689: Being Money Aware with Jamie Trull

What if the biggest thing your numbers could give you isn't stress—it's options? In this episode, Collin sits down with CPA and financial literacy coach Jamie Trull to unpack why so many pet care business owners feel overwhelmed by money. Jamie explains the difference between "compliance" (taxes/bookkeeping) and using financial data to run a smarter, more resilient business. They dig into common blind spots like ignoring labor costs (even when you're solo), running too lean, and missing opportunities hidden in your service-level margins. The conversation ends with practical mindset shifts around pricing, differentiation, proactive CEO habits, and building a business that can scale—and potentially sell. Main topics: Compliance vs. financial clarity Money awareness and curiosity Pricing for real margins Cash flow and payroll timing Differentiation vs. commoditization Main takeaway: "If I want to grow, there are two things I can invest in my business: I can invest my money, or I can invest my time." Most of us started by bootstrapping with time—wearing every hat, doing every visit, solving every problem. But eventually, time becomes the bottleneck, not effort. The shift is realizing that investing money in the right places isn't "wasteful"—it's what turns a job into an asset. When your time is finite and demand is real, letting your money do some of the heavy lifting is how you stop being busy-broke and start building something sustainable. About our guest: Jamie Trull is a Certified Public Accountant and financial literacy coach who helps small business owners step into the role of their own CFO. She specializes in making business finances practical and approachable—without requiring an MBA or a love of spreadsheets. Jamie is the author of Hidden Profit and shares free education on topics like profitability, taxes, and business money systems through her website and YouTube channel. She's especially passionate about serving the pet services industry and helping owners build sustainable, resilient businesses. Links: https://jamietrull.com https://jamietrull.com/book Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: [email protected] Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months   Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days