How do I get paid and read my numbers?

Reading your numbers means knowing what came in, what it cost you, and what’s left for you. Profit isn’t a dirty word. It’s the reason the business exists.

Getting paid on time is part of the job too, so this page starts there. Send your invoices.

Start here: What to do when a client won’t pay you

Every answer on this

• What to do when a client won’t pay you
  A client won’t pay me. What are my steps?
• How to Handle Late-Paying Clients
  How do I get clients to pay on time, and should I charge late fees?
• How do I find my Small Business Breakeven: Cash Flow Zero
  How do I figure out the sales I need to cover my costs?
• Pay Yourself Not Your Customer: Small Business Break Even
  Am I losing money on every sale without knowing it?
• Ignoring Cash Flow Could Put You Out of Business
  Why can I show a profit and still run out of cash?
• DIY Bookkeeping for Solo Business Owners
  How do I keep my own books without expensive software?
• Profit Is Not a Dirty Word: Why Your Business Exists to Make Money
  Is it okay to put profit first in my business?
• Understand the Value of Your Business
  Which numbers should I track every month to know how I’m doing?
• Top 5 Reasons You Need a Business Value Calculation
  Why should I know what my business is worth?
• Setting Revenue Goals Like A Pro
  How do I set revenue goals I can actually plan around?
• Credit Card Swipe Fees Are Eating Your Profits
  How much are card fees costing me, and how do I cut them?
• Is a Sweat Equity Deal Worth It? Here’s How to Decide
  Should I take equity instead of cash for my work?
• Small Business Owners Lose 33 Work Days a Year to Tax Stress
  How do I stop taxes from draining my time all year?
• What Should I Be Looking At on My P&L?
• Send your invoices today: the habit costing owners money
• How do I read my numbers?

From the show

• Is the Economy Really Why My Small Business Isn’t Making Money? (March 11, 2026)
• 6 Ways to Cut Your Small Business Expenses by 10% (February 17, 2026)
• How to Protect Your Business When Customers Stop Buying (January 19, 2026)

Questions owners ask

A client won’t pay me. What do I do?

Work the steps in order: check your contract, stop any new work, turn off access to what you’ve delivered, and add the late fee your terms allow. Read: What to do when a client won’t pay you

Should I charge late fees?

Yes, if they’re in a signed contract with clear terms. Late payers know what they’re doing. They’re managing their cash flow at your expense, so pause the work until you’re paid. Read: How to Handle Late-Paying Clients

How do I figure out my breakeven?

Add up your monthly operating costs and other cash going out, then divide by your gross margin. That’s the sales number you need just to stay even, before you pay yourself. Read: How do I find my Small Business Breakeven

More topics: What you sell · Getting clients · Pricing · Hiring and handing off · Time and burnout · Keep going · AI

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