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Every business owner measures success differently. Some focus on profit, others on cash flow or growth. But few truly understand the three numbers that determine whether a company can scale or survive. In this episode, Corey Harlock talks with Dave Saunders, early internet pioneer and founder of Base Reality Group, about the three essential numbers every small business owner must know: revenue, cost, and runway.
Before the conversation begins, Corey shares some exciting news. The KeyHire Podcast was named Best Business Consultant by the Best of Small Business Awards, and the show was recently featured in Forbes after economist Bill Connerly referenced one of their past episodes. It has been a rewarding start to the year, and Corey credits the KeyHire community for helping the podcast grow and reach new milestones.
Dave’s career began at Lucent Bell Labs, where he helped create the first commercial Wi-Fi hotspot in partnership with Apple. From there, he co-founded Galen Robotics, raised $25 million in funding, and built a reputation for helping founders grow profitable, process-driven businesses. His book, Founders Who Finish, captures much of what he has learned along the way, but today he focuses on the three financial metrics that matter most.
Dave explains that many business owners rely on endless dashboards filled with metrics and acronyms that often confuse more than they clarify. He believes success can be simplified into three numbers.
- Revenue: The total of what is coming in, including both cash on hand and incoming payments.
- Cost: Every expense required to keep the business operating, both fixed and variable.
- Runway: The amount of time the company could continue operating if income stopped today.
Corey and Dave discuss why understanding these numbers is essential for making smart, timely decisions. They outline what it means when a business has less than three months of runway, how to identify waste in operations, and how to reduce costs without cutting too deep. Dave shares examples of companies that failed to monitor their financial health and the consequences that followed, as well as stories of those that corrected course and grew stronger.
The conversation also explores what happens when a company’s growth outpaces the leadership team’s ability to manage it. Corey and Dave talk about the challenges that appear when a business hits the 50-employee mark and the importance of learning to lead through process rather than constant effort. They discuss the self-awareness required for a founder to know when to delegate, bring in new leadership, or evolve their own role.
Dave’s insights are practical, clear, and grounded in experience. His approach helps business owners simplify the way they think about performance and make better decisions about growth, stability, and sustainability.
This episode offers real-world advice for anyone trying to understand their numbers, build a stronger foundation, and create a business that can grow with confidence.
Listen now to learn how to simplify your numbers, make smarter decisions, and build a business that lasts.
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Learn More about Dave: davesaunders.net
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