The Moment I Couldn’t Make Payroll (and What It Taught Me About Building a Real Business)
There was a time in my business when I couldn’t make payroll.
Not once, but six weeks in a row.
Even though my team stood by me, showing up every day with loyalty and grace, I knew it couldn’t go on like that. Every Friday felt like a ticking clock I couldn’t stop. I was panicked, embarrassed, and running out of ideas.
If you’ve ever been there—watching numbers that don’t add up, trying to stay calm for everyone else—you know how heavy that feels.
The Breaking Point
It wasn’t just payroll I was behind on.
I owed suppliers.
And worse, I was going into personal debt just to keep things afloat.
I hadn’t paid myself a penny in months, and I remember sitting there thinking: Maybe I should just sell the business.
But who wants to buy a business that isn’t profitable?
A business that owes employees, suppliers, and even the owner?
That moment forced me to face some hard truths. I didn’t have a money problem; had a systems problem.
The Turning Point
I decided to completely rebuild my business from the inside out. I looked at everything: how money flowed, how we operated, and how much of the business relied on me.
That’s when I discovered two things that changed everything:
Profit First isn’t optional.
You can’t lead well if your business is constantly in survival mode. Every dollar needs a purpose, and profit has to come first.Documentation is freedom.
When everything lives in your head, you’re trapped. When it’s written down and repeatable, you finally have choices—whether that’s delegating, scaling, or selling.
Rebuilding with Intention
Once I applied those two principles, everything started to shift.
I caught up on payroll.
I started to pay down my debt.
And for the first time in a long time, I could breathe again.
But more importantly, I finally built a business that could run without me.
With systems and profit in place, I had a business I could sell, or even franchise, if I ever chose to. Without them, I would’ve had nothing to offer. Just debt, burnout, and an exhausted owner.
Why It Matters
If you’re in that place right now, I see you. I’ve been there.
Maybe you’re behind on bills. Maybe you’re holding your breath every payday. Maybe you’re wondering if you can really keep going.
You can.
It starts with clarity, systems, and profit. Because what you’re building shouldn’t drain you; it should sustain you.
Profit and process aren’t just strategy. They’re survival.
Tired of answering the same questions over and over?
My free Stop the Chaos template will help you capture one process and give your team the clarity they need.
