Starting a small business? It’s sorta like learning to walk isn’t it? First, I see that you’re standing mostly straight. All I can say it … Congratulations! Seriously, that’s a huge step. Most people don’t make it this far. The standing part. You need to get here before you get to go on. But let me tell you, as exciting as it is to bring your ideas to life, there’s one area you absolutely cannot overlook (actually there are a ton of them, but you gotta learn to walk before you can run, so): finances. I know, I know—sounds boring, right? Don’t worry, it is. But bare with me.

To start, let’s talk about counting pennies. Yes, every single one of them. It might seem trivial (who cares about a few cents here and there?), but if you’re not tracking your expenses down to the last penny, things can spiral out of control faster than you’d think (you know the old expression, pennies had more value back then, but they still matter). And those little costs add up! What you need to do is create a budget, then the hard part, stick to it like glue (or maybe duct tape—it’s stronger).

Then once you have mastered that, start putting dollars into the bank. This isn’t just about cash flow; it’s your safety net. When you’re starting out, every bit matters (no matter how small)—every sale counts (it’s make or break’)! Reinvent how you view profits (that means you are making money, that’s a good thing); they’re not just numbers—they’re fuel for growth. Reinvest wisely (frequently) and make sure that money works for you instead of against you. The against, would be when you don’t adhere to the budget.

Oh and one last thing, don’t forget about bookkeeping! A good bookkeeping system is like your financial GPS (your monetary Sherpa)—keeping you on the right track and away from trouble spots that send you careening off a cliff. Trust me; tax season will be way less sobering if you’re organized (that is unless you’re in the Kraft beer market, then I’m afraid you’re never sober).

In short, it comes down to this: focus on your finances from day one. Count those pennies, watch those dollars stack up in the bank, and you’ll build something lasting—and truly amazing!