The Owner's
Business Reset
A practical starting point to understand your money, spot what needs attention, and choose your first three moves.
If you're reading this, your business works. People pay you. But somewhere along the way it grew faster than your systems did, and now the numbers live in different apps, the receipts live everywhere, and too much of it lives in your head.
This workbook won't ask you to start over or buy software. It gives you a straightforward way to review your own numbers, spot the gaps, and decide what to do next. Start with rough answers; fill in the details as you go.
*Time estimates are for a first pass, not a full bookkeeping cleanup. Rough numbers are okay to start; mark anything you need to verify.
| Part one | Your money. What came in, what went out, what you kept, and what leaks. | 25 min* |
| Part two | What you sell. Which offer actually pays you best. | 15 min* |
| Part three | Your Owner Score. Where your business is strong and where it's fragile. | 10 min* |
| Part four | Your first three moves. What to fix, in what order. | 10 min* |
What your money is actually doing
You probably know what you sold. Let's build a simple cash snapshot of what came in and what went out.
Step 1Every place money comes in
List the sources where customers paid you last month, including cash. Don't count the same sale once in an app and again when its payout reaches your bank.
| Where it comes in | Roughly how much last month |
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Step 2Last month in three numbers
In is customer money received. Out is business spending paid during the month. Kept is In minus Out: a quick cash estimate, not formal profit or money available after taxes.
a first snapshot, not the final answer. mark anything you still need to verify.
Your Approximate Hourly Return
Estimate the hours you worked last month, including packing, customer messages, sourcing, driving, posting, and paperwork. Divide your quick cash remainder by those hours as a directional measure, not your actual wage.
The tax reality check
No math required. Just honest answers.
Any "no" here goes straight onto your list of moves on page 7. A tax professional can tell you what percentage to set aside for your situation.
Step 6The Leak Finder
Scan last month's bank and card statements for anything that charges you on repeat: apps, software, subscriptions, memberships, storage, the trial you forgot to cancel. Mark each one.
| Recurring charge | Per month | Keep | Cut | Check |
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Step 7What your platforms keep
If you sell through a platform or accept cards, add up last month's processing and selling fees. Divide by gross sales processed through those platforms, not deposits after fees.
Your top five, honestly
List the five things you sell most: products, services, packages, or jobs. For each one, note your price, direct costs (materials, stock, fees, shipping, help), and approximate time. This is a quick comparison before overhead and taxes, not a full profit calculation.
| Product or service | Price | Cost to you | Left after costsprice − costs | Your timehours | Left per hour | Sell most |
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Your Owner Score
Answer honestly. One point for every "yes." Use this informal self-check to find patterns. A lower score points to an area worth reviewing; it is not a formal business rating.
Your first three moves
Every "no" on pages 3 and 6 has a fix below. Check the ones that apply, start with your lowest area, then choose just three. Suggested marks fixes linked to your answers.
Your monthly owner page
This is the habit that changes everything. In your owner hour at the start of each month, track six useful figures. In three months, you'll see your business more clearly than most owners ever do.
| Your six figures | Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 |
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