Profit First flips the formula. Instead of Sales minus Expenses equals Profit, every dollar of revenue gets allocated into separate accounts the moment it lands, so profit is paid first and operating expenses are forced to fit what's left. Here's exactly how the five-account system works, the percentages by revenue tier, who it fits, and the mistakes that quietly break it.

Your slow season is coming. The question is whether you'll meet it with a cash cushion or a clenched jaw. Here's how to look at last year's numbers, build a real reserve, and trim costs before the dip, so your lean months feel manageable instead of terrifying.