I’m passionate about helping businesses unlock their greatest potential by demystifying finances and driving purposeful growth. Over the past two decades, I’ve consulted and trained leaders and CEOs around the globe, collaborating with realtors, contractors, and a wide range of professionals seeking to streamline operations and amplify profits.
Every industry has a top tier, and a select 10% of small businesses thrive while others struggle to survive. These standout entrepreneurs share common threads: they combine strategic thinking, streamlined processes, and a purposeful mindset to stay ahead. My journey, starting as someone who battled internal beliefs about money, taught me that adopting these elite practices isn’t just for a chosen few. Anyone willing to rewire their mindset and embrace consistent financial discipline can join the 10%.
Defining the 10%
This group doesn’t merely settle for the status quo. They understand what I call the 4K principle: Knowledge, Kinetics, Karma, and Kapital. The ‘K’ in Kapital symbolizes a more disciplined and intentional approach to financial health and wealth. Each of the four Ks depends on the others. Wealth without knowledge can lead to poor decisions; a strong mind without physical health eventually runs on empty. Meanwhile, ignoring spiritual values undermines your sense of purpose. The 4K Principle keeps them all in balance.
Now that we’ve introduced the 4K principle, let’s focus on one pillar: Financial mastery, or “Kapital.” This pillar depends on implementing strong operational systems, keeping tight control of finances, and nurturing healthy team cultures. Their agility and efficiency help them find new opportunities, pivot when needed, and continuously refine their operations. In short, they hustle it up. Next, we’ll explore the mindset and daily habits that turn Kapital into sustainable, ethical wealth.
Mindset mastery
What’s the most significant factor keeping most business owners from that top 10%? Subconscious conditioning especially for women and other groups often overlooked in financial education. When you grow up believing wealth is “not for you” or that “rich people are greedy,” these narratives echo into adulthood. It isn’t easy convincing our subconscious that core beliefs are no longer accurate, but awareness is truly half the battle. Begin with observation. Keep a journal, write out your current money beliefs, and then challenge those beliefs. Follow it up by briefly writing your daily money thoughts, questioning old beliefs, and intentionally replacing them with new affirmations that support growth.
Your newfound awareness in hand catches your subconscious when those old money stories surface in the form of negative comments or thoughts about what you are meant to have, what you can create, and so on. Immediately restate your new affirmation, focusing on what you want and why. By leaving out the how and when your subconscious will be much more receptive to these new beliefs.
Elite habits: The daily discipline
Top businesses aren’t built solely on big gestures; they thrive on consistent, tiny habits that compound over time. Blocking time for finances daily, whether reviewing receipts or reconciling transactions, can save hours down the road. Simple habit shifts, like setting up automated savings transfers, help override society's consumer-driven mindset. And here’s your New Year’s Challenge: Spend time each week learning about finance. Doing this changed the trajectory of my life. The value here cannot be overstated.
Financial intelligence through bookkeeping
Numbers don’t lie. Whether you’re a Realtor, solopreneur, or run a growing team, accurate bookkeeping is your best mirror. It shows where you’re profitable and where you’re bleeding cash. Tools like QuickBooks Online and receipt-scanning apps remove the headache of reconciling transactions. Done consistently, these methods offer real-time insights that empower you to make data-driven decisions. For me, upgrading my mindset around money went hand-in-hand with learning how to read my own financial statements.
Leadership excellence
When leaders prioritize their growth by tackling money blocks and building elite habits, they set the tone for their entire team. Employees follow suit by taking ownership of results. A grounded financial foundation builds trust, fueling a winning culture. What once felt like a taboo topic—transparency around numbers can become a unifying force, instilling a shared “10% mentality” among everyone on board.
Action steps to start today
Identify one limiting belief: Write it down and replace it with an empowering statement.
Automate savings: Send a consistent percentage of every invoice or paycheck to a dedicated business savings account.
Subscribe to a Money Podcast. Get started on learning more about money management.
Track every receipt for one month: Notice where the money actually goes. Use an accounting app to keep things organized.
Check-in weekly: Reviewing your financial dashboard for five minutes can reveal patterns and spur timely action.
Conclusion
Reaching that top 10% isn’t about extraordinary genius or luck. It’s about combining a growth-oriented mindset with disciplined financial habits. My own story was once full of struggle and self-doubt.
However, my ability to overcome these challenges proves that transformation is possible with the right strategy and support. If you’re ready to flip the script on your business finances, I invite you to step into that 10% frame of mind one decision at a time.
Ready to become part of that top 10%? Visit GrowthPoint Bookkeeping LLC to learn how we can support you with bookkeeping solutions that align with your vision.
Charlie McClain, Bestselling Author, Bookkeeper & Strategist
I’m passionate about helping businesses unlock their greatest potential by demystifying finances and driving purposeful growth. Over the past two decades, I’ve consulted and trained leaders and CEOs around the globe, collaborating with realtors, contractors, and a wide range of professionals seeking to streamline operations and amplify profits. My hands-on experience flipping houses opened my eyes to the unique financial challenges of irregular income, complex expense tracking, and nuanced tax requirements—insights that now inform my specialized bookkeeping and advisory services.
As the founder of GrowthPoint Bookkeeping LLC, I empower realtors and business owners to save valuable time, increase profitability, and make informed decisions based on real-time financial data. With fast, accurate bookkeeping, cleanup, payroll support, and advanced QuickBooks integrations, we deliver clarity that fuels confidence and strategic growth.
