Business from Scratch

Know Your Numbers: How to Read a P&L and Balance Sheet | Ep27

Welcome to Season 2 of the Business From Scratch Podcast!  Today we’re talking about something a lot of business owners either avoid completely or pretend they understand more than they actually do: your P&L and your balance sheet. And listen, I am not claiming to be an accounting expert. My CPA would absolutely laugh at that. But I do know this: if you can’t read your financial statements, you are flying your business blind. In this episode, I’m walking you through what a Profit & Loss statement actually tells you, what to look for when you open it, and why revenue alone is not the flex people think it is. We’re talking gross margin, expenses, net profit, and why clean bookkeeping matters if you want your numbers to tell the truth. Then we get into the balance sheet, which is less about how your business performed and more about where your business stands right now. Cash, receivables, debt, equity… the stuff that tells you whether your business is actually healthy or just looking good on paper. My goal is simple: I want you to be able to pull these two reports once a month, spend 20 minutes with them, and actually know what’s happening in your business. Not guess. Not hope. Know. Because knowledge is power, and these numbers tell you something. About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy.

Season One Finale

In this episode, I'm going solo again to talk about some uncomfortable things. We just hit 26 episodes and over 25,000 downloads, and I'm not glossing over that. But I am pulling back the curtain on what's actually been happening behind the scenes, because the polished version of this story isn't the one worth telling. The idea that has anchored this show from day one hasn't changed: you don't need permission. You don't need a perfect plan. You need the courage to start and the grit to keep going when it gets ugly… and it will get ugly. I've lived that this season more than I care to admit, and I'm getting candid about a hard chapter I've been in, because pretending otherwise would be a disservice to every person building something real. Here's the sharpest thing I've learned this season: friction isn't a red flag. Friction is the work. If you've been waiting for things to feel smooth before you push forward, I need you to hear that. The discomfort isn't a sign you're doing it wrong, it's a sign you're actually doing it. I also get into what it really looks like to stop tip-toeing around hard conversations and walk straight into them instead. No more detours. No more softening everything until the point disappears. Season 2 is coming. We're going deeper into the real-time, messy, behind-the-scenes reality of building and running a business. There may be a short gap between seasons as I move into a new production setup, but I'm not going anywhere. Let's keep building. About the Show: Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. I'm a single mom and three-time founder, and I give you straight talk about mindset, money, identity, and what daily life actually looks like when you start from zero. No fluff, no shortcuts, just real guidance, actionable steps, and honest conversations with founders and creatives who built their own way. Every episode helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving, especially when the process feels like a mess. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: /abbye-mcgee-ba2514121/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121/ ] Instagram: ⁠⁠/bizfromscratchpod [https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/] Find the Show Here: YouTube: /@BizFromScratchPod [https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod] Apple: ⁠⁠/business-from-scratch [https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243] ⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠/businessfromscratch [https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=6266213eea7e47bb]

How to Scale Your Brand Without Losing Heart w/ Drewe Smith and Kate Supa | Ep 25

In this episode, I sit down with Drewe Smith and Kate Supa to dig into what it really means to build a brand with intention from the very beginning. We explore why a brand is so much more than just a logo; it’s about your messaging, your client experience, and how you truly connect with your audience. Plus, Drewe and Kate share how they are moving away from traditional social media to find more meaningful engagement on platforms like Pinterest and Substack. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:18) - What a brand should really be (03:55) - Why you don't have to be on camera to be successful (07:03) - The shift to Substack for community building (09:54) - How to leverage Pinterest as a search engine (15:12) - Using Pinterest as a design resource for clients (21:55) - Mapping out a 5-year plan for your business (25:54) - The evolution from photography to holistic brand design (31:38) - The importance of business partnership therapy (45:01) - Investing in legal and financial foundations early About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠] Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod] Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠]Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠] Connect with Drewe Smith and Kate Supa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreweandkate/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/dreweandkate/?hl=en] Website: https://dreweandkate.com/ [https://dreweandkate.com/] Substack: https://notesfromstudio.substack.com/ [https://notesfromstudio.substack.com/]

Scaling a Wholesale Bakery from Home w/ Kevin Connor | Ep 24

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Connor, the founder of Wilmington Bread, to talk about his unexpected journey from being a CPA to running a successful wholesale bakery. Kevin shares the exact math he used to transition from his corporate job and how he built a sustainable business that actually fits his life as a dad. We dig into the "hidden work" of logistics and why clear communication is the secret to keeping your wholesale clients happy. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (03:48) - Leaving the corporate ladder: From CPA to baker (11:00) - The "Aha Moment" and proving the concept (15:22) - Investing in the first deck oven (19:11) - The reality of wholesale pricing and profitability (24:40) - Moving from a laundry room to a production facility (31:12) - Stepping back: Transitioning from operator to owner (39:15) - Managing the chaos of seasonal logistics and traffic (46:46) - Standing your ground on quality and ingredients (53:26) - Where to find Wilmington Bread About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠] Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod] Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠]Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠] Connect with Kevin Connor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilmingtonbreadcompany/ [https://www.instagram.com/wilmingtonbreadcompany/] Website: https://www.wilmingtonbread.com/ [https://www.wilmingtonbread.com/]

The Power of Vendor Partnerships w/ Brittanie Pate | Ep 23

In this episode, I sit down with Brittanie Pate to talk about how she built her event planning and venue businesses through genuine relationships rather than traditional marketing. We dive into her journey from planning ten weddings a year to over one hundred, exploring how shifting your mindset from competition to connection can turn industry peers into your biggest referral sources. If you are ready to grow your service-based business by cultivating a community that supports you, this conversation is for you. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:50) - Brittanie’s first "accidental" planning client during COVID (04:36) - Scaling from 10 to over 100 weddings in six years (05:41) - The importance of trust in a small vendor market (07:44) - Using styled shoots and parties to build community (09:21) - Measuring ROI on vendor relationship events (11:12) - The "scary" process of hiring before you have the money (13:10) - Hiring for personality and brand fit (17:42) - Managing the anxieties of the "Gen Z" bride (20:55) - Transitioning from flat-rate pricing to a percentage model (25:33) - Opening a venue as a natural extension of planning (36:29) - Why every business owner needs to be a "therapist" About the Show Business From Scratch with Abbye McGee is for people who are building a business while rebuilding their life. Abbye, a single mom and three-time founder, shares clear and honest talk about the real work behind mindset, money, identity, and daily life when you start from zero. The show gives you steady guidance, simple steps you can use right away, and real conversations with founders, creatives, and friends who built their own way. Each week helps you focus, test ideas, and keep moving even when the process feels messy. Connect with Abbye: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbye-mcgee-ba2514121⁠] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bizfromscratchpod/⁠] Find the Show Here: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@BizFromScratchPod] Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/business-from-scratch/id1852203243⁠]Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/46DB7MLO9fIMaHQID1EKaN?si=77ab7d85bdcc4b65⁠] Connect with Brittanie Pate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanie_raquel/ [https://www.instagram.com/brittanie_raquel/] Brittanie Raquel Events: https://brittanieraquelevents.com/ [https://brittanieraquelevents.com/] The Elia: https://www.theeliawilmington.com/ [https://www.theeliawilmington.com/]