October 22, 2026 • By Miss Kathryn “Kitty” Caldwell, Business Correspondent
Everybody Wants Their Money, But Where’s Mine, Darlin’?
Well, darlin’, pull up a chair and pour yourself a cup of coffee. We need to discuss a rather peculiar situation happening in small businesses everywhere.
Everybody seems to be making money. Everybody wants to be paid. But somehow, the business owner is the only one left wondering where all the money went.
Now, isn’t that something?
You’ve worked all week. You’ve answered the phone until your ear hurts. You’ve dealt with customers, suppliers, employees, and at least one person who apparently believes your business operates as a charitable organization.
And when Friday finally arrives?
The employees have been paid. The suppliers have been paid. The electric company certainly hasn’t forgotten about you.
But your customer?
Oh, honey. He’s going to pay you next Friday.
Of course he is.
The Contractor Who Finished the Job but Didn’t Get Paid
Picture this.
A local contractor—we’ll call him Mr. Friday, since that seems to be everybody’s favorite payday—finishes a beautiful renovation.
The customer loves it.
The cabinets are perfect. The floors are gorgeous. The paint looks wonderful.
Mr. Friday has already paid for materials, covered his crew’s wages, and spent the better part of three weeks making this customer’s dream come true.
Then he sends the final invoice.
And suddenly, his customer becomes harder to locate than a matching sock in the laundry.
Three days pass.
Then seven.
Then comes the message:
“Hey, buddy, can I get that to you next Friday?”
Well, bless his heart.
Mr. Friday would love to accommodate him, but unfortunately, his lumber supplier doesn’t accept good intentions, and his employees have developed a rather unreasonable habit of wanting actual paychecks.
Profit Doesn’t Always Mean Money in the Bank
Here’s something that surprises many business owners.
You can have a profitable business and still struggle to pay your bills.
How?
Because making a sale isn’t always the same as collecting the money.
Your financial reports might show that your business earned a healthy profit, but if customers haven’t paid their invoices, that money may not be available to cover today’s expenses.
And that, darlin’, is called a cash-flow problem.
It’s one of the reasons understanding your financial reports matters so much.
A business can look successful on paper while its owner is sitting at the kitchen table wondering whether there’s enough money to cover payroll.
And no amount of sweet tea is going to make that feeling pleasant.
Your Business Is Not a Bank, Sweetheart
Now, I believe in treating customers with kindness.
I believe in being understanding when someone is experiencing a genuine hardship.
But there’s a difference between showing grace and allowing your business to become everybody’s personal line of credit.
You have obligations, too.
Your employees have families.
Your suppliers have bills.
And despite what some people seem to believe, owning a business does not mean you have an unlimited supply of money hidden beneath the floorboards.
Clear payment terms, deposits when appropriate, timely invoices, and consistent follow-ups aren’t rude.
They’re responsible business practices.
You can be kind and still expect to be paid.
Southern hospitality does not require financial self-destruction.
And What About Paying Yourself?
Now, here’s where things get personal.
How many of you business owners have paid absolutely everybody else before paying yourselves?
Go ahead. Raise your hand.
Nobody’s watching.
You work the longest hours, carry the greatest responsibility, and lie awake worrying about whether everything will work out.
Yet somehow, when there’s not enough money to go around, your own paycheck is the first thing sacrificed.
Honey, we need to talk about that.
There may be times when a business owner chooses to leave money in the business, particularly during difficult seasons or periods of growth.
But if never paying yourself has become the permanent business plan, something deserves a closer look.
After all, you didn’t start a business just to create a job where you’re the only employee who works for free.
A Little Friendly Advice From Your Correspondent
Before another customer promises you a check next Friday, consider a few things.
- Make payment expectations clear. Your customers should understand when and how they’re expected to pay.
- Send invoices promptly. The sooner you bill, the sooner the payment process can begin.
- Follow up consistently. A polite reminder is not an insult.
- Watch your cash flow. Know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and when those payments are expected.
- Plan for delays. A financial cushion can help when customers take longer than expected to pay.
And please remember that revenue, profit, and available cash are not interchangeable. Each tells you something different about your business.
One Last Thing, Darlin’
As we move toward the end of another year, I want you to remember something.
Your work has value.
Your time has value.
And your business deserves to be treated with the same respect you give your customers.
So the next time somebody tells you they’ll pay you Friday, smile politely, thank them, and make sure you’re following up on that invoice.
Because kindness is a virtue.
Patience is admirable.
But neither one pays the electric bill.
Until next time, keep your head high, your standards higher, and your invoices paid.
With a little Southern grace and a whole lot of common sense,
Miss Kathryn “Kitty” Caldwell
The Desk
Business Correspondent, The Southern Grace Ga
A little friendly advice from your correspondent
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