Profit First, Peace of Mind Later: How Debbie Deknight Built Financial Freedom from Zero

Most small business owners are working themselves to the bone… yet still feel broke. Revenue is coming in, but there’s never enough left over. Retirement feels like a pipe dream, and worst of all, there’s no safety net when life hits hard.

This was Debbie Deknight’s reality—until a personal crisis forced her to quit her job and take control of her finances, her freedom, and her future. Like many entrepreneurs, she wanted time for family, financial stability, and a business that worked for her—not the other way around. But that path was anything but easy.

In this inspiring episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Profit First professional and fractional CFO Debbie Deknight, who shares how she turned chaos into clarity and created a business that gives her (and her clients) true financial freedom. Debbie reveals her journey from burnout to building a virtual bookkeeping firm that helps small business owners implement the Profit First system, master their numbers, and actually keep more of their money.

Whether you’re barely scraping by or scaling your business, this episode shows you how to take back control—and why Profit First might be the missing piece in your Freedom Day journey.

Key Takeaways:

• How a health crisis pushed Debbie to quit her job and finally start her own business.

• Why Profit First changed everything—and how you can implement it yourself.

• The hidden dangers of “lump sum” bookkeeping (and why detail matters).

• What most bookkeepers and accountants get wrong about helping small businesses.

• The power of time freedom—and how Debbie uses it to care for her parents.

• Why most entrepreneurs don’t realize they’re leaking profit in dozens of tiny ways.

• How Profit First ensures your taxes, payroll, and profit are always covered.

• What fractional CFO services can do for contractors and trades businesses.

• The importance of emotional resilience and community for solo entrepreneurs.

About the Guest:

Debbie Deknight, founder of Right Way Profits and Bookkeeping, brings over 30 years of accounting experience and expertise as a Profit First Master certified coach and Strategic Business Advisor. Debbie is passionate about educating, implementing, supporting, profit-driven strategies that lead to sustainable success.

Links:

https://www.rightwayprofits.com/

Fast Five Questions

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? "Cry. Honestly, that’s what would happen... Then pick myself up, grab my journal, and start to strategize. I'd quadruple my social media, get on podcasts, attend networking events... it's all a numbers game."

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? "If something was uncomfortable or scared me, I avoided it and I held myself and my business back. A few years ago, I made my theme 'Screw it, just do it' and everything changed."

3. What is a book that you would recommend? "Profit First. Every small business owner should read it. There’s enough in there to start implementing right away."

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? "Trello. I’m a list-making control freak, and Trello helps me stay organized, track ideas, manage tasks—and it integrates with Google Calendar."

5. What is your definition of freedom? "Trello. I’m a list-making control freak, and Trello helps me stay organized, track ideas, manage tasks—and it integrates with Google Calendar."

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

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