Five ways to improve your cash flow — and stop money stress from ruining your business

Poor cash flow is one of the biggest reasons small businesses go under — and it’s also one of the most stressful things to live with as a business owner.

In this episode of Money Secrets, Fi breaks down five practical, proven ways to improve your cash flow, so you can stop feeling constantly on edge and start running a business that actually supports you.

Drawing on 25 years of experience as a chartered accountant and business strategist, Fi explains what cash flow really is, why so many businesses struggle with it (even profitable ones), and the simple shifts you can make to create more stability, confidence, and breathing room in your business finances.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to spot the warning signs of poor cash flow, why growth can sometimes make things worse, and how to build systems that keep money moving — without burning yourself out.

What you'll learn in this episode:

What cash flow actually is (and why profit isn’t the same thing)
Understanding the difference between money coming in and out of your bank account — and why businesses can be “profitable” but still broke.
The difference between temporary and chronic cash flow problems
How to tell whether you’re dealing with a short-term cash squeeze or a deeper structural issue in your business.
Why paying attention is the first (and most important) step
You can’t fix what you’re avoiding. Fi explains simple ways to start tracking cash flow without overwhelm.
How pricing directly impacts your cash flow
Not raising prices is one of the fastest ways to create cash flow problems — and how underpricing sneaks in over time.
Why your systems matter more than your revenue
The businesses that last aren’t always the ones making the most money — they’re the ones managing it well.
How systems like Profit First support better cash flow
Why separating your money into clear “buckets” helps you stay solvent, pay the ATO, and actually keep some profit.
Why growing too fast can break your cash flow
How rapid growth puts pressure on wages, stock, and systems — and why slower, steadier growth is often healthier.
The concept of fast, medium, and slow money
How having multiple income timelines protects your business and smooths cash flow across the month.
Why relying on one revenue stream is risky
How diversifying income sources and payment timing can stabilise your business long-term.
How to build cash flow that supports your life — not just your business
Why the goal isn’t just “more money,” but calmer, more sustainable financial momentum.

💡 If this conversation resonates and you want hands-on support, you can work with Fi one-on-one or join Good Money Club, where small business owners learn how to make and manage money with clarity, confidence, and impact.

- Good Money Club (a few spots will open in 2026)

- Signature 1:1 Program (spaces available from Jan 2026 onwards)

- VIP Day (only one per month, these are powerful strategy sessions)

On-demand training is available any time:

Business Model Design | Good Money Challenge

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We’ve come so far as a society in many ways, but money is one of the areas where progress hasn’t been enough. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, it starts with understanding the secret: money in small business.

In this podcast, Money Secrets, host Fiona (Fi) Johnston, Chartered Accountant, small business advocate, and impact enthusiast, dives into the conversations we need to have about money. The secrets that once stayed behind closed doors (or on the golf course) are finally out in the open.

Fi’s mission? To get more money into the hands of good people, like you. She believes small businesses have the power to change the world, and the key to making a bigger impact is to make, and manage, more money.

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Thank you to everyone involved for bringing this podcast together. We are excited to hear from you with any questions, feedback or suggestions for future episodes that you might have. Send a Direct Message to @peach.business

If you are excited for what’s to come, please like this episode, follow the podcast and share it with your friends. We are thrilled you're here.

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Check out my FREE Pricing Training you need to set your prices for profitability.

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This podcast episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and I'd like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on. I'd like to pay respect to elders both past and present, and note that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.