In this episode of The Leader Formula, Chris shares a deeply honest conversation about money, leadership, and the hidden financial trap many business owners fall into. Even when a business looks successful on the outside, the reality behind the scenes can be stress, scarcity, and financial confusion.

Chris walks through his own story of running a high-producing real estate business, the financial wake-up call that followed, and how discovering the Profit First system completely changed his relationship with money, leadership, and margin. Together, Chris and Steve unpack the psychology behind money decisions, why profit must be protected—not hoped for—and how simple systems can bring clarity, stability, and peace back into your business and life.

Key Topics Covered

• Why revenue growth doesn’t always equal financial health
• The “vanity metrics” leaders hide behind — and the cost of doing so
• How ego, identity, and money are often deeply intertwined
• What happens when a business grows faster than its financial systems
• The difference between hoping for profit vs. protecting profit
• How financial stress impacts leadership, relationships, and marriage
• Why systems—not willpower—create sustainable profit
• The psychology behind avoidance, anxiety, and money behavior

Chris’ Story Highlights

• Scaling a real estate business selling 160+ homes per year
• Stepping out of production and realizing the numbers didn’t support the shift
• Burning through an emergency fund and accumulating credit card debt
• The emotional toll financial stress placed on leadership and family
• Discovering Profit First and implementing it in real time
• Moving from financial anxiety to clarity, margin, and stability

Three Core Truths From the Episode

1. Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality.
2. If you don’t protect your profit, your business will consume it.
3. Your ego will always want to spend more than your business can handle.

Who This Episode Is For

• Business owners who look successful but feel financially stressed
• Leaders working long hours without the take-home pay to match
• Operators ready to think and act like owners
• Anyone who wants their business to support their life—not consume it

Action Step

If you’re overwhelmed by your finances:

• Start small — create a separate “profit” account and put 1% of revenue into it
• Get honest about your numbers
• Build systems that create clarity instead of stress

Resources Mentioned

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
• The Ultimate Blueprint for an Insanely Successful Business by Keith Cunningham
• Taming Your Money Monster (Enneagram + Money)

Connect With Chris

If this episode resonated and you want help applying these principles to your business, Chris offers coaching and conversations focused on clarity, leadership, and financial health.

🌐 Website: thechrisandco.com