Introduction
I still remember the first time I realised my numbers were trying to tell me something - and I wasn’t listening.
It was the end of a busy quarter.
The business looked fine on the surface - money was coming in, clients were happy, and everything seemed to be humming along.
But when I finally sat down to look at the numbers, there it was - clear as day - we were working harder, but making less.
That moment stopped me in my tracks.
Because I realised: the numbers weren’t just there to record what had happened.
They were showing me what needed to change.
And here’s the thing - I’d been so busy trying to fix things with more effort, more marketing, more hustle…
When really, the answers were sitting there in black and white. I just hadn’t slowed down long enough to read them.
That was the turning point where I stopped treating financials as an afterthought - and started using them as my strategy compass.
In Episode 3, we talked about getting clear on your numbers - building that solid foundation so you know what’s really happening inside your business.
Today, we’re taking the next step.
We’re going from clarity to insight, and from insight to strategy - using your numbers to make smarter, more confident decisions that actually move your business forward.'
The Shift: From Reporting to Leading
Most business owners look at their financials once a quarter, or maybe when their accountant sends something through.
It’s like reading the post-match commentary after the game’s over.
But your numbers aren’t there to tell you what happened - they’re there to help you steer what happens next.
Once you start reading them through that lens, they become a source of power, not panic.
You stop feeling like you’re reacting to what the business throws at you, and instead, you start leading - making decisions with clarity and confidence.
The Thrive by Design Financial Insight Model™
To make this practical, I want to introduce a framework we use across all our work at Thrive.
It’s called the Financial Insight Model™ - and it maps the four stages every business moves through on their journey from reacting to their numbers… to leading with them.
Think of it like the growth rings of a tree - each layer builds on the one before it, expanding your visibility, confidence, and control as your business matures.
Stage 1 - Awareness: See It
This is the foundation.
It’s where you finally turn on the lights and start seeing what’s really happening in your business.
At this stage, it’s about visibility - tracking your income, expenses, and cashflow, and starting to understand the rhythm of your money.
You can’t change what you can’t see.
The biggest shift here is moving from avoidance to awareness.
Stage 2 - Understanding: Read It
Once you can see the numbers, it’s time to read what they’re telling you.
This layer is all about connecting the dots - asking why things are happening.
Why did profit drop last month?
Why are some services thriving while others drain your energy?
What’s really driving your cashflow?
This is where your financials stop being data and start becoming direction.
The shift here is from information to insight.
Stage 3 - Action: Lead It
Now that you understand your numbers, it’s time to use them.
This is where financial insight becomes strategy.
You start adjusting pricing, streamlining expenses, refining offers - not based on gut feel, but on evidence.
This is also where you start setting and tracking your Success Indicators - the handful of key measures that show you whether your business is thriving.
Know Your Success Indicators
Let’s pause here for a moment, because this is important.
Your Success Indicators are the heartbeat of your business.
They’re the 3-5 key numbers that tell you, at a glance, if you’re on track.
And they’re not the same for everyone.
If you run a creative agency, consultancy, or done-for-you service, your key Success Indicators might include things like:
Client retention rate - because repeat clients often mean smoother delivery and stronger profit margins.
Average revenue per client - showing whether you’re increasing value with each relationship.
Team utilisation or billable hours ratio - to check that workload and profitability are aligned.
Project margin - to make sure every job is truly profitable once time and expenses are factored in.
Now, if you run a coaching, wellness, or service-based program, your Success Indicators might look different.
You might track:
Client lifetime value - to see if your offers encourage clients to continue their journey with you.
Conversion rate from enquiry to onboarding - showing how effectively you’re turning leads into paying clients.
Average session attendance or completion rate - to measure engagement and results.
Revenue consistency month-to-month - to make sure you’re not in that feast-or-famine cycle.
And for some, success isn’t purely financial - it might be how consistently you’re paying yourself, or the number of hours you’re working each week.
When you know your Success Indicators, you stop measuring success by how “busy” you are - and start measuring it by what actually moves the needle.
Here’s a little tip: build a simple rhythm around them.
Maybe every Monday morning, you spend 15 minutes checking those few key numbers - celebrate what’s working, notice what’s slipping, and make one small adjustment for the week ahead.
It’s that rhythm - not perfection - that builds long-term financial strength.
Because what you measure, you manage.
And what you manage, you master.
Stage 4 - Optimisation: Scale It
This is where things start to feel steady, predictable, and exciting again.
You’re not reacting anymore; you’re designing the next level.
Here, you’re forecasting, planning scenarios, and building reserves that create freedom.
You’re fine-tuning systems and refining your model so it scales sustainably.
It’s about clarity creating scalability - growth that doesn’t come at the cost of your sanity.
This is where your numbers become your superpower - helping you lead with foresight, not fear.
Bringing It to Life
So, where are you sitting right now?
Maybe you’re in the Awareness stage - just starting to get your head around the numbers.
Maybe you’re in Understanding - noticing patterns but not sure what to do next.
Or maybe you’re ready for Action - leading your business with strategy and tracking your Success Indicators.
Wherever you are, that’s okay.
Because the goal isn’t to rush through - it’s to move intentionally through each layer.
When you do, you’ll find that calm replaces chaos.
Confidence replaces confusion.
And strategy starts to feel natural - not forced.
The Power of Partnership
Here’s the other big lesson I learned - you don’t have to do this alone.
The right financial partner can completely change how you run your business.
You want someone who doesn’t just hand over reports, but helps you interpret them - who says, “Here’s what’s working, here’s what’s not, and here’s what to do next.”
Because if your accountant or bookkeeper is only focused on compliance, you’re only getting half the story.
You deserve a financial partner who helps you make sense of the numbers in real time - so you can lead your business with confidence.
That’s what true financial clarity feels like.
Your Next Step
So here’s your challenge for this week:
Take one hour to sit with your numbers - but this time, with curiosity, not criticism.
Look for the story they’re telling. Ask:
What’s working better than I expected?
What’s quietly draining profit or time?
What are my true Success Indicators - and am I tracking them regularly?
And which layer of the Financial Insight Model am I sitting in right now?
Because that’s where growth begins - not in the hustle or the guesswork, but in awareness, clarity, and small, intentional action.
When you start using your numbers this way, everything feels lighter.
You make decisions with confidence, lead with strategy, and create a business that supports the life you actually want.
And that’s what it really means to Thrive by Design.
Until then, keep thriving - but do it by design, not by default.
Crafting a Business You Love
Build a business that works for you. This free guide will help you realign your strategy, simplify what’s holding you back, and design a business that gives you more time, freedom, and fulfilment.
Get your free copy and start crafting a business you truly love.
