The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand

Did you know your team’s biggest productivity killer isn’t skill or motivation, but money stress? Financial worry is the silent thief of business growth and here’s how to stop it.

In this episode, Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, joins Katie to unpack his latest book The Money Habit. He reveals why financial stress isn’t just a personal issue but a business problem, and how clarity accounts can transform both your household and your company. You’ll learn why money worries drain productivity, how to set up a simple framework that works in any season of life, and why intentionality, not deprivation, is the real key to financial freedom.

This isn’t just about spreadsheets or stinginess. It’s about building a system that gives you control, confidence, and peace of mind, whether you’re paying off debt, preparing for retirement, or simply wanting your team to show up focused and energized.

In this episode of The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand podcast, you’ll learn the following:

• 14:38 – How personal financial stress can sabotage business success
• 16:08 – The hidden productivity killer that drains focus and output
• 19:26 – How “clarity accounts” eliminates confusion, arguments, and stress in finances
• 23:25 – Five core account categories and how they create balance
• 29:13 – How to adapt your money system to different life stages and unexpected challenges
• 32:06 – Why denial is the worst financial plan and how to build resilience for emergencies before they happen
• 32:56 – How one simple account can kickstart lasting financial clarity (and why messy progress beats perfection)

Your business and personal finances are like two legs. You can’t walk straight if one is weak. Whether you’re leading a team or running your household, The Money Habit offers a framework that adapts to your life and business.

Listen in and start building a system that works for you instead of against you.

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Being fully booked doesn’t guarantee profit. Here’s how to fix the hidden leaks in your business.

Running a business may look straightforward from the outside, but behind the scenes it’s a constant juggle of cash flow, expenses, and services that don’t always add up.

In this episode, profit and growth consultant Laura O’Hagan reveals why so many business owners feel busy yet broke. She shares her proven framework, explains why Profit First is just one tool in a bigger toolkit, and walks us through the exact steps she uses to help owners stop stressing about bills and start keeping more of their hard‑earned money.

If you’re wondering why your business feels full but your bank account feels empty, this conversation will give you the clarity, confidence, and practical strategies you need to finally make your business work for you.

In this episode of The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand podcast, you’ll learn the following:

• 00:25 – Why businesses struggle with profit despite being busy
• 07:24 – The threshold where profit transformation begins
• 10:44 – How Profit First fits into a broader framework
• 14:05 – The first 30 days that change everything
• 17:14 – How to uncover which services are profitable, which are draining cash, and how to restructure pricing for sustainable margins
• 20:55 – Why seeing costs in black and white shifts mindset, reduces fear of price increases, and helps you make confident decisions
• 26:33 – The KPIs every business owner must track

Want to learn how to stop stressing about bills, wages, and tax and start keeping more of your hard‑earned cash? Do you want to break free from the cycle of being busy but not profitable?

Then stop guessing and start running a business that pays you back. This conversation will show you exactly where to begin.

CONNECT WITH LAURA O’HAGAN

• Website: https://laurajohagan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurajohagan/

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Are you working harder than ever but still not seeing profit? Here’s why (and how to fix it).

In this episode, Nathan Rigney, a seasoned Profit First advisor and accountant, breaks down the psychology behind cash flow, why most business owners unknowingly sabotage their own profits, and how to finally take control of your finances without drowning in spreadsheets.

Learn how to stop being a slave to your business and start paying yourself what you’re worth. Because running a business isn’t just about sales and systems. It’s about truly understanding the money that fuels it.

This conversation is packed with practical insights that will help you see your numbers differently, make smarter decisions, and finally generate the profit your hard work deserves.

In this episode of The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand podcast, you’ll learn the following:

• 03:26 – Why traditional accounting fails most entrepreneurs and how Profit First simplifies cash flow
• 06:46 – The different types of accountants and why not all of them are equipped to solve your business problems
• 09:45 – How your relationship with money impacts your success and why self-awareness is just as important as technical knowledge
• 14:01 – How the right financial team can help you stop struggling
• 18:02 – What a Profit Generator really does
• 23:19 – How to start thinking like a business owner
• 26:14 – Must-hear advice for accountants and business owners who want to thrive instead of just survive

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to take back control. Nathan’s insights prove that profit isn’t about luck - it’s about strategy, mindset, and making the right financial choices.

Tune in, take notes, and start building the profitable business you deserve.

CONNECT WITH NATHAN RIGNEY

• Website: https://ngraccounting.com.au/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rigney/

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Running a business shouldn’t feel like drowning in numbers you don’t understand.

In this episode, hospitality consultant and Profit First professional Steven Mulligan shares how he helps business owners cut through the overwhelm, simplify their finances, and finally see where their money is going. From breaking down complex reports into plain language to tackling the unique challenges of the hospitality industry, Steven reveals how Profit First isn’t just about bank accounts - it’s about creating clarity, confidence, and control.

You’ll hear how business owners can shift from gut-feel decisions to structured cash management, why simplicity beats complexity every time, and how asking the right questions can transform not just your business, but your peace of mind.

In this episode of The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand podcast, you’ll learn the following:

1. 08:25 – How fast-moving costs and hidden “black holes” make cash flow harder to control
2. 10:43 – How to cut through jargon and translate numbers into insights you can actually use to make decisions
3. 13:04 – Profit First as a tool to identify what’s broken and where to focus
4. 17:01 – How to pivot when things go wrong (and why focusing on your passion can reignite growth)
5. 22:47 – Practical steps to simplify operations, reduce stress, and create systems that free you from daily grind
6. 28:11 – Customising Profit First to stay flexible and resilient through ups and downs
7. 29:57 – Common misconceptions about Profit First
8. 37:55 – A simple but powerful advice for breaking through confusion and finding the right financial guidance

This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for anyone who’s ever thought, “Where is my money going?” and wants a clear, actionable answer.

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Stop chasing big jobs. Fix the leaks in your business bucket first.

In this episode, Dean Evans from Workshop Whisperer reveals how auto repair business owners across Australia and New Zealand transformed their shops by embracing Profit First. You’ll learn why traditional accounting leaves you blind, how simple systems can give you control, and how discipline around cash flow can change not just your business, but your entire lifestyle.

Dean breaks down the exact steps Workshop Whisperer uses to help clients stop money leaks, negotiate better margins, and finally see profit flow into their pockets.

If you’re thinking, “I’m just not good with numbers,” this conversation will show you how the right system makes managing money simple, empowering, and even exciting.

In this episode of The Profit First Podcast Australia and New Zealand podcast, you’ll learn the following:

1. 00:00 – How Profit First helps you plug the leaks in your business
2. 01:35 – How real growth happens when you listen to demand, strip away complexity, and turn simple solutions into scalable programs
3. 03:48 – Profit First as a critical system for managing cash flow and building resilience
4. 07:49 – The first steps to financial transformation and how Profit First immediately exposes hidden financial gaps
5. 11:41 – Shifting focus to controlling expenses and keeping profit in your pocket
6. 15:00 – The three keys to freedom and how Profit First creates quick, confidence‑boosting financial wins
7. 18:44 – Turning disciplined cash flow management into unforgettable retreats, family experiences, and the freedom to live a life you once thought out of reach
8. 21:40 – Game‑changing tools to control cash flow, boost profitability, and finally run a business that works without you

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll realise Profit First isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about freedom, confidence, and building the life you actually want.

Tune in, take notes, and start plugging those leaks today.

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Profit First is brilliant … but it’s just the starting line.

In this snapshot, Katie and Craig Minter dive into how financial peace of mind evolves from simple bank accounts into forecasting, team building, and money mindset shifts that actually free you to grow. Think of it as moving from “profit buckets” to a full-blown financial brain care model that keeps your shoulders relaxed and your business future clear.

1. Why Profit First is a powerful starting point (but not the whole journey)
2. How simple bank accounts can create peace of mind and open the door to growth
3. The role of forecasting in turning clarity today into confidence tomorrow
4. Why building the right financial team matters more than expecting one person to do it all
5. How money mindset and archetypes shape the way you make financial decisions

Profit First gives you clarity today, but the real magic happens when you evolve into forecasting, team building, and mindset shifts. This episode is your reminder that financial peace isn’t just about numbers, but also about freedom, confidence, and the future you’re building.

Listen to the full episode here

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-10-the-financial-strategy-thats-more/id1800335872?i=1000722552337

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JhKuHLLvwB5c1BfSb1PHz

Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VACWv50CtBE

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Most tradies think the money sitting in their bank account means they’re doing okay,  until it quietly disappears. 

In this snapshot, Katie breaks down why that happens, and how the first Profit First principle (small plates) stops the bleed instantly.

Then she dives into serving sequentially, the Profit First principle that confuses most business owners at first, but becomes the game-changer once they understand it. Katie shows how allocating revenue in a strict order reveals the true health of your business, exposes hidden problems fast, and gives you a clear plan for what to fix next.

If your business feels busy but the bank account tells a different story, this conversation shows you how Profit First turns uncertainty into clarity, and clarity into profit.

• Why money “disappears” when it sits in one or two accounts
• How the small plates principle stops overspending on autopilot
• The simple purpose of multiple bank accounts — and why tradies make better decisions with them
• What “serving sequentially” really means inside Profit First
• Why an underfunded operating expenses account is a warning sign, not a failure
• How starting with just 1% profit rewires your thinking and improves cash flow
• The allocation order that keeps GST, profit, owner pay, tax, and expenses exactly where they need to be
• How Profit First gives you direction instead of overwhelm
• 
  

For tradies who aren’t sure whether Profit First will work for them, this snapshot gives a grounded, real-world look at why the system creates confidence, structure, and profit, without complicating your bookkeeping.

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-03-why-your-business-isnt-profitable-and-how/id1800335872?i=1000700038916

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CgYSl88OpebfzzbQ3ni8u?si=a885fc545e5b4119

Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/9CT842jK69w

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Dreading a broke January? You can change that before Christmas.

If the first few months of every year feel like one long cashflow hangover, this episode will feel like a deep breath. You will learn a simple three step plan to get your cash in your bank account before Christmas and stop dragging unpaid invoices into January, February, and March. 

You will see exactly how to shorten the gap between finishing a job and getting paid, how to chase overdue invoices without feeling pushy, and how to reset your systems so the new year starts with money in the bank instead of panic in your chest.

If you are a small business owner who is great at the work but tired of constantly waiting for cash to show up, this is your roadmap to a much calmer January. 

In this episode of Profit First for Tradies, you’ll learn the following:

• 0:01 - Why the first quarter feels so stressful for small business owners 
• 0:42 - How a non-negotiable invoicing habit transforms your cashflow 
• 1:24 - A simple process to review who owes you money right now and how to follow up overdue invoices 
• 2:10 - Hitting reset in January by repeating the same three steps 
• 2:52 - Using templates and smart Xero reminders to automate more of the chasing 

Christmas rush now or cash crunch later? Here is how to make sure you get paid.

Pop your headphones on, grab your invoice list, and use this as a working session to clean up your receivables and set your business up for a much calmer new year.

CONNECT WITH KATIE CRISMALE-MARSHALL    

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitfirstanz/
• Website: https://www.profitfirstaustralia.com.au/  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profitfirstanz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGh889iRtnzqDh8RVPY7YCw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profitfirstanz

Most business owners think long hours, high overheads, and constant pressure are just part of the deal. Jodi Porteous shows a different path. Once she implemented Profit First, her business became leaner, clearer, and easier to run.

In this snapshot, Jodi shares how moving her operation fully online cut her overheads in half and strengthened the way her team works. A dedicated 1% community account created meaningful impact across every location her team lives in. Another 1% saved for team travel grew steadily until it funded a full team retreat in Bali and a week-long business shutdown with no client issues.

If you’ve been operating in survival mode, this snapshot shows how steady, consistent decisions can shift your business from heavy and reactive to intentional and sustainable.

Listen to the full episode here

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-08-how-one-accountant-rewrote-the-rules/id1800335872?i=1000704633585

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hDbKa6fDFaQk47MX4OY6Y?si=X8YJrQi-SSqHJUXsrKCfWQ

Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/W19ruI7ZY9w

You don’t need a finance degree to run a profitable business. You just need the right habits.

In this episode, Katie Crismale-Marshall unpacks the biggest myth business owners believe: that you need to be a “numbers person” to take control of your finances. It’s just not true.

Using real world examples and insights Katie explains how Profit First helps overwhelmed business owners shift from stress to clarity, by making profit a habit, not an afterthought.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build profit into your business no matter your “money skills”
• Create consistent, sustainable systems that work in any season
• Make money management feel empowering (and even fun)
• Rewire old beliefs that keep you stuck in financial overwhelm
• Regain control, even when business throws you a curveball
• 
  

Whether “fun” is your word or not, Katie encourages you to define what you want your business to feel like, and connect that emotion directly to your profit systems. Because when profit becomes a habit, freedom follows.

Listen to the full episode here

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-07-profit-first-mindset-how-profit-first-has/id1800335872?i=1000703782112

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0b4H8wPukZ5sMgaFDvvLR9?si=e125fb43e98a42b7

Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/UfFffy66Un4?si=l2oGWkeunT2fDYM9