Profit isn't what's left over. It's what you plan for.
Profit First bookkeeping and plain-language financial guidance for creative service businesses, especially interior designers and marketing agencies. Flat monthly pricing, and a team that explains your numbers instead of hiding them.
Revenue is up. So why does the bank account feel the same?
Creative businesses run on project payments, client deposits, and retainers that land on their own schedule. When everything flows into one account, it's hard to tell what's yours, what's set aside for taxes, and what's already spoken for.
So the plan becomes "one more big client will fix it." It rarely does. A clear plan for your cash will.
- You check the bank balance to decide whether you can pay yourself.
- Tax time arrives and the money isn't there.
- Client deposits and your own income blur together.
- You're busy and booked, but profit still feels like a guess.
One small flip in the formula
Profit First, the cash management system created by Mike Michalowicz, takes your profit out first and runs the business on what remains, so profit becomes a decision, not a leftover.
Income
Every dollar lands here first.
Profit
Your reward for owning the business, set aside up front.
Owner's Pay
A real, consistent paycheck for you.
Tax
Money for taxes, already waiting when it's due.
Operating Expenses
What the business runs on.
Your percentages are set for your business and adjusted over time. No two allocation plans look the same.
We don't hand you a book. We do it with you.
Reading about Profit First is easy. Sticking with it month after month is where most owners need a partner.
Intro call
We learn how your business makes money, where cash gets tight, and what you want your numbers to do for you.
Clean, current books
Every transaction recorded and reconciled, so your plan is built on real numbers.
Your allocation plan
Profit First guidance built around your goals: which accounts, what percentages, and how often money moves.
Monthly rhythm
Monthly reports and advisory calls in plain language, with proactive check-ins so nothing slips between conversations.
One plan, built around one number
A catering company came to us keeping just 5 cents of every dollar after the cost of doing the work. We didn't try to fix ten things at once. We built one plan around gross profit margin, from two directions: increasing revenue and setting a clear budget for materials and cost of goods sold.
Within 90 days, gross profit margin went from 5% to 30%. By day 120, the founder's team shared ownership of tracking budget versus actuals.
Every business is different, and results vary. Our approach doesn't: find the number that matters most and build the plan around it.
Included in Partnership and Growth
Profit First guidance is part of our two advisory tiers. Every tier is a flat monthly rate. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.
Essentials
Monthly bookkeeping and financial reports for owners who prefer to review the numbers on their own.
Partnership
Everything in Essentials, plus Profit First guidance built around your goals, monthly advisory calls, proactive check-ins, and quarterly tax estimate support.
Growth
Everything in Partnership, plus a dedicated touchpoint with your team member and revenue and growth coaching alongside your financial advisory.
If you want someone who'll fix your books and never talk to you about them, we're not the right fit. If you want to understand your numbers and use them to grow, let's talk.
Profit First, answered
Do I need to open new bank accounts?
Yes. Profit First works by giving each dollar a job, and separate accounts make that visible at a glance. We'll walk you through which accounts to set up and how money moves between them.
Does Profit First work with irregular, project-based income?
That's where it helps most. Allocating a set percentage of every deposit smooths out the feast-and-famine cycle, so slow months don't catch you off guard.
Do I have to read the book first?
No. It's a great read if you want the background, but you don't need it to get started. We explain the system as we set it up with you.
Do you file my taxes?
We don't prepare or file annual tax returns, federal or state. That's your CPA's role, and we make their job easier with clean, organized books. For interior designers, we do handle sales tax filing and payments.
Do you run payroll?
No, we don't process payroll. We work alongside your payroll provider and make sure payroll is recorded correctly in your books.
Why don't you list a starting price?
Because a starting price rarely matches what a business actually needs. Every client pays a flat monthly rate based on the complexity of their books and the level of support they want. We'll confirm your exact rate after an intro call.
Ready to pay yourself first?
Book an intro call and we'll look at where your cash is going and what Profit First could look like for you.
Book a Call