Meet David Potocki
Your Business Growth Partner
David is our visionary financial strategist, committed to propelling your business to new heights. With extensive expertise and a relentless drive for excellence, David is dedicated to crafting innovative strategies that ensure your financial success and business growth.
More About David
Strategist | Insightful | Experienced| Dedicated | Innovative
Early on in my life, I realized that I had a creative knack for both conceptional design, and problem-solving. Being a positive person, I never saw problems as a negative thing. I saw them as an opportunity to come up with a solution. So, I went to school for Graphic Design, excelled at it, and shortly after graduation I started my first Design business. I knew that in order to be able to apply all my skills, I needed to be self-employed. A regular job never allowed me to utilize my full potential. Although I had great design and marketing skills, I had no business skills at all. That was a huge problem. I floundered, and I was able to deliver for my clients and help them market their business, but was struggling to make a profit with mine.
Then one day, I decided that I needed to grow. Enough was enough, I said. "What do I need to learn to be more successful?" I asked myself. More confidence was the first thing on my list. So I auditioned for a local play, because what better way to help my confidence then to get up on stage in front of a room full of strangers? Well, I got the lead role, which included 7 monologues. I did it, and not a half bad job, if I may say so myself. From there I joined Toastmasters an international organization that helps with public speaking and entered every speech contest I could. Next, I knew I had to learn the business side of things. Along with learning on the fly, normally "what not to do", I looked for opportunities to learn from successful business owners. I found a business networking group, started a mastermind group with some successful businesses, joined the local Chamber of Commerce and read a ton of books.
Now that I started to gain quite a bit of business building skills as well as my marketing skills, I felt the need to help other business owners avoid all the mistakes I made over the years. My first "Business coaching" job was taking on a leadership roll at the business networking group and leading all the meetings along with growing the group. After that, I became President of the Chamber helping it grow as well as helping grow the annual Home Show year after year.
All that time I was working with the Chamber and running my own marketing, design and print business I thought I was smart enough to do it all on my own. That I had learned all I needed to, to be able to run a successful business. Boy, I could have not been more wrong. I was able to deliver a great product with fantastic service, but that is not enough. I didn’t have any processes in place for predictable leads and conversions, didn’t have systems in place in order to leverage my resources, I didn’t have a handle of my profitability and I didn’t have proper pricing, bundling, upsell/downsell options available.
So, I ended up burning myself out, selling the business at way below market value and getting out of the business all together. The burn out had a tremendous affect on my personal life as well. My marriage deteriorated, I wasn’t fully there for my kids and was not very happy.
I needed time to clear my head, so what better way then to work with your hands. I spent the next few years working with a Master Carpenter and learned a great deal about renovating all aspects of a house. But more importantly it gave me a chance to clear my head, give me some perspective and vigorously renew my passionate to help other business owners.
Now, I am even more passionate about helping business owners succeed after having experienced the real pain that comes from owning a business that is struggling. Most business owners put their heart and soul along with a ton of sweat and tears into making their businesses succeed. I am here to teach them that there is a better way to make that dream happen.
As I continue to see success in my coaching clients it came clear to me that there is a huge gap with traditional bookkeeping between businesses being merely CRA compliant and planning for success. So, I sought out a business partner that not only had the accounting skills, but had the vision for helping people as I did. I found that and more in Maria and together we have created some amazing solutions that sets our clients up for success.
Video - Example Neighbourhood Podcast
Your Financial Navigator Blog
Your Resource for Financial Wisdom and Business Growth
Explore The Financial Navigator for expert insights and practical tips on managing your business finances.
Unlock the knowledge you need to drive growth and achieve lasting success.
READ SOME OF DAVID's CONTRIBUTIONS
Launch A New Business Checklist
Stepping into the world of entrepreneurship in 2024 is an exciting venture, but it requires careful planning and execution. To ensure your new business hits the ground running, here’s an in-depth checklist that covers the essential steps to launch your startup successfully.
1. Craft a Comprehensive Business Plan
A detailed business plan is your blueprint for success. Start by clearly defining your business idea, target market, and competitive landscape. Include financial projections and a strategy for growth. This plan will not only guide you through the early stages of your business but also serve as a valuable tool when seeking investors or securing loans.
2. Establish Legal Foundations
Ensure your business is legally sound by registering it and obtaining all necessary licenses and permits. Compliance with industry regulations is crucial to avoid future legal issues. This step also includes choosing the right business structure—whether it's a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation—that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
3. Set Up Strong Financial Systems
A solid financial foundation is critical for your startup's success. Open a dedicated business bank account, implement reliable accounting software, and set up processes for tracking income, expenses, and taxes. Secure your initial funding through personal savings, business loans, or investor backing. Proper financial management from the outset will help you maintain cash flow and sustain growth.
4. Develop a Compelling Brand Identity
Your brand is more than just a logo—it's the face of your business. Create a memorable brand identity that resonates with your target audience. This includes designing a professional logo, building a user-friendly website, and establishing a strong social media presence. Your brand identity should reflect your values and appeal to the emotions of your potential customers.
5. Conduct In-Depth Market Research
Understanding your market is key to positioning your business effectively. Conduct thorough research to identify your ideal customer base, their needs, and the competitive landscape. Use this data to tailor your products or services to meet market demand and stand out from competitors.
6. Implement a Strategic Marketing Plan
Marketing is the engine that drives your business forward. Create a comprehensive marketing strategy that leverages both digital and traditional channels. From social media marketing and email campaigns to print ads and networking events, your goal is to build brand awareness and drive customer engagement. Regularly review and adjust your strategy based on performance metrics.
7. Secure and Optimize Your Digital Presence
In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is non-negotiable. Secure your website with robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, SSL certificates, and secure payment gateways. Optimize your site for search engines (SEO) to increase visibility. Additionally, ensure your website is mobile-friendly and provides a seamless user experience.
8. Establish Efficient Operational Processes
Operational efficiency is essential for scaling your business. Set up streamlined processes for supply chain management, inventory control, customer service, and other core operations. As your business grows, having a scalable infrastructure in place will ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
9. Invest in Ongoing Learning and Development
The business landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires continuous learning. Invest in your personal and professional development by attending industry seminars, enrolling in courses, and networking with other entrepreneurs. Encouraging your team to do the same will foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
10. Monitor, Measure, and Adjust
Launching your business is just the beginning. Regularly monitor your progress against your business plan and make adjustments as needed. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success in areas such as sales, customer acquisition, and financial health. Being proactive in making data-driven decisions will keep your business on the path to success.
Launching a new business in 2024 is an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities and challenges. By following this robust checklist, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and build a thriving business. If you need expert guidance and support in managing your finances as you embark on this exciting venture, we’re here to help. Let’s connect and take your business to the next level!
Stay Informed and Empowered
We respect and protect your privacy. Your data is secure with us, and we promise not to spam your inbox.
Our emails are focused on delivering valuable and useful information to support you and your business.
Maximize Your Profits, Grow Your business and Reclaim Your Time
© 2025 Your FS Matrix Inc. - All Rights Reserved
Powered by SmartBiz Workspace and Designed by Biz 2 Biz Links Inc. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy