Four stacked envelopes labeled Profit, Owner’s Pay, Taxes, and OPEX with a sticky note that says “My TAPs = Peace of Mind” on a wooden desk.
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Cash Flow and Profit First…

August 1, 2025

Cash Flow and Profit First Percentages are two of the most misunderstood money concepts in small businesses. And for creative...

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Four colorful sticky notes on a neutral linen background labeled: Profit Clarity, Money Mindset, Cash Confidence, and Pay Yourself First.
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Profit Clarity and Money Mindset…

July 15, 2025

Profit Clarity and Money Mindset are two things most creative entrepreneurs never learned—yet they're essential if you want to feel...

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Permission slip with handwritten message: “Yes, you CAN use Profit First while in debt — and you should.”
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Profit First with Debt: How…

July 1, 2025

Can I Still Use Profit First If I Have Debt? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I do Profit First...

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Flat lay of camera, coffee, calculator, and paper labeled Accurate Pricing Strategy — representing financial clarity for photographers.
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Photography Pricing Strategy: Build Confident,…

June 25, 2025

You're not alone if you’re struggling with your photography pricing strategy. Too many photographers guess their rates, then wonder why they’re...

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Calendar and sticky notes showing a Profit First allocation schedule
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Profit First Allocation Schedule: How…

June 15, 2025

If you’re wondering how often to move your money using the Profit First method, you’re not alone. Setting the right...

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Messy wooden desk with the Profit First for Photographers book, calculator, sticky notes, coffee mug, and crumpled paper
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Profit First Mistake Visionaries Make…

June 1, 2025

Here’s the truth: The #1 Profit First mistake visionaries make is copying someone else’s percentages instead of creating their own....

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“Notebook showing Profit First real revenue calculation”
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Calculate Real Revenue: Why It’s…

May 15, 2025

Real Revenue in Profit First: What You Need to Know Most business owners look at income and think, “This is...

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Look, I get it. You didn’t become a photographer to stress about spreadsheets, taxes, or whether there’s enough in the bank to pay your second shooter this weekend. You became a photographer to create—to do work that lights you up. But if you’re constantly asking yourself, “Where did all my money go?”—it’s time to flip the script. That’s why I teach photographers to use the Profit First method, customized just for our industry. And yes, I use 10 bank accounts to do it. Not because I’m extra (okay, maybe a little), but because this system creates clarity, consistency, and cash flow. Let’s make it simple. ⸻ 🍬 Think of Your Money Like a Bag of Candy Every time a client pays you, it’s like getting a big, shiny bag of candy (aka: cash). And instead of dumping it all into one jar and hoping you don’t eat it too fast, you divide it up into 10 jars—on purpose. Here’s what those jars look like: ⸻ 🏦 The 10 Essential Bank Accounts for Photographers 💸 1. Income Account This is the master inbox. Every payment from clients lands here first. You never spend from it. Twice a month, you transfer money from this account into the others based on your percentages. Think of it like a candy-sorting station. ⸻ 🤑 2. Profit Your reward. Even if it’s 1% to start, you always pay yourself profit first. This builds a habit of abundance and long-term sustainability. 👩‍💼 3. Owner’s Pay Your personal paycheck. Rent, groceries, date nights, dog food—it all comes from here. If you’re working full-time in your business, this is non-negotiable. 🧾 4. Taxes Your sleep-easy account. You’re not sweating tax season anymore because you’ve been setting aside 15–20% all year long. 🧰 5. Operating Expenses (OpEx) This covers your business bills—gear, editing software, gallery hosting, CRM tools, training, subscriptions, team help. If it costs money to run your business, it comes from here. 📣 6. Marketing Most photographers under-spend on visibility. You can’t grow what people can’t find. This account is specifically for your brand-building and lead generation: SEO, styled shoots, Facebook ads, emails, etc. 💵 7. Sales Tax If you live in a state that collects sales tax, this account is a must. You’re just holding that money until it’s due—it’s not yours to spend. Keep it separate. 🚀 8. Business Growth Dreaming of adding an associate, opening a new studio, or rebranding? This is your slow-burn growth jar. Fund future expansion here—without touching OpEx or Profit. 📷 9. Equipment Lenses break. Cameras age. And you know you want that new Sigma. This account makes sure you’re never blindsided by repair costs or underprepared for upgrades. 💧 10. Drip Account Photography is a seasonal rollercoaster. This account smooths the ride. Big month? Hold some income here and “drip” it into Owner’s Pay or OpEx during slower months. Consistency = calm. ⸻ 🪜 How It Works (in Baby Steps) Step 1: Open 10 Bank Accounts Yes, really. It sounds wild, but it works. This isn’t about being “extra”—it’s about creating clarity. When your money has a job, it stops disappearing on you. Step 2: Every Time You Get Paid, Split It Start with these baseline percentages (and adjust as your business grows): • Profit: 5% • Owner’s Pay: 50% • Taxes: 15% • Operating Expenses (OpEx): 19% • Marketing: 3% • Business Growth: 2% • Equipment: 1% • Sales Tax: Varies (only if you collect sales tax) • Drip Account: Use as needed for income smoothing • Income Account: Just a temporary holding zone for sorting Real-Life Example Let’s say you get paid $1,000 for a client session. Here’s how that breaks down: • $50 → Profit • $500 → Owner’s Pay • $150 → Taxes • $190 → Operating Expenses • $30 → Marketing • $20 → Business Growth • $10 → Equipment • Sales Tax? That goes into its own account too (amount depends on your state) • Anything leftover for drip income? Allocate that intentionally to cover slow months Now instead of one big, messy jar of money… you have a clean, purpose-driven plan. Every dollar has a job. Every jar has a boundary. And you have breathing room. ⸻ 💡 Why This Works • No more financial guesswork • Built-in savings for growth, gear, and slow seasons • Confidence at tax time • Clear boundaries around spending • And yes… consistent, guilt-free paychecks ⸻ 📍 Ready to Build a Profitable Photography Business You Actually Love? You don’t need a degree in accounting. You need a system that makes sense for your industry. I help photographers set up these 10 accounts and build a cash flow strategy that’s tailored to their real life—not some generic business textbook. 👉 Book your complimentary consult call at one21accountability.com Let’s take the chaos out of your cash flow and put peace (and profit) back in your business.
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Photographer’s Guide to Profit First…

May 15, 2025

Profit First for Photographers: The 10 Bank Accounts Every Photographer Needs to Stay Profitable and Sane Look, I get it....

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A stressed business owner looking at unpaid bills and an empty wallet, symbolizing the challenge of prioritizing Owner’s Pay.
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Not Enough for Owner’s Pay:…

May 1, 2025

If you’re applying Profit First and there’s not enough left for Owner’s Pay, you’re not alone. This is one of...

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Notebook with Profit First calculation using real revenue
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Profit First Percentages: How to…

April 15, 2025

The “right” Profit First percentages depend on your business size, structure, and season. Start by identifying your real revenue and...

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Female business owner adjusting her Profit First method using a flexible plan
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Profit First Too Rigid? Customize…

April 1, 2025

If you’re wondering whether Profit First is too rigid, you’re not alone. However, the truth is that it’s a flexible...

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Profit First Bank Accounts: Simple…

March 15, 2025

The Profit First method uses five core bank accounts to help you manage cash, pay yourself first, and stay profitable:...

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Desk with calculator, sticky notes labeled Profit 5%, Owner’s Pay 30%, and Taxes 15% — illustrating the Profit First method.
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What Is the Profit First…

March 1, 2025

The Profit First method is a smart way for small business owners to manage money. Instead of hoping there’s Profit...

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How Much Should I Pay…

February 15, 2025

Wondering how much you should pay yourself as a business owner? You’re not alone. Figuring out the right paycheck can...

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Innovation in Photography Business: Scale…

January 15, 2025

If you’re serious about scaling your photography business, here’s a powerful truth: innovation in the photography business is your gateway...

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Business Savvy for Photographers: Scale…

January 15, 2025

If you’re aiming to reach $10 million in revenue, business savvy for photographers isn’t optional—it’s essential. Photographers who have grown...

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Licensing and Partnerships in Photography:…

January 1, 2025

If you’re ready to scale, licensing and partnerships in photography could be your most overlooked asset. You can't rely on...

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Luxury Photography Experience: Scale to…

December 15, 2024

If you want to scale your photography business to $10 million, one powerful strategy stands out: upselling and a luxury...

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Marketing and Networking for Photography…

December 1, 2024

If you’re serious about scaling your business, mastering marketing and networking for photography business growth is non-negotiable. The photographers who...

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High-Ticket Photography Clients: Premium Growth…

November 15, 2024

If you want to attract high-ticket photography clients, here’s one truth you need to understand: not all clients are created...

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Profit First and Fair Compensation.

November 5, 2024

Are You Paying Yourself Enough? 5 Profit First Strategies to Ensure Fair Compensation As a small business owner, you dedicate...

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Profit First Strategies to Minimize…

November 2, 2024

Tax Season Prep: 5 Profit First Strategies to Minimize Stress and Maximize Savings As Q4 approaches, many business owners feel...

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Scalable Photography Business Strategies That…

November 1, 2024

If you're aiming to build a scalable photography business, you’ll need more than artistic talent; you need strategy. Specifically, you...

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Is Your Cash Flow Stable…

October 29, 2024

As the year winds down, small business owners are gearing up to assess their financial standing and ensure they're prepared...

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Niche Branding for Photographers: Attract…

October 15, 2024

If you’re chasing photography success at the $10 million level, you need more than talent—you need a niche strategy. The...

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Maximize Year-End Profitability with Profit…

October 14, 2024

As the end of the year approaches, many small business owners feel the pressure to wrap up financially strong. With...

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From Despair to Destiny: The…

March 12, 2024

In life's darkest moments, guidance often comes from the least expected sources. For me, it was dragonflies — not merely...

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