Our Best Money Secrets: Top 10 Lessons for Small Business Owners (Ep#27)

Psst! Want a quick refresh of the best money advice we’ve shared so far? In this special remix edition of the Money Secrets podcast, Fi pulls together 10 of the most powerful takeaways from past episodes

Whether you’re folding laundry, walking the dog, or deep in admin, this is your official business money mood board. No fluff, no overwhelm — just the kind of perspective shifts and practical tips that help you get clear, confident, and in control of your finances.

Listen to Episode 27

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • Why your money habits start with your thoughts — and how to shift both

  • The truth about “money doesn’t grow on trees” (spoiler: it does)

  • The three numbers every business owner needs to track (hint: it’s not just profit)

  • Why paying yourself is non-negotiable (yes, even early on)

  • How to stop trying to be “affordable” and start being valuable

  • What actually goes into pricing your offers with confidence

  • How undercharging is repelling your dream clients

  • When it makes sense to spend money to make money (and when it doesn’t)

  • Why backing yourself matters more than being “right”

  • How to get more from your accountant — and build a dream money team


Our Best Money Secrets: Top 10 Lessons for Small Business Owners (Ep#27)

Money Secrets Podcast – Episode 27

Introduction

We've made a lot of progress as a society in many areas, but one thing that hasn’t changed enough is our relationship with money. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, we need to understand the secrets to making money in small business.

The more we talk about money — especially the secrets that usually stay behind closed doors or on the golf course — the more empowered we become. My mission is to get more money into the hands of good people, specifically business owners like you.

Because I believe small business can change the world. And to do that, we need to be making more money.

Acknowledgement of Country

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. I’d like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on.

I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.

Our Best Money Secrets: Top 10 Lessons for Small Business

We’ve covered a lot of ground here on the Money Secrets Podcast, and my editor Kyra and I are so proud of what we’ve created. I hope you’re enjoying the ride.

Today’s episode is a little different.
We’re bringing you a special remix edition — think of this one as your personal highlight reel. A checklist of our most practical, powerful Money Secrets so far.

It’s perfect for a mid-year reset, a Monday pick-me-up, or a moment when you need a little inspiration to keep going. Whether you're walking the dog, folding laundry, or deep in work mode, let this episode be your reminder that you’re on the right track — and there are smarter ways to make more money in your business.

Grab a pen. Or don’t. Just soak it in.

Let’s go.

1. Money Is More Than Math — It’s Mindset

Your behaviors with money are shaped by the thoughts and feelings you have around it.
When you’re avoiding tasks like invoicing or pricing your offer, ask yourself: What am I thinking about money right now?
If you want to shift how you manage money, start by observing the patterns — and challenging the beliefs behind them.

2. Money Does Grow on Trees (Sort of)

The old saying? Outdated. Money does grow — anywhere you plant your energy and effort.
Stop letting old scarcity stories stop you from investing in your growth or asking to be paid what you’re worth.

3. Cash Flow Is Queen

Profit is important. Revenue too. But if the money isn’t in your bank account when you need it, none of that matters.
Focus on getting paid faster, smoothing out your income, and knowing exactly how much you need month to month.
You’ll sleep better — and run a stronger business.

4. Pay Yourself (From Day One)

Not paying yourself doesn’t make you noble. It makes your business weak.
When you price your offers to support your wage, you naturally build a more resilient, sustainable business.
Your future self will thank you.

Good Money Club

Are you a female or LGBTQIA+ business owner who wants to make more money and create meaningful change? My 6-month program, Good Money Club, is designed to help you do exactly that.

We work on your pricing, positioning, business model, and mindset — so you can build your bank account and your impact. Read more about Good Money Club.

5. It’s Not Your Job to Be Affordable

Your job is to be valuable, not cheap. You don’t have the scale or margins of a big business — and you don’t need to.
Your clients aren’t paying for your time. They’re paying for your impact. Own it.

6. Price with Strategy and Soul

Start with the math — how much you want to earn, your expenses, your time. Then do the mindset work — what do you believe about charging more? And finally, build demand by communicating your value clearly and confidently. That’s the pricing trifecta.

7. Undercharging Is Undermining You

Low prices don’t attract better clients — they attract people who don’t value your work.
Raise your prices to reflect your quality. Create breathing room in your business. And trust that the right clients will meet you there.

8. Know When to Invest

“Spend money to make money” isn’t always true. In your early stages, time is your greatest asset. Learn, test, build.
Later, when your time becomes more valuable than your money — that’s the moment to outsource, scale, and advertise.
Be smart about what season you’re in.

9. Back Yourself

It’s more important to trust your financial decisions than to always get them right. If you constantly second-guess yourself, you waste energy and erode confidence. Learn from your decisions, adjust when needed, and trust that you’re growing into the version of you who knows what she’s doing.

10. Make Friends with Your Accountant

Your accountant is there to help — but only if you let them.
Be proactive. Ask questions like:

  • “Can you explain how you calculated my tax?”

  • “Is this the best structure for my business?”

  • “Do you see anything in my books that I should know?”
    Remember: your accountant isn’t your only support. Coaches, strategists (like me), and other pros can help you fill in the gaps.

Outro

Thank you for listening to Money Secrets. If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review. Your support helps us get these conversations into the hands of more good people who deserve to thrive in business.

We’ve come so far as a society in many ways, but money is one of the areas where progress hasn’t been enough. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, it starts with understanding the secret: money in small business.

In this podcast, Money Secrets, host Fiona (Fi) Johnston—Chartered Accountant, small business advocate, and impact enthusiast—dives into the conversations we need to have about money. The secrets that once stayed behind closed doors (or on the golf course) are finally out in the open.

Fi’s mission? To get more money into the hands of good people, like you. She believes small businesses have the power to change the world, and the key to making a bigger impact is to make—and manage—more money.

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Thank you to everyone involved for bringing this podcast together. We are excited to hear from you with any questions, feedback or suggestions for future episodes that you might have. Send a Direct Message to @peach.business

If you are excited for what’s to come, please like this episode, follow the podcast and share it with your friends. We are thrilled you're here.

Want to find out more about Good Money Club? It's for female and non-binary business owners ready to make more money and impact. Join us?

Check out my FREE Pricing Training you need to set your prices for profitability.

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This podcast episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and I'd like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on. I'd like to pay respect to elders both past and present, and note that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. 

Enjoyed this episode?

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If this episode helped you shift your thinking, I’d love it if you left a review — it helps more small business owners discover the show, and I read every single one.

Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Send me a DM over at @peach.business on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.

Ready to take this work further?
Join the Good Money Club — my 6-month experience for business owners ready to earn more and make a bigger impact.

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Inside Good Money Club: How to Make More Money (Ep#28)

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Back Yourself and Your Financial Decisions (Ep#24)