Why Did I Start This?

Penny Armbruster
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Daily

You started your business for freedom. So why does it feel like a trap? Most business owners start out wanting more time and more money, but end up working 80 hours a week for a boss they can't stand (themselves). They guess based on their bank balance, dread tax season, and have no idea what they can actually pay themselves this month. Why Did I Start This? is a weekly podcast for faith-driven business owners who are tired of the financial chaos. Hosted by Fractional CFO Penny Armbruster and operations expert Jonathan Armbruster, they help you build the right financial ecosystem so you can reclaim your paycheck, your time, and your business. Every Monday through Saturday, we tackle the real issues your CPA isn't talking to you about. The problem isn't you. The problem is the absence of a financial system built for your business. Join us daily to stop guessing, start leading, and finally build a business that pays you. Ready to see where your numbers really stand? Book a free Financial Check-In at 1610consulting.com.

  1. 1d ago

    What a 25-Tab Spreadsheet Missed About Cash Flow

    Hiring someone full time or signing for an office can feel exciting and terrifying at the same time. I share how Jonathan and I looked at cash flow, capacity, owner pay, and a 12-month plan before making those commitments in our own business. Then I tell the story of a fast-growing company whose financial systems had not kept up, including a 25-tab spreadsheet that could not fix unreliable numbers underneath it. I explain why the forecast is only as useful as the receivables, payables, and connected processes feeding it. We also begin our first weekly episode with hope and joy, unpack NF's business wisdom with a wink, test tax tips on the Wheel of Absolute Wisdom, and share our experience with Dext. We close by reacting to a viral restaurant pricing complaint. My goal is to help you see the full cost and cash timing before your next big decision, not just the balance in your bank account. Scripture reference correction: When we mention righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, the passage is Romans 14:17. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Book a Financial Check-In with me Takeaways: I review cash timing, upcoming bills, profit, and capacity before adding a recurring commitment.I include owner pay and the full cost of a new role in my hiring plan.I distinguish a short busy season from sustained demand before expanding the team.I need reliable receivables and payables before I can trust a cash forecast.I connect financial systems to reduce manual work and make better decisions as the business grows.

  2. 3d ago

    Are Square's Fees Still Worth It as You Grow? | Software Saturday

    Free software can still take a bite out of every sale. I like Square for some businesses, but I want you to choose it for the job you actually need it to do, not because every extra feature lives under one roof. Jonathan and I walk through coffee carts, farmers market sales, inventory, and service businesses to show where a simple payment setup can fit. I explain why paying your credit card bill is not a second expense, then we look at processing fees, hardware, and the questions I would ask before adding payroll, banking, or financing to the mix. My goal is to help you compare the whole cost and the cash flow impact, not just the monthly software price. I also share our free financial ecosystem starter kit, and we close with what we are trying next as the show moves toward a weekly format. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I choose payment software around the business I am building, not just the features on its homepage.I record a credit card purchase once, while keeping the later card payment separate from that expense.I compare processing costs, hardware, subscriptions, and payment methods before calling a tool affordable.I evaluate payroll, banking, and financing separately instead of assuming one platform is right for every job.I revisit my payment setup as sales grow and compare the full terms of any merchant account alternative.

  3. 4d ago

    QuickBooks Says All Caught Up. Are Your Books Actually Right? | Friday Fundamentals

    A green check mark in QuickBooks can feel like permission to stop worrying about your books. I want you to know what that check mark actually tells you, and what it does not. Jonathan and I walk through an illustrative screenshot inspired by a client account with a roughly $1.5 million balance difference, then use the QuickBooks sample company to explore the bank feed, account register, opening balances, and audit history. I explain why posting every downloaded transaction is not the same as reconciling your account, and how recording a customer payment and its deposit incorrectly can create duplicate records. We also talk about why you should investigate a difference rather than delete transactions just to make two numbers agree. If your bank feed says you are caught up but your reports still leave you confused, this walkthrough gives you practical questions to bring to your financial team. Plus, I share our upcoming shift from daily episodes toward a weekly format after Episode 71. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I treat an empty bank feed as a processing milestone, not proof that the books are correct.I investigate differences between bank and book balances while allowing for legitimate timing differences.I review how customer payments and deposits connect so the same money is not recorded twice.I use the register, audit history, and bank statement before deciding whether a transaction needs correction.I do not delete uncleared transactions simply to force balances to agree.

  4. 5d ago

    A $22,000 Bonus Request Sparked a Family Business Fight | Real Finance Struggles

    A $22,000 bonus request can expose a lot more than a disagreement about pay. I look at a Reddit author's account of running the family construction company, wanting to reward the crew, and facing parents who questioned the payout and pointed to jobs that lost money. Jonathan and I unpack the questions behind that conflict: what counts as profit, who can promise a bonus, and who actually has authority when parents start stepping back. I explain why gross profit margin deserves your attention and why growing sales alone cannot tell you what a business can afford. We also talk about putting bonus terms and ownership transitions in writing before expectations collide. If you want to reward your team without guessing at the numbers, I want you to leave with a clearer starting point: know your profit, define the agreement, and make the decision-making responsibilities explicit. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I separate revenue from profit before deciding what a business can afford to share.I watch gross profit margin to understand what remains after the direct costs of delivering the work.I want bonus agreements to define the calculation, eligibility, timing, and approval authority before expectations form.I look for clear decision-making responsibilities and a written timeline when a family business changes hands.I check job-level results alongside the company's overall numbers instead of treating sales growth as proof that every job made money.

  5. 6d ago

    Should You Buy or Lease Business Equipment? | Wheel of Wisdom

    Buying equipment can feel cheaper until the cash leaves your account. I spin the Wheel of Wisdom with Jonathan to test that claim alongside a few other business shortcuts that sound better than they work. I look at why an equipment decision needs more than a price comparison: cash reserves, employee productivity, replacement cycles, and advice from your tax professional all belong in the conversation. I also share how a client took six to eight months to move through our marketing, why customers need to understand the result rather than every product feature, and why established businesses still need a plan. We talk about our upcoming vision trip, weigh outside funding against building slowly, and question social media claims about tax refunds and a one-dollar S corporation salary. Some of these questions need more than a quick verdict, and I say where I do not know enough to give one. Bring the questions to your team and a qualified tax professional before making a major decision. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I give marketing time to build trust without assuming every campaign will eventually work.I compare cash reserves, useful life, productivity, and tax treatment before choosing to buy or lease equipment.I focus my marketing on the outcome customers want rather than a list of features.I revisit my business plan so growth stays connected to the life and business I intended to build.I take tax-credit and S corporation questions to a qualified tax professional instead of relying on a social media shortcut.

  6. Oct 27

    Growth to $2 Million Did Not Protect This Salon’s Cash | Real Finance Struggles

    I share an owner's account of a family nail salon that reportedly grew from about $600,000 in annual sales to $2 million after operational improvements and an expansion. The family financed a larger location with a reported $1.5 million loan at 4%, then paid extra toward principal. When repairs and chair refurbishment strained working capital, the owner says they borrowed again to rebuild a cushion. I look at why more sales do not automatically mean more available cash, why I want operating reserves before making large extra debt payments, and why owners need trusted advisers rather than making major decisions alone. I also talk about planning for equipment costs, considering a line of credit, and bringing a tax adviser into the conversation. Then Jonathan and I close with The NF Business Remix, using NF's Running as a starting point for a personal conversation about pride, grace, and trying to carry the whole business ourselves. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I look beyond growing sales to see whether my business has enough cash for operating costs and repairs.Before paying extra on a low-rate loan, I consider the cash cushion my business needs.I bring major debt and spending decisions to trusted advisers instead of trying to figure everything out alone.I plan for equipment costs and discuss tax treatment with my tax adviser before committing cash.I reflect on how pride can make me feel responsible for carrying every part of my business myself.

  7. Oct 26

    Three Years Undercharging, Then a 25% Price Increase | Monday Mindset

    I share the story of a business owner who says they spent three years holding prices down because they feared customers would leave. After totaling product, rent, and staff costs, the owner realized the business was barely breaking even and announced a 25% increase. In the account described on air, the owner received two replies saying the increase made sense and reported no cancellations. I also talk about what happened when we reviewed our own client work, found accounts below our minimum, and faced the cost of trying to help at any price. I walk through practical ways to challenge pricing fears: ask your team, compare the numbers, model possible client losses, and get candid feedback from a coach or fellow owner. I start with a personal reflection on Job, faith, and where I look for security when business feels uncertain. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I need to compare product, rent, staff, and other costs with my actual pricing before deciding what my business can support.One owner reported no cancellations after a 25% increase, but that outcome is not a guarantee for every business.I can ask my team and trusted peers whether my prices reflect the time and value I provide.Before changing rates, I can model how possible client losses would affect revenue and margins.I can review profitability monthly or quarterly and seek support when fear makes it hard to act.

  8. Oct 24

    QuickBooks Receipts: What Works and What Needs Review | Software Saturday

    When I test QuickBooks Receipt Capture, I can upload a receipt, see details like the vendor, amount, and date pulled in, and attach a receipt to a transaction. But in our demo, matching was not consistently straightforward: I had to add a payment account, search manually, and review items that were not matched automatically. That experience is a useful reminder that storing a receipt is not the same as confirming its category, payment account, or connection to the right transaction. I walk through where QuickBooks can help, where human follow-through still matters, and why a solo owner may need a different process than a team sharing cards. I also share a simple folder-based option for certain solo owners and explain why teams may need clearer accountability. Download the Free Profit OS Kit Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: I found that extracting receipt details does not guarantee a receipt will be matched to the correct transaction.I still review the payment account, category, and transaction connection instead of assuming receipt capture finished the job.I consider who is spending and who needs to review receipts when choosing a process for a solo business or a team.I can use a simple folder workflow for receipt storage in some solo-owner situations, while teams may need more accountability.I treat QuickBooks Receipt Capture as one part of a financial workflow, not a substitute for follow-through.

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5
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About

You started your business for freedom. So why does it feel like a trap? Most business owners start out wanting more time and more money, but end up working 80 hours a week for a boss they can't stand (themselves). They guess based on their bank balance, dread tax season, and have no idea what they can actually pay themselves this month. Why Did I Start This? is a weekly podcast for faith-driven business owners who are tired of the financial chaos. Hosted by Fractional CFO Penny Armbruster and operations expert Jonathan Armbruster, they help you build the right financial ecosystem so you can reclaim your paycheck, your time, and your business. Every Monday through Saturday, we tackle the real issues your CPA isn't talking to you about. The problem isn't you. The problem is the absence of a financial system built for your business. Join us daily to stop guessing, start leading, and finally build a business that pays you. Ready to see where your numbers really stand? Book a free Financial Check-In at 1610consulting.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Penny Armbruster
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Penny Armbruster
  • Show Website
    Why Did I Start This?