You’re Recording Your Finances — But Are You Actually Using Them?
You’re keeping records — great! But what’s that data really telling you? Learn the three numbers every small business should understand (and how they help you make better decisions).
You probably already record your sales, expenses, and invoices.
That’s a solid start — and more than many small businesses manage. But here’s the thing:
Recording your finances isn’t the same as understanding them.
In fact, most shop owners are sitting on data that could make their business better — they just don’t realise it.
What’s the difference between recording and using your data?
📝 Recording = Logging what’s happened.
📊 Using = Spotting patterns and making decisions.
Without that second step, you’re working in the dark — even if your books are technically “up to date.”
3 numbers every local business should know - and why
1. Your revenue trend
“Am I growing, flat, or dipping over time?”
Looking at just last month’s total doesn’t show the whole picture. Are your sales slowly rising? Falling? Seasonal? When you track this monthly, you can plan better — not just react.
2. Your best and worst-selling products or services
“Where is my money really coming from?”
You might be surprised by what sells best — and what barely moves. Understanding this lets you double down on what works and quietly phase out what doesn’t.
3. Your forecast vs. actual
“Are we where we thought we’d be?”
If you don’t compare your expectations to reality, you miss the chance to course-correct. Forecasting doesn’t need to be complicated — it’s just a plan for your numbers, so you’re not guessing.
But what if numbers aren’t your thing?
You’re not alone. Most business owners didn’t get into retail, food or services because they love spreadsheets.
That’s why Thriver helps you track these three numbers — and shows you what they actually mean.
We don’t just give you data. We highlight the key points, make it visual, and suggest simple actions you can take.
Want help making sense of your numbers?
Thriver is a simple service that takes ongoing work off your plate. Everything is quietly handled in the background by a team of digital helpers trained to save time, money and stress for local business owners like you.