166. A Lesson on fixing your cash flow

The Ecommerce Roadmap · with Karen Steuer · June 6, 2023 · 51 min

Summary

Many successful ecommerce businesses with strong sales still face chronic cash flow shortages. This episode demystifies why this happens, offering a practical framework to diagnose and solve these issues. It emphasizes that while painful, confronting cash flow problems proactively is crucial for sustainable growth and can transform a business from cash-strapped to cash-positive.

Key takeaways

• Identify the root cause of cash flow shortages; simply cutting expenses is rarely a long-term solution and can harm growth.
• Conduct a thorough pricing strategy audit to ensure products cover all costs and contribute to a healthy profit margin, avoiding common pricing mistakes that kill businesses.
• Optimize inventory levels to avoid tying up excessive cash in overstocking or missing sales from understocking.
• Develop a clear, actionable cash flow improvement plan with specific steps and timelines, focusing on sustainable financial health rather than quick fixes.
• Understand that profitability does not equate to cash on hand; a business can be profitable but still cash-strapped, making active cash flow management essential.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

Recently I recorded a podcast episode about cash flow, and how Ecommerce store owners often don't understand why they are chronically short of cash in their businesses. After the episode was released several store owners reached out to me to share their struggles with cash flow. Some were looking for advice, but many just wanted to express their thanks for normalizing a topic that is embarrassing and often creates feelings of failure. Karen Steuer is a long time client, and owner of Tangled Roots Herbal, a multi six figure business that includes a brick and mortar location and an ecommerce shop. Karen has been struggling with cash flow for some time, and needs some advice. She's at the point where she's exhausted by the stress, and wants to solve her cash flow problem this year, even if it means that she needs to make some hard decisions. I asked Karen if she'd be willing to jump on a call with me so I could have a look at her current situation and give her some recommendations about how she can create a plan to move forward with more cash in her business. Karen has generously allowed me to share our conversation. We agree that any store owner can follow the process we used to check the financial health of their business. Listen in to learn: How to find the cause of your cash flow shortage. Why cutting expenses is not a long term solution. The pricing mistake that will kill your business. Plus, the steps Karen needs to take before she can be cash flow positive. Episode website: https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/a-lesson-on-fixing-your-cash-flow-episode-166/ Links mentioned in this episode: <a href= "https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-to-have-more-cash-in-you

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?

Identify the root cause of cash flow shortages; simply cutting expenses is rarely a long-term solution and can harm growth.

What does this episode say about founder & leadership?

Conduct a thorough pricing strategy audit to ensure products cover all costs and contribute to a healthy profit margin, avoiding common pricing mistakes that kill businesses.

What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?

Optimize inventory levels to avoid tying up excessive cash in overstocking or missing sales from understocking.

What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?

Develop a clear, actionable cash flow improvement plan with specific steps and timelines, focusing on sustainable financial health rather than quick fixes.

What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?

Understand that profitability does not equate to cash on hand; a business can be profitable but still cash-strapped, making active cash flow management essential.

Listen

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