and complicated words, we will learn the factors to consider in contract negotiations, stress the importance of thoroughly reading the written word before signing, and discuss ways to ensure that your contract attracts only the best and the most suitable partners for your business.
Listen to learn:
Highlights:
4:28 Services Third-Party companies can do for you
7:56 Contracting people from all around the world
10:21 Organizations that help in mentoring start-up businesses
12:28 Importance of contracting
14:50 Payment terms in contracts
16:49 A Business’ Liability Issues
19:01 Proper Process of Contract Termination
22:06 Importance of reading Terms and Conditions
22:58 Creating a form for your business
23:49 Attorney's fees in Contract Provisions
24:03 Seeking Guidance and Mentors
Links:
Dina Segal
Gusto Website
Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating a Profitable Business
Main website
Cash Clarity Course
Apply to Work With Me
Mini-course: The Debt Repayment Calculator
Mini-course: Pay Yourself
Mini-course: Personal Net Worth Calculator
Mini-course: The Ultimate Budget Binder
Follow me on:
IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @
Work with me:
Follow me on:
IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @melissahoustoncpa
“With the right mindset and dedication, successful debt management is within your reach.”
—Melissa Houston
Many aspire to start their own business, but a common obstacle preventing them from doing so is financial constraints. People who do not have enough funding often resort to taking out loans to build their first business.
But what’s the deal with businesses that end up sinking rather than soaring?
The culprit is often debt. Some businesses fall into the trap of having massive loans without a solid plan. Business owners tend to choose the short-term solution of gearing up, taking debts, instead of focusing on the long-term ones. Let’s be real, when those loans start piling up, it’s not just your business that is affected, but your personal life too.
Whether you’re in it for business or dealing with personal finances, taking on debt is a big responsibility. You have to ensure that you can deal with it and properly resolve it in order to avoid the chances of it overtaking your business or life.
Listen to learn:
Highlights:
03:39 Having personal debt to run the business
04:39 What too much debt can do to your business
06:22 Impact of debt on our mental health
08:17 Knowing your business numbers
11:18 Tip 1: Analyze Debt and Financial Situation
11:59 Debt Repayment Calculator Mini Course
12:28 Tip 2: Prioritize Your Debts
13:02 Tip 3: Negotiate with Creditors
13:49 Tip 4: Consider Debt Consolidation
15:20 Tip 5: Seek Professional Advice
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“The bottom line is that tracking your sales conversion is an essential step towards driving your business profit and ensuring that your business profit continues to grow and thrive, and not just your profit, but your sales and your whole business.”
—Melissa Houston
What sets a business up for success? It should have the capacity for profitability and scale.
Making a profit in your business can be tough, especially in a challenging economy. In this episode, we emphasize that tracking sales conversions is not just about boosting profit but about fostering a holistic and thriving business.
Smart business owners take into consideration their marketing and sales performance indicators. Why? Because when you are critical about your marketing and sales, you learn what’s working and what needs to improve to achieve sustainability.
Success in business does not happen in an instant. It truly takes time and effort, no doubt about it. But here’s the secret: investing your time and effort to wholeheartedly grasp your business’s financial data and sales will provide you with the necessary foundation for your business to thrive.
Listen to learn:
Highlights:
01:12: The root cause of money problems in business
02:47: Three profit drivers in business
02:53: Path Profitability Masterclass and Unlock Your Pricing Strategies Podcast
04:21: Marketing and Sales KPIs
05:40: Proper outsourcing and hiring of people for your business
06:19: Importance of tracking sales conversions to increase profit in business
07:02: Understanding your return on investment
10:12: Knowing what your customer needs
11:30: Identifying the potential for improvement
13:36: The key step in improving your business profit
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IG: @melissahoustoncpa
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“There’s never gonna be a perfect time to start a business. There’s never gonna be a perfect time to start calling yourself an entrepreneur until you actually start doing it.”
— Dianne Welsh
Here’s the deal: success isn’t some kind of magic trick. It starts when you decide to go on an adventure and grab opportunities offered to you. When it comes to building a business, you turn these opportunities into action-packed episodes that coincide with the difference you want to leave.
As entrepreneurs, your top-notch priority should be making sure you’ve got all your bases covered. You want to ensure that you examine every bits and pieces that are essential in making these opportunities successful. Once you grasp these insights, you plan out your strategy and get into action mode.
Business is not a simple game where you just join and see how it goes. You go through your business, prepare a succession plan, and actually critique how the opportunity will work its way to success.
Listen to this episode to learn:
Highlights:
01:29: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
03:32: Qualities possessed by successful Entrepreneurs
06:02: Business Finance as key to Creating Successful Business
07:18: The Entrepreneurial Family Business book
11:11: Problems faced by Family-Based Businesses
13:32: Dealing with challenges of Generational Wealth
15:58: Awareness on Global Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Links:
Dianne Welsh
https://diannewelsh.wp.uncg.edu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-welsh-9755989/
The Entrepreneurial Family Business: From Survival to Success: https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/entrepreneurial-family-business-survival-success
Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating a Profitable Business
Main website
Cash Clarity Course
Apply to Work With Me
Mini-course: The Debt Repayment Calculator
Mini-course: Pay Yourself
Mini-course: Personal Net Worth Calculator
Mini-course: The Ultimate Budget Binder
Follow me on:
IG: @melissa
Work with me:
Follow me on:
IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @melissahoustoncpa
“Cash is queen and with the right strategies, you can manage it wisely and achieve long-term prosperity.”
—Melissa Houston
When running a business, cash flow is absolutely critical. As business owners, we are responsible for making sure that the cash moving in and out of business is managed properly.
Why is it crucial to avoid running out of cash? Cash is the lifeblood of your financial obligations. And let me tell you, it’s not just about keeping cash at hand; it’s about fueling your business’s success. When you’ve got a healthy cash flow while your business profits, that’s when you can really invest in driving your business toward success.
And as most businesses gear up with their business financial planning for 2024, take into consideration strategies that can help you manage to stay and have a positive cash flow that can earn your chance to invest more in your business.
Listen to learn:
Highlights:
03:07: Gearing Up the Business Financial Planning for 2024
05:32: Business Cash Management
06:33: Profitability and Positive Cash Flow
07:17: Key Cash Management Strategies: Managing Cash Flow
08:23: Key Cash Management Strategies: Set Up a Cash Reserve
10:06: Key Cash Management Strategies: Tracking your Accounts Receivable
11:10: Key Cash Management Strategies: Automate BIll Paying
12:10: Key Cash Management Strategies: Improve Cash Flow in Business
13:35: Evaluate inventory management practices
14:42: Done in a Day Service Program
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Follow me on:
IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @melissahoustoncpa
Work with me:
Follow me on:
IG: @melissahoustoncpa
LinkedIn: @melissahoustoncpa
The podcast currently has 166 episodes available.