Why Did We Start This?

Penny Armbruster
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated 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 We Start This? is a daily reset for faith-driven business owners who are tired of the financial chaos. Hosted by Fractional CFO Penny Armbruster and operations expert Jonathan Armbruster, this livestream cuts through the hustle-culture noise to give you the plain-English financial systems you actually need. 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. 6h ago

    Three Wins, and One of Them Was Quitting | Freedom Friday

    It's Freedom Friday, and this one gets uncomfortably honest. Penny and Jonathan share their three wins of the week, and win number one is that they fired their marketing company. Roughly $20,000 spent across agencies in twelve months, about $18,000 with the last one, and exactly one client to show for it. They walk through the math that made the decision for them: a $125 lead that becomes $250 when 80% don't show up, then $375 to $500 once you count the ones who don't even own a business. As Penny puts it, it was a numbers decision, not a feelings decision. Then the good news: a new client, a $7 million company that came through a networking referral rather than any ad, where cleaning up last year's books turned up $190,000 of overstated income the owner was about to pay taxes on. There's also a spontaneous afternoon in Waco that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with the point of Freedom Friday. Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: "It was a numbers decision, not a feelings decision." Run the real cost per closed client before you renew an agency. A $125 lead is $250 when 80% no show, and more once you strip out the ones who don't fit at all.Check your QuickBooks undeposited funds balance today. Receiving a payment and separately recording the deposit is the most common DIY bookkeeping mistake, and it quietly duplicates your income.Your CPA or EA is almost certainly not verifying that your books are correct. The engagement letter says they file based on what you gave them. Overstated income means paying tax on money that never hit your account.Revenue growth makes you more vulnerable to fraud, not less, because the owner can no longer personally see everything. Never give your bookkeeper check writing authority. Keep the trigger on your side.Buying software isn't the same as implementing it. A $7M company had 25 employees on Expensify that was never connected, so the owner was hand keying every transaction.

  2. 1d ago

    He Was Told to File an S-Corp With Zero Revenue - Here's Why That's Bad Advice

    Today's question comes straight from Reddit: a brand-new founder with zero revenue was told by more than one accounting firm to elect S-Corp status right out of the gate — and he wasn't sure why Penny and Jonathan would tell him something different. Turns out an LLC is a legal entity and S-Corp is a tax election, and mixing those two up (plus a little fee-driven upselling from firms that charge more to file an S-Corp return) is exactly how new owners end up locked into payroll they can't actually afford. Penny breaks down why an LLC alone will never put money in your account, then she and Jonathan lay out the three things every new owner needs before they can really pay themselves: know your legal structure isn't your tax strategy, build a personal and business runway if you can, and decide your trigger for paying yourself off actual numbers, not vibes. If you've ever wondered when it's actually safe to start taking a paycheck from your own business, this is the episode. Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: An LLC is a legal entity, not a tax structure — electing S-Corp status is a separate decision that shouldn't happen just because someone told you to.If more than one firm pushes you toward an S-Corp before you have revenue, ask why — S-Corp returns cost more to prepare, and that fee difference is sometimes the real reason for the advice.The IRS requires S-Corp owners to pay themselves a "reasonable salary" — don't elect that status until your business can actually support it.Build a 3–6 month personal runway and a 3–6 month business runway before you count on the business to cover your bills.Don't run on feelings — decide your trigger for paying yourself in advance (three consecutive profitable months is a good default) and let clean books make the call.

  3. 3d ago

    Profitable on Paper, $300K Behind on Rent: A Family Business Meltdown

    Today's Reddit post is a doozy: a 29-year-old COO trying to save his father's $16M logistics company — profitable on paper, but $300K behind on rent and delaying vendor payments just to make payroll. We break down exactly why "profitable on paper" so often doesn't mean money in the bank, what net income actually tells you (and what it doesn't), and the uncomfortable family dynamic at the center of it: a son with all the responsibility and none of the power, while dad still runs personal expenses through the business and refuses to sell assets to save it. Whether or not you're in a family business, this one's a masterclass in the difference between profit and cash flow — and why you can't fix one without fixing the other. Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: "Profitable on paper" often just means nobody's actually looked at the paper — most business owners don't know their real numbers.Net income and cash in the bank are not the same thing — debt principal payments and owner draws live on the balance sheet, not the P&L.You need both cash-basis and accrual-basis views to actually know if you're profitable, especially past the $1M+ mark.Responsibility without authority is a recipe for resentment — if someone's running the business, they need the power to run it.Never let a business relationship cost you a family relationship. The business can be rebuilt; the relationship can't always be.

  4. 4d ago

    Sasquatch, Sales Calls, and Finding Your One Thing | Monday Mindset

    Before we look at a single email, invoice, or spreadsheet this week, we're starting right here — seeking God first. It's Monday Mindset, and today Penny tells the story of a pitch-black morning workout that turned into one of her favorite scriptures: John 1:5 — the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. We tie that straight into business: stop being afraid of what you'll find when you turn the light on your finances. Plus, we dig into Gary Keller's The One Thing and figure out the one focus that could make everything else in your business easier (or unnecessary) this week. Ours? Sales. What's yours? Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: Every Monday, pause on God and your goals before diving into the work week.Fear of "turning on the light" in your finances is often worse than what you'll actually find.The One Thing by Gary Keller: figure out the single focus that makes everything else easier or unnecessary.This week's one thing for the show: 3 sales calls, close 1 of 3.DM us your own "one thing" this week — we'd love to hear it. The One Thing by Gary Keller

  5. 6d ago

    Why Relay Bank Will Change Your Life (No, Seriously) | Software Saturday

    On Saturday's we review software and today, we’re diving into the magical world of Relay Bank, and trust me, it's like finding a unicorn in a field of donkeys. Seriously, if you’re a small business owner drowning in the chaos of financial systems, Relay is here to rescue you. It’s not just a bank; it’s a game-changer that automates the Profit First method, so you can actually keep your sanity while managing multiple accounts without pulling your hair out. We’re not here to bore accountants—sorry, not sorry—but to help you smooth out your financial grind with some slick software. So, if you're ready to stop guessing and start winning, buckle up because we’re about to spill the beans on why Relay might just be your new best buddy in business. Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: This podcast episode is all about helping tired business owners stop winging it and get real with their finances.We dive deep into the wonders of Relay Bank, the banking software that makes life way easier for small businesses.Relay Bank lets you open up to 20 checking accounts for free, which is like winning the financial lottery for business peeps.If you want to understand how to manage your finances without losing your mind, then this episode is totally for you.We share how Relay Bank uses the Profit First method to help you pay yourself and keep your business running smoothly.Don't even think about opening multiple accounts at a traditional bank; Relay Bank is where the cool kids are banking now.

  6. Aug 14

    Rosie's Tale of Financial Freedom - From Confusion to Confidence

    We've got a gem of a story today, folks, and it’s all about our girl Rosie. She came in hot with a serious bookkeeping mess that had her drowning in confusion and late tax filings, but don’t worry, we saved the day. We'll share how we turned her chaos into clarity and what freedom really looks like in the world of business. Plus, it’s Freedom Friday, so we’re all about celebrating the little wins too! Get ready to hear how Rosie went from stressing over her finances to feeling like a boss, because let’s face it, we all need a little laugh and some inspiration when the going gets tough. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a wild ride! Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: Freedom Fridays are all about celebrating wins, big or small, and sharing them.Rosie's story highlights the importance of having a reliable bookkeeper and CPA for success.Entrepreneurs need to separate personal and business finances to avoid confusion and chaos.Facing financial fears can feel daunting, but turning on the light reveals there’s no monster under the bed.

  7. Aug 13

    Blowing Up Cars and Tax Bills: WhistlinDiesel's $2 Million Tax Blunder

    Caught in the whirlwind of social media fame and financial chaos, YouTuber WhistlinDiesel finds himself at the center of a storm with shocking revelations about tax evasion. Join us as we unpack this sensational story and give our take on the whole mess. If you’re a business owner navigating the murky waters of tax obligations or simply love a good tale of unexpected twists and turns, this episode is for you. In this engaging episode, we dive deep into the recent arrest of Cody Detweiler, better known as WhistlinDiesel, who is facing serious allegations following his flashy lifestyle showcased on YouTube. What led to his arrest, and how does it affect business owners everywhere? Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions

  8. Aug 12

    Grind or Chill? The Myth of the 8-Hour Workday

    Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels in business? We'll that's what we're doing on Wednesday's literally spinning the Wheel of Absolute Wisdom! Join us as we tackle the all-too-common myths that can derail even the most passionate entrepreneurs. Today, we're diving into the hilariously misguided notion that just building something will magically draw people in. Spoiler alert: it won’t. We’re all about helping those tired business owners ditch the guesswork and finally take control of their finances—because who doesn’t want to reclaim their paycheck and sanity? We’re spinning the Wheel of Absolute Wisdom today, which is basically our excuse to poke fun at some popular myths about working hard and hustling. So grab your coffee, or don’t—either way, let's chat about how working smarter, not harder, is the real key to success. Buckle up, folks, it’s gonna be a wild ride! Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions Takeaways: The myth that just building a website guarantees success is totally absurd; it doesn't work like that, folks.Grinding hard and working nonstop is a total myth; it just leads to burnout, not success.Contrary to popular belief, real productivity doesn't require an eight-hour workday, so stop clock-watching.Giving away your best stuff for free might seem smart, but it can backfire spectacularly in business.We need to remember that life is short, so enjoying it now is better than grinding for later.The idea that working harder equates to better results is a joke; sometimes resting leads to better productivity.

  9. Aug 11

    When Growth Feels Like Drowning - From 25 to CEO

    Today, we’re diving into the wild world of cash flow issues that can make even the most ambitious business owners wanna pull their hair out. We’ve got a real gem of a story from some 25-year-old dude who’s growing his industrial coatings biz faster than he can handle, but guess what? He’s drowning in cash flow problems. Yeah, he’s got clients and jobs lined up, but he’s waiting 30 days to get paid while scrambling to buy materials. Classic case of “I’m rich on paper but broke in real life,” right? We’ll break down what Sam (we're calling him that, because why not?) can do to keep his head above water and finally get some breathing room in his biz. So grab your snacks, kick back, and let’s figure out how to rescue this cash flow mess! Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions

  10. Aug 10

    Why Did We Start This? - Letting Go of Control | Monday Mindset

    Let’s be real, starting a business can feel like a total circus, and that’s exactly what we tackle in this episode. We're diving into the struggles that so many entrepreneurs face—working double time just to keep their heads above water while neglecting their own financial needs. Penny also shares her own story of letting go of control and having some fun! Every Monday will be Monday Mindset. Before you dive into the endless emails and spreadsheets, it’s time to hit pause and focus on God and your goals. What’s the one thing you can nail down this week that’ll actually push your business forward? Book a Free Call with Penny Connect with us: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn 1610 Financial Solutions We’re all about helping you tired business owners stop playing the guessing game and start building real financial systems. You know, the ones that actually let you take home a paycheck and maybe even reclaim a bit of your time. Join us every weekday (and Saturdays) at 8:30am for a daily reset before hitting the ground running. The One Thing question: "What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" The One Thing by Gary Keller

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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 We Start This? is a daily reset for faith-driven business owners who are tired of the financial chaos. Hosted by Fractional CFO Penny Armbruster and operations expert Jonathan Armbruster, this livestream cuts through the hustle-culture noise to give you the plain-English financial systems you actually need. 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
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Penny Armbruster
  • Show Website
    Why Did We Start This?