A lot of business owners hire contractors because it feels easier, safer, and more flexible than hiring employees. The problem is that many don't realize when that setup starts creating legal risk, operational headaches, and long-term instability.

In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, breaks down the biggest red flags to watch for when hiring contractors. He explains why full-time contractors are often misclassified, how state employment laws factor into contractor risk, and why the responsibility always falls on the business owner (not the contractor) when things go wrong.

Parker also walks through how leaning too heavily on contractors can increase turnover, slow down internal operations, and make it harder to build a strong company culture. He challenges the assumption that employees are dramatically more expensive and explains why, for core internal work, employees often deliver better long-term value as a business grows.

If you're running a profitable online or modern small business and want fewer compliance surprises, better team stability, and a stronger operational foundation, this episode is for you.

1:04 Why employees often work better for internal operations 1:20 Which roles should remain contractors 2:07 The downside of running a business entirely on contractors 3:00 Why state employment laws matter 4:17 Why California contractor laws increase risk 5:17 The red flag of full-time U.S.-based contractors 6:49 How misclassification leads to audits and back taxes 7:01 Why employees reduce turnover 8:23 Why benefits matter for attracting talent 9:48 The real cost difference between contractors and employees 12:19 Why time zones matter for operations 13:21 Why culture is hard to build with contractors 16:01 Which work should stay project-based

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

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📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

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📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Most business owners think their accountant is the most important financial hire they'll ever make. The problem is that even the best accountant can only work with the numbers they're given.

In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, explains why the quality of your bookkeeping has a bigger impact on your taxes, profitability, and long-term growth than most business owners realize.

Parker breaks down how bookkeeping mistakes quietly inflate tax bills, why balance sheets are often ignored, and how accurate monthly financials allow for real tax planning instead of last-minute compliance. He also explains why cheap, non-specialized bookkeeping becomes more dangerous as your business grows.

If you're running a profitable online or modern small business and want cleaner numbers, lower taxes, and better financial decisions, this episode is for you.

• 1:17 Why bookkeeping is more important than most business owners think

• 3:23 How messy books limit what your accountant can do

• 6:41 Common bookkeeping mistakes that increase taxes

• 10:00 How accurate books enable proactive tax planning

• 11:20 Why the balance sheet matters more than you've been told

• 15:55 Why niche bookkeeping leads to better financial clarity

• 21:42 Why knowing your numbers is a competitive advantage

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Pricing is one of the most common things online business owners second-guess as their business grows. Many assume that switching to high ticket or low ticket offers will fix revenue issues, without fully understanding the tradeoffs involved.

In this episode, Parker Stephenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) breaks down how high ticket and low ticket offers actually work in practice. He explains the advantages and drawbacks of each, and how factors like audience size, lead generation, and customer expectations should guide pricing decisions.

If you sell courses, memberships, coaching, or services and aren't sure whether your current pricing still makes sense, this episode will help you think more clearly about your offer and what's sustainable long term.

1:40 Why "high ticket vs low ticket" is the wrong question to ask 2:47 The real advantage of low ticket offers 4:51 Why low ticket offers require volume to work 5:35 The real advantage of high ticket offers 6:07 The hidden costs of high ticket pricing 8:21 How audience size should influence pricing decisions 11:42 How lead generation affects offer sustainability 14:07 Why customer experience should drive price and delivery 17:33 Why complex problems usually require higher-priced offers 20:40 When economic conditions require offer or pricing changes 23:00 Why businesses struggle when offers are built around what the owner wants

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

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📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Running an influencer business isn't just about creating content or landing brand deals. As income grows, the financial side of the business gets more complex and that's where a lot of creators get stuck.

In this episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) talks through what an influencer business really looks like behind the scenes and how to manage it more intentionally. He covers why influencers need to think like business owners, how to handle inconsistent income, and what actually helps create stability over time.

If you have an audience and are trying to turn that into a real, sustainable business, this episode will help you think more clearly about your money and your next steps.

1:38 Why influencers must think like business owners 5:12 Treat your influencer business like a business, not a cash machine 6:46 Budgeting for expenses and building a team 8:36 Why most influencers don't need a business manager 14:16 Diversifying revenue beyond sponsorships 16:11 Building cash reserves for slow months 17:56 Turning influencer profits into investments 21:00 Final thoughts on freedom, flexibility, and long-term wealth

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Managing cash flow between launches can be one of the trickiest parts of running a digital product or online coaching business. This episode breaks down how to stay financially stable all year long.

In the episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) breaks down what a launch really is in the online business world and why it creates such dramatic revenue swings. He explains how to build more financial stability by using cash reserves, annual launch planning, and a simple budget. He also shares why understanding your average monthly revenue and expenses is essential for staying profitable in the months between launches.

If you've ever struggled with the slower months between launches or wondered how to keep your cash flow steady, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

0:30 What "launching" actually means in the online business space

1:20 How cash flow differs in service-based vs. launch-based businesses

2:04 How corporate launches compare to online launches

4:00 Why live launches outperform evergreen funnels

6:10 How launch spikes appear in your P&L

7:12 Why in-between months feel financially stressful

7:56 How saving three months of expenses stabilizes cash flow

10:23 Using strong launch months to build cash reserves

13:18 Why a yearly launch calendar reduces financial surprises

14:02 How forecasting and budgeting support predictable profitability

15:51 Why understanding your averages reveals sustainability

18:20 How averages clarify whether your launch strategy is working

19:05 The financial systems that make launch-based businesses less volatile

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

A lot of online business owners felt like 2025 was a rough year. Leads were harder to get, sales felt slower, and many people started questioning whether something was wrong with their business. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, looks at whether 2025 was actually a bad year for online businesses or if it just felt that way.

Parker breaks down what he means by an online business and shares what he's seeing across the hundreds of businesses Evolved Finance works with. He explains why smaller businesses were hit the hardest, why mid-sized businesses held up better, and why many seven-figure businesses finally stabilized in 2025 after tough years in 2023 and 2024.

The episode also covers why lead generation has gotten harder since the pandemic, why ads cost more, and what business owners may need to rethink heading into 2026.

If you've been wondering whether your business is struggling because of something you're doing or because the market has changed, this episode will help put things into perspective.

0:00 Was 2025 the worst year for online businesses? 1:35 What counts as an online business 3:35 Why Evolved Finance created the industry report 4:46 Data vs how business owners feel 6:37 Why lead generation got harder 9:03 Why businesses under $500K struggled most 9:32 Why $500K–$1M businesses held up better 10:47 Why revenue drops hurt small businesses more 17:26 The biggest problem online businesses faced in 2025 21:36 The two paths businesses face in 2026 23:47 Why profitability may matter more than growth 25:25 Why more businesses are moving upstream 33:29 How AI could impact software costs

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SUBSCRIBE to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—-----------------------

Resources & Links From This Episode

📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—-----------------------

About the Show

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—-----------------------

Other Ways to Connect with Us

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

If you've ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or behind when it comes to the financial side of your business, this episode will show you how to finally build the skills you need to feel more confident with your money.

In this episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) covers:

• Why your identity affects how you handle money

• The six core financial skills every entrepreneur needs

• How to build confidence with numbers even if it doesn't come naturally

If you've been avoiding your numbers because you don't feel like a numbers person, this episode will show you how to change that and take control of your finances.

[0:38] Why "I'm not a numbers person" hurts your business

[1:55] Every entrepreneur needs some financial literacy

[3:00] Parker's story of going from creative to CEO of an accounting firm

[6:00] Learning spreadsheets and numbers through real-world experience

[9:00] Entrepreneurship as problem solving and personal development

[10:12] Tip #1: Separate business and personal finances

[11:29] Tip #2: Take your bookkeeping more seriously

[13:06] Tip #3: Learn how to read your P&L

[15:45] Tip #4: Know your average monthly expenses

[16:21] Tip #5: Know your average monthly revenue

[17:52] Tip #6: Build a forecast and budget

[22:08] Why shifting your identity makes financial skills easier

[23:49] When forecasting becomes essential, especially around $500K

—---------------

🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Thinking about starting a coaching or consulting business? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, breaks down what these business models actually look like and what you need to consider before diving in.

In this episode, Parker covers: • The real pros and cons of launching a coaching or consulting business • Why lead generation takes longer than most new coaches expect • The key questions to ask yourself before you go all in

If you've ever wished you had real-world financial guidance and smarter business strategies, this episode is for you.

0:00 Should you launch a coaching or consulting business? 2:33 Why coaching and consulting have low startup costs 4:13 How these models generate high profit margins 5:08 The biggest challenges in today's coaching market 6:10 Why broad coaching niches are tough to break into 6:43 What it takes to scale beyond yourself 8:53 Why lead generation is the hardest part of coaching 11:19 Questions to ask before launching a coaching business 11:40 How content, networking, and outreach help you get clients 16:54 Why many coaches start on the side before going full-time

—---------------

🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Scaling an online business can feel confusing when every entrepreneur swears by a different "proven" model. In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, Parker Stevenson, CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars, explains what scalability really means for online entrepreneurs and how to choose a business model that truly fits your audience, your expertise, and your long-term goals.

Parker dives into why so many business owners assume courses and memberships are the most scalable online business models, and why those offers only work when they align with the value of the problem you solve and the needs of your customers. He also shares how Evolved Finance discovered that their clients didn't want DIY resources (they wanted high-touch financial support) leading the company to scale through systems, trained account managers, and a service-first approach.

You'll also learn the four key questions that reveal whether your current offer is actually scalable, how lead generation impacts your business model more than you might realize, and why every type of offer (courses, memberships, services, and hybrid programs) comes with its own challenges and advantages.

If you've ever wished you had real-world financial guidance and smarter business strategies, this episode is for you.

2:35 Why online business owners are obsessed with scalability 3:39 Why your offer determines your ability to scale 4:57 The misconception about courses and memberships 6:41 What customers really want from you 9:59 How Evolved Finance scaled a service-based model 12:59 Four questions to find your ideal business model 19:20 Why lead generation must match your offer 24:39 Every business model has challenges

—-----------------------

SUBSCRIBE to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

—-----------------------

Resources & Links From This Episode

📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

—-----------------------

About the Show

The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

—-----------------------

Other Ways to Connect with Us

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ

Ever wondered if now is the right time to launch a course or membership site? In this episode of The Profit Pillars Show, we're breaking down what it really takes to make these business models work as we head into 2026.

In this episode, Parker Stevenson (CEO of Evolved Finance and author of Profit Pillars) covers:

• Why courses and memberships were easier to run years ago and what's changed.

• The three key questions to ask before launching: audience size, customer demand, and lead generation.

• How to adapt your offer for 2026 with community, accountability, and clear results.

If you've been thinking about adding a course or membership to your business, this episode will help you figure out if it's the right move and how to make it profitable in today's market.

00:00 When should you launch a membership site or a course? 01:08 Why the online education space has changed 05:32 Do you have a large enough audience? 09:00 Do your customers actually want a course or membership? 11:12 Why lead generation is key for long-term growth 14:34 How courses are shifting toward hybrid coaching programs 17:03 The importance of community in modern membership models 19:00 Why strong offers and real results matter most

---------------

🔔 SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Profit Pillars Show for new episodes on money, operations, and strategy designed to help you grow your online or modern small business with confidence.

---------------

📘 Resources & Links From This Episode 📘 Profit Pillars Book → https://evolvedfinance.com/book 💼 Learn more about Evolved Finance → https://evolvedfinance.com/services 📚 Finance Tools & Courses → https://evolvedfinance.com/learn

---------------

📌 About the Show The Profit Pillars Show by Evolved Finance gives entrepreneurs the guidance and clarity they wish they had sooner. Each episode delivers actionable advice based on Parker's years of experience helping business owners grow stronger, more profitable businesses.

---------------

🤝 Other Ways to Connect with Us 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/evolvedfinance/ 💼 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/evolved-finance 🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ggjihbD5VfKhhjkth32pZ