Running a business and a household can sometimes feel like a never-ending juggling act—one where the balls you’re trying to keep in the air are on fire. You’re answering emails between soccer practices, folding laundry while brainstorming your next launch, and squeezing in client calls during nap time. And let’s not even talk about the finances, right?

I get it. That was me, too—constantly trying to make it all work, barely keeping my head above water, and feeling like no matter how hard I worked, there was never enough left for me. There were months when I poured every bit of energy (and money) into my business, only to sit down at the end of the day wondering how it was even possible that I wasn’t getting paid.

Then I discovered Profit First, and everything changed.

1. Pay Yourself First: Taking Care of You

Early on in my business, I made the same mistake a lot of us make: I thought everything had to go back into my business to help it grow. What ended up happening? I was working around the clock, exhausted, and I wasn’t seeing any reward for my hard work. Not even a paycheck.

One day, I sat down and realized: if I kept going like this, I’d burn out before I ever saw success. That’s when I started paying myself first.

With Profit First, you set aside a percentage of your income for yourself every time you get paid. Even if it’s just 1%, you are a priority—and trust me, it adds up. I went from never paying myself to feeling valued by my own business, and it gave me the energy I needed to keep going.

Action Step: Open a new bank account just for paying yourself, and start small if you need to. Set aside 1% of every dollar that comes in—and watch how that mindset shift changes everything.

➡️ Want to know how to prioritize yourself and avoid burnout? Read this post on self-care.

Small changes in your routine can have a big impact on your peace of mind.It’s empowering to see your hard work pay off, not just in business growth but in tangible financial rewards.

2. Income Allocation: Finding Security in the Chaos

I used to hold my breath at the end of every month, hoping I’d have enough to cover everything. But once I started implementing the Profit First allocation system, I knew exactly where my money was going—and that gave me so much peace of mind.

I’ll never forget one particular month when my business hit a rough patch. A couple of clients had to pull back, and things were tight. But because I had been setting aside money into my operating expenses and tax accounts, I could still run my business stress-free. That’s what Profit First gives you—clarity and security, even when things get rocky.

Action Step: Follow the basic Profit First allocation formula:

• Profit (start small, maybe 1%)
• Owner’s pay
• Taxes
• Operating expenses

This helps ensure you’re not spending everything without knowing where it’s going.

➡️ For more on how to take control of your cash flow, check out Profit First by Mike Michalowicz here.

3. Separate Bank Accounts: Making Financial Clarity Easy

If you’re like me, the thought of having multiple bank accounts used to sound complicated. But let me tell you, once I opened separate accounts for profit, taxes, owner’s pay, and expenses, it was like a weight lifted. For the first time, I knew exactly where my money was going.

I remember feeling such a sense of relief when I saw the tax account filling up—it took away all the dread of tax season because I knew I was prepared.

Action Step: Start with four basic accounts. You can use your current bank or shop around for one with no fees. I promise you, the clarity is worth the effort.

➡️ For a step-by-step guide to setting up your bank accounts, read How to Simplify Your Business Finances.

4. Set Realistic Targets: It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

Before Profit First, my financial targets were all over the place. Some months, I’d overestimate what I could save or pay myself, and it left me feeling defeated. But once I started setting realistic targets for my profit and expenses, I found a rhythm.

It wasn’t about hitting home runs every month. It was about consistently moving forward. Setting small, achievable goals for yourself and your business means you’re always progressing—and that’s where the magic happens. You’ll look back in a few months and be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Action Step: Review your revenue from the last three months. What’s realistic for you? Start small, and grow from there.

5. Cutting Unnecessary Expenses: Freedom Through Simplicity

One of the hardest but most rewarding things I did was sit down and cut unnecessary expenses. I had subscriptions I wasn’t even using, software that wasn’t serving me, and money leaking out in all directions.

I shared on the podcast how emotionally tied I was to certain expenses—I felt like cutting them meant I was giving up on something. But once I made those cuts, I freed up so much more money to invest in areas that actually moved my business forward.

Action Step: Take a deep breath, and review your monthly expenses. Get ruthless about cutting out anything that isn’t essential.

➡️ For tips on simplifying your business operations, check out the Systemize to Scale program here.

6. Build a Cash Reserve: Your Business Safety Net

Here’s the thing: running a business comes with ups and downs. It’s just part of the game. But what Profit First gave me was the peace of mind that came from having a cash reserve.

When I started setting aside even a small percentage of my revenue for emergencies, I created a safety net that meant I didn’t have to panic when unexpected expenses popped up. This reserve has saved me on more than one occasion, and it’s allowed me to grow my business from a place of security rather than fear.

Action Step: Start setting aside 1% of your revenue into an emergency fund. Build that reserve over time until you’ve got three months of operating expenses saved up.

Ready to Transform Your Business and Your Life?

If you’re tired of feeling like your business runs you instead of the other way around, it’s time to take back control. Implementing the Profit First system is one of the best ways to create financial stability and growth in your business—and it’s completely doable, even if you’re a busy mom balancing all the things.

For those of you ready to take things even further, I want to personally invite you to check out my Systemize to Scale program. It’s designed for women just like you who are ready to create systems that free up your time, scale your business, and give you your life back. Check it out here.

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have time to do all of this. Can I still use Profit First if I'm already stretched thin?

Absolutely! I know how crazy life can get, especially when you’re trying to juggle a business and motherhood. The beauty of the Profit First system is that it’s designed to work even when you feel overwhelmed. You don’t need hours a day to make this happen—small, intentional steps can go a long way. Start by setting up a few basic bank accounts and making tiny adjustments to how you allocate money. It’s all about creating habits, not adding more work to your already busy schedule.

Need a quick way to streamline your time and energy? Check out my blog post on Time Blocking for Busy Moms, where I dive into how to manage it all while still growing your business.

What if my business isn't profitable yet? How can I pay myself first?

Even if your business isn’t generating a ton of profit right now, you can still implement the Profit First principles. The idea is to start small—really small. Even if you’re only setting aside 1% of your income for profit or to pay yourself, you’re building the habit of prioritizing yourself and your business’s financial health. Over time, those percentages can grow as your business scales.

If you’re struggling with getting your business to a profitable place, you might want to read my blog post on How to Build Consistent Income as a Mompreneur for more strategies to boost your revenue while managing your home life.

What do I do if unexpected expenses come up? Can I dip into the Profit First accounts?

This is such a common concern! Life—and business—will always throw curveballs. The key is to plan for the unexpected by having a specific account for those “uh-oh” moments, like an emergency fund for your business. One of the accounts you’ll set up using Profit First is called “Operating Expenses,” and that’s where you’ll pull from for necessary expenses, not the profit or owner’s pay accounts. If something truly unexpected comes up, you’ll have a cushion without jeopardizing your financial goals.