#283: Susan Bradley and Ciara Stockeland Discuss Money

Are you selling more but keeping less? If you’ve ever found yourself asking, "Is this actually worth it?" or "Why is my line of credit maxed out when my sales are growing?", you aren't alone. In this episode of The Inventory Genius Podcast, I'm sitting down with special guest Susan Bradley, founder of The Social Sales Girls. We're pulling back the curtain on the financial battle scars we've both earned over 20+ years in the product-based industry.

We're discussing why product-based business owners consistently struggle with math, why "just selling more" is the biggest trap in the industry, and how to finally stop hiding from your P&L. If you are ready to move from guessing to knowing, this conversation is the wake-up call you need.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The "Not Yet" Mindset: Why saying "I'm just not good at numbers" keeps you stuck—and the simple one-word shift that changes your entire financial trajectory.

• The Cost to Wake Up: A critical exercise in understanding your daily operating expenses. You can’t reach profitability until you know exactly what it costs just to open your doors every morning.

• Margin vs. Markup: Why pride in a 3x markup is a trap if you don't understand your actual gross margin.

• The Growth Trap: Why doubling your sales often leads to less cash flow if you aren't strategic about your inventory investment.

• The Power of Community: Why you need to surround yourself with problem-solvers, not just complainer peers, to level up your business.

Key Takeaways for Product-Based Business Owners

1. You Have a Cost to Wake Up 
Most business owners look at their expenses as a lump sum. To find clarity, divide your fixed monthly operating expenses by 30. That is your daily nut. If you aren't hitting that number before profit, you aren't in business—you’re a charity.

2. Stop Growing Before You're Profitable
Growth is expensive. Every new sale requires investment in inventory, ads, and time. If you aren't profitable at your current level, doubling your sales will only double your problems. Fix the fundamental math first.

3. Define Your Profit Goals, Not Sales Goals 
Stop focusing solely on top-line revenue. Start with your target net profit and work backward:

• Sales Target - Cost of Goods = Gross Margin

• Gross Margin - Operating Expenses = Net Profit

• If the math doesn't work, don't just sell more. Adjust the input variables.

4. The Yet Power-Up
When you say, "I'm bad at math," you are giving yourself permission to stay stuck. When you say, "I don't understand my P&L yet," you open the door to learning, hiring help, and taking ownership of your future.

Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-me
Visit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstore
Sign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

Connect with Susan Bradley:
Website: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/ 

More About the Episode Sponsor:
Simply Lynn's Creative (https://simplylynnscreative.com/) - With real retail roots and 225+ brands served since 2018, Simply Lynn's Creative partners with retailers and product-based businesses on branding, Shopify website design, and Klaviyo email marketing. They build the strategy, the systems, and the confidence to help you grow a brand that looks the part and sells to match!

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