Running a business on gut feeling works — until it doesn't. These five numbers give you an early warning system, and none of them need accounting training.
1. Your margin
How much of each sale you actually keep after cost. Thin margins mean small mistakes hurt. Know it per product, not just overall.
2. Your runway
How many months your cash lasts if things stay as they are. It's the difference between planning calmly and panicking.
3. Your best (and worst) sellers
Which products bring the money in, and which just sit on the shelf tying up cash. Stock more of the first, less of the second.
4. Money in vs money out
Not profit on paper — actual cash moving each month. Positive means you're building a buffer; negative means the clock is ticking.
5. Your average sale
What a typical customer spends. Nudging this up — a bundle, an add-on — is often easier than finding new customers.
You can check all five with our free tools in minutes — then let an app keep them current.
Frequently asked questions
I'm not good with numbers — is this for me?
Yes. Each of these is one simple figure, and our free tools do the maths. The goal is confidence, not accounting.
How often should I check them?
A quick monthly look is plenty for most owners — more often if cash is tight.
BusinessHub Portal
Portal keeps these numbers up to date for you as you record sales and stock — no spreadsheets.