Ever had a week where the store was genuinely busy… but the bank account still felt empty? You’re not alone. In this first episode of our Profit First series, Patrick Keiser introduces a simple but powerful shift for independent retailers: profit can’t be what’s left over.
Too many mom-and-pop store owners run their business on hope—hoping there will be money “later” after bills, inventory, and surprises are paid. But “later” rarely comes. This episode breaks down why the traditional formula (Sales – Expenses = Profit) sets Main Street businesses up to feel constantly behind, even when sales are strong.
You’ll learn the core idea behind Profit First: flip the formula to Sales – Profit = Expenses, and start building a small, repeatable habit that protects profit before it disappears into the day-to-day.
Patrick also shares a real-world retail scenario that will feel painfully familiar—and gives you three simple actions you can take this week to start creating breathing room.
Keywords: Profit First, small business cash flow, retail profitability, independent retailer, mom and pop shop, small business finance, owner pay, retail cash management, Main Street business
