Stop Guessing: How to Create Revenue Goals That Actually Work

Too many entrepreneurs are setting revenue goals based on what looks good, not what works. And while ambitious benchmarks like “$500K year” or “$100K months” may sound impressive, without structure and strategy, they lead to stress—not sustainability.

In this episode of Harmonious Wealth, we’re dismantling the habit of setting random revenue goals and laying the groundwork for consistent cash flow, CEO pay, and scalable growth.

Let’s get into it.

https://youtu.be/VbDrkzvwzx0

Subscribe on YouTube | Apple | Spotify

Why You Need to Anchor Your Revenue to Your Salary

If your business doesn’t pay you consistently, it isn’t working.

Your CEO salary is not an afterthought. It is the foundation of your financial strategy. A simple and powerful rule: your revenue goal should be at least 2x your full CEO salary—not just your take-home pay, but your complete compensation package, including:

• Payroll taxes
  
• Health insurance
  
• 401(k) or retirement contributions
  
• HSA or benefits
  

Example: If your full compensation is $150,000 annually, your starting revenue goal needs to be a minimum of $300,000—and likely more if you’re investing in growth.

Reflection: Is Your Revenue Goal Grounded in Reality?

Take a moment to journal or voice memo the following:

• What is my current monthly CEO salary?
  
• What should my full compensation look like to reflect the life I want?
  
• Am I setting revenue goals based on that—or based on industry trends and Instagram noise?
  

Price for Profit, Not Just Revenue

Setting revenue goals is one part. Pricing for profit is the other.

Many entrepreneurs—especially those offering project-based services—undervalue their expertise and forget to include direct costs in their pricing. You may be making sales, but if you aren’t building in margin, your bottom line suffers.

Key considerations when pricing:

• Know your team’s cost as a percentage of each offer (often 20–30%)
  
• Account for tools, systems, and fulfillment costs
  
• Set prices to sustain—not just sell
  

If you’re offering one-on-one services, running conferences, or launching group programs, consider using class tracking or segmented profit and loss reports. This shows whether each offer is actually contributing to your bottom line.

Create Revenue Predictability Through Conversion Tracking

You don’t need more money. You need more predictability.

You can’t hit your goals if you’re not tracking your pipeline. Understanding how many leads convert into paying clients—especially across different seasons—helps you forecast, prepare, and grow without panic.

Checklist: Do you know your…

• Monthly lead volume?
  
• Average conversion rate (per season and annually)?
  
• Client retention rate?
  
• Pipeline gaps?
  

Tracking these metrics gives you clarity on whether your issue is truly revenue—or whether it’s marketing, sales, or retention.

In Summary: Revenue That Reflects Your Real Needs

Here’s what to take away from this episode:

1. Your revenue should be at least double your full CEO salary—because real business growth starts with real compensation.
   
2. Price your offers for profit—not just based on what others charge.
   
3. Track your conversion rates—because consistency is built on clarity.
   

Ready to Stop Guessing?

It’s time to move from random goals to real financial strategy. If you don’t yet know how much to pay yourself, start with my free CEO Salary Calculator.

Download it now at lovelyfinancials.com/ceo

And if you’re ready to build a business that pays you consistently while funding your legacy, don’t miss the full episode.

Listen to the latest episode of Harmonious Wealth and start building a strategy rooted in clarity, stewardship, and sustainability.