4 Balance Sheet Red Flags - The Risk of not Understanding your Balance Sheet
Tue Feb 03 2026
Cash is the number one reason small businesses fail, and it usually happens quietly.
In this episode of Business By The Books, I walk you through four balance sheet red flags I see business owners ignore all the time, even when revenue and profit look strong. We talk about why the income statement alone can create a false sense of security, how debt and owner draws quietly drain cash, and what warning signs to watch for before financial stress takes over.
My goal is to help you understand what your balance sheet is actually telling you so you can take action with clarity and confidence as a CEO.
By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer perspective on what it really means to grow into your role as CEO.
🎧 Tune in.
Episode Timestamps Why cash is the number one reason businesses fail
The Enron example and why revenue can hide real risk
Red flags #1 and #2: Debt, assets, and growing balances
Red flags #3 and #4: Owner draws, cash erosion, and stalled growth
👉 Check your books here
👉 Listen next:
11 Lessons in 11 Years
Reasonable Compensation for S Corp Owners
More
Cash is the number one reason small businesses fail, and it usually happens quietly. In this episode of Business By The Books, I walk you through four balance sheet red flags I see business owners ignore all the time, even when revenue and profit look strong. We talk about why the income statement alone can create a false sense of security, how debt and owner draws quietly drain cash, and what warning signs to watch for before financial stress takes over. My goal is to help you understand what your balance sheet is actually telling you so you can take action with clarity and confidence as a CEO. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer perspective on what it really means to grow into your role as CEO. 🎧 Tune in. Episode Timestamps Why cash is the number one reason businesses fail The Enron example and why revenue can hide real risk Red flags #1 and #2: Debt, assets, and growing balances Red flags #3 and #4: Owner draws, cash erosion, and stalled growth 👉 Check your books here 👉 Listen next: 11 Lessons in 11 Years Reasonable Compensation for S Corp Owners