I need everyone to take a deep breath before we begin, because today’s episode is about money.
And whenever we start talking about money, people immediately do one of two things:
Pretend they’re totally fine and have everything under control.
Or
Close the tab.
I sat down with Meaghan Wall, AKA The Hot Girl CFO, and somehow we ended up talking about:
debt
hiring
coaches
credit cards
ADHD spending habits
emotional support bookkeeping
and the fact that some of y’all are treating your business bank account like a communal family fridge
Which, respectfully, needs to stop.
Things we learned about Megan:
If she could gather “nuts” like a squirrel: Tarot decks and passport stamps.
If she had to get a phrase tattooed on her face: "The more fun I have, the more money I make."
What would be in the museum gift shop dedicated to her: Hugo Spritz ingredients, chai mix, IPAs, and more beverages than actual exhibits.
Her walkout song: Sabrina Carpenter's "When Did You Get Hot?"
The title she accidentally earned during this episode: Money Mommy.
Ready? Look at your numbers.
Boooooooo. Tomatoes.
But genuinely.
The answer to almost every money-related panic spiral I see online is: Have you actually looked at your finances?
Not: “Do you have a feeling about your finances?”
Not: “Have you been vaguely stressed about your finances?”
Not: “Did you spend three hours on Threads reading someone else’s opinion about finances?”
Have you actually looked? Because a surprising number of business owners are making decisions based on vibes.
And listen, I love a vibe.
I have built an entire personality around vibes.
But vibes are not bookkeeping.
One thing Megan said that really stuck with me was that CFOs help people see the future.
Not because they’re psychic, but because they’re looking at the data.
And I think that’s where a lot of business owners get stuck.
We tell ourselves: “I think I’m doing okay.” “I think I can afford that.” “I think this launch went well.” “I think I should hire someone.” “I think I’m making money.”
And then somebody actually looks at the numbers and discovers: “Oh.”
Turns out thinking and knowing are not the same thing, which is both horrifying and deeply useful.
This was probably my favourite part of the conversation.
Because apparently there are a lot of business owners out there operating under the financial philosophy of: What’s mine is mine.
And what’s the business’s is also mine.
Which...No.
The business is not your checking account.
The business is not your emergency fund.
The business is not your emotional support debit card.
The business is its own thing.
And the sooner you start treating it that way, the easier literally everything becomes.
But every business owner I know who finally got serious about their finances says the exact same thing: “I wish I had done this sooner.”
Can I tell you something?
I think people assign way too much morality to debt, having debt does not make you irresponsible.
Debt is a tool.
Sometimes people use tools effectively. Sometimes people accidentally hit themselves in the face with the tool.
BUT the existence of the tool isn’t the problem.
The important thing is understanding what you’re using it for, and whether it’s helping you build something or helping you avoid something.
Those are very different things.
Look at your numbers even if you’re afraid to. The most empowering thing you can do for your business is to know exactly what you’re working with.
Love you, mean it. 🖤
MEAGHAN LINKS
— Follow Meaghan on Instagram and Threads
— Check out her website
— Browse her services
— Her walkout song
BTL LINKS
— All of my website copy resources:
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This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.
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