385: How to Handle Employee Raises When Revenue is Low (Business Owner Strategies)

If you’re worried about giving employee raises when revenue is tight, you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore ways to reward your team without putting your business at risk. You’ll discover smart ways to structure raises when cash flow is limited, how to communicate compensation changes without hurting morale, and strategies to retain top talent even when money is tight. If you’re a business owner trying to balance people and profits, this episode will give you practical steps you can implement now. Join Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling to learn smart, sustainable strategies for handling raises without jeopardizing your business. Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Balancing an uncertain economy with the need to take care of your A-playersThe problem when a business owner isn’t cashing their paychecks in order to give employee raisesTake an honest look at your team, identify your A-players, and give raises accordingly. (Underperforming “warm bodies” do not deserve a raise.)Strategies for protecting you, the business owner. These are a priority for a sustainable business.Maintaining profitability is the #1 priority; all other decisions flow from that foundation.More money is NOT the goal for many A-players; time flexibility and freedom often matter more.Learn to structure an A-player’s work schedule around the delivery of their key result.A team member’s perspective from Melissa: time flexibility and freedom matter most!Considerations for a growing business (Don’t grow your payroll across the board!)Have conversations with your A-players to find out what matters most to each of them. An action step to take today: prioritize systemization for each A-player’s role (Guard against being hostage to any A-player.)Need more support to confidently grow your business? We can help! Book a call with us today! Resources:Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today! Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation<a href="https://www.tapthepotential.com/pledge" rel="noopener...

Most business owners wait way too long to get financial support, not because they don’t need it, but because they think their books are too messy, too far behind, or too embarrassing to hand over to a professional. In this episode, Tap the Potential’s Lead Strategist, Melissa Kay, talks with Tammy Little about precisely what you should look for in an accounting firm, and why you’re more ready for help than you think! We cover the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant, controller, and CFO (and who you actually need; the essential systems and processes to make your finances easier, more efficient, and more organized; why waiting until the end of the year to prepare for taxes is the fastest way to lose money and add stress; and how the proper accounting support creates clarity, confidence, and real profit. If you want to stop feeling behind, stop guessing, and finally get your financial house in order, this episode is your roadmap to a better future. Join us!Tammy Little is the owner of FTC Group and Summit Accounting Partners, a full-service accounting firm for small, medium, and large businesses. All of their services are virtual, making their top-notch services accessible to companies nationwide.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.Show Highlights:Understand the terminology: CFO, accountant, bookkeeper, controller, etc. (“What do I really need?”)Common reasons that business owners don’t have financial supportThe process when Tammy’s firm comes in to help clean up the financial messYou will feel safe and relieved when a qualified financial professional takes the reins!Think you can’t afford an accountant? You can’t afford NOT to have one!Tammy’s philosophy of systems and operations is to know each client and their business as a true partnerConsiderations in looking for an accountant: your comfort level, their range of offerings/services, communication, and the level of trust you have with themSigns that you need accounting help NOW!Tammy’s one thing she gives to every client: peace of mindResources:Connect with Tammy Little: Summit Website, My Ghost Crew Website, Facebook, and LinkedIn.Download your free, updated copy of the <a href="https://www.tapthepotential.com/10k"...

Does the idea of taking a real vacation make you anxious instead of excited? If stepping away for even a day feels risky, the thought of taking four whole weeks probably feels impossible—but it’s not. You don’t need a massive team or endless cash flow to make it happen. In this week’s episode, we’re breaking down the exact systems, delegation strategy, and leadership habits you need to build NOW, so you can confidently step away later. You’ll discover the first thing to fix if your business can’t run without you, how to train your team to make decisions while you’re unplugged, and why your business actually grows when you’re not in it every minute. If you want 2026 to be the year you take a real break, the kind where you sleep, rest, and reset, you don’t want to miss this episode with Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling. Join us!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.Show Highlights:The biggest irony about the 4 Week Vacation®️process: Our businesses grow and flourish more when we take time off.Our promise to every one of our clients: A fully unplugged, 4 Week Vacation®️within 12 monthsYour time is worth $10,000 an hour! Download your free Chart of $10,000 Activities now!Our “handoff” of the tasks associated with podcast production, and how it works for usDelegating effectively benefits everyone.Steps in effective delegation:Allow the team member to own the task's outcome.Give the team member space to simplify the processes and systems they work with.Watch your A-players learn how to delegate for themselves.Creating accountability and “vacation-testing” your businessOrganizing the business around the sweet spot—and hiring to support that processA streamlined business makes it easy to hire the right A-players.The truth about a 4 Week Vacation®️: It provides job security, sustainability, a good culture, and fresh creativity/innovation.The game you cannot play to win: Cut it out, and play a different game.Register now for the Coach Approach program for a very different 2026 for you and your business.Resources:Download your free, updated copy of the <a href="https://www.tapthepotential.com/10k" rel="noopener...

Are you feeling the pressure to do all the things this holiday season: gifts, events, wrapping up the year, and taking care of everyone? What if the most meaningful gift you could give wasn’t something you could buy? What if you discovered how small, intentional leadership actions, like encouragement, clarity, trust, and honest feedback, are the greatest gifts you can offer your team and yourself? In this episode, you’ll learn why encouragement has 5x the retention power of any holiday bonus, how clarity resets stress and boosts A-player performance, the trust-building habits that create a self-managing team, and the one type of feedback that acts like rocket fuel for A-players. Dr. Sabrina Starling and Melissa Kay explain how to be the kind of leader who brings peace, stability, and purpose to your workplace; you can do it simply by showing up in the right way. Join us now to learn how.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:We don’t want teams who are simply waiting for their next bonus; we want A-players who celebrate working with us year-round. Melissa paints a picture of what it’s like on the Tap the Potential team Dr. Sabrina’s highest aspirations for her teamTaking care of ourselves, as leaders, is essential before we can effectively take care of our teams. Being a gift from your gifts supports the retention of your A-players.An important statistic (from Gallup): Well-recognized employees are 45% less likely to have changed businesses 2 years later. Create a safe, supportive environment where your team members can share ideas–and make it a habit.Show up as a thinking partner with curiosity–not judgment.The Coach Approach program teaches you the language of support and curiosity.Teaching your A-players the coaching conversation model helps you shine as a leader.Tips to create a self-managing teamHow feedback can support your best A-players: acknowledge the fact that you see them showing up from their strengths, and invest in them by offering them opportunities to grow and learn.Resources:Learn more about the How to Hire the Best Course by clicking this link.Our Coach Approach program can be life-changing for your business, team, and life. Find out more today!Ready to take your life back from...

Are you craving more time, more freedom, and a team that actually takes ownership? Dr. Sabrina says, “If I could give every business owner one gift, it would be the ability to empower your leadership team to run the business without you.” In this week’s episode, she shares the gift she wishes every entrepreneur would receive: the confidence, structure, and support to step back and let your team step up. Melissa Kay shares her gift, too: a simple yet powerful time strategy to help you identify your $10K-per-hour activities, along with the exact way to help your team members identify their $10K-per-hour activities–so that everyone operates in their zone of genius. This is how a business becomes scalable. This is how leaders get their lives back. This is how A-players emerge. Join us now!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.Show Highlights:What better gift is there than time to slow down and savor life?Dr. Sabrina’s wish for every business ownerThe difference between doing “good things” at work and doing those things that really move the needle forward with massive leapsThere is NO reason not to have A-players on your team!Melissa’s gift to business ownersThe first step to taking back your time from your businessDownload your Chart of $10,000 an Hour Activities now!Growth does NOT mean the business owner working more hours!Finding team members’ strengths so they can do the tasks that are “a light lift with big results”Being intentional about team members working on tasks that leverage their strengths so that big leaps forward can take placeTime strategy is better than time management.Reach out to us for help! Book a call with us today! 2026 can be the year when everything turns around for you!Resources:Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week...

Do you want to work fewer hours each week? We can get you on track to make it happen! Take charge now and plan ahead for a healthier, happier 2026 as a business owner. When you join our Better Business Better Life program, our guarantee to you is that you will shave 10 hours off your workweek, go home at a set time each day to be fully unplugged and present with your family, and take your weekends off. We guarantee all of these things to happen within the first 30 days of our program! If you want 2026 to be a better year than 2025, book a call with us today! Let’s jump into Part 2 of our Strategic Planning Series. We are outlining the structure, tools, and techniques to guide your success. Grab your Strategic Planning Workbook and your Annual Business Planner (available here!), and join us to design more intentionally for 2026!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.&nbsp;Show Highlights:Circumstances change; your mindset is the key to success!Mere survival action will put you right back where you are a year from now.&nbsp;Evaluate your Wheel of Life and your levels of satisfaction.Identify your immutable laws by using powerful questions.Two key aspects of your business: Identify the sweet spot of your business and plan your profitability for the next year.What profit and owner’s pay are hiding in plain sight in your business right now?Your opportunity to reach out for help is NOW!Dr. Sabrina’s instructions for using the Strategic Planning Workbook for its greatest potential, along with the Annual Business PlannerEnvision the life you can look forward to in 2026!Resources:Download your Strategic Planning Workbook and Annual Business Planner now! Click here.Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!&nbsp;Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation®️.Join the Tap the Potential Community on Mighty Networks: www.tapthepotential.com/group&nbsp; Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart the New Year!Spending too much time working and not paying yourself enough? In 30 days, you could reclaim 10 hours a week and finally enjoy weekends — while your business runs well without you. Click here to join us for the free Better Business Better Life Jumpstart: How to Reclaim 10 Hours per Week (and pay yourself more!) happening Feb 3rd and 4th >>> tapthepotential.com/jumpstart Show up for yourself. 

It’s become an annual tradition to share our Strategic Planning Series with our listeners, and there is no better time to do it than right now, on the cusp of a new year. Dr. Sabrina Starling hosts this two-part series that begins with this episode. She is “The Business Psychologist” and the author of the international bestselling series, How to Hire the Best, and The 4 Week Vacation book. In today’s episode, Dr. Sabrina shines a spotlight on your $10,000 an hour activities for these last couple of weeks of 2025. Utilizing your time in $10,000 an hour activities only comes through thoughtful reflection and planning, and we are here to help! Be sure you’ve downloaded the accompanying resources here. Let’s get started!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.&nbsp;Show Highlights:A common flaw shared by most business ownersThe time between Christmas and New Year’s Day is valuable; don’t waste it!Bolster your resilience with reflection AND celebration.Evaluate your 2025: What have you experienced?Your happiness depends upon your mindset.The Gift to Yourself Exercise: How this exercise brings peace of mindThe value of journaling by hand Resources:Get your Strategic Planning Workbook now! Click here.Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!&nbsp;Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation®️.Join the Tap the Potential Community on Mighty Networks: www.tapthepotential.com/group&nbsp;&nbsp;Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart the New Year!Spending too much time working and not paying yourself enough? In 30 days, you could reclaim 10 hours a week and finally enjoy weekends — while your business runs well without you. Click here to join us for the free Better Business Better Life Jumpstart: How to Reclaim 10 Hours per Week (and pay yourself more!) happening Feb 3rd and 4th >>> tapthepotential.com/jumpstart Show up for yourself. 

What tasks in your business, when completed, make other tasks easier or unnecessary? Those are your $10,000 an hour activities, and they should be at the top of your daily to-do list. By prioritizing these tasks each day, you can stop working at a set time, leave the office, and prevent work from spilling over into your personal life. Join Dr. Sabrina Starling as she reveals the foundational principles that allow her to work less and still accomplish her goals in a growing business. In this training, you’ll discover the mindset, systems, and foundation to take your life back from your business.&nbsp;Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.&nbsp;Show Highlights:Our clients are accomplishing unbelievable things within the first 30 days of signing up with us!Your first step: Download the Chart of $10,000 an Hour Activities here.Identify the wins and successes you want to experience in the next 1-2 years.&nbsp;Being emotionally present is the greatest gift to give another person.Dr. Sabrina looks back 20 years to the powerful question, “What do I want?”Limits force innovation and creativity. Be effective, not busy.&nbsp;Slim Starling’s entrepreneurial success in the 1950sSad statistics about today’s business owners and their livesSpeaking, presenting, writing blog posts, podcasting, and writing booksThe power of consistency led to Dr. Sabrina’s TEDx talk: From Burnout to Balance80/20 principle: 20% of our efforts are responsible for 80% of our resultsUsing the Chart of $10,000 an Hour Activities as a powerful delegation tool for your teamDon’t delude yourself about the extra busyness you’re doing in your business!Let your A-players spread their wings and grow! They want more opportunities!Your next step? Take the Better Business Better Life Assessment!Resources:Download your Chart of $10,000 an Hour Activities now!Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!&nbsp;Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation®️.Join the Tap the Potential Community on Mighty Networks: www.tapthepotential.com/group.&nbsp;Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart the New Year!Spending too much time working and not paying yourself enough? In 30 days, you could reclaim 10 hours a week and finally enjoy weekends — while your business runs well without you. Click here to join us for the free Better Business Better Life Jumpstart: How to Reclaim 10 Hours per Week (and pay yourself more!) happening Feb 3rd and 4th >>> tapthepotential.com/jumpstart Show up for yourself. 

Are you struggling to raise your prices because you are afraid of losing clients? You are not alone! In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling explore specific strategies to increase your rates while keeping your best clients satisfied confidently. You’ll learn the mindset shifts that make price increases feel natural and justified, how to communicate price charges without losing trust, and proven strategies business owners use to raise rates and grow profits. Stop leaving money on the table and start charging what you’re worth—without fear.&nbsp;Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.&nbsp;Show Highlights:Mindset shifts around price increases that protect your margins AND your teamSteps to establish a framework for regular price increases:Work with your ideal clients only.Understand the 80/20 rule.Keep clients who realize and appreciate the value of your services.75% of our clients stay with us for 3+ years!Focusing on what your top clients need and what they appreciate about your businessTying your price increase to the value you are delivering to the top 20% of your customersIdentify your top clients before spending your marketing dollars!&nbsp;Outcomes you can expect from implementing the Tap the Potential SolutionAdvice to keep your business from consuming more of your lifeConfidence to charge appropriatelyMaking your business uniqueReady to raise your prices with proven strategies that will make your business sustainably profitable? Help is available! We have a tool, the Better Business Better Life Assessment, that provides step-by-step guidance.Resources:Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!&nbsp;Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation®️.Join the Tap the Potential Community on Mighty Networks: www.tapthepotential.com/group. Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart the New Year!Spending too much time working and not paying yourself enough? In 30 days, you could reclaim 10 hours a week and finally enjoy weekends — while your business runs well without you. Click here to join us for the free Better Business Better Life Jumpstart: How to Reclaim 10 Hours per Week (and pay yourself more!) happening Feb 3rd and 4th >>> tapthepotential.com/jumpstart Show up for yourself. 

Are you feeling pulled in a hundred different directions and wondering why nothing seems to move your business forward? It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right ONE thing. In this episode, we are diving into how narrowing your focus can accelerate results, reduce overwhelm, and simplify decision-making. Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling will help you identify the one thing that will create the biggest impact in your business, understand why multitasking and busywork stall growth, and share a simple strategy to stay focused and maintain momentum. If you’re ready to finally make real progress without the chaos, this episode is your clarity breakthrough!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.&nbsp;Show Highlights:The power of the ONE thingA breakdown of your project load and productivityYour desire to over-accomplish affects your entire team.Identify your “one domino” that needs to fall.How context-switching affects youMelissa’s tips for being strategic about your timeFinding power in giving yourself the space you need to complete a projectOur plan for helping business owners plan a The 4 Week Vacation®️&nbsp;Tips for identifying your ONE thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessaryHelp is available! We have a tool, the Better Business Better Life Assessment, that provides step-by-step guidance.Resources:Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!&nbsp;Master your time and profit! Give us 20 minutes of your time, take the Better Business Better Life Assessment, and receive a free paperback copy of my book, The 4 Week Vacation®️.Join the Tap the Potential Community on Mighty Networks: www.tapthepotential.com/group.&nbsp;Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart the New Year!Spending too much time working and not paying yourself enough? In 30 days, you could reclaim 10 hours a week and finally enjoy weekends — while your business runs well without you. Click here to join us for the free Better Business Better Life Jumpstart: How to Reclaim 10 Hours per Week (and pay yourself more!) happening Feb 3rd and 4th >>> tapthepotential.com/jumpstart Show up for yourself.