It takes courage to pull back the sheets on your finances
Every single business owner feels uncomfortable the first time they show a professional their books. So let’s break the ice with a little vulnerability:
In 2011, due to a business disaster, I had to sell my family home to pay the ATO. I’ve been to rock bottom and clawed my way back. Now I offer financial clarity and guidance so you can ditch the guesswork, avoid the pitfalls, and confidently grow your business.
Most small business owners are totally winging their finances
When you’re focusing on doing what you do best, on the parts of your business you love, it’s easy to let your books fall by the wayside. Sure, you might be compliant. But are you making confident, data-backed decisions… or flying by the seat of your pants? Truth is, most small business owners are total pantsers. And while they might feel they can continue scraping by without any consequences, “pantsing it” can build up to a storm of nasty surprises in the long run.
Blind decision-making
Without a clear understanding of your numbers — not the boring line-by-line stuff, but the practical meaning behind your numbers — you’re essentially running your business with a blindfold on. The result is poor decision-making and, worse, slow decision-making.
Missed opportunities
That same blindfold could also cause you to miss game-changing opportunities. Too slow on the draw, and lacking cool-headed confidence, you risk confining your businesses to the basement instead of skyrocketing it to the top floor.
Financial disasters
Worst comes to worst, those blind decisions — those impulsive purchases here and there — could add up to cash flow catastrophes and other financial horror stories that could sink your business and drop you off in the parking lot of the Hot Mess Hotel.
Imagine future-you, strolling hand-in-hand with your numbers
Let’s leap into the future for a while. Say a year from now. Here’s what your business (and your life) would look like, assuming you boldly went where many business owners are too afraid to go: deep into your books.
Empowered decision-making
It’s no longer guesswork. You know what your numbers translate to in terms of meaningful action. You make big plays with confidence and grace, and you can spoil your loved ones without gambling your business.
Opportunities galore
When opportunities rear their golden heads, you reach out and grab them. If a pivot feels right, you can seize it. If you spot hot talent, you’ll know when you’re financially ready to win them to your side.
Growth, growth, growth
The leaks that were silently sinking your business a year ago are now lit up with bright red warning signs. You’re dodging pitfalls left, right, and centre, and you know which roots to water to grow your business sky-high.
Let’s face your numbers together: The Open-Book Reflection
Taking the blindfold off may be the first step to securing a future where you truly understand your numbers. But it isn’t something you have to do alone. In my Open-Book Reflection, I’ll carefully study your books and create an actionable, jargon-free report that details the actual meaning behind your numbers. I’ll show you what’s working, and point out where you could make simple improvements for big results. Think of it like a checkup with your family doctor. Absolute confidentiality. Zero judgement. It’s just you, me, and your books.
⭐ Understand exactly where you stand with your finances
⭐ Learn the easiest way to consolidate and streamline your books
⭐ Use the report to avoid nasty surprises in your immediate future
⭐ Use the report to make impactful business decisions right now
⭐ Step with clarity and confidence into a season of massive growth
⭐ Vastly reduce the discomfort of sharing your numbers in the future
Exactly what “impactful decisions” could you make?
Alright, let’s get to the nuts and bolts of it. We’re all drowning in subscriptions, right?
But if you aren’t clear on which services you’re actually using, you might as well be burning hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a month.
What about a flashy new company car? It would look nice, sure. But can you really afford it? Wouldn’t you like to know, for certain, that your fresh new ride isn’t going to have a domino effect on your finances? Or how about taking on hot new talent? Can you look at your numbers and instantly know if it’s a fruitful business decision?
Okay, one last example. You wouldn’t believe how many businesses are actually running at a loss, with prices that aren’t even covering their basic costs.
These are the sorts of leaks that appear when businesses operate without advice and support.
The thing is, business is a numbers game, and if you don’t know yours, you’re making it needlessly hard to win.
I live for that lightbulb moment — when everything clicks and you truly understand your numbers
Honestly, I wouldn’t feel comfortable teaching you to avoid the pitfalls of business finance if I hadn’t needed to claw my way out of nearly every one of them. Mine — at least for a while — was a horror story.
But all those years learning what not to do gave me the knowledge and tools I need to help you avoid disaster and grow your business sky-high.
Overall, if I can help even a fraction of Australia’s business owners understand that it’s absolutely normal to not understand your numbers and totally okay — and honestly courageous — to ask for help, I’ll go to the grave smiling.
3 Steps to break the cycle of financial uncertainty
Booking
The first step is easy. All you need to do is book a free Clarity Call using the booking calendar below.
Clarity call
During the 30-minute Clarity Call — which will take place on Zoom and won’t cost you a cent — we’ll get an idea of where you’re at in your business. This chat is 100% commitment-free, but if you’re interested in an Open-Book Reflection and it makes sense for your business, we’ll schedule a day for me to look at your books. I’ll also send you a non-disclosure agreement so you know your financial information will remain confidential, and then invoice you for the Open-Book Reflection, is a small investment which will give you large returns.
Open-Book Reflection
The Open-Book Reflection will go like this:
I’ll take a look at your books
I’ll create a jargon-free report that explains the actual meaning behind your numbers — the story they tell — and highlights where you could make quick improvement for big wins
I’ll send you a Loom video of me going through the report in simple terms.
"Karen helps your business flourish because she is truly your cheerleader and mentor. I have loved working with Karen and having her as part of the team to help my business thrive."
Alethea Dreyer
Director: Into the Mask Theatre and Education
"Karen’s dedication and attention to detail are truly commendable. Her proactive approach has helped us to identify areas for improvement and implement efficient financial practices . "
Joel Dimasu
Nu-Vision Painting Service
“I am always impressed with Karen’s attention to detail, conscientiousness and warmth and friendliness. It has been particularly gratifying to work with her - this is my first time in business and there's so much I don't know. Karen is kind, good at explaining things and she has been ever so patient integrating my practice management software into my Xero file. I would strongly encourage anyone to work with her.”
Kylie
Kylie Bell Counselling
The bravest business owners are the ones who ask for help
If you’re ready to pull back the sheet on your finances so you can ditch the guesswork, avoid nasty surprises, and confidently grow your business, start by booking a Clarity Call.
Still feeling uneasy about this? That’s okay; it’s perfectly normal. Just know that this call comes with zero expectations and absolutely zero judgment. And believe me — the power of uncovering your business finances outweighs any temporary discomfort..
FAQs
Most of the time, to give my clients clarity and confidence with their numbers, some degree of bookkeeping is required. I’ve been bookkeeping for 35 years. If it’s something that would give you a tonne of value and save you time, we can absolutely discuss it during the Open-Book Reflection.
I work remotely with small businesses all throughout Australia, but not outside of Australia, as my expertise is in Australian tax law.
Nope. But through analysing your books, I’ll ensure they’re ATO-compliant. If you’re looking for a great accountant, I can provide you with several recommendations to choose from. These are people I trust. They do exceptional work.
Working with small businesses with teams of up to 10 people is what really floats my boat. But if your business is bigger than that, feel free to book a Clarity Call anyway!
