FIVE FACTORS TO FOUNDER MATH.

Hey Founder,

Have you heard of "Girl Math"? I hadn't until my daughter brought it up in conversation last week. According to Forbes, Girl Math is this playful set of "rules" that women supposedly use to justify impulse spending. For instance, anything under five dollars is considered free, and cash purchases somehow don’t count. Concert tickets bought in advance? Also free—by the time the concert rolls around, it's like it never happened!

Listen, I get that it’s all meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but I wasn't about to let my daughter buy into that mindset. I told her that Girl Math isn't about justifying impulse spending. True Girl Math is when you use your brilliant, beautiful mind to be financially savvy. It's about making informed decisions with your money—saving, sharing, investing, and yes, even treating yourself to smart deals.

Now, that got me thinking about the entrepreneur's version of Founder Math. If we applied the same satirical lens, Founder Math would likely mean using overly optimistic, often unrealistic projections, ignoring your financial goals, and justifying anything that sounds good in the moment as you fly by the seat of your pants.

Founders, we've got to break out of that trap. So, let's lock in on Financially Fierce Founder Math. This isn’t your everyday math. It’s the kind of math that sets you up for thriving, not just surviving. It’s about understanding your finances inside and out and making strategic decisions that lead to sustainable success.

So, what does Financially Fierce Founder Math look like in practice? Let’s break it down:

END GOAL

First and foremost, every Fierce Founder knows exactly what they're building.

• They know they're building a business that's going to be worth [x dollars].

• By [when]

• By having [what impact].

• On [whom].

• By offering [what products and services].
  

SALES TARGETS

Start with a clear understanding of how much revenue your business needs to generate. This isn’t just pulling numbers out of thin air. It’s a calculated sum, that starts wth the Founder first knowing their bottom line goal and then the sales that need to be generated to ensure they can hit it while covering all costs, both direct and indirect.

DIRECT COSTS

These are the expenses directly associated with delivering your product or service: materials, inputs, subcontractors and direct labour. Know your direct costs inside and out to price your offerings accurately.

INDIRECT COSTS

These are your overhead expenses, the money that comes due regardless of any sales coming in—rent, utilities, insurance, admin salaries. Make sure these are all accounted for in your planning. Include a fair market salary for yourself as the owner to maintain that work-life balance and long-term sustainability.

NET PROFIT

Set your sights on a healthy net profit. Allocate a portion for taxes, a portion to your retained earnings [aka emergency funds], and don’t forget about giving back through philanthropic efforts. This commitment to resilience and social good is how you truly succeed.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS...

Let's redefine what it means to do "math" as Founders. It's not just about scraping by; it's about thriving. By mastering Financially Fierce Founder Math, you can steer your business toward sustainable success while leaving a lasting impact on your community.

BTW, this is what we do best, help Founders like you nail their numbers. We're an email away [helpdesk@nailthenumbers.com] if you ever need help or want to talk about your financial situation.

Until next time, stay focused, fearless and financially fierce!

Taunya.

ABOUT TAUNYA WOODS RICHARDSON

Taunya is well-known for her straight-shooting, bottom-line-building approach to founder finance. As the Founder of Nail The Numbers, she brings 30+ years of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and neuroeconomics to our mission of strengthening the minds and bottom lines of Founders across North America.