A Profit First Journey: Confessions of a First-Year Practice Owner

Starting a private practice can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming—especially when it comes to money. In this episode of Therapy for Your Money, Julie sits down with Alex Antonucci, a first-year practice owner who isn’t afraid to share the honest, behind-the-scenes reality of building a financially sustainable practice from the ground up.

Alex opens up about student loan debt that rivaled the cost of his home, feeling unsure about retirement savings, and the mental load that comes with not quite knowing where your money stands. He also shares how implementing Profit First before opening his doors gave him clarity, confidence, and a financial system that now supports both his business and his life.

If you’re a solo practice owner—or dreaming about growing into a group practice—this conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just need a system that helps you make clear, values-aligned decisions along the way.

3 Things to Listen for in This Episode

What it really feels like to start a practice with debt and uncertainty. Alex shares candidly about student loans, financial anxiety, and why he didn’t want money stress to follow him into practice ownership.
How Profit First reduced decision fatigue. Instead of constantly wondering “Can I afford this?”, Alex explains how letting the numbers guide decisions freed up mental energy and reduced stress.
Planning for growth before hiring. From building buffers to offering generous benefits like PTO and retirement contributions, Alex walks through how he’s preparing to hire sustainably—without panic or guesswork.

Resources & Mentions

Billing Assistant Pro by Productive Therapist
Virtual Assistant Support – Productive Therapist
Profit First for Therapists (my book!)
Profit First Academy
Therapy For Your Money website
GreenOak Accounting - www.GreenOakAccounting.com
Tree Pittsburgh - non-profit mentioned by Alex
Alex Antonucci, LPC’s practice page - https://www.waxwingwellness.com/about
Podcast, YouTube, and Other Written Assets Produced by James Marland