Is your business financially ready for the unexpected?

The thing about money is that we often don’t think about it until we have to.

When things are going smoothly, financial clarity might seem like a nice-to-have rather than a necessity. But what happens when the unexpected hits?

I learned this lesson firsthand while traveling through Lima, Peru. My daughter and I arrived at the airport well ahead of time, only to be told we had “missed” check-in, even though we were standing in line when they closed the flight. The airline refused to budge.

Suddenly, I had to make split-second financial decisions:

• Rebook a new flight.
• Find last-minute accommodations.
• Cover unexpected expenses that weren’t in the original budget.

Without an emergency fund in place, the situation could have been a disaster. But because I track my finances intentionally, I had a financial cushion to handle it and a sense of control, even in a stressful moment.

Bookkeeping is more than just numbers… it’s about control

Many business owners see bookkeeping as just a tax-time task, a necessary evil they put off until deadlines force them to scramble.

But I stopped seeing bookkeeping as a burden years ago when I realized how often I felt confused about my own money. Where was it going? Why did I think I had more than I did? Why did saving always feel harder than it should?

When I started tracking everything, first personally, then in my business, everything changed. Suddenly, my money was no longer a mystery; it was a tool.

When you have clarity over your numbers, you can:

• Prepare for the unexpected (so a bad business month or a surprise expense doesn’t derail you).
• Spend with intention (ensuring your purchases reflect your business values).
• Make decisions with confidence (whether it’s hiring, investing in tools, or adjusting your prices).

Every dollar you spend or save is a vote for your business

Here’s something to remember: If you’re not tracking your money, you’re letting circumstances decide for you. 

But when you actively manage your finances, you’re choosing:

✅ What gets prioritized.

✅ Where you’ll reinvest for growth.

✅ How you’ll create long-term sustainability.

And that’s what Purpose-Driven Bookkeeping is all about, aligning your financial choices with your bigger mission.

How to start taking control of your business finances

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by numbers, start small:

1. Log every income & expense for the next 30 days. Even if it’s just in a Google Sheet, track where your money is coming from and where it’s going.
2. Create a financial buffer. Even setting aside 5-10% of revenue into an “emergency fund” can be a game-changer for unexpected situations.
3. Review your spending. Look at each expense and ask, “Does this align with my long-term business goals?”

It doesn’t take long to see patterns and once you do, you’ll never look at your business finances the same way again.

What’s one financial habit you can start this month to bring more clarity to your business?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment or reply, I always love chatting with purpose-driven entrepreneurs!

Shalom, everyone!