£50K/Month Candle Business! But Cash Flow Is Strangling Growth

In this episode, the podcast host engages in a conversation with Hannah and Ollie, a husband and wife duo who've established a candle-making business called Home County Co. Despite generating over half a million pounds annually, they struggle with cash flow, which is exacerbated by their seasonal business model and high overhead costs. The couple pays their staff more than themselves, leading to ongoing financial stress.

Hannah reveals that since 2022, they have tried to grow their business through various means—attending trade shows in the U.S., opening physical stores, and attempting to scale their production. However, they have lost focus on the profitable direct-to-consumer model and have accrued significant loan repayments that impact their cash flow.

The host encourages them to prioritize sales over operations and suggests they define clearer roles within their partnership. By delegating operational responsibilities and targeting sales strategies, specifically sales to garden centers and independent shops, they could substantially increase revenue. The episode stresses the importance of overcoming challenges and maintaining resilience in business growth.