How I Learned the Hard Way That bookkeeping is non-negotiable.

The Wake-Up Call

When I first started in business, bookkeeping was not at the top of my priority list. Sales? Yes. Marketing? Absolutely. Making sure my customers were happy? 100%. But bookkeeping? That felt like something I could “figure out later.”

Then tax season rolled around.

I remember sitting in front of my laptop, staring at a pile of receipts, invoices, and bank statements that didn’t add up. I had no clear record of my expenses, I had overpaid for things I didn’t even realize, and worst of all—I had no idea how much I actually made that year.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized that bookkeeping wasn’t just about “keeping track” of money—it was about understanding my business.

I am not ashamed to look at my past businesses that didn’t quite make it, I am not afraid to admit I haven’t always had the best habits when it came to managing my books. It was a hard learned lesson that cost me tens of thousands over the decade plus I’ve been an entrepreneur. 

A large part of that is not understanding the cash flow of my business. We as entrepreneurs tend to think in terms of profit/loss or “money in vs money out” and we get caught up in the idea that if we can just make more sales we can overcome any other deficits. 

More sales and revenue can make running a business feel easier—but if you’re not careful, it’s like driving a car with warning lights flashing on the dashboard. You’re putting in better fuel, going faster, and covering more ground… but eventually, if you ignore the maintenance, something’s going to break.

Paying quality attention to your books is essentially regular maintenance for your business. It can help you find the spots where you're overspending, it can make sure that you’re getting all the tax breaks you qualify for, and it can help you see where you have opportunities for growth. 

Don’t Make the Same Mistake I Did

If you’re a small business owner, I get it—you’re juggling a million things. But trust me, bookkeeping isn’t something you want to push to the side. It’s what keeps your business stable, compliant, and ready for growth.

Take the time to understand your books. You need to know where your business is actually spending and making money. 

And if you’re not sure where to start, schedule a meeting with us. We help entrepreneurs just like you get on top of their books while we take the hassle out of bookkeeping.