Case Studies & Results

Fixing Cashflow Issues

A menswear retailer on Shopify came to us for help with their cashflow after they faced declining sales and increasing costs. They were taking on expensive debt and struggling to pay wages and tax bills.

Our first step was to buy some time while we got the business on a good footing again. We helped them arrange temporary reduced payments with their loan companies and suppliers, and paused or cancelled non-essential services and apps.

We then set up detailed cashflow and KPI management systems, and identified cost savings and efficiencies throughout the business, including opportunities to increase profit and improve inventory management. The final step was to help them get a new, less expensive loan to replace the ones they had.

Once the cashflow was stabilised, they could focus on growing the business again, but now with greater control and profitability, and without the constant worries about cash.

Reversing Declining Sales

After two years of declining sales, a womenswear brand called us in to stop the fall and create a plan for restoring the brand back to its original glory.

We started by surveying existing customers and analysing visitor behaviour on the site to identify problem areas. This led us to implementing a number of design and functionality changes on their Shopify store, and an update of their product and pricing strategies to cater for the sort of customers they were targeting.

We then overhauled their marketing to include digital PR and influencers, and set up numerous email and SMS automations to encourage repeat purchasing.

The company was soon able to get back on track, now with a higher conversion rate, increased average order value, and a proven plan for growing the business.

Starting again after liquidation

When a specialist accessories and gift retailer on Shopify had the opportunity to restart after a difficult voluntary liquidation, we embedded into the new company to provide strategic support and direction.

We set up a number of processes to manage cashflow, increase profitability, and optimise return on ad spend. We helped identify new product ranges, increased average order value and repeat purchases, and trained the team on the new processes and apps.

Once the business was running smoothly, we created management dashboards, P&L forecasts and KPI tracking, so that goals and actions were measurable and adhered to.

We were then able to hand over to the directors, while providing on-going support and mentoring for the next few months.

Replacing funding with cashflow

A sporting goods company came to us to get investment for their struggling WooCommerce based store. It was clear though that adding more debt wasn't the answer. We agreed instead to resolve their underlying cashflow issues to create a more solid foundation on which to proceed.

Our first task was to set up cashflow management systems, and then create some breathing space by arranging a Time to Pay agreement with HMRC for an upcoming VAT bill. This freed up cash to pay an urgent supplier order that was holding up sales of a key product.

The business was very over-stocked, and our analysis showed only 40% were fast moving products, with about 15% high return items. We rearranged the stockholding, clearing hundreds of old products, and switched stock ordering to a just-in-time model.

Within a short time the business was cash positive again, and with the addition of key management processes, was able to get back to their original growth plans.

"Gary talked us through so many basic things we were missing, which once we put in place, we felt like why hadn't we been doing that before! He took so much care with our company, and worked with me and my team to implement his advice so we could really understand what we were doing. Highly recommend!"

Ade Hassan MBE, Nubian Skin

★★★★★

A lot of ecommerce businesses hit a wall with their sales, or find themselves struggling with cashflow and knowing what to do to fix it and scale. We help them turn this around and get the growth and profit they want.

What's holding your ecommerce business back?

"I've met a LOT of e-commerce founders that are stuck. They usually are looking to either a) work out how to scale into a proper business without burning through cash because investment has dried up... b) exit... or c) just have had enough and need a way out. Whichever situation you find yourself in, Gary is a great person to speak to."

Matt Lane - Business Investor, Former MD PerfectDraft & BeerBods.

Ready to get started?

"Highly recommend having a chat with Gary Baker. A wealth of knowledge!"

Gemma Stuart, Gutsy Health

★★★★★