Money First CEO

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 pla...

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 Up...

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 reviewin...

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...

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 tak...

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...

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 of...

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, c...

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 impo...

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...

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 c...

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...

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 financia...

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...

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...

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...

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 t...

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....

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 ma...

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, a...

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 re...

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 bu...

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 l...

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 bu...

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...