ProfitShip® Launch Program

by Ellen Springer, MBA, CPA, "Harbor Master"

The Waterline Dashboard

Protecting your business requires knowing your exact Buoyancy Number—the monthly cash floor needed to keep operations running AND pay yourself from Day 1. This dashboard measures your liquid business cash to determine your Months at Sea against the "3-month SBA recommendation."

"And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain... so that the land may not perish during the famine." — Genesis 41:35–36

Professional Services & Legal

CPA / Attorney ($)

Business Insurance ($)

Payroll & Contractors (Monthly Gross)

All amounts should be entered as gross monthly figures—before any taxes. This helps you see your true cash needs.

Founder's Salary ($) 🛟 Your salary must reflect your Survival Line. Don't know this number yet? Calculate your personal Survival Line with the Life Raft Calculator →

Payroll ($)

Essential Contractors ($)

Payroll Taxes

Employers typically contribute 10-15% as payroll taxes (Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, plus unemployment and workers' comp). Twelve percent is a reasonable estimate; adjust if you know your exact rate.

Employer Contribution Rate (%)

Sales & Marketing

Advertising / Ad Spend ($)

Marketing Tools / Platforms ($)

Facilities & Operations

Office & Workspace Rent ($)

Utilities & Communications ($)

Equipment & Supplies ($)

Miscellaneous & Contingency

Reserve for unexpected costs and optional professional services.

Other Professional Consultants / Services ($) e.g., marketing agencies, business coaches, HR consultants

Professional Development ($) Courses, certifications, training, conferences

Other Miscellaneous Expenses ($) Buffer for unexpected expenses, bank fees, or other unexpected costs

Liquid Working Capital

Business Cash on Hand ($) Total liquid cash currently sitting in business operating and savings accounts.

Monthly Buoyancy Number

Your total monthly fixed costs — overhead, founder salary & contingency, all in one number

Working Capital

0 Months at Sea

How long your business can cover overhead and your salary if revenue hits rough weather

SBA-Recommended 3-Month Cash Reserve

$0 Target Reserve

3 × Monthly Buoyancy held in liquid working capital.

Waterline Expense Anatomy

⚓

Harbor Master's Assessment

Loading assessment...

Want Ellen's Eyes on Your Exact Numbers?

This dashboard gives you the number. A live session helps you decide what to do with it.

Book Your Ask Me Anything Session →

Got your Buoyancy Number? Use it to price your offer in the Stable Keel Pricing Matrix →