Brian sits down with Patrick Dichter, owner of Apple Tree Business Services, to break down what small business owners — especially those in manufacturing, distribution, and home services — actually need to understand about their financials. Patrick works with companies ranging from $250K to $20M in revenue and shares the accounting blind spots that cost owners real money.

Topics covered:

• P&L vs. balance sheet — which one matters more, and why inventory-heavy businesses can't ignore the balance sheet
• "Checkbook Charlie" — the most common stage new business owners get stuck in
• The right amount of cash to keep on hand, and how to think about gross profit margins by industry
• Why accounts receivable is a full contact sport and how slow invoicing silently kills cash flow
• The strategi ...