You never forget the moment massive tax bills hit. For Shaun and Erin Leary, it was a $56,000 shock that nearly wiped out their business, and their peace of mind. Like so many home service owners, they were doing the work, bringing in sales, and still running out of money when tax season rolled around. That’s when they decided enough was enough. In this episode, we dig into how the Profit First system helped them turn fear into focus, protect every dollar, and finally take control of their finances. Sneaky Leaky used to love hiding in their bank account, but not anymore. The Learys built a plan that evicted him out for good.
What You’ll Learn…
- How a $56,000 surprise changed the way they handle tax bills
- Why ignoring your numbers gives Sneaky Leaky an open invitation
- How the Profit First system brings peace of mind all the time
- The one mindset shift that helped the Learys stop their financial panic
- What to track weekly so tax bills never blindside your business again
- Simple steps to build cash reserves that protect your profits
Key Moments…
[2:10] Facing The Numbers With Profit First
[5:45] Turning Panic Into A Plan
[9:15] Profit First At Home And Work
[13:40] Seeing Financial Health Through Percentages
[17:55] Coaching That Creates Clarity
[21:10] Building Calm Around Cash Flow
[24:20] Why Profit First Works For Everyone
Facing The Numbers With Profit First
Shaun and Erin Leary hit a wall when a $56,000 tax bill showed up and they had no idea where the money went. Instead of blaming the system or avoiding the books, they decided to face the numbers head-on. Profit First gave them a way to separate emotion from math and take back control. By setting up simple bank accounts for profit, taxes, and expenses, they finally saw where every dollar was going. Facing the numbers stopped the surprises and helped them turn tax bills into something they could plan for instead of fear.
Turning Panic Into A Plan
In that moment of panic, Erin remembers sitting in the accountant’s office with tears in her eyes. They had three weeks to come up with the money and no plan to do it. That was the breaking point that sparked a new habit of saving a set percentage from every deposit. Within one year, their tax account had more than enough to pay what they owed. Profit First transformed panic into peace by teaching them to put money aside before spending a dime. That single change turned stress into structure.
Profit First At Home And Work
Once the Learys saw what Profit First could do in their business, they brought it into their household too. Every paycheck is now divided by percentage into separate accounts for savings, bills, and even home décor. The same principles that protect their company now guide their family finances. When you apply Profit First at home and work, tax bills stop being emergencies and start becoming just another routine payment. It creates alignment between business goals and personal peace.
Seeing Financial Health Through Percentages
Shaun says everything now comes down to percentages. Instead of obsessing over dollar amounts, he tracks where each percentage of income is going. That approach shows the true health of their business. If payroll or materials start creeping higher than target, they can catch it early. Measuring by percentages keeps decisions clear and removes guesswork. It is the reason their company grew stronger without the fear that used to come with surprise tax bills.
Coaching That Creates Clarity
When Diane began working with the Learys, she guided them past confusion into clarity. They learned how to read a profit-and-loss statement, track key performance indicators, and make informed choices. Coaching showed them what the numbers were really saying. Having someone who understands both tax planning and Profit First gave them confidence to lead instead of react. The right coach helps you see patterns that explain why those tax bills happen and how to prevent them.
Building Calm Around Cash Flow
Before Profit First, every slow season felt like holding their breath. Cash flow was unpredictable, and decisions were made on hope instead of data. Now they keep enough set aside to cover lean months and future growth. That cushion builds calm around cash flow. They no longer chase deposits or worry about whether payroll will clear. The same system that keeps their tax bills handled also protects their peace of mind year-round.
Why Profit First Works For Everyone
Profit First isn’t complicated or limited to big companies. It works for any home-service business that wants to keep more of what it earns. Shaun and Erin grew from scared new owners to confident leaders who understand their numbers. They know exactly where their profit lives and how to make it grow. Whether you run a plumbing, HVAC, or painting business, this approach helps you control spending, pay your tax bills on time, and take home more profit with less stress.
About Shaun and Erin Leary
Shaun Leary
Founder & Visionary
Shaun Leary has been immersed in the home elevator industry since the age of 12, growing up in upstate New York and working in his family’s accessibility company. Now, as the founder and visionary of Celtic Elevator for nearly 15 years, he shapes the company’s direction, ensures top-notch standards, and pioneers new product designs and partnerships.
When he’s not elevating homes, you’ll find Shaun enjoying fishing, hitting the golf course, spending quality time with family, and embarking on new travel adventures. It’s all part of building a stronger community and making sure every client’s experience is second to none.
Erin Leary
CEO & Owner
Erin Leary along with her husband Shaun started Celtic Elevator in 2010 with a vision to bring reliable, high-quality elevator solutions to the residential market. As CEO and Owner, she loves leading the team and watching the company grow while staying true to its mission of putting clients first.
What Erin enjoys most about Celtic is the amazing team she gets to work with every day, and the relationships built with customers over the years.
Erin stays active with Pilates everyday! On the weekends, you can find Erin watching Formula One racing, shopping, or spending time with her kids and grand baby.
Connect with Shaun and Erin
Visit Shaun and Erin’s Website
Social Links
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Connect with Celtic Elevator on LinkedIn
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Follow Celtic Elevator on YouTube
Diane’s Resources:
Profit First System – https://taxcoach4you.com/profit-first/
Profit Bootcamp – https://taxcoach4you.com/bootcamp/
Profit Impact Call – https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall/
Break-Even Breakthrough Tool – https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/
15 Profit Leaks eBook – https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks
Book Your Profit Impact Call – I’ll Find You $50,000 in Profits in 30 Minutes With a Live Profit Accelerator Simulator
