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The number in front of me on the computer screen stared loudly back at me. My nightmare, the one that had kept me stagnant for years, not taking a chance on myself, was happening. In real time. This cannot be true, I thought to myself, shame and anger swelling inside of me. How did I let this happen? Down the rabbit holeIt was April 2024 and my ex-teacher self felt stunned by this news: my first real tax return for my first year full-time in my business. I had left the classroom after 17 years to pursue something I knew would feel more authentic in this stage of my life. But I had never had to deal with taxes—not really. For my whole adult life I had been an employee. Filled out a W-2. Neatly chosen to claim 1. Gotten a sweet, sweet refund. Every. Single. Year.
Until now. I laid my head on my computer and imagined the look on my husband’s face when I had to tell him. We had often used our refunds for a bigger purchase we had been eyeing, to pay off debt, or to book a trip somewhere. Now, we OWED MONEY. A LOT OF IT. The money I had been “putting aside” wasn’t enough. It wasn’t even close. This could have been a moment where I shut down. Let myself fall down a rabbit hole and let the negative self talk wash over me: I am a total idiot. I knew I wasn’t cut out for this. Now I’ve put myself and my family in a shitty situation. I should go back to being an employee where I’m safe from things like this. It would have felt legit. It was the thing I feared most and it came true. But… I was still standing. It’s not the event that defines youWas I knocked down a bit (or a lot)? Yes. Did I give myself some time to sulk about it? Also yes. (Just being honest folks). But truly, it’s never the worst things that happen to you that ruin you. (Read that again.) It’s what you choose to do next that defines a situation. Every time. So, I remembered why I wanted to have my own business. I remembered that every new venture will have learning curves. This was definitely one of mine. …And then I picked up a book. Specifically, I picked up Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. (not an affiliate…just a fan) A business coach had recommended it to me over a year ago. Did I read it then, [FIRST NAME GOES HERE]? No. No, I did not. Was I now pretty pissed off that I had put it off? Sure was. I learned more about finances in the first 50 pages than I had in the whole of my life before that. Also he’s a funny dude and it’s an easy read. Win-Win. I immediately changed the way I was doing money for my business and, although I am still not an expert, guess what? When tax season rolled around, this year, I sweating much less. Because I knew I had been following sound advice and putting the right amount aside—and not touching it, [FIRST NAME GOES HERE]. (Turns out that part’s important.) I was still nervous. Because, as I said, money isn’t my thing. Or wasn’t. It’s becoming more my thing with each new nugget of knowledge I wrap my head around. And if I can do it… you,[FIRST NAME GOES HERE], most definitely can too. The 4 x1
Here’s how you can work with me:
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