Money First CEO
How do you build a business that truly supports your life?
I’m the Money First CEO. Over the past 5 years, I’ve grown a sustainable 6-figure business and built a 7-figure investment portfolio, not by working harder, but by managing money differently.
This podcast shares the real habits, honest lessons, and simple strategies that helped me and can help you build a business that puts profit and peace first.
If you’re ready to feel more confident with your cash and create long-term stability, you’re in the right place. New episodes every Monday.
Episodes
51 episodes
If I Had to Start Again from $0… This Is Exactly What I’d Do
Most business owners think growth comes first.More clients. More revenue. More momentum.But that is not what creates a stable business.In this 50th episode of Money First CEO, Harman Johnston breaks down exactly what she would...
The $100K Mistake: Hiring Before You’re Financially Ready
Hiring feels like growth.More people. More support. More capacity.But for most service-based business owners, hiring too early is not growth.It is a profit leak.In this episode of Money First CEO, Harman Johnston bre...
The Owner Trap – When Your Business Depends on You
Most business owners think being across everything is a strength.It is not.It is the reason they feel stuck.In this episode of Money First CEO, Harman Johnston breaks down the owner trap. The hidden pattern where your busin...
Tax Without Panic – How to Always Be Ready
Most business owners think tax is the problem.It is not.The real problem is how you manage your money before tax shows up.In this episode of Money First CEO, Harman Johnston breaks down why tax feels like an emerge...
Your Numbers Are Talking. You’re Just Not Listening.
Harman Johnston breaks down the three biggest financial illusions that keep business owners stuck in stress and confusion. Revenue is not clarity. Your bank balance is not profit. And growth is not stability.She explains why these miscon...
The 15-Minute Money Health Check Every CEO Should Do This Week
Harman Johnston outlines a 15 minute money health check built around five questions to help business owners regain financial control: know your current profit percentage, know how many months of operating expenses you have saved, pay yourself a...
Why You Still Feel Broke After Your Best Month
Harman Johnston explains why business owners can hit a record revenue month and still feel broke, focusing on four causes: measuring success by revenue instead of what you keep, spending with false confidence after a high month, failing to reta...
The Expense Trap Smart CEOs Keep Falling For
Harman Johnston flips the Buy Now Pay Later debate to focus on business spending, warning that it creates an illusion of affordability while undermining cash discipline. She explains how BNPL commits future revenue before it arrives, hides true...
The $10K Decision You’re Avoiding
Harman Johnston urges business owners to face the “$10K decision” they keep avoiding, arguing it is already costing them money each month through delay. She outlines four common versions: hiring operational support to remove the CEO bottleneck,...
The Truth About Hiring a Professional Bookkeeper
Harman Johnston explains what working with a professional bookkeeper should actually feel like for Australian business owners, challenging the belief that bookkeeping is just data entry, reconciliations, and BAS compliance. She describes how cl...
How to Pay Yourself More Without Increasing Revenue
In this episode, Harman Johnston explains how established business owners can increase consistent owner’s pay without increasing revenue by changing from an operator mindset to a CEO mindset and using Profit First style allocations. She challen...
What CEOs Get Wrong When They Do Their Own Bookkeeping
In this episode of 'Money First, CEO,' host Harman Johnston discusses the significant shift in a CEO's role as their business grows, specifically why continuing to handle your own bookkeeping can hinder growth. Harman outlines the mental and pr...
“Where’s My Profit?!” - Why Your Bank Balance Doesn’t Match Your P&L
In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston delves into the common issue business owners face when their profit and loss statements don't align with their bank account balances. Harman explains the crucial distinctions between profit a...
How to Financially Prepare for Hiring, Without Stressing Your Bottom Line
In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston shares practical advice on financially preparing for hiring staff. Harman emphasises the importance of proactive planning and introduces a strategic approach to ensure new hires do not b...
Annual Price Reviews – A CEO’s Non-Negotiable
In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses the importance of conducting annual price reviews. Harman guides service-based businesses, retail operators, and manufacturers on strategies to ensure their pricing reflects increas...
The Biggest Expense I Cut That Didn’t Hurt My Lifestyle
In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses a major expense she cut from her business: online courses that were never finished. Harman shares her struggle with 'course addiction' and the financial and mental toll it took. By ...
2026 Vision: What’s Next for Money First CEOs
In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston reflects on the lessons learned and milestones achieved in 2025, while outlining exciting plans for 2026. Harman shares the mission behind the podcast, emphasising the importance of prio...
Rest, Reflect, Recharge: The CEO Reset You Can’t Afford to Skip
In this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston discusses the critical importance of rest for business owners. Harman explains how intentional rest can be a powerful revenue strategy, leading to clear decisions, better boundaries, and...
Stop Doing It All: Skyrocket Profits with Smart Delegation
Welcome back to Money First, CEO, with your host Harman Johnston, who shares her journey from a one-person operation to a thriving business through smart money habits and systems. This episode focuses on the importance of delegation, highlighti...
Imagine One Fearless Quarter
Welcome to Money First, CEO, with Harman Johnston, an expert bookkeeper, profit-first professional, and business coach from Sydney, Australia. This episode focuses on envisioning a fearless business quarter, free from self-doubt and overwhelm. ...
The 5 Types of Wealth – Redefining What It Means to Be Truly Wealthy
Unlocking the Five Types of Wealth: A Holistic Approach to Business SuccessIn this episode of Money First, CEO, host Harman Johnston introduces listeners to the five types of wealth, inspired by Sahil Bloom's framework, which she encount...
How to Make Profit a Habit – Mike Michalowicz on the Profit First Formula
This is a special episode as we welcome our first guest, Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the author of Profit First and a global expert on small business finance. His mission is to end entrepreneurial poverty, and he's helped thousands of bu...
Say No, Win Big: Boost Profits with Boundaries
In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses the critical importance of setting boundaries in business. Harman shares a personal story about the costly mistake of saying yes to a rush job, highlighting how it drained her resou...
Get Paid Faster: Transform Your Invoicing Process
In this episode, Harman discusses the challenges of dealing with late payments and how it affects cash flow and overall business health. She outlines practical steps to improve debtor follow-ups, including sending friendly reminders, automating...
Keep Customers Forever: Cash-Boosting Loyalty Secret
In this episode of Money First, CEO, Harman Johnston discusses how to keep customers forever with cash-boosting loyalty strategies. She shares her personal experience of losing a $10,000 client and explains the significant costs associated with...