Let’s talk about the number that makes entrepreneurs puff up their chests on Instagram: revenue.
“Look at this $10k month!”
“We’re on track for six figures!”
“I just landed a $50k client!”
Cool.
But did any of that money actually… show up in your bank account?
Because here’s the deal: revenue isn’t real until it clears.
1. Booked ≠ Paid
Your proposal got accepted. The invoice is out. The contract’s signed.
You’re mentally shopping for new office furniture.
You might even be posting about your big win already.
But if that client ghosts? Or forgets? Or pays in 90 days?
You don’t have revenue. You’ve got a hopeful situation.
Until that money lands, it’s not money. It’s just potential.
2. Top-Line Vanity, Bottom-Line Sanity
Revenue is the number that makes you look successful.
Profit is the number that keeps you in business.
Cash in the bank is what pays your rent.
You can’t spend revenue you haven’t received.
You can’t hire a team on “pending payments.”
And you definitely can’t sleep soundly knowing your business looks good on paper but can’t cover next month’s bills.
Let’s be real: unpaid invoices don’t count. Neither does a sales pipeline full of “almosts.”
3. Where’s the Money? (No, Really)
If you’re wondering why your “$8,000 month” still feels broke, it might be because:
- Half of it’s still unpaid
- You didn’t track what was actually collected
- You counted a contract total instead of the monthly installment
- You forgot that Stripe takes its cut, taxes take their cut, and expenses eat the rest
This isn’t about killing your vibe—it’s about getting clear.
You deserve to know what’s really going on with your money. Not the sparkly version. The actual version.
4. Cash Flow Is King, Queen, and Court Jester
Cash flow is the heartbeat of your business. Not revenue. Not potential. Not vibes.
When you make decisions based on revenue you don’t have yet, you’re building a house on a sand dune.
Want to scale safely? Pay yourself consistently? Sleep without dreaming about late payments?
Start by tracking what’s collected, not just what’s billed.
Final Thought:
Stop treating your bank account like it’s lying and your revenue report like it’s gospel.
The only money that matters is the money you actually have.
Anything else? It’s just numbers playing dress-up.
You don’t have to become a spreadsheet nerd to stay on top of this. (Though we are a fun bunch.)
But you do need to be honest about what’s real.
Need help making sure your business isn’t all hat and no cattle?
That’s my jam. Let’s get you clarity, confidence, and clean books—so your revenue actually means something.