In this eye-opening episode of Balanced, host Stephanie Blaine pulls back the curtain on the real cost of entrepreneurship—the ones no one includes in those “I quit my 9–5!” celebration posts.From self-employment taxes and lost benefits to the sneaky subscriptions draining your account and the invisible emotional load you carry as a CEO, Stephanie breaks down every category of cost you must understand to run a profitable, sustainable business.With her signature blend of truth-telling, humor, and practical steps, she helps you get clear on the financial reality of being your own boss—so you can plan, price, and run your business like the CEO you are.If you’ve ever wondered, “Where is all my money going?” or felt blindsided by unexpected costs, this episode is your reality check (in the best way possible). ⏱️ Timestamps (Short) 00:00 – Welcome to Balanced 00:22 – The dream vs. reality of entrepreneurship 00:43 – The celebration posts never show the real costs 01:21 – The romanticized “I’m my own boss” illusion 01:42 – The hidden financial + emotional costs 02:25 – Three types of costs: obvious, sneaky, invisible 02:50 – The obvious costs you still underestimate 03:14 – Self-employment tax reality check 03:33 – Health insurance + lost benefits 04:27 – The sneaky costs (subscriptions, tools, education) 05:39 – Contractors + service providers add up 06:03 – The real cost of working from home 06:40 – The invisible costs draining your energy 07:23 – The mental load of being in every department 08:45 – Income inconsistency + emotional toll 09:34 – Why this isn’t to scare you—but empower you 10:30 – Action Step #1: Review three months of statements 11:29 – Action Step #3: Calculate your real hourly rate 12:15 – Audit where you’re wasting time 12:41 – The cost of DIY vs hiring help 13:51 – You didn’t start your business to struggle 14:38 – Share the episode + normalize real talk 15:06 –  Closing message: balance your books, your business, your life ✨ Perfect For:✓ Entrepreneurs are consuming business advice but lacking clarity✓ Small business owners are tired of guessing instead of knowing✓ Creators and service providers ready to understand profitability✓ Anyone serious about building a scalable, data-driven businessLinks & Resources:Book a free consultationJoin the Starlite DIY Club – step-by-step bookkeeping guidance Start with the desk. Clean up your calendar. And remember—every hour you organize now is a gift to your future self.Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

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