6 Ways to Manage Cash Flow in Your Small Business
"Having a cash reserve solves a majority of the SOS financial problems we have as entrepreneurs."
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Have you ever felt the stress of waiting for payments to come in while your bills are piling up? Or found yourself wondering where all your hard-earned money went? Cash flow crunches are one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face—but they don’t have to be! In today’s episode, I’m sharing actionable strategies to help you avoid cash flow headaches, keep your finances steady, and build a business that thrives.
I want you to understand what I mean by cash flow: and that is this, the movement and timing of money in and out of your business.
1. Build a Cash Reserve for Your Small Business
You can’t deny that at some point the unexpected happens. Planning for those moments minimizes the effects that that thing has on your business and in your life, because let’s face it, as entrepreneurs, our business almost often has a direct impact on our life, whether it be financial, emotional, or physical.
Building a savings pot for your business will mitigate the impact when that thing happens. Listen to hear how you can start building a cash reserve!
2. Save for Taxes and Future Expenses as an Entrepreneur
Let me just start by saying this, taxes are NOT fun, but they are required. Working with an accountant, you can minimize your tax impact and discuss strategies to lessen the liabilities, but for the sake of this episode we are going to acknowledge that your small business should be paying some amount in taxes. And let me add this, the more money you make, the more taxes you pay (generally), so more taxes aren’t a bad thing, right?
Listen to my personal strategy on how I save in my business as a service based entrepreneur!
3. Automate Invoicing and Require Auto Pay for your Services
This has been a game changer in my business. This year I implemented a CRM, and it has the ability to require auto pay. To make this totally work, you will need to offer package pricing, to hear more on that, listen to episode 2 HERE.
Having the steady, expected cash flow gives you the opportunity to invest in your business and grow. Think about ways that you could offer recurring services to your clients. Think through opportunities that could yield expected, monthly cash for your business.
4. Plan for Seasonality in Your Service Based Business
I get it. Some businesses are not built for monthly recurring revenue.
Knowing this, you have to really plan how to wisely save and budget for those dead months. Because even though you don’t have revenue, expenses are still due, bummer right? Aside from saving like crazy, you can brainstorm what you could do or offer in your off months that could close the gap. Maybe it’s a complementing service, or maybe it’s a digital product.
5. Manage Your Business Expenses Wisely
Watching your spending can be a great way to minimize any cash flow issues. Make sure you are spending just on what you need to run and operate your business.
Expenses are tough and while I don’t think you should spend frivolously, each business is different and their needs are different. Review your cash flow regularly to ensure you are not spending too much of your revenue on tools or expenses.
6. Paying Yourself as an Entrepreneur
I see it all too often, entrepreneurs pull MORE from their business or treat their business account like a personal account, and have issues paying BUSINESS expenses.
Listen to hear how I minimize my personal burden on my business.
If you are in a season of slow cash flow, know that it is only temporary but start brainstorming ways you can lessen the financial impact. Cash flow issues are a major debacle faced by many, if not all entrepreneurs.
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Hey, I'm Lexi!
Small town mom, wife, and biz enthusiast! When I’m not nerding out over small business financials or recording my podcast, you can find me in the passenger seat of our Jeep or talking entrepreneurship over a cup of coffee.
My mission? To help service based business owners grow + scale with strategic planning and financial data so they can do what they love every dang day!
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