Let’s talk about something that makes a lot of people nervous: recessions. The word itself can feel heavy, but understanding what it means (and how to prepare) can make things feel a lot lighter. A recession is simply a period when the economy slows down. Businesses may make less money, people may spend less, and jobs can become less stable. It’s not fun—but it’s also not forever.
The truth is, recessions are part of the normal economic cycle. They’ve happened before, and they’ll happen again. While we can’t control when or how they show up, we can control how we prepare for them. That’s where having a plan for your money becomes so important. Without one, it’s easy to let fear take over your decisions. And when fear is driving, business choices often feel reactive instead of intentional.
Putting Profit First
Inside my PEACE Strategy, the “P” stands for Profit First—and it’s especially powerful during uncertain times. Profit First is the practice of paying yourself first before your expenses. In other words, instead of waiting to see what’s left over, you decide your profit and your pay upfront. Then you use what remains to cover the rest of your business. It may sound simple, but it shifts the way you view your money completely.
When you build this habit, you’re setting yourself up to survive downturns with more stability. Why? Because you know you’re still paying yourself, even if sales slow down. You’re not constantly worried about whether your hard work will actually support your life. Profit First helps you separate your personal well-being from the ups and downs of your business revenue. That kind of security matters even more during a recession.
The Money Framework You Can Lean On
Having this system in place also makes decision-making easier when times get tough. For example, if you know your profit and pay are already secure, you can make choices about cutting expenses or investing wisely without spiraling into panic. It allows you to approach challenges from a place of clarity rather than fear. Think of it as your built-in compass when the road ahead feels uncertain.
The other thing Profit First teaches us is discipline. When money feels tight, it’s tempting to take things day by day and hope it all works out. But with Profit First, you’ve already decided what matters most. You’ve created a framework that keeps you focused on paying yourself, protecting your business, and planning for growth—even if things outside of your control feel shaky.
Building Peace and Profit in Your Business
While recessions may come and go, your ability to weather them comes down to the systems you put in place. By putting Profit First into practice and creating a clear plan for your money, you’re building resilience, confidence, and peace of mind, no matter what the economy does.
That’s exactly why I created the Peace & Profit Starter Kit—to help you lay a strong foundation so your business supports you, not the other way around.
And don’t forget to join the waitlist for my upcoming book where I break down the full PEACE Strategy. You’ll get early access to the book plus an exclusive CEO roundtable designed to help you put these tools into action.
