Scraping by, juggling bills, and praying the math works out—too many home service business owners run their businesses that way. When operational costs eat up your income before you get a chance to pay yourself, it’s more than frustrating—it’s exhausting. I got to be a guest on Paul Guymon’s Lead Machine Growth Show and break down a practical, real-world approach to taking control of your cash back and cutting the chaos. You’ll learn how to keep your business lean, prioritize profit, and finally put those operational costs in their place. I hope you’re ready to stop feeling like your business is bleeding money and start making decisions from a place of confidence.
What You’ll Learn…
- Why treating your operational costs like a guessing game is draining your cash flow
- How a simple mindset shift can change the way you pay yourself—consistently
- The one habit that makes tracking operational costs way easier (and less stressful)
- About the quiet ways your team might be bleeding profit without realizing it
- How to give every dollar a job so it doesn’t slip through the cracks
- Why most business owners underprice—and how that ties directly to operational costs
- The one number you should watch weekly that tells the real story of your business
LISTEN HERE ON PAUL’S SHOW PAGE
Key Moments…
[2:15] Understanding Profit First and Why Traditional Budgeting Falls Short
[6:30] How Operational Costs Can Be Reworked to Serve Your Profit Goals
[12:40] The Weekly Habit That Builds Financial Clarity and Reduces Stress
[18:05] Real Talk About Payroll Pressure and What It’s Costing You
[23:20] Why Overordering Materials and Inefficient Teams Eat Away at Operational Costs
[30:45] A Simple Way to Make Your Money Work Smarter Without Complicated Tools
[38:10] How Profit Planning Helps You Make Confident Decisions and Sleep Better at Night
Understanding Profit First and Why Traditional Budgeting Falls Short
Most business owners were taught to run their finances by focusing on revenue and hoping what’s left over turns into profit. The problem is, that leftover pile rarely adds up to much. The Profit First approach flips that thinking by putting profit first, not last. This method gives your money direction and helps you build a system that supports growth instead of just reacting to the chaos. Operational costs still matter, but with Profit First, they’re framed as something to manage, not something that runs the show.
How Operational Costs Can Be Reworked to Serve Your Profit Goals
When you treat profit as a goal and not a maybe, you start making different choices. That includes looking closely at what you’re spending, where it’s going, and whether it’s actually helping your business grow. You’ll be surprised how much of your spending is more about habit than necessity. With Profit First, you assign every dollar a job, and that includes being clear on which expenses are truly needed. Operational costs become a line item you control—not a weight that controls you.
The Weekly Habit That Builds Financial Clarity and Reduces Stress
Looking at your bank balance and making a decision on the fly is a recipe for stress. One of the simplest changes you can make is setting up a weekly rhythm to review what came in and do your transfers. It’s a small habit, but it changes how you view your money. Instead of worrying if you’ll have enough, you’re planning for what you need and celebrating what you saved. This is where operational costs get put into perspective, because you’re actually tracking and adjusting them in real time.
Real Talk About Payroll Pressure and What It’s Costing You
Every business owner has felt that moment when payroll is coming and the money just isn’t there. That pressure creates bad decisions, like rushing to collect on invoices or delaying important purchases. By setting up a dedicated payroll account and feeding it regularly, you’re removing that stress and giving your team the consistency they need. Operational costs include payroll, and when you treat it as a priority—not a panic—you build a stronger business and culture.
Why Overordering Materials and Inefficient Teams Eat Away at Operational Costs
Wasted materials, underbidding jobs, and sending your top guys on supply runs all chip away at your bottom line. These small leaks add up fast, especially when no one’s tracking the impact. Profit First forces you to look at how your team works, how materials are managed, and how job costing is done. When you fix those things, operational costs start reflecting actual value, not expensive mistakes. This isn’t about squeezing people—it’s about running smarter and getting what you pay for.
A Simple Way to Make Your Money Work Smarter Without Complicated Tools
You don’t need fancy apps or big spreadsheets to manage your business better. A couple of extra bank accounts and a weekly spreadsheet can do the trick. The act of separating money for profit, taxes, payroll, and expenses makes spending more intentional and cuts down on impulse decisions. Your business doesn’t need more software—it needs a system you can actually follow. This way, operational costs stay in their lane and don’t bleed into funds meant for other things.
How Profit Planning Helps You Make Confident Decisions and Sleep Better at Night
When you start with how much profit you want and build the plan backwards, everything changes. You’re not chasing top-line revenue just to say you’re growing—you’re building a business that works for your life. Profit planning helps you see if you’re on track and gives you something real to work toward. With that in place, operational costs become part of the plan, not a surprise. And when you know your numbers and see progress, it’s easier to rest at night and feel good about where your business is headed.
Paul Guyon and the Lead Machine Growth Show:
Paul Guyon teaches authors, small business owners, coaches, and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. His approach enables ordinary people to produce extraordinary results by implementing innovative marketing and technology, keeping their faith and core values at the center of their growth and lives. As CIO, he and his team grew a small logistics management company from $1M to $50M+ serving pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, Merck, and Eli Lilly, as well as major airlines, Delta, American, and United Airlines. As founder and creator of The Lead Machine Marketing Group, Paul helps you bridge the gap between your desire to get leads online and grow your business and implementing a solution by overcoming the challenges often presented to those who struggle with the planning and technology required to make it happen.
Resources:
Diane’s 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
