Money First CEO

Harman Johnston outlines a 15 minute money health check built around five questions to help business owners regain financial control: know your current profit percentage, know how many months of operating expenses you have saved, pay yourself a consistent owner’s wage, separate tax money so it is not spent from the operating account, and track what has changed in expenses over the last 90 days. She explains that revenue without profit and visibility creates stress, that a cash runway reduces urgency, and that expense drift quietly shrinks margins. Her key takeaway is to block 15 minutes this week to answer the fi...

Harman Johnston explains why business owners can hit a record revenue month and still feel broke, focusing on four causes: measuring success by revenue instead of what you keep, spending with false confidence after a high month, failing to retain cash due to a lack of structure, and letting expenses expand as revenue grows. She shows how money disappears when everything sits in one account and gets used, even after a $120,000 month. The key shift is moving from “how do I make more” to “how do I keep more” by using Profit First to split income immediately into profit, owner’s...

Harman Johnston flips the Buy Now Pay Later debate to focus on business spending, warning that it creates an illusion of affordability while undermining cash discipline. She explains how BNPL commits future revenue before it arrives, hides true expense levels by dulling the upfront pain, creates fixed obligations during fluctuating months, and disrupts Profit First allocations by fragmenting costs and blurring visibility. She notes business owners often justify BNPL as investment driven by urgency and scarcity, but argues sustainable growth comes from surplus, not strain. Harman urges CEOs to raise their decision thresholds, use payment plans only strategically with...

Harman Johnston urges business owners to face the “$10K decision” they keep avoiding, arguing it is already costing them money each month through delay. She outlines four common versions: hiring operational support to remove the CEO bottleneck, saying no to low margin draining clients, raising minimum standards through repositioning and pricing, and installing real financial structure using Profit First principles instead of reactive banking and spreadsheets. Harman explains these decisions are hard because they require an identity shift from scrappy operator to CEO ownership. The key takeaway is to name the avoided decision, write it down, and calculate the mont...

Harman Johnston explains what working with a professional bookkeeper should actually feel like for Australian business owners, challenging the belief that bookkeeping is just data entry, reconciliations, and BAS compliance. She describes how clients often arrive overwhelmed, avoidant, or growing fast but financially messy, and how the right support creates visibility, clean and reliable numbers, and reduced stress. Harman highlights the emotional relief and accountability that come from a monthly rhythm, plus clear reporting and strategic conversations that improve decision making about hiring, marketing spend, and owner pay. She argues that DIY bookkeeping has hidden costs in time, missed...

In this episode, Harman Johnston explains how established business owners can increase consistent owner’s pay without increasing revenue by changing from an operator mindset to a CEO mindset and using Profit First style allocations. She challenges the formula of revenue minus expenses equals profit and shows how expenses often rise with revenue unless pay is protected. Using a $120,000 per month example, she outlines allocating percentages to profit, tax, owner’s pay, and operating expenses to reveal pricing, expense, or margin issues. She highlights three common leaks reducing take home pay: expense creep, emotional spending, and lack of weekly fina...

In this episode of 'Money First, CEO,' host Harman Johnston discusses the significant shift in a CEO's role as their business grows, specifically why continuing to handle your own bookkeeping can hinder growth. Harman outlines the mental and practical strains of DIY bookkeeping and explains why delegating this task is crucial for making high-level decisions. She provides a clear, actionable takeaway: scheduling a monthly money review meeting to ensure clean, current, and accurate financial insights. This episode emphasizes the importance of stepping back from day-to-day transactions to focus on strategic decision-making, empowering CEOs to lead their businesses more...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston delves into the common issue business owners face when their profit and loss statements don't align with their bank account balances. Harman explains the crucial distinctions between profit and cash flow, and outlines five key reasons for these discrepancies, including timing differences, large purchases, loan repayments, taxes, and how owners pay themselves. She provides actionable steps like reviewing accounts receivable, planning for big expenses, creating a tax account, and using cashflow trackers to help business owners better manage their finances. The episode emphasises the importance of putting money first to...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston shares practical advice on financially preparing for hiring staff. Harman emphasises the importance of proactive planning and introduces a strategic approach to ensure new hires do not become a financial burden. Key tips include opening a dedicated bank account for future hires, building a 90-day payroll buffer, treating hiring as a fixed expense, and other actionable steps to integrate hiring into your cash flow projections smoothly. This episode is packed with insights to help business owners hire with confidence and avoid financial stress.

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In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses the importance of conducting annual price reviews. Harman guides service-based businesses, retail operators, and manufacturers on strategies to ensure their pricing reflects increased work, costs, and market conditions over the past year. The episode highlights the impact of scope creep, client growth, rising expenses, and new tools on pricing for service-based businesses. Retailers are advised to factor in supplier price hikes, increased operational costs, and product movement into their pricing strategies. Manufacturers are encouraged to reassess unit costs and material inflation. Harman also addresses potential client pushbacks and offers...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses a major expense she cut from her business: online courses that were never finished. Harman shares her struggle with 'course addiction' and the financial and mental toll it took. By implementing a strict rule to only buy courses that could be immediately acted upon and setting dedicated time for both learning and execution, she transformed her business. Listeners are encouraged to audit their education spending, commit to completing one course at a time, and focus on actionable steps for real business results.

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In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston reflects on the lessons learned and milestones achieved in 2025, while outlining exciting plans for 2026. Harman shares the mission behind the podcast, emphasising the importance of prioritising financial control to build a business that serves its owner first. Key takeaways include actionable money lessons like building profit with small shifts, separating personal and business finances, and forecasting. The episode also highlights the benefits of slowing down for aligned, profitable growth and investing in a team to sustain business success. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their biggest money win of...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston discusses the critical importance of rest for business owners. Harman explains how intentional rest can be a powerful revenue strategy, leading to clear decisions, better boundaries, and higher profits. The episode includes practical steps for taking a real CEO break, such as creating a money wind-down checklist, setting boundaries, and planning a 'no money zone' period. Harman shares lessons from past episodes and emphasises that rest isn't a reward, but a necessary component for sustainable business growth.

00:00 Introduction to Money First, CEO

01:00 The I...

Welcome back to Money First, CEO, with your host Harman Johnston, who shares her journey from a one-person operation to a thriving business through smart money habits and systems. This episode focuses on the importance of delegation, highlighting the pitfalls of trying to do everything yourself and offering practical steps to effectively delegate tasks. Harman discusses how using platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, setting clear expectations, and starting small can free up valuable time for revenue-generating activities. By sharing personal anecdotes and actionable insights, Harman illustrates how proper delegation can boost profits, reduce stress, and provide a better quality...

Welcome to Money First, CEO, with Harman Johnston, an expert bookkeeper, profit-first professional, and business coach from Sydney, Australia. This episode focuses on envisioning a fearless business quarter, free from self-doubt and overwhelm. Harman emphasises the power of financial clarity and strategic bold moves based on real data. Listeners are guided through actionable steps such as reviewing bank account transactions and making informed decisions to raise prices, cut unprofitable offers, and hire necessary help. The episode challenges business owners to overcome uncertainty, take proactive actions, and lead their businesses with confidence.

00:00 Introduction to Money First, C...

Unlocking the Five Types of Wealth: A Holistic Approach to Business Success

In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston introduces listeners to the five types of wealth, inspired by Sahil Bloom's framework, which she encountered at Angela Henderson's Women in Business Conference. Harman underscores the significance of balancing time, social, mental, physical, and financial wealth to create a thriving business and fulfilling life. She explains how money is instrumental in building each type of wealth and offers practical tips to improve them. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect...

This is a special episode as we welcome our first guest, Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the author of Profit First and a global expert on small business finance. His mission is to end entrepreneurial poverty, and he's helped thousands of business owners take control of their money.

We talk about the real mistakes that keep business owners stuck, the myth of growing your way to success, and why taking profit first is a game changer. If you're feeling the pressure of cash flow or struggling to pay yourself, this episode will help you shift your mindset and...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses the critical importance of setting boundaries in business. Harman shares a personal story about the costly mistake of saying yes to a rush job, highlighting how it drained her resources and affected her profits. She explains why saying no to low-value clients and requests is essential for maintaining profitability and mental well-being. Harman offers a three-step plan for saying no effectively: knowing your priorities, using polite scripts, and offering alternatives. She encourages listeners to start by declining one low-value request this week and tracking the benefits. The key takeaway...

In this episode, Harman discusses the challenges of dealing with late payments and how it affects cash flow and overall business health. She outlines practical steps to improve debtor follow-ups, including sending friendly reminders, automating notifications, and making payment processes easier for clients. Harman shares a three-step plan to ensure timely payments without alienating clients and offers tips for handling tough debtors. The episode emphasises the importance of disciplined financial practices and provides actionable advice to boost cash flow and profit margins.

00:00 Introduction to Money First, CEO

01:00 Chasing Cash, Not Clients

01:19 T...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses how to keep customers forever with cash-boosting loyalty strategies. She shares her personal experience of losing a $10,000 client and explains the significant costs associated with acquiring new customers compared to retaining existing ones. Johnston outlines a three-step plan to enhance customer loyalty: personalising interactions, creating loyalty programs, and following up with value-added content. She emphasises the importance of loyal customers in stabilising cash flow and boosting profits. Additionally, she provides actionable insights, such as sending personalised thank you notes, which can lead to significant financial gains and stronger client...

Mastering the 80/20 Profit Hack: Work Less, Earn More 

In this episode of 'Money First, CEO,' host Harman Johnston is focused on helping business owners leverage the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) to maximise their profits while reducing work hours. Harman shares her own experience of how focusing on top revenue-generating clients significantly increased her profits. She explains the importance of analysing sales data to identify high-value clients or products and offers actionable steps to prioritise them while phasing out or delegating less impactful tasks. Harman underscores that this approach not only boosts cash flow and profitability but also r...

Hiring can make or break your business finances. In this episode of Money First CEO, I share how to build a cash-savvy team that helps you grow profits without draining your bank account. I talk about how rushing into hiring can hurt your cash flow, why hiring strategically is a Profit First move, and how to make sure every hire adds value, not stress.
 
 I walk through my own story of hiring too fast and how it hit my cash flow hard. Then, I share how I turned things around by applying Profit First principles to the hi...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston gets real about one of the biggest mindset shifts in business: charging what you’re truly worth. If you’ve ever hesitated to raise your rates or felt weird asking for more money, this episode is exactly what you need.

Harman shares the story of how undercharging in her early days nearly burned her out, and how switching to value-based pricing changed everything. From breaking down what undercharging really costs you, to simple steps for raising your rates, this is a must-listen if you’re ready to grow withou...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston explores the powerful framework from Adam Grant’s Give and Take that categorises people into Givers, Takers, and Matchers. Learn how each type shows up in business, why givers tend to both fail and succeed the most, and what separates a sustainable giver from a burnt-out one.

You’ll discover: - How to recognise your giving style and its impact on your energy, profits, and boundaries - The warning signs of overgiving and how to shift to strategic generosity - How to use the Profit First system to give...

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is treating their business like a personal ATM. Logging into your business account, seeing money sitting there, and using it for groceries or personal bills might feel harmless - but this habit will keep you broke, stressed, and stuck.

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I share how I used to treat my business like a piggy bank, the financial chaos it created, and the exact system I now use to separate business and personal money with absolute clarity. I explain why mixing your business and...

Making smart investments in your business can feel tricky. We’ve all been tempted by late-night offers, shiny software, or coaching packages that promise the world. But the truth is, there’s a big difference between investing from strength and investing from stress. In this episode of Money First, CEO, I share how to make confident investment decisions without draining your business or relying on impulse.

I walk you through the difference between smart spending and emotional buying, and why the most successful CEOs create a buffer for their future investments before they ever need them. You’ll lea...

Credit cards can be a controversial topic in the Profit First world. The standard advice is to avoid them completely, stick to cash, and keep things simple. And for many business owners, that’s the safest path. But what if I told you there’s a way to use credit cards strategically inside a Profit First system without falling into debt, losing track, or jeopardising your cash flow?

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I share exactly how I use my American Express card for business expenses only—without ever paying a cent in interest and while...

Running a service-based business can often feel like money is slipping through your fingers, no matter how much revenue you generate. In this episode of Money First, CEO, I unpack why traditional financial advice doesn’t always fit coaches, consultants, creative agencies, and other service providers - and how you can finally take control of your cash flow.

I share the most common cash flow traps I see in service businesses, from slow-paying clients to emotional pricing, and why having just one bank account for everything is a recipe for stress. These challenges often lead to feast-and-famine cy...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m diving into a topic that could save your business from unnecessary stress — identifying and fixing financial red flags before they spiral out of control. Your business rarely goes broke overnight; instead, it’s a slow erosion that starts with subtle warning signs. The problem? Most business owners either don’t see them or avoid addressing them until it’s too late.

I unpack the early indicators that your finances might be heading in the wrong direction, from unpredictable cash flow to mounting expenses, overdue invoices, and dipping into personal s...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m tackling the most common doubts and misconceptions about Profit First — the cashflow system that has transformed thousands of businesses. Over the past three years of working with Profit First, I’ve heard it all: “It’s too complicated.” “I’ll run out of money.” “My business is too small.” “Bank fees will eat into my profit.” “My income fluctuates too much.”

Here’s the truth: these fears aren’t about Profit First being hard — they’re about change. And change can feel uncomfortable. But delaying implementation keeps you stuck in a cycle of no safety net, no...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m diving into one of the most powerful (and overlooked) financial decisions a business owner can make – paying yourself first. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever hesitated to transfer money into your own account because of guilt, uncertainty, or the fear of putting your business under pressure.

I open up about my personal journey and the shift I made when I started treating myself like a real employee in my own business. Too often, founders are the last to get paid, and we tell ourselves that reinve...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I challenge the popular belief that constant growth equals success. While rapid revenue increases and a growing client list might look great on paper, if you're overwhelmed, underpaid, or spinning your wheels – it’s time to rethink what sustainable success really looks like.

I walk you through how to pause the hustle, build strong financial foundations, and stabilise your business operations. I share insights from my own experience and that of clients who’ve grown fast but lacked the systems to support it – and what we did to fix it.

If...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I dive into one of the most powerful and often overlooked forces behind your business success - your money mindset. It’s not about spreadsheets or budgets - it’s about the deep-seated beliefs you hold around money, shaped by your upbringing, culture, and past experiences.

If you’ve ever felt stuck financially despite working hard and bringing in consistent revenue, it may not be your numbers - it could be your mindset.

We’ll unpack the most common limiting money beliefs business owners carry, where they com...

What if you had a financial buffer that gave you the confidence to say no to the wrong clients, take a break when you need it, or invest in your next bold move - without stress? That’s the power of a Freedom Fund, and it’s not just for “one day.”

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m breaking down what a Freedom Fund actually is, why it’s more than just an emergency stash, and how to start building yours - even if it’s only $50 to begin with.

Whether you’re aiming for mo...

If reviewing your finances feels reactive and overwhelming, it’s time to take a step into CEO mode with a simple but powerful habit: financial forecasting.

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m walking you through what forecasting really is (in plain English), why it’s different to simply looking at your profit and loss report, and how to map out the next 90 days in your business - so you’re leading with clarity instead of scrambling under pressure.

Whether you’re planning a big launch, navigating a seasonal dip, or looking to scale your...

In this episode, I get real about the juggle every business-owning parent knows all too well - school holidays. Whether you’re struggling with guilt about missing family time or feeling anxious about what’s not getting done in your business, I share how to plan proactively and take back control. I walk you through the exact systems, habits, and mindset shifts I use to create freedom and keep my business humming, even while making memories with my kids.

Because your business should support your life, not consume it.

Key Topics Covered:

In this empowering episode of Money First, CEO, I tackle one of the biggest growth blockers for business owners: trying to manage your finances completely on your own. From reconciling accounts and navigating tax season to wondering if you’re even profitable - it’s exhausting. And you don’t have to keep doing it alone.

I’m breaking down exactly why smart CEOs hire financial support, what kind of financial roles exist (bookkeeper, accountant, advisor, and Profit First professional), and how to tell when it’s time to bring in help. Plus, I’ll share how the right su...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I dive into one of the most powerful habits any business owner can create – the weekly money date. It's not about spreadsheets or perfection; it’s about consistency and clarity. I’ll guide you through how to set up your 30-minute ritual, what to include in it, and how it can transform your decision-making, reduce money stress, and help you build real financial confidence.

Key Takeaways:

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I walk you through a simple yet powerful end-of-financial-year strategy: booking a 30-minute call with your accountant. Whether your EOFY is 30 June, 31 December, or any other date, this episode helps you finish strong, avoid common pitfalls, and set your business up for a more profitable and stress-free new financial year.

I also share my personal checklist for EOFY prep, the most common mistakes I see small business owners make, and the questions you should be asking your accountant before 30 June. Don’t wait until July when it’s too late to t...

In this episode of Money First, CEO, I’m taking a step back to reintroduce myself and give you the real story behind how I got here—from multi-seven-figure retail operations to startups and bookkeeping for small business owners. I share the biggest mindset and money shifts that helped me go from stressed and overspending to strategic and intentional.

But more importantly, I give you one simple, powerful move to make this week that could change everything: separate your personal and business finances.

Whether you’re earning $500 or $50,000 a month, this episod...