In this episode of the Irene Consulting Firm podcast, I sat down with Charles, a seasoned Fractional CFO, to talk through the financial mistakes I see new entrepreneurs make over and over—and how to avoid them before they cost you thousands. I work with small business owners every day who are passionate and driven, but the financial blind spots (like skipping a plan, underpricing, and mixing funds) can sink a business before it ever has a chance to grow. We broke it down in a way that’s practical, not overwhelming, so you can start building a strong financial base from day one. We covered why you need a startup budget and basic cash flow estimates even if you’re bootstrapping, and why pricing based on emotion or competitors leads to “hustle without profit.” We also got into the tax side—setting aside money for quarterly taxes, keeping clean books, and not missing deductions. And yes, we talked about the big ones: paying yourself correctly (especially if you’re an LLC or S-Corp), keeping personal and business finances separate, and building a monthly “finance ritual” so you actually know your numbers. The goal is simple: run your business like a pro, stay compliant, and make smarter money moves with confidence.