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3 Biggest Mistakes I Made as a Small Business Owner

πŸ“… January 9, 2026 ⏱️ 25:39 🎀 Paul Jamison

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  • 0:00
    Introduction to Mistakes
    Paul Jamison introduces the topic of the three biggest mistakes he made as a small business owner since 2011.
  • 0:45
    Taxes: Mistake #1
    Paul explains his first major mistake: not understanding how taxes work and getting behind on payments to the IRS, leading to stress and penalties.
  • 7:52
    Wrong People: Mistake #2
    The second mistake discussed is connecting with the wrong employees, subcontractors, and customers, which negatively impacted his peace and joy.
  • 18:03
    Knowing Your Numbers: Mistake #3
    Paul identifies his third mistake as not knowing his business numbers, such as revenue, expenses, and profit, which led to undercharging for services.
  • 30:18
    Solution: Clean Financials
    The solution for not knowing numbers involves having clean financial records, separate business and personal accounts, and professional assistance.
  • 35:07
    Confidence in Pricing
    By understanding his numbers, Paul gained the confidence to price his services correctly, ensuring profitability and attracting the right customers.

Speakers

P
Paul Jamison
Host

Key Takeaways

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Dedicate a specific percentage (e.g., 10-30%) of your revenue to a separate tax savings account immediately upon receipt to avoid penalties and stress.

✦

Be highly discerning when hiring employees, subcontractors, and accepting clients; aim for win-win relationships and avoid those who drain your energy or create unnecessary difficulties.

✦

Become a 'winner' in your field to attract other 'winners,' ensuring you build a team and client base that aligns with your work ethic and values.

✦

Maintain clean financial records by establishing a dedicated business bank account for all business-related income and expenses, strictly separating it from personal finances.

✦

Understand your numbers (revenue, expenses, and profit) intimately to confidently price your services and ensure every job contributes to your business's profitability, avoiding "wash" jobs.

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