Who This Helps
You're a founder operator who needs to turn analysis into approved execution. If you've ever stared at your bank balance and felt a knot in your stomach, this is for you. The Founder Finance Basics Mission Pack is built for exactly this moment.
Mini Case
Meet Ben. Revenue is up 20% this quarter, but cash is flat. He's confused and a little stressed. Using the Runway Forecast mission from the Founder Finance Basics Mission Pack, Ben ran a simple 3-month cash projection. He discovered that his burn rate is 12% higher than he thought. That one number changed his hiring plan from "hire two people now" to "hire one person in 60 days." Decision made. Stress dropped.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Pull your last 3 bank statements. Add up all cash outflows. Don't guess—use real numbers.
- List your fixed costs. Rent, salaries, software subscriptions. These don't change month to month.
- Estimate variable costs. Marketing spend, contractor fees, one-time purchases. Be honest.
- Calculate your monthly burn. Fixed costs plus average variable costs over the last 3 months.
- Divide your current cash by monthly burn. That's your runway in months. Write it down. Now you have a number you can explain and act on.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't forget annual payments. If you pay for software once a year, divide that cost by 12 and add it to your monthly burn.
- Don't ignore revenue timing. If clients pay you in 60 days, that cash isn't available today. Use cash-in-hand, not invoices.
- Don't round up. A 10% rounding error on a $100k burn is $10k. That's real money.
- Don't skip the stress test. What if revenue drops 20%? What if a big client churns? Run those numbers too.
- Don't hide from the number. Knowing your runway doesn't create the problem. It helps you solve it.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a one-page runway forecast card. You'll know exactly how many months of cash you have. You'll make hiring decisions with confidence, not hope. And you'll sleep better. That's the calm founder decision you deserve.