Running your own business is very different from working for someone else. For one, you need to be self-disciplined because no one is there telling you what to do every day. For another, especially if you work from home, there might be a lack of IRL colleagues that you need to impress. So, in reality, it’s really on you to establish habits that will manifest progress and positivity as the boss of a profitable business. Keep reading for 10 of our top suggestions.

What comes to mind when you hear the term financial management? Maybe it makes you feel anxious or confused. If so, please don’t! Like any other business activity, managing your company’s finances can be broken down into smaller, repeatable, and actionable steps. Taking these steps will erase worries and help ensure that this part of your business runs smoothly.

There are lots of ways to describe small business owners. From smart and ambitious to creative, decisive, and resilient, there are many notable qualities that help those of us in this position succeed. But what about organized? While maybe it doesn’t sound quite as exciting as the rest, being organized is incredibly important when you’re running a business. After all, there’s surely a lot on your plate and all those details matter!

It can be tempting as a small business owner to cling to every dollar. After all, sometimes we’re strapped for cash, and even when we aren’t, it’s natural to want to put every cent back into the business so we can keep growing it. The idea of giving away our funds might feel counterintuitive to our mission. It might even seem flat-out wrong from a business standpoint, despite knowing in our hearts that it’s good to give to others in need.

When it comes to business ownership, it’s absolutely critical to have access to substantial amounts of cash. In all honesty, cash is the lifeblood of a business. This might sound obvious, but do we really understand why? To put it simply, it’s because, despite how often you hear that you should leverage credit to operate a business, you’ll ultimately need cash, not debt, to establish, expand, and grow your business.

It might be tempting to think that only startups experience cash problems. After all, they’re just starting out, and it’s expected that they’re still figuring out how to generate enough sales to cover all their expenses. But what about as your company moves beyond the startup phase? You might wonder if it’s normal or not for it to continue encountering cash issues.

Should I Hire a Tax Specialist? This is one of my favorite questions to answer! Find out when to hire a tax specialist and when not to by listening to today's 58th podlet.

Does My Spouse's Debt Impact My Business? Before you decide to start a business with your spouse, or before you marry them, you should know what shape their finances are in. Worried they might have debt? You can learn more about what to do by listening to this episode of Tuesday's Bag!