For years, I watched service businesses spin their wheels, doing job after job, only to wonder where the money went. I’ve been there too, before Profit First helped me build real structure—and before I understood how a single profit tier shift could help customers choose more value while helping me keep more of it.
In my conversation with Joe Crisera from Service MVP, we both shared how profit tier strategies paired with money systems completely transformed our businesses. If you’re tired of working hard and still coming up short, it’s time to think differently about how you price—and how you plan for profit.
Why Profit First Was the Wake-Up Call I Needed
As a CPA, I should’ve known better. But even I didn’t realize how quickly your business can spiral when you’re not tracking profit first. That all changed the day I opened up separate bank accounts for taxes, payroll, profit, and operating expenses. Profit First gave me structure when my pricing didn’t. It was the first building block I needed before I could even think about layering in a pricing tier system.
The $750,000 Debt That Sparked Joe’s Turnaround
Joe Crisera wasn’t new to the trades, but he found himself buried under $750,000 of debt. Instead of trimming the fat, he went all in on building value. That’s where pricing tiers came in. By bundling services with warranties and consumables, he gave customers the power to choose—while boosting his own profit margins. It wasn’t just about survival. It became a smart, strategic way to build consistent revenue.
Why One Price Tag Isn’t Enough Anymore
If you’re only giving your customers one price, you’re missing out. A single option often communicates, “take it or leave it.” But a pricing tier approach says, “Here’s what works best for you.” It shifts the conversation from price to value and opens the door to upsells that feel helpful, not pushy. It’s a mindset change that builds better customer relationships and stronger bottom lines.
Stop Firefighting—Start Leading
Every business owner I work with is putting out fires. And I get it—there’s always something. But here’s the truth: firefighting keeps you stuck. Leading with structure, like using Profit First and offering pricing tiers, pulls you out of the daily chaos and helps your team step up too. It’s not about being in control of everything—it’s about building systems that keep things from falling apart.
Why Activity Doesn’t Equal Profit
Running from job to job doesn’t mean your business is healthy. We talked about how easy it is to confuse busyness with progress. But when you stop and look at the numbers—what’s coming in, what’s going out—you start to see where you’re giving away your time for too little return. A pricing tier system helps you charge in alignment with the value you’re actually delivering.
Make Profit a Weekly Habit, Not a Year-End Panic
Too many business owners only look at their books when taxes are due. That’s a recipe for stress and missed opportunities. Joe and I both agreed—your numbers should be something you look at weekly. Profit First makes that easier, but when you layer in a pricing tier strategy, you can start making smarter decisions before the month ends, not after the damage is done.
The Real Profit Leak: Low-Ball Options Without Upsells
One of Joe’s biggest insights was that businesses often create their own ceilings. If you only offer the bare minimum, that’s all your customer can say yes to. But if you give them the option of a middle-tier or a premium service, many will happily pay more. It’s not manipulation—it’s meeting your customers where they are and letting your pricing tier do the talking.
You can book a profit impact call with me where I can save you a minimum of 50K as we go over 12 main areas of your business!
