Yes, You Can Understand Your Numbers Even If You’re Not a Numbers Person

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m just not a numbers person”? Maybe math was never your thing, and you’ve carried that belief into your business. If that sounds like you, then this is exactly what you need. Let’s talk about how you can understand your numbers—even if you’ve never felt confident with math. We’re ditching the self-doubt and stepping into your role as the leader of your business.

First things first: You don’t need to be a math whiz to understand your numbers.

Here’s a little secret—I’m actually not great at doing math in my head. Yep, even as an accountant! My husband’s faster than me when it comes to quick mental math, but that doesn’t make me any less qualified. Why? Because I use tools. I rely on calculators and software just like you can. That’s what they’re there for.

I’ve worked with so many business owners who have shared their fears around math. Some had tough experiences in school. Others have math-related learning disabilities. One client even told me they failed accounting in college.

And guess what? Every single one of them was still completely capable of learning how to understand their business finances. They just needed support, tools, and permission to stop holding themselves to some unrealistic standard.

So I want to say this clearly:
You can be an incredible business owner without being a math genius.
You can learn to read your numbers.
You can feel confident managing your bookkeeping.

This is here to encourage you, empower you, and remind you that understanding your numbers is a skill—not a personality trait. And it’s one you can absolutely build.

If you’ve been thinking bookkeeping requires complicated math… good news—it doesn’t!

QuickBooks (or whatever software you’re using) does the heavy lifting when it comes to calculations and complex accounting entries. What you need is the ability to understand the story your numbers are telling you—and that’s where it gets exciting.

Think of your finances like a recipe. If you only focus on one or two ingredients, it’s hard to picture the final dish. The same goes for your business: when you only look at isolated numbers—or avoid them altogether—it’s nearly impossible to make confident decisions or predict where you’re headed.

You don’t need to be a math person. You just need to be open to learning.

Here’s the truth: stepping into your CEO role means choosing to think like a leader, not “just” a freelancer or someone running a side hustle. And yes, even if it’s just you right now, you are the visionary. You’re the decision-maker. You’re already in the CEO seat—so let’s own it.

That shift in mindset didn’t happen overnight for me either. I used to feel like I hadn’t “earned” the title because I didn’t follow a traditional corporate path. But building your own business is earning it. No one handed it to you. You created it. And that means you absolutely belong here.

The numbers support your vision.

When you consistently check in with your financials, you’re setting your business up for growth. And it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Just 10–15 minutes a week can make a big difference—whether that’s catching small issues before they grow or simply feeling more in control.

One of my favorite examples is Morgan Ebright, a hair and makeup artist who used to track her business in the Notes app on her phone. Now, she feels empowered and organized—and she spends less than 15 minutes a week reviewing her numbers.

And here’s the best part: you don’t need to look at everything.

You only need to focus on a few key numbers:

• Revenue (AKA sales or income)
• Expenses (what’s going out)

That’s it! No complicated jargon, no long reports filled with fluff. Just simple, straightforward data that helps you lead your business with clarity.

Let’s simplify things: the two most important areas to keep an eye on in your business are:

• The money coming in (revenue)
• The money going out (expenses)

When you subtract expenses from revenue, you get profit. This number shows you how your business is growing and gives you insight into where you can reinvest and fuel future growth.

But don’t stop there—also keep tabs on your cash flow. That’s the actual cash moving in and out of your accounts. Even if your business is profitable on paper, poor cash flow can cause problems like overdrafting or missing out on early-payment discounts. Being aware of your upcoming expenses helps you stay prepared and gives you the power to make smarter financial decisions.

Keep it simple and consistent.

I truly believe that a quick 5-minute check-in each month can help any business owner feel confident about how their month went. One of my clients does exactly this: she records a short Loom video each month reviewing her own Profit & Loss report (which is simply a summary of your income and expenses). Then she sends it to me to get feedback or ask questions.

She didn’t start there—it took time and support. And that’s okay. You can build up to that too. It’s about progress, not perfection. And I’m here to help you along the way.

Ready to start building your confidence to finally understand your numbers?

Here are a few practical tips:

• Set a regular check-in with yourself — Whether it’s weekly or monthly, treat it like a coffee date. Make it relaxing—light a candle, grab your favorite drink, and get comfy.

• Use tools like QuickBooks — It makes things simpler and less intimidating. QuickBooks automates the math and helps you avoid digging through spreadsheets.
  
• Keep listening to this podcast — You’ll find more tips, encouragement, and real-life stories to remind you that you’re not alone in this.

You don’t have to be a numbers expert to lead your business well. You just need a few simple habits, a supportive resource (like this show!), and a willingness to keep learning.

Let’s talk about something real: the fear of not knowing.

Not know if there’s a term in QuickBooks you don’t understand, a task you don’t know how to do, or a question you want to ask your CPA but feel embarrassed to say out loud – it’s scary!

You are not alone.

So many business owners feel this way. I’ve reviewed over 65 QuickBooks accounts now, and I can tell you—most people don’t have it all figured out. They might nod and smile in meetings like they understand everything, but underneath, they’re overwhelmed and unsure.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone else just gets it, but that’s simply not true.

So let’s break the shame. Let’s stop pretending. You can ask questions. You can admit what you don’t know. That’s how we grow.

Here’s the truth I want you to take away today

You are more than capable of understanding your numbers and thriving financially.

Most of us didn’t start our businesses just for the money—we wanted to make a difference. We wanted to help support our families, pay off debt, give generously, and build something meaningful. But to do all of that, we’ve got to stop telling ourselves, “I’m just not a numbers person.”

Your numbers hold the key to the impact you want to make.

So here’s a gentle challenge for this week:

1. Open up your numbers. Look at them with curiosity, not fear.
2. Jot down anything that confuses you.
3. Highlight a few words or areas you want to learn more about.
4. And remind yourself—you don’t have to do this alone.

I’m here to help you get comfy with your numbers, one step at a time.

Listen to this episode!

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