Everyone wants a more profitable business—but most entrepreneurs don't actually know what creates profit, let alone how to consistently increase it. Growing revenue is one thing. Taking home more money is another.

In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Joe Abreu, an expert in helping business owners identify where profit is leaking, where opportunity is hiding, and how to build a business that rewards you financially—not just operationally. Joe breaks down the hidden drivers of profitability, the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling, and the mindset shifts required to consistently take home more income.

If you've ever looked at your revenue numbers and wondered why there's not more left over for you, this conversation will give you clarity, tools, and stories you can apply right away.

[02:12] – Why revenue ≠ profit—and why entrepreneurs often confuse the two

[04:47] – Joe shares the biggest profit leaks hidden inside most businesses

[07:19] – The difference between scaling up and scaling smart

[09:54] – Kyle and Joe discuss how small tweaks can dramatically improve profitability

[12:38] – What most business owners misunderstand about expenses and margins

[15:21] – A real-world example of a business owner who doubled take-home profit without growing revenue

[18:03] – The mindset shift that transforms financial chaos into clarity

[20:46] – Joe's simple framework for increasing profit starting this week

[23:15] – Closing thoughts: how to build a business that pays you first