On paper, planning for a new year sounds simple: set goals, make a plan, stick to it. But most people don’t get stuck because they don’t know what to do. They get stuck because the version of themselves required to do it isn’t fully formed yet. That’s where most planning breaks down.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through the exact framework I use before I plan goals, strategies, or habits. We start with identity, then move through emotion, action, repetition, and only then outcomes. I share how this approach helped me sustain intense seasons of business growth, endurance training, and leadership — without relying on motivation or willpower.

“Your plans will never outgrow your identity.”

If you want change that actually sticks in 2026, this episode will help you build it from the inside out.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

0:00 - Why traditional planning fails

5:30 - Identity before goals: the missing step

6:20 - The full framework: identity → emotion → action → repetition

9:30 - Why intrinsic motivation lasts longer

12:30 - Identity integration across business and life

14:40 - Emotion, safety, and sustainable change

18:20 - Action repetition vs. outcome obsession

22:30 - Building systems before excellence

26:50 - Money identity and decision-making

32:00 - Why today matters more than 2026

37:00 - Choosing your 2026 identity pillars

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Tax season shouldn’t feel mysterious or reactive—especially not in a year with major law changes. When the July 2025 tax bill passed, most business owners had no idea how much it would shift their budgeting, hiring, and investment decisions for the coming year. If you want to grow wisely, the real question is: how do you use these new rules in your favor?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through the biggest tax updates that matter for entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2025–2026. I explain why 100% bonus depreciation is back, how the expanded Section 179 deduction can help you control taxable income, why R&D expenses are fully deductible again, and what the new 1099-K thresholds mean for anyone using platforms like PayPal or Stripe. I also share the limits you need to prepare for—like shrinking meal deductions and rising healthcare costs for small teams. No politics, no jargon, just practical strategy you can apply immediately.

My goal is simple: to help you use the tax code as a strategic growth tool rather than something you only think about at year-end. “Smart business owners don’t just file taxes—they use taxes to guide better decisions.” If you want clarity on how these changes affect your budgets, investments, and long-term planning, this episode will give you exactly what you need.

• Bonus Depreciation – IRS Publication 946
• Section 179 Deduction – IRS Depreciation Guidance
• Domestic Research & Experimental (R&D) Expenditures – IRB 2025-38 / §174A
• Form 1099-K – Understanding Your Form
• Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction – IRS FAQs
• Employer-Provided Child Care Credit – About Form 8882

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Balannx.

• 0:00 – Why the 2025 tax law matters more than you think
• 1:30 – Bonus depreciation returns to 100%
• 3:00 – How Section 179 became more powerful
• 5:20 – R&D and experimentation expenses fully deductible again
• 6:40 – Better rules for interest deductions
• 8:40 – QBI deduction becomes permanent
• 10:00 – Expanded childcare credits for employers
• 12:00 – 1099-K reporting rollback
• 14:10 – Key limitations: loss caps, energy credit changes
• 16:00 – Meal deductions disappear in 2026
• 18:00 – Rising healthcare costs and planning ahead
• 20:00 – Final guidance for using tax strategy intentionally

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Most founders aren’t actually afraid of their numbers—they’re afraid of what those numbers might confirm about them. In this episode, I take you beneath the spreadsheets and tax forms to the deeper truth: money fear is a safety problem, not a financial one. And until you feel safe, no strategy will ever stick.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I break down why avoidance around money is so universal, why women entrepreneurs in particular face systemic financial gaps, and why your nervous system—not your bookkeeping—drives so much of your financial stress. We explore how identity wounds shape your reactions to IRS letters, unread bank statements, and messy bookkeeping. Then we shift into how to build safety, clarity, and control so your numbers become tools—not threats—for making confident decisions. I also share four small habits that completely transform your relationship with money over time.

When you understand your numbers, you rise differently. “Safety gives you clarity. Clarity gives you control. Control gives you power. And power gives you growth.”

Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

• 0:00 – Why this episode goes deeper than tactics
• 0:54 – What founders are really afraid their numbers will reveal
• 2:00 – Money fear as an identity wound, not a math issue
• 3:24 – Why avoidance happens (and why it’s logical)
• 4:58 – How lack of financial education, especially for women, feeds overwhelm
• 6:26 – When your nervous system interprets money as danger
• 7:52 – Why safety must come before strategy
• 9:54 – How understanding numbers shifts decision-making power
• 11:44 – Using data and instincts together as a founder
• 12:42 – Four simple habits that build financial safety (Track one number weekly, 15-minute weekly review, One simple tax-year folder, Rewrite your money identity)
• 16:28 – Why founders rise when they feel safe, not shamed
• 18:10 – A reminder: you’re doing the best you can with the capacity you have
• 19:36 – Invitation to take the first step toward money safety

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we close out Q4, many of us can feel the noise and pressure rising. When your numbers feel unclear or unstable, that’s your business telling you it needs attention. Before we start dreaming about big launches or expansion in 2026, we need a foundation strong enough to support it. Most founders skip the exact steps that make next year predictable—and it shows up as chaos later.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through the three phases of financial architecture you must complete before January 1. I share why validated numbers—not emotions—are the only responsible way to plan, how to stress-test your margins for rising costs, and how to stop the capital leaks that silently drain profit. We also break down what a real cashflow map looks like, the layers that create stability, and the owner-compensation strategy too many entrepreneurs ignore. This is about entering 2026 with confidence and clarity.

You’ll finish feeling grounded and ready to build—not just run—your business.

“Bad data leads to bad decisions. Validate your foundation before you draw the blueprint.”

Links

• Learn more about Balannx: https://balannx.com/

Connect

Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionahnguyen/

Learn more about Balannx: https://balannx.com/

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Why Q4 anxiety is a signal from your business
• 1:00 – Phase 1: Validation (bookkeeping, tax footprint, compliance)
• 7:00 – Phase 2: Strength Testing (margin stress test & capital leaks)
• 11:45 – Phase 3: Drawing Your 2026 Blueprint (cashflow map & allocation)
• 18:00 – The real reason founders fail: unmanaged cashflow

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So many founders hit the end of the year with a knot in their stomach. Numbers feel foggy, the tax reminders pile up, and suddenly every notification becomes existential. But the panic isn't because you've failed. It's because you're flying blind without the systems that keep your money working for you instead of quietly slipping away.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I break down the seven most common (and costly) year-end financial mistakes founders make—and how to fix them before December 31st. From ignoring margins to guessing your tax bill to scaling on a shaky foundation, we’ll go over why these issues show up, how they compound, and the exact steps to regain control. This is a practical, no-drama reset for anyone who wants to enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and cleaner books than ever.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:50 - Mistake #1: Waiting until tax season to look at your numbers
• 6:22 - Mistake #2: Guessing your tax bill
• 9:18 - Mistake #3: Ignoring contractor payments (1099 prep)
• 10:38 - Mistake #4: Not reviewing margins before 2026 pricing
• 12:38 - Mistake #5: Silent spending that drains profit
• 14:45 - Mistake #6: Assuming growth - financial health
• 16:56 - Mistake #7: Skipping a proper year-end close
• 19:30 - Why clarity beats avoidance every time

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At the end of every year, I see founders fall into the same trap: avoiding their finances because the work feels dry or overwhelming. But avoidance is expensive. A few overlooked numbers can easily turn into thousands in unnecessary taxes or missed opportunities—and I’ve seen it happen more often than you’d think. So I want to show you exactly how I close out my own year, and what I help my clients do long before tax season shows up.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through the five financial and tax moves I recommend to every entrepreneur before December 31st. I’ll talk you through what “clean books” actually look like, how I review estimated taxes with clients, and why intentional year-end spending is more powerful than chasing deductions. We’ll also cover retirement strategies that can save you thousands and the budgeting steps I use with my own CFO clients to set up a strong 2026.

These steps aren’t glamorous, but they give you something far more important: “Clarity is the real return on your investment.” When you understand your numbers, you move from reactive to confident—and that’s when your business becomes truly scalable.

Connect

Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Why year-end finances matter (and why founders avoid them)
• 0:42 - The five core business foundations
• 1:30 - Step 1: Cleaning and reviewing your books
• 4:54 - How inaccurate books inflate tax bills
• 6:21 - The three financial reports that matter
• 8:03 - Step 2: Reviewing estimated taxes
• 9:27 - Common estimated-tax mistakes
• 10:33 - Step 3: Intentional year-end spending
• 11:48 - What real tax planning looks like
• 12:45 - Step 4: Funding your future (retirement strategies)
• 14:36 - How scenario planning reduces tax surprises
• 15:36 - Step 5: Reviewing financials + the 2026 budget
• 16:57 - Building base, best, and worst-case plans
• 17:45 - Final recap + year-end encouragement

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What does it take to rebuild your life from nothing—and then dedicate it to helping others thrive? In 1975, my dear friend and longtime client, Rosemary Tran Lauer, arrived in America as a single mother with two young children, no degree, and little English. What began as a fight to survive became a lifelong mission to give back.

Rosemary Tran Lauer is the founder of Devotion to Children, a nonprofit committed to early childhood education and care for families in need. She's also the founder of Tetra Global and author of Beggars or Angels, her memoir chronicling her journey from war-torn Vietnam to building a life of purpose, generosity, and faith in the U.S.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I sit down with Rosemary to talk about resilience, faith, and the power of purpose. We explore her journey from refugee to entrepreneur and founder of Devotion to Children, a nonprofit providing early childhood education and childcare to disadvantaged families. We also reflect on her 30-year journey of impact, her memoir Beggars or Angels, and how she continues to balance profit and purpose as the founder of Tetra Global.

Through every hardship, Rosemary reminds us that "devotion is an action, not a philosophy." Her story is a powerful testament to what love, grit, and service can build—and how one woman's courage can ripple out to change thousands of lives.

Guest Links

• Devotion to Children
• Beggars Or Angels Book
• Tetra Global

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:00 - The faith and love that kept her going
• 6:30 - Building resilience through gratitude and grit
• 8:30 - Founding Devotion to Children and focusing on early education
• 12:30 - The heart and community behind the annual gala
• 18:00 - Real stories of impact and transformation
• 22:00 - The cost of childcare and why support matters
• 25:00 - Balancing profit and purpose in business
• 29:00 - The power of love as a long-term motivator for change
• 31:00 - Legacy, kindness, and paying it forward
• 33:00 - Advice for anyone in hardship: don't give up
• 36:00 - Final reflections and hope for the future

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When creativity meets empathy, magic happens. But how do you build a business that balances both—while keeping your creative spark alive?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I sat down with Heather Chandler, seven-time Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of The IMG Studio. After a decade in broadcast journalism, Heather left the 3 a.m. newscasts behind to build a creative company that champions human stories—especially for nonprofits and causes that matter. Together, we unpack what it takes to lead with empathy, manage creative teams, and tell stories that move people to action.

"People do business with people they like." Heather shares how deadlines, storytelling discipline, and authenticity fuel both artistry and business success—and why creative excellence is really about evoking emotion, not chasing perfection.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.
• Heather Chandler on LinkedIn
• The IMG Studio Website

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:30 - The "enough is enough" moment that sparked change
• 5:00 - What storytelling taught her about discipline and deadlines
• 8:00 - Why authenticity wins in business storytelling
• 11:00 - The Emmy projects that redefined her creative path
• 13:00 - Balancing creativity with budgets and client expectations
• 16:00 - The Uganda documentary that deepened her empathy
• 18:00 - Why humans are wired for stories, not stats
• 21:00 - Finding the thread of humanity in every story
• 24:00 - Vulnerability vs. perfection in storytelling
• 26:00 - Leading creative teams with clarity and collaboration
• 28:00 - The value women bring to male-dominated creative industries
• 31:00 - Confidence and leadership after years in business
• 32:00 - Advice for anyone afraid to pivot
• 41:00 - The next decade of The IMG Studio
• 43:00 - The quote that fuels Heather's resilience
• 45:00 - Creative excellence in the age of AI
• 46:00 - Closing reflections on beauty, connection, and contribution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.