Craig from Dacy Financial Coaching reveals his remarkable journey from burned-out fourth-grade teacher to thriving financial coach helping small business owners master cash flow management. What started as a side hustle born from personal passion became his full-time pursuit in 2017 - despite having a newborn at home and giving his wife a PowerPoint presentation to ease her concerns.
The conversation dives deep into the Profit First methodology that transformed both Craig's business and those of his clients. Rather than treating profit as an afterthought at the bottom of financial statements, this approach prioritizes setting profit aside first through a practical system of dedicated bank accounts. "If you look at your P&L, you might see $20,000 in profit, but then look at your bank account and there's nothing there," Craig explains. This disconnect between financial reports and actual cash availability is what his coaching resolves.
We explore the emotional realities of entrepreneurship that aren't discussed enough - the impostor syndrome, the fear when first going full-time, and the cycles of financial ups and downs that even financial coaches experience. Craig's vulnerability about recent profit struggles and how he initially hid them reveals the human side of business ownership. His advice on creating a "cash runway" before leaving your job, knowing when to hire team members, and giving yourself grace during difficult periods offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs at any stage.
Throughout the episode, Craig's emphasis on continuous learning shines through. Despite being a coach himself, he works with three different coaches and believes that if he's not investing in his own growth, he's undermining the very service he provides. For listeners contemplating the leap from side hustle to full-time business, this conversation provides both the inspiration and practical financial guidance to make that transition successfully.
