BEE 527 Profit First Success: Building Wealth with Susanne Mariga

Black Entrepreneur Experience - Episode 527

Title: Profit First Success: Building Wealth with Suzanne Mariga
Host: Dr. Frances Richards ("Dr. Frances")
Guest: Suzanne Mariga, CPA, Profit First Certified Master, Author
Release Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a return visit from Suzanne Mariga, a Profit First Certified Master CPA and bestselling author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprise. In a candid, actionable conversation, Suzanne and Dr. Frances Richards dive into building wealth and legacy through the Profit First approach—specifically tailored for minority business owners. Suzanne shares the foundational mechanics of Profit First, addresses real-world challenges, recounts personal experiences, and details the impact this system makes for entrepreneurs and their communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suzanne Mariga’s Evolution & Mission (01:38–02:43)

Suzanne recaps her journey from CPA to fractional CFO, emphasizing over 20 years of experience helping 7–9 figure entrepreneurs become profitable.
She notes, “We say things will change when I hit seven figures ... The reality is, when we have certain habits, those habits come with us.” (01:53)

2. Profit First Method Explained (02:43–08:34)

Suzanne details the Profit First system, which flips the traditional business model by prioritizing profit from the outset:
- Multiple Business Bank Accounts: Income, Profit, Owner’s Pay, Tax, and Operating Expenses (OPEX)
- Income is deposited into a single account, then allocated (on the 10th and 25th each month) into purpose-driven accounts.
- She clarifies, “Even if you've been running your business at a loss for the last five years, you're profitable on day one because you physically move the money into a profit bank account and you're not going to use it for the business.” (05:01)
- Explains Parkinson’s Law: People spend what’s available; allocating funds by account constrains impulsive spending.

3. Bank Account Logistics & Accessibility (08:34–10:11)

Keep business accounts separate from personal for liability purposes.
Use the same bank for ease of transfers (advanced users may “hide money from themselves” at distant banks).
Recommends Relay Bank, which caters to Profit First setups and enables multiple free accounts.

4. Addressing Capital Constraints & Flexibility (10:11–13:17)

Acknowledges the challenge of capital for new/small businesses.
Encourages starting small: “Start with 1% ... you'd be surprised ... that might be a 10% improvement in profitability on day one.” (12:11)
Flexibility is crucial—adjust allocation percentages temporarily if needed, with clear boundaries for revisiting financial strategy.

5. Success Stories & Community Impact (13:17–16:24)

Shares client case: manufacturing business grew from $50K to $500K take-home after implementing Profit First (13:31).
Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises book funds scholarships for girls in Zimbabwe—“Every year since 2021, we have filled up a classroom of young girls in Zimbabwe ... funded throughout their high school career.” (13:56)

6. Suzanne’s Personal ‘Aha Moment’ (16:24–20:04)

She reveals her own struggle as an overworked entrepreneur and the dramatic change after adopting Profit First—her first profit distribution went toward a family piano.
Personal business success: Sold her practice at 46, funding her children’s education and securing her legacy.
“Profitability as minority entrepreneurs is so important because we're creating legacy, we're creating wealth.” (19:15)

7. Purpose & Legacy (Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty) (20:04–21:59)

Suzanne wants to help eradicate wealth gaps in communities of color: “Profit First method and realizing that education that we need ... us stepping into the fact that we deserve it.” (20:17)

8. Hiring, Boundaries & Standing in Your Worth (21:01–21:59)

Advises acting on your convictions—hiring right, firing when needed, and valuing yourself as an entrepreneur.

9. Ideal Outcome & Client Profile (22:13–22:59)

Suzanne’s dream: “Suzanne would be over the moon if ... every business implemented Profit First.”
Works best with 7–9 figure entrepreneurs; can be contacted via suzannemariga.com or marigagroup.com.

10. CPA → Fractional CFO: The Pivot (23:15–24:02)

The shift came from wanting deeper relationships and impact—her clients valued her collaborative, communicative approach.

11. Facing Business Finances as an Entrepreneur (24:02–26:10)

Acknowledges avoidance is normal—“Looking at business finances can feel like facing the monster in the closet.” (24:43)
Solution: Hire a coach or fractional CFO to provide accountability and support.

12. Finding the Right Financial Professional (26:10–26:38)

Begin by asking peers: “Who’s happy with their CPA? Who out there is happy with their CPA that is having good results?”

13. Essential Reading (Book Recommendation) (26:38–27:06)

Recommends her own book, Profit First for Minority Business Enterprise, as foundational for profit and tax strategy.

14. Artificial Intelligence in Finance (27:06–27:46)

Embraces AI—especially for analysis, strategic planning, and accelerating business decisions: “AI makes all of us faster and more powerful ... run your AI and embrace it!” (27:14)

15. Leadership: Permission to Pivot (27:46–28:48)

Best decision: “Giving myself permission to pivot.” She hints at an upcoming manufacturing business, crediting her accounting background for rapid progress.

16. Selling a Business – The Journey & Lessons (29:14–31:47)

Sold her firm after a well-timed broker call; having sellable, profitable, self-sustaining systems is critical.
“Nobody wants to buy a job ... people want an asset.” (30:32)
Built the business to be sellable “at a drop of a dime”—important because “life happens.” (31:23)

17. Legacy & Influence (31:47–34:45)

Wants to be remembered for changing lives.
Major influencer: Her father, a CPA and business owner whose example was formative; also credits lessons from varied mentors.

18. Rebuilding from Scratch & Entrepreneurial Resilience (34:00–34:45)

Confident she could rebuild in any industry: “Your second business will grow much faster than your first ... that capital you have—will never, ever be something that you lose.” (34:09)

19. Purpose & Motivation (“Start with Your Why”) (34:51–38:00)

Core motivation: “Helping people create a better legacy for themselves and their families.”
Advice for entrepreneurs? “Start with your why ... and then create your next actions and steps building on that why.” (37:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Profit First:
“You are profitable on day one, because you physically move the money into a profit bank account ... and you’re not going to use it for the business.” — Suzanne Mariga (05:01)
On Mindset:
“I knew that Profit First was needed because I saw the changes in my life.” — Suzanne Mariga (16:35)
On Community Impact:
“Eradicating entrepreneurial poverty in our communities of color.” — Suzanne Mariga (20:54)
On Facing Finances:
“Looking at business finances can feel like [a monster in the closet] but ... if you don’t face it, what’s coming, you don’t want to be at that point where the pain is forcing you ...” — Suzanne Mariga (24:43)
On Leadership:
“Giving myself permission to pivot would be the best decision.” — Suzanne Mariga (27:50)
On Rebuilding:
“Your second business will grow much faster than your first business ... that capital that you have, will never ever be something that you lose.” — Suzanne Mariga (34:09)
Advice:
“Start with your why. Start with what’s important to you and then create your next actions and next steps based upon building upon that why.” — Suzanne Mariga (37:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Introduction & Suzanne’s Evolution – 01:38
Profit First System Outline – 02:43–08:34
Account Logistics & Bank Recommendations – 08:34–10:11
Adapting for Small Businesses – 10:11–13:17
Success Story & Book Impact – 13:31–16:24
Personal Breakthrough with Profit First – 16:24–20:04
Community Wealth & Legacy – 20:04–21:59
Hiring & Standing in Your Worth – 21:01–21:59
Dreams for Profit First – 22:13
Pivot to Fractional CFO – 23:15
Facing Entrepreneurial Finances – 24:02
Finding Good Advisors – 26:10
Book Recommendation – 26:38
Artificial Intelligence in Finance – 27:14
Permission to Pivot – 27:50
Selling the CPA Practice – 29:14
Legacy & Influence – 31:47
Advice for Entrepreneurs – 37:35
Rapid Round Fun – 38:00–39:43
Contact & Final Words – 39:43

Contact & Further Resources

Connect with Suzanne Mariga:
SuzanneMariga.com | MarigaGroup.com
Book:
Profit First for Minority Business Enterprise – available wherever books are sold
Recommended Bank for Profit First System: Relay Bank (link in show notes)
Profit First Allocation Tools: ProfitMap Co (link in show notes)

For listeners wanting to transform their business finances, build legacy, and join a movement toward community wealth, this episode delivers clarity, inspiration, and a roadmap to action.

“Give yourself permission to pivot. Don’t allow the world to pigeonhole you.” – Suzanne Mariga (28:34)

Black Entrepreneur Experience - Episode 527

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suzanne Mariga’s Evolution & Mission (01:38–02:43)

Suzanne recaps her journey from CPA to fractional CFO, emphasizing over 20 years of experience helping 7–9 figure entrepreneurs become profitable.
She notes, “We say things will change when I hit seven figures ... The reality is, when we have certain habits, those habits come with us.” (01:53)

2. Profit First Method Explained (02:43–08:34)

Suzanne details the Profit First system, which flips the traditional business model by prioritizing profit from the outset:
- Multiple Business Bank Accounts: Income, Profit, Owner’s Pay, Tax, and Operating Expenses (OPEX)
- Income is deposited into a single account, then allocated (on the 10th and 25th each month) into purpose-driven accounts.
- She clarifies, “Even if you've been running your business at a loss for the last five years, you're profitable on day one because you physically move the money into a profit bank account and you're not going to use it for the business.” (05:01)
- Explains Parkinson’s Law: People spend what’s available; allocating funds by account constrains impulsive spending.

3. Bank Account Logistics & Accessibility (08:34–10:11)

Keep business accounts separate from personal for liability purposes.
Use the same bank for ease of transfers (advanced users may “hide money from themselves” at distant banks).
Recommends Relay Bank, which caters to Profit First setups and enables multiple free accounts.

4. Addressing Capital Constraints & Flexibility (10:11–13:17)

Acknowledges the challenge of capital for new/small businesses.
Encourages starting small: “Start with 1% ... you'd be surprised ... that might be a 10% improvement in profitability on day one.” (12:11)
Flexibility is crucial—adjust allocation percentages temporarily if needed, with clear boundaries for revisiting financial strategy.

5. Success Stories & Community Impact (13:17–16:24)

Shares client case: manufacturing business grew from $50K to $500K take-home after implementing Profit First (13:31).
Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises book funds scholarships for girls in Zimbabwe—“Every year since 2021, we have filled up a classroom of young girls in Zimbabwe ... funded throughout their high school career.” (13:56)

6. Suzanne’s Personal ‘Aha Moment’ (16:24–20:04)

She reveals her own struggle as an overworked entrepreneur and the dramatic change after adopting Profit First—her first profit distribution went toward a family piano.
Personal business success: Sold her practice at 46, funding her children’s education and securing her legacy.
“Profitability as minority entrepreneurs is so important because we're creating legacy, we're creating wealth.” (19:15)

7. Purpose & Legacy (Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty) (20:04–21:59)

Suzanne wants to help eradicate wealth gaps in communities of color: “Profit First method and realizing that education that we need ... us stepping into the fact that we deserve it.” (20:17)

8. Hiring, Boundaries & Standing in Your Worth (21:01–21:59)

Advises acting on your convictions—hiring right, firing when needed, and valuing yourself as an entrepreneur.

9. Ideal Outcome & Client Profile (22:13–22:59)

Suzanne’s dream: “Suzanne would be over the moon if ... every business implemented Profit First.”
Works best with 7–9 figure entrepreneurs; can be contacted via suzannemariga.com or marigagroup.com.

10. CPA → Fractional CFO: The Pivot (23:15–24:02)

The shift came from wanting deeper relationships and impact—her clients valued her collaborative, communicative approach.

11. Facing Business Finances as an Entrepreneur (24:02–26:10)

Acknowledges avoidance is normal—“Looking at business finances can feel like facing the monster in the closet.” (24:43)
Solution: Hire a coach or fractional CFO to provide accountability and support.

12. Finding the Right Financial Professional (26:10–26:38)

Begin by asking peers: “Who’s happy with their CPA? Who out there is happy with their CPA that is having good results?”

13. Essential Reading (Book Recommendation) (26:38–27:06)

Recommends her own book, Profit First for Minority Business Enterprise, as foundational for profit and tax strategy.

14. Artificial Intelligence in Finance (27:06–27:46)

Embraces AI—especially for analysis, strategic planning, and accelerating business decisions: “AI makes all of us faster and more powerful ... run your AI and embrace it!” (27:14)

15. Leadership: Permission to Pivot (27:46–28:48)

Best decision: “Giving myself permission to pivot.” She hints at an upcoming manufacturing business, crediting her accounting background for rapid progress.

16. Selling a Business – The Journey & Lessons (29:14–31:47)

Sold her firm after a well-timed broker call; having sellable, profitable, self-sustaining systems is critical.
“Nobody wants to buy a job ... people want an asset.” (30:32)
Built the business to be sellable “at a drop of a dime”—important because “life happens.” (31:23)

17. Legacy & Influence (31:47–34:45)

Wants to be remembered for changing lives.
Major influencer: Her father, a CPA and business owner whose example was formative; also credits lessons from varied mentors.

18. Rebuilding from Scratch & Entrepreneurial Resilience (34:00–34:45)

Confident she could rebuild in any industry: “Your second business will grow much faster than your first ... that capital you have—will never, ever be something that you lose.” (34:09)

19. Purpose & Motivation (“Start with Your Why”) (34:51–38:00)

Core motivation: “Helping people create a better legacy for themselves and their families.”
Advice for entrepreneurs? “Start with your why ... and then create your next actions and steps building on that why.” (37:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Profit First:
“You are profitable on day one, because you physically move the money into a profit bank account ... and you’re not going to use it for the business.” — Suzanne Mariga (05:01)
On Mindset:
“I knew that Profit First was needed because I saw the changes in my life.” — Suzanne Mariga (16:35)
On Community Impact:
“Eradicating entrepreneurial poverty in our communities of color.” — Suzanne Mariga (20:54)
On Facing Finances:
“Looking at business finances can feel like [a monster in the closet] but ... if you don’t face it, what’s coming, you don’t want to be at that point where the pain is forcing you ...” — Suzanne Mariga (24:43)
On Leadership:
“Giving myself permission to pivot would be the best decision.” — Suzanne Mariga (27:50)
On Rebuilding:
“Your second business will grow much faster than your first business ... that capital that you have, will never ever be something that you lose.” — Suzanne Mariga (34:09)
Advice:
“Start with your why. Start with what’s important to you and then create your next actions and next steps based upon building upon that why.” — Suzanne Mariga (37:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Introduction & Suzanne’s Evolution – 01:38
Profit First System Outline – 02:43–08:34
Account Logistics & Bank Recommendations – 08:34–10:11
Adapting for Small Businesses – 10:11–13:17
Success Story & Book Impact – 13:31–16:24
Personal Breakthrough with Profit First – 16:24–20:04
Community Wealth & Legacy – 20:04–21:59
Hiring & Standing in Your Worth – 21:01–21:59
Dreams for Profit First – 22:13
Pivot to Fractional CFO – 23:15
Facing Entrepreneurial Finances – 24:02
Finding Good Advisors – 26:10
Book Recommendation – 26:38
Artificial Intelligence in Finance – 27:14
Permission to Pivot – 27:50
Selling the CPA Practice – 29:14
Legacy & Influence – 31:47
Advice for Entrepreneurs – 37:35
Rapid Round Fun – 38:00–39:43
Contact & Final Words – 39:43

Contact & Further Resources

Connect with Suzanne Mariga:
SuzanneMariga.com | MarigaGroup.com
Book:
Profit First for Minority Business Enterprise – available wherever books are sold
Recommended Bank for Profit First System: Relay Bank (link in show notes)
Profit First Allocation Tools: ProfitMap Co (link in show notes)

For listeners wanting to transform their business finances, build legacy, and join a movement toward community wealth, this episode delivers clarity, inspiration, and a roadmap to action.

“Give yourself permission to pivot. Don’t allow the world to pigeonhole you.” – Suzanne Mariga (28:34)

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Summary

Black Entrepreneur Experience - Episode 527

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suzanne Mariga’s Evolution & Mission (01:38–02:43)

2. Profit First Method Explained (02:43–08:34)

3. Bank Account Logistics & Accessibility (08:34–10:11)

4. Addressing Capital Constraints & Flexibility (10:11–13:17)

5. Success Stories & Community Impact (13:17–16:24)

6. Suzanne’s Personal ‘Aha Moment’ (16:24–20:04)

7. Purpose & Legacy (Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty) (20:04–21:59)

8. Hiring, Boundaries & Standing in Your Worth (21:01–21:59)

9. Ideal Outcome & Client Profile (22:13–22:59)

10. CPA → Fractional CFO: The Pivot (23:15–24:02)

11. Facing Business Finances as an Entrepreneur (24:02–26:10)

12. Finding the Right Financial Professional (26:10–26:38)

13. Essential Reading (Book Recommendation) (26:38–27:06)

14. Artificial Intelligence in Finance (27:06–27:46)

15. Leadership: Permission to Pivot (27:46–28:48)

16. Selling a Business – The Journey & Lessons (29:14–31:47)

17. Legacy & Influence (31:47–34:45)

18. Rebuilding from Scratch & Entrepreneurial Resilience (34:00–34:45)

19. Purpose & Motivation (“Start with Your Why”) (34:51–38:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Contact & Further Resources

For listeners wanting to transform their business finances, build legacy, and join a movement toward community wealth, this episode delivers clarity, inspiration, and a roadmap to action.

Summary

Black Entrepreneur Experience - Episode 527

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suzanne Mariga’s Evolution & Mission (01:38–02:43)

2. Profit First Method Explained (02:43–08:34)

3. Bank Account Logistics & Accessibility (08:34–10:11)

4. Addressing Capital Constraints & Flexibility (10:11–13:17)

5. Success Stories & Community Impact (13:17–16:24)

6. Suzanne’s Personal ‘Aha Moment’ (16:24–20:04)

7. Purpose & Legacy (Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty) (20:04–21:59)

8. Hiring, Boundaries & Standing in Your Worth (21:01–21:59)

9. Ideal Outcome & Client Profile (22:13–22:59)

10. CPA → Fractional CFO: The Pivot (23:15–24:02)

11. Facing Business Finances as an Entrepreneur (24:02–26:10)

12. Finding the Right Financial Professional (26:10–26:38)

13. Essential Reading (Book Recommendation) (26:38–27:06)

14. Artificial Intelligence in Finance (27:06–27:46)

15. Leadership: Permission to Pivot (27:46–28:48)

16. Selling a Business – The Journey & Lessons (29:14–31:47)

17. Legacy & Influence (31:47–34:45)

18. Rebuilding from Scratch & Entrepreneurial Resilience (34:00–34:45)

19. Purpose & Motivation (“Start with Your Why”) (34:51–38:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Contact & Further Resources

For listeners wanting to transform their business finances, build legacy, and join a movement toward community wealth, this episode delivers clarity, inspiration, and a roadmap to action.