Why Money Mindset Matters Early

Over the years, I have worked with founders across industries and noticed a clear pattern, the best founders think about money differently, and they start from day one. It’s easy to assume finance is something you can figure out later, but the reality is that the decisions you make early will determine whether you end up scrambling for survival or setting the pace for sustainable growth.

A Tale of Two Founders

One founder raised a strong seed round and went full speed on growth, hiring aggressively and pushing product development while leaving finance for 'later.' That later came much sooner than expected. A few unexpected expenses and premature hires drained his runway, forcing emergency bridge funding and painful layoffs.

Another founder, with the same stage and no extra funding advantage, always knew his numbers—burn rate, cash position, and when the next raise would be due. When headwinds came, he adjusted early, extended runway, and raised from a place of control instead of desperation.

Lessons from the Best

The difference wasn’t how much money they had, but how they handled it. Top founders don’t just know their bank balance; they understand their burn, big expenses, and cash runway. They use finance as a growth tool making timely decisions that keep them in control. Founders who ignore finance scramble. Founders who master it raise smarter, scale faster, and avoid nasty surprises.

The Takeaway

You don’t need to be a finance expert, but you do need to make money work for you, not against you. That starts with knowing your numbers and acting on them.

Take 15 minutes today to review your burn rate and cash runway. Knowing exactly when you’ll need to raise can change the way you make decisions starting now.