In this episode of Money Secrets, Fi unpacks a challenge that catches many small business owners by surprise: the faster your business grows, the more cash it often needs.

Drawing on her experience as a chartered accountant and money coach, Fi explains why growing businesses can find themselves running out of money even when sales are increasing. She breaks down the cash flow pressures faced by both product-based and service-based businesses and shares practical strategies to help business owners grow sustainably without putting unnecessary strain on their finances.

From stock purchases and pricing strategies to hiring decisions and waitlists, this episode is packed with practical advice for small business owners who want to grow with more confidence, control, and financial stability.

🎧 Tune in to learn why growth can create cash flow challenges, how to spot the warning signs early, and what you can do to build a business that grows sustainably.

The doors to Good Money Club are open right now. You deserve your own Board of Directors, and you'll get that and more inside this community for women business owners.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Why growing businesses often run out of cash. Increased revenue doesn't always mean more available money, especially when expenses are due long before customers pay you.
The hidden cash flow challenge facing product businesses. Stock purchases often need to be funded months before sales revenue arrives.
Why pricing plays a critical role in sustainable growth. Healthy margins help fund future stock orders, team growth, and business expansion.
How rapid growth can create financial pressure. Growing faster than your systems, processes, and cash flow can support may create unnecessary risk.
When it may be time to slow growth intentionally. Adjusting marketing activity, launch schedules, or pricing can help create a more manageable pace of growth.
How pre-orders can improve cash flow. Using customer deposits to help fund inventory purchases can reduce financial pressure and minimise excess stock.
Why service businesses experience similar cash flow challenges. Hiring staff often requires paying wages before the revenue generated by those team members arrives.
How waitlists can support smarter hiring decisions. Building future demand before recruiting can reduce risk and improve confidence when growing your team.
The difference between hiring billable and non-billable team members. Understanding how each role contributes to growth helps you make more strategic hiring decisions.
Why non-billable roles can still drive revenue growth. Support staff can free up business owners to focus on business development, leadership, and growth activities that generate more income.
The importance of planning for growth before it happens. Having clear financial forecasts and growth strategies can help avoid cash flow surprises.
How to think differently about growth and profitability. Sustainable growth requires balancing ambition with strong financial foundations.

💡 If this conversation resonates and you want hands-on support, you can work with Fi one-on-one or join Good Money Club, where small business owners learn how to make and manage money with clarity, confidence, and impact.

- Good Money Club (doors are open now)

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We’ve come so far as a society in many ways, but money is one of the areas where progress hasn’t been enough. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, it starts with understanding the secret: money in small business.

In this podcast, Money Secrets, host Fiona (Fi) Johnston, Chartered Accountant, small business advocate, and impact enthusiast, dives into the conversations we need to have about money. The secrets that once stayed behind closed doors (or on the golf course) are finally out in the open.

Fi’s mission? To get more money into the hands of good people, like you. She believes small businesses can change the world, but only if we're making money and managing it well.

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Thank you to everyone involved for bringing this podcast together. We are excited to hear from you with any questions, feedback or suggestions for future episodes that you might have. Send a Direct Message to @peach.business

If you are excited for what’s to come, please like this episode, follow the podcast and share it with your friends. We are thrilled you're here.

Check out my FREE Pricing Training you need to set your prices for profitability.

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This podcast episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and I'd like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on. I'd like to pay respect to elders both past and present, and note that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.