A Profit First Journey: Confessions of a First-Year Practice Owner

Описание: Starting a private practice can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming—especially when it comes to money. In this episode of Therapy for Your Money, Julie sits down with Alex Antonucci, a first-year practice owner who isn’t afraid to share the honest, behind-the-scenes reality of building a financially sustainable practice from the ground up.

Alex opens up about student loan debt that rivaled the cost of his home, feeling unsure about retirement savings, and the mental load that comes with not quite knowing where your money stands. He also shares how implementing Profit First before opening his doors gave him clarity, confidence, and a financial system that now supports both his business and his life.

If you’re a solo practice owner—or dreaming about growing into a group practice—this conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just need a system that helps you make clear, values-aligned decisions along the way.

⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps
[00:02:14] Alex introduces himself, his solo practice, and his vision for holistic, community-focused care
[00:03:05] Donating 1% of revenue to Tree Pittsburgh—and how that fits into Profit First
[00:03:49] Discovering Profit First before opening the practice
[00:05:07] Setting up bank accounts and paying himself from day one
[00:07:04] Why Alex initially matched his old group practice pay—and later chose to pay himself less
[00:08:16] Customizing Profit First: growth accounts, buffers, S-corp payroll, and donations
[00:09:21] How Profit First changed Alex’s relationship with money (personally and professionally)
[00:10:49] Creating personal “PTO savings” so vacations no longer feel financially stressful
[00:11:42] Candid talk about massive student debt and underfunded retirement
[00:12:07] A huge milestone: maxing out a Roth IRA for the first time
[00:14:33] Making business decisions with data instead of anxiety
[00:16:16] Preparing financially for hiring and practice expansion
[00:17:20] Offering benefits like PTO and a 401(k) with employer contributions—by design, not luck
[00:19:57] Alex’s 5-year vision: culture, community, and owning a physical space
[00:21:14] Advice for practice owners on the fence about Profit First or the Academy