The Good Food CFO podcast

In the last episode of the Good Food CFO Podcast, Sarah shared how she learned about Profit First, her experience in the Profit First Certification process and she answered the question: Will Profit First Work For Your Good Food Business? In this week’s episode Sarah shares: The 4 steps you need to take to start implementing Profit First in your business How Profit First differs for Good Food Businesses Answers to some frequently asked questions, One common mistake that many business owners make when implementing this strategy - so you can avoid it and be successful! (Before implementing those steps Sarah will revisit her general philosophy and strategy for building financially sustainable and profitable food businesses: - Becoming Sustainable won’t happen overnight - It’s difficult to maintain with fast, sweeping changes - You’ve got to know where you are right now, and where you want to be, in order to create a clear path to profitability - It takes WORK and an understanding that MORE SALES is not the answer. -You’ve got to build a financially sustainable business from the inside and once that’s done growing sales WILL produce more profits -- but if you haven’t yet done that work, MORE SALES can equal BIGGER Losses.) This episode is FULL of information you don’t want to miss out on! Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the thegoodfoodcfo.com to learn about our new + updated services. LIVE Q+A Session Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community and RSVP for our Monthly Live Q&A focused on PROFIT FIRST 11:30am PT on Tuesday, August 3rd by visiting profitablefoodbusinesscommunity.mn.co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

You started a business to do good, create change, and earn a living doing something you love... No matter what your WHY is, Financial Sustainability and Profitability ensures that it becomes and remains a reality. Profit First is a national best selling book and Cash Flow Management strategy utilized by businesses across countless industries - from dentist offices to construction firms to real estate agencies to cross-fit gyms - and everything in between. Many of you have been asking… Will Profit First Work For Your Good Food Business?! Today on the podcast Sarah is sharing: - WHAT exactly Profit First Is - Common misconceptions - Her journey learning about and implementing Profit First principles - Why she decided to become a Profit First Certified Professional - The answer to the burning question...Will Profit First Work for Your Good Food Business? As a Mission-driven business owner it’s important for you to do things like pay your team a fair wage, and source the best ingredients. The Profit First System is the perfect extension to Sarah Delevan Consulting’s already proven systems and strategies for building Profitable Good Food Businesses. We’ve implemented Profit First with a few existing clients and group coaching members, and I’m excited to be officially rolling out updated services and tools to everyone TODAY. Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the thegoodfoodcfo.com to learn about our new + updated services. LIVE Q+A Session Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community and RSVP for our Monthly Live Q&A focused on PROFIT FIRST at 11:30am PT on Tuesday, August 3rd by visiting profitablefoodbusinesscommunity.mn.co Links and Resources: Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Getting your product in front of the right buyers is one of the biggest challenges for CPG brands. While there are multiple platforms to assist brands in getting noticed, they don’t come without nuances and learning how to make the most of them can be complicated and time consuming. Today on the show we’re talking to Georgiana Dearing, RangeME expert and founder of Water Street Marketing for Manufacturers, to learn how to get noticed and make sales with your RangeMe profile. In this Episode Georgiana shares: -What is RangeMe, and how it can grow your businesss -The 5 most common mistakes brands make when using RangeME - The 3 Levels of RangeMe and the benefits of each - WHEN it’s the right time to “level up” -Proven tips for creating a successful RangeMe profile -Services Water Street Marketing can provide to assist in creating and maintaining a successful RangeMe profile If you’ve got a RangeMe account that isn’t performing like you hoped, or if you’ve been considering the platform – this episode is for you! Meet Georgiana Dearing: Georgiana Dearing, owner of Water Street Marketing for Manufacturers, has been helping national and regional brands sell in and sell through retail and distribution channels since 1998. She's also the founder of VaFoodie, a digital community celebrating Good Food, Good People, and Good Brands in and around Virginia. A mentor to small business leaders and craft food brands, George hosts The Virginia Foodie, an educational podcast for food entrepreneurs. LINKS: Website: https://www.vafoodie.com, https://www.h2ostreet.com Instagram: @vafoodie @thevirginiafoodieFacebook: Virginia Foodie Marketing GroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdearing/ Twitter: @GeoDearing Clubhouse: @GeoDearing Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Don’t wait until you’re drowning in tasks to hire help! And rethink that strategy for saving money by hiring contractors… Kira La Forgia, founder of Paradigm Consulting - the go-to People Operations resource for business owners ready to protect, streamline, and scale their businesses - joins Sarah for a candid conversation about growing your team. In this episode Kira’s sharing: When it’s the right time to hire How to determine what position to hire for first, or next (she’s got a free quiz too!) Her 4 Paradigm Pillars Contractors vs. Employees and which is the right relationship for your business 3 Steps you must take before hiring your first employee The truth about offering employee benefits How to build a business that aligns with YOU and YOUR MISSION and avoid recreating the corporate culture you left. MEET KIRA LA FORGIA Kira La Forgia founder of Paradigm Consulting, the go-to People Operations resource for business owners ready to protect, streamline, and scale their businesses. With a decade of experience in People Operations in the corporate world, Kira founded Paradigm to bridge the gap between corporate HR policies and the modern needs of entrepreneurs. Her resources and intensive training programs take a people-first approach to building a company culture and hiring practices that speak to the heart of your brand, then supports that with the necessary HR processes, frameworks, and documentation, so you can build your UNIQUE business without becoming legally or ethically vulnerable. RESOURCES and LINKS IRS National Guidelines for Hiring Contractors vs. Employees Follow Paradigm Consulting on Instagram TAKE THE QUIZ: Who Is Your Next Hire? Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Selling your product online is a great way to reach potential customers nationwide and almost every food and beverage business that I work with does. But, how do you know if your online sales are profitable? If you can’t answer that question with confidence, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten business owners are unclear on how to gather financial details from the online platforms they sell through, and how to record them in Quickbooks. And, if you don’t have the data, you may not have the profitability you think you do. In this episode I’ll be covering: 5 Reasons WHY recording income based on deposits isn’t the best method How to properly track your online income The steps you should be taking each month to ensure you’re gathering + recording all the necessary financial information to evaluate your profitability on Amazon and Shopify My recommendations for utilizing this new financial data to see the profitability of each channel + make informed decisions. As a business owner you need accurate data to make fully informed decisions… So let’s get to it! LINKS + RESOURCES Register for the “How to Record Amazon + Shopify Financials to Improve Profitability” Workshop. Click here to learn more! Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Not seeing profits on Amazon? Unsure if the Amazon marketplace is right for your brand, or how to make the most of it? You’re not alone! In this episode, Sarah is joined by Alexander Johnson, Founder of Mixt Solutions - a turnkey solution for brands of all sizes to optimize their Amazon presence. Alexander is laying out the Costs + Realities of selling on Amazon! In this episode we cover: Determine the RIGHT time to utilize Amazon for your business All the fees associated with selling your products on Amazon Benefits of Amazon Fulfillment and how to choose the right shipping model for your business The Target Profit Margin that you should be shooting for! Pricing Strategy How businesses like Mixt Solutions can help you succeed on Amazon. And much more! MEET ALEXANDER JOHNSONAlexander started Mixt Solutions in 2014 with $1,000 in a basement. Seven years later, it has since been named the Fastest Growing Company in Central Ohio and has made Inc Magazine’s list of the Top 5,000 Most Successful Companies, twice. Mixt works as a turnkey solution for brands of all sizes to optimize their Amazon presence. In 2021, Mixt will do over 1 million transactions on Amazon. RESOURCES + LINKS Learn More about Mixt Solutions Follow Mixt on Instagram Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Scaling a food + beverage business often requires outsourcing your manufacturing to a Co-packer, and if you’re new to the industry there is a lot to learn! Ashley Sutterfield, CEO of Metzger & Roth joins Sarah in this episode to help you clear on the process and (you guessed it) costs of partnering with a Co-packer. In this episode Ashley covers: When it’s the right time to partner with a Co-packer Keys to creating a long-term relationship with your co-packer The Co-packer selection + onboarding process Costs + Options for Developing your Product Formulation How Per Unit Costs are Determined by the Co-packer Production Test Runs + Costs Process Authority Letter Purpose + Fees Additional costs and considerations for shelf-life testing, storage, shipping + more. The importance of Cash Flow for your Initial Product Run Ashley is a wealth of knowledge, and we’re excited for you to listen in! MEET ASHLEY SUTTERFIELD Ashley is the CEO of Metzger & Roth. A boutique consulting firm that helps packaged food entrepreneurs prepare for commercializing their product with a co-packer. In her 15 years as a Food Scientist Ashley has helped companies scale over 100 million pounds of food products. Ashley combines her expertise in manufacturing, strategic planning, and one-on-one coaching to guide companies as you navigate the world of co-packing. She specializes in helping you simplify the process step-by-step. LINKS + RESOURCES Learn more about Metzger & Roth Book a Free Strategy Call with Ashley Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Thinking about raising capital? Wondering which type of investment is right for you + your business? Want to make sure you’re well prepared to meet potential investors? This week’s guest MichaeI Movitz will help you get clear on all othat, and more! Michael is the founder of The Movitz Group and founding partner of Brandjectory, an online platform that helps early stage CPG founders and investors discover each other, connect, share information, and build momentum before, during and after a capital raise. In this episode of the Good Food CFO Michael shares… :: The many different sources of funding available to founders :: Key reasons to seek capital investment (and the one financial situation that investors AREN’T interested in) :: WHY investors invest + the importance of compatible investor relationships :: 10 foundational items that founders need to have in place before seeking investment :: The 4 Primary investor objectives that founders must overcome :: How Brandjectory can support you through the process of getting “capital ready”, building relationships with potential investors and choosing the right partners. MEET MICHAEL MOVITZ Michael is currently Managing Partner of The Movitz Group, an advisory group of industry experts to help early stage conscious brands raise capital and build go to market strategies. Michael is also one of the founding partners of Brandjectory, a one-of-a-kind relationship building platform for early stage CPG founders and investors to discover each other, connect, share information, and build momentum before, during and after a capital raise. EPISODE RESOURCES + LINKS Movitz Group Website Brandjectory Website Michael’s Instagram: @mikemovitz FREE Download: 10 Elements of a Solid Business Foundation (that every investor will want to see!) Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Starting a food business takes money. Bootstrapping, taking out a line of credit, and pitching to investors are not the only routes to funding your business! Elizabeth Eichhorn says that Crowdfounding is a great alternative to these traditional routes, and in fact she recommends it! In this Episode of the Good Food CFO Podcast... Why Crowdfunding is a great first step for funding your business (instead of credit cards, bank loans and outside investors) Elizabeth’s advice for a successful crowdfunding campaign The importance of knowing your target market, and making them part of your network BEFORE launching your campaign Why narrowing your audience and your message is a key ingredient for successful crowdfunding Different Types of Crowdfunding you can consider: No Reward Rewards-based Equity-based Other Alternative Funding options and what you should get clear on before you choose your funding option and determine how much money you need to raise. How IFundWomen can support you as you build your business and explore funding options MEET ELIZABETH EICHHORN Elizabeth is a startup coach for IFundWomen and is on a mission to help female entrepreneurs achieve success for their business. She has a background in leadership development, community building, and crowdfunding. Her work has taken her around the country to help engage communities (large and small) to combat loneliness and help spread the importance of human capital. She is a two time female founder who has successfully raised capital through crowdfunding to get her business off the ground and wishes that IFundWomen were around when she began that business. After taking her companies to completion, she is able to use her expertise in business development to encourage female entrepreneurs to reach their full potential through IFundWomen! RESOURCES + LINKS Elizabeth’s LinkedIn IFundWomen Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks Watch Sarah’s 3-Step Goal Setting Process video This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Marketing can be a significant expense for growing food businesses - from reaching new customers, to encourage repeat business, to costs associated with acquiring new wholesale customers, the list goes on… so you want to be sure you’re investing in the right places and that your investments are making an impact on your bottom line! In this episode of The Good Food CFO Sarah is joined by Christie Lee, founder of Nourishing Foods Marketing to discuss how to identify the right marketing strategy + tactics for your business, including… What is a Marketing Strategy, and why is it important to have one? The role your Business Objectives play in creating your marketing strategy SMART goals - what they are and how to set them for your business objectives How to determine which marketing tactics are the right ones for your business + budget The bell curve of efficiency and effectiveness of marketing tactics and the role that plays in how well a tactic can work for your business. Benchmarking + cost insights for coupons, digital marketing, ad spend and other tactics. How + Why to track your Return on Investment, and more! MEET CHRISTIE LEE Christie Lee is the founder of Nourishing Food Marketing, a brand marketing consultancy that offers strategic services and tools specifically designed for new and emerging CPG brands. In her work Christie blends the thinking of Big Food, which she learned while working at Clorox, with the resource-constrained realities of small brands, something she knows personally as the founder of the food brand - Tiny Hero. LINKS + RESOURCES Visit Nourishing Food Marketing Website Remember to use 'DELEVAN5' - to save 5% off on Christie’s Tools! Download Christie’s Definitive Guide to Creating a Marketing Plan Framework Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Download Sarah’s Profitability Roadmap Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

The Pittston Ketchup Co. was born out of a desire to create a local product and become contributing members of a community that many young entrepreneurs and professionals were fleeing for “better” opportunities. In this episode Sarah is joined by co-founder Amos Valenti, and he is sharing Pittston Ketchup Co.’s journey from idea, to their first bottling, to today’s efficient production, and how they plan to grow their regional brand. Throughout the conversation Amos shares valuable insights and important lessons for food business owners, including… What their financial modeling process looked like How getting clear on the business they DIDN’T WANT has helped them make key business decisions. How they balanced their ingredient and sourcing standards with the reality of producing a consistent high quality product The importance of letting go of control (not making sacrifices) as you grow 3 Lessons he’s learned that he hopes will help young food business owners This episode is sponsored by the Financial Success Formula Online Program.Get support building your Financial Model, identify your Financial Success Formula and access proven tools and systems for building a profitable food business! Click here to learn more and jumpstart your journey to financial success! LINKS + RESOURCES Learn more + buy Pittston Ketchup on their website Follow Pittston Ketchup Co. on instagram @pittstonketchupco Learn more about Sarah Delevan Consulting Follow Sarah on instagram @sarah.delevan.consulting Download the Profitability Roadmap Join the conversation with Sarah and other food + beverage business owners in the Profitable Food Business Community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tell us how efficiently and effectively we’re achieving our business objectives. In this episode Sarah is focusing on the Financial KPIs that will reveal your business’ financial efficiency, and get you moving in the direction of financial sustainability, profitability and consistent cash flow! Sarah’s also sharing… 5 Essential Financial KPIs that all food + beverage businesses should be tracking How to determine the Where, How, Who, and When your KPI data will be tracked The importance of tracking KPIs consistently over time #1 Strategy for using KPI to create meaningful change within your business This episode is sponsored by the Financial Success Formula Online Program.Get support in identifying your Financial Success Formula, and access to proven tools and systems for tracking your Financial KPIs as a member of the Financial Success Formula Online Program! Click here to learn more and jumpstart your journey to financial success! LINKS + RESOURCES Learn more about Sarah Delevan Consulting Follow Sarah on instagram @sarah.delevan.consulting Download the Profitability Roadmap Join the conversation with Sarah and other food + beverage business owners in the Profitable Food Business Community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

“...Before you get excited about what you are going to GET. Make sure you understand what you have to GIVE. Many a brand have paid slotting fees and free fills to get into a chain they could NOT afford to support only to get discontinued.” This quote from Sandra Valasqueze instagram feed was the source of inspiration for this conversation, centered around the costs involved in growing your CPG brand through retail grocery expansion. In this episode of The Good Food CFO Podcast… The role of brokers and distributors and the financial investment you can expect to make with each. What Free Fills and Slotting Fees are and how they’ll affect your budget. The benefits of a promo calendar to forecast your marketing budget. The average margin that a distributor will expect, and how to set the right expectations for your partnership The important difference between margins and markups and how to calculate each “Velocity over doors” - what it means, and why it matters. … and so much more. Sandra packs this episode with helpful information for CPG brands, and she joined me for a short bonus video on YouTube afterward! MEET SANDRA Sandra Valasqueze is an NYC-based Sales & Distribution Manager who has worked across several categories in the Natural & Specialty Channel, opened hundreds of accounts and onboarded several companies with national distribution without the help of brokers. She now shares her expertise through her course, DISTRO 101 to help new and emerging brand owners understand the ins & outs of the grocery world. LINKS + RESOURCES Learn more about Sandra and her Distro 101 course at www.distrotalk.com Follow her on instagram where she give lots of blunt tips: @distrotalk Email Sandra at [email protected] Learn more about Sarah Delevan, her services and programs at http://sarahdelevan.com Follow her daily on instagram @sarah.delevan.consulting Download Sarah’s Profitability Roadmap Join the conversation with Sarah and other food + beverage business owners in the Profitable Food Business Community. Watch the Bonus Video! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

It’s common for good food business owners to calculate their perfect product price, only to find that it’s higher than they think they can (or should) sell it for. Doubts often follow as to whether or not they can successfully sell their product at a premium price, and whether or not the right move is to lower costs. In this episode Sarah and CPG Consultant Alli Ball discuss the steps you can take to build a successful food business selling a “high priced” product. In This Episode of The Good Food CFO Podcast… Why looking to your target market is key to landing on the right price for your product 5 Key Brand Questions to gain clarity on pricing decisions The freeing truth that Everyone is not your target audience The customer touch points that are important to identify + ensure are “on brand” The worst business advice Alli has ever received, and what you can learn from it! MEET ALLI BALL Alli Ball is a former Grocery Buyer turned Wholesale Consultant, and the creator of Retail Ready®, an online course for producers of packaged product in the food industry. Alli has helped hundreds of emerging brands understand what it takes to get their products on the retail shelf- and keep them there- by sharing the behind-the-scenes secrets and thought process of Wholesale Buyers as they assess new products for their stores or online marketplace. RESOURCES + LINKS Listen in to her weekly podcast about wholesale strategy, Food Biz Wiz® Instagram: @itsalliball Hop on the Retail Ready Waitlist! Download Alli’s 9 steps to building a brand that flies off the shelf. Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Download Sarah’s Profitability Roadmap Join the Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Setting your prices to achieve Product Profitability does not guarantee that you can build a profitability business In this episode, Sarah is diving into this critical financial concept and sharing 3 rules for pricing that will help you understand your business better and ensure that your products are priced right, so you can build a profitable business. She also touches on: Financial Modeling, how it can help you price your products right, and save you time and money The Financial Success Formula™ - your roadmap to building a profitable business How looking at your business holistically, and creating the right Cost Targets for your business, offers a new way of seeing and thinking about business. And helps you make informed decisions not only in regard to pricing, but really any financial decision. LINKS + RESOURCES Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Reserve a Seat in the FREE Masterclass Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Our personal money mindset and financial beliefs translate into our businesses and can affect how we deal with our finances; from pricing, to how much we pay ourselves, to how much we pay others, and so much more. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Caroline Snyder, Financial Coach and Founder of Verdi Daily to discuss the many ways that our emotions can play a role in our financial decision making and how we can recognize and overcome the barriers to success that they create. If you’re a food business owner that feels anxiety, hesitation or fear around the money matters of your food business, you’ll find a ton of value in this episode! In this Episode of The Good Food CFO Podcast… How growing up in a household with an emphasis on doing good, and the belief that making a lot of money was bad, affected Carolines’ personal relationship with money. How your personal money narrative can cause fear, anxiety and strong emotions around making important financial decisions like pricing your products right and paying yourself a fair wage from your business 5 things you can do to overcome fears, anxiety and resistance to a price changes and other financial decisions in your food business Real-life scenarios and reasons WHY food business owners don’t pay themselves, or severely under-pay themselves. When it’s OK to NOT pay yourself from your food business. The power of having a goal + creating a plan for how to make paying yourself your goal salary a reality! What an “In-Kind Donation” is, and how it can help you change your money mindset and reach your salary goals? MEET CAROLINE SNYDER Caroline Snyder started her career in public education as a high school teacher and department head. After falling in love with financial literacy she returned to school to get an MBA and worked in the financial industry before founding Verdi - a financial coaching company designed for feminists who want to create their own unique versions of financial success. She believes in the transformative power of mindfulness, financial empowerment and experiential learning - all areas of focus can be seen throughout the Verdi coaching process. EPISODE RESOURCES + LINKS Verdi Advising Website Caroline’s Newsletter Signup Caroline’s Journaling Prompts Caroline’s Email: [email protected] Caroline’s Instagram: @verdidaily Save 10% on Verdi Daily’s 1-on-1 or group coaching with promo code "GOODFOOD" Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Community hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Having a good working relationship with your bookkeeper means accurate, timely financial information and that has a BIG impact on your ability to build a profitable food business. But, every bookkeeper is not going to be a match for your business and you can’t simply hand over your receipts and access to Quickbooks and walk away from the task. In this episode of The Good Food CFO podcast Sarah is joined by Erin Lehr, a food industry veteran turned Bookkeeper whose unique experience on BOTH sides of financial reporting offers a realistic look at what it takes to find and build a successful working relationship with your bookkeeper. Erin is sharing insights into… What to look for, key questions to ask + red flags to be aware of when interviewing Bookkeeping candidates How to communicate + create clear expectations What to expect when you’re getting “up and running” with a new bookkeeper Keys to building a great long-term working relationship with your Bookkeeper Recommendations to ensure you’re setting yourself up for a successful long-term relationship with your bookkeeper How to improve a imperfect relationship with your current Bookkeeper Pricing Structures :: The different ways Bookkeepers Charge, and how to choose the one that’s right for your business MEET ERIN LEHR Erin Lehr is the owner of KPI Bookkeeping & Consulting. Erin has been bookkeeping since 2011 and started KPI Bookkeeping in 2018. Prior to that, she spent 17 years managing restaurants and all the numbers that come with them. That meant she was responsible for delivering accurate cost of goods, payroll, accounts payable, profit & loss statements, cash flow & balance sheets to corporate and independent restaurants. She understands the power of accurate, timely numbers on a business and it’s success. RESOURCES + LINKS Download Erin’s Free Guide to Finding the Right Bookkeeper for Your Business Erin’s Website Erin’s LinkedIn Profile Erin’s Instagram: @kpibookkeeping Profitability Roadmap Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

In this special “Round Table” episode of The Good Food CFO podcast Sarah joins Alli Ball and Katie Mleziva, CPG experts in Sales Strategy and Brand Strategy, respectively to talk about the 3 Pillars of a Successful Food + Beverage Brand. Join three food industry experts as we discuss: The basics of each pillar: Brand, Finance and Sales strategy How the 3 Pillars come together and inform one another (and what order to tackle them) The 3 C’s of Brand Strategy When businesses should start thinking about their Brand Strategy The benefits of Financial Modeling Pricing for product profitability vs. business profitability How to rollout a price change with a distributor or retail partner Katie’s “Do, Build or Buy” Strategy Our exciting Giveaway! WIN A 1 HOUR 3-PILLAR CONSULTATION WITH US! We’re giving away one hour of round-table time to one emerging brand who needs support around these three pillars. Together, we’ll get on Zoom and talk strategy with you! To enter: Follow @sarahdelevanconsulting, @realfoodbrands and @itsalliball on Instagram Comment on one (or all!) of our giveaway posts to be entered for up to 3 chances to win. We’ll tally all the comments together to select a winner. The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 at 10 AM PST, announced on instagram, and notified via DM. MEET KATIE Katie Mleziva is a Food Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast. She has 20 years of experience in Brand & Marketing Strategy across a range of brands from Fortune 500 companies to local startups and farms. Katie is driven to help emerging food businesses go from making a great product to building a strong brand that stands out in order to help get good food into the hands of more people. MEET ALLI Alli Ball is a former Grocery Buyer turned Wholesale Consultant, and the creator of Retail Ready®, an online course for producers of packaged product in the food industry. Alli has helped hundreds of emerging brands understand what it takes to get their products on the retail shelf- and keep them there- by sharing the behind-the-scenes secrets and thought process of Wholesale Buyers as they assess new products for their stores or online marketplace. LINKS + RESOURCES Visit Alli’s website Follow Alli on Instagram Learn More about Retail Ready Visit Katie’s website Follow Katie on Instagram Learn more about Katie’s Program, Brand Strategy Streamlined Visit Sarah’s website Follow Sarah on Instagram Learn more about the Financial Success Formula Program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

This episode focuses on the MOST popular topic on this blog + in Sarah’s social media posts. Sarah is shining a light on: The fact that Many food business owners are working with Financial Reports that don’t serve them, why that matters 3 Signs that will help you identify if YOUR Financial Reports are in need of a revamp, and the steps you can take to improve them Tips for communicating reporting changes to your bookkeeper If you are someone who looks at their Profit + Loss statement often or every now and then and you don’t LEARN anything from it, or your eyes glaze over, or if you’ve EVER thought that maybe you just don’t know how to interpret the information. I want to ensure you that It’s Not You - It’s Your Financial Reports! EPISODE RESOURCES + LINKS Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Join the FREE Profitable Food Business Group hosted on Mighty Networks This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Building a solid financial foundation for your food business will save you time + money on your way to achieving financial success. In this episode Sarah is joined by CPA and Business Finance Coach, Melissa Houston Together they are covering the elements of building a solid financial foundation for your food business. In this episode of The Good Food CFO Podcast The difference between a bookkeeper + accountant, and the benefits of working with both. Benefits of outsourcing bookkeeping and working with a bookkeeper The value of being able to interpret the financial data of your business, and ‘Big 3’ Reports When you should be requesting your monthly financials from your bookkeeper, and why timely reports are critical to financial success The importance of Categorizing your financial data correctly (and the consequences when it’s not) Budgets! Why Melissa (and I) believe you should have one, how frequently you should review it, and the biggest benefits of utilizing one. This episode is packed with helpful info no matter where you are in the life of your food business! MEET MELISSA HOUSTON Melissa Houston is a CPA, utilizing her more than 20 years of financial management experience to help entrepreneurs overcome their finance issues so they can earn more profit in their business through her signature coaching program "The CFO Money Method" She is also a finance columnist for Forbes.com and Entrepreneur.com and hosts her very own podcast called “Think Like a CFO”! EPISODE RESOURCES + LINKS Melissa’s Website Melissa’s LinkedIn Profile Melissa’s Instagram: @melissahoustoncpa Sarah Delevan Consulting Website Profitability Roadmap Sarah’s Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

The Good Food CFO podcast is a weekly podcast for Good Food Business owners striving to achieve financial sustainability and maximum profitability. Whether your good food business produces a packaged food or beverage product, is a catering company, Meal Delivery Business, Wholesale Business, regional market or cafe - you will find value + inspiration in this podcast. A new episode will be released each Monday, and will general fall into 1 of 3 categories: 1. Solo Episodes I'll be sharing foundational information for building a profitable food business like... How to create financial reports that truly serve you + your business How to price your products for Business Profitability (not just product profitability) 3 Steps for setting the right sales goals 2. Expert Guest EpisodeIn conversations with guest experts we’ll dive into a specific part of your business and look at it through the lens of financial strategy Our first expert guest is CPA Melissa Houston, she joins us and shares key information for creating a solid Financial Foundation for your food business Erin Lehr, a Food Industry veteran turned bookkeeper will help you build a successful working relationship with your bookkeeper - something I KNOW so many food biz owners struggle with We’ll talk to CPG experts like Alli Ball, Sandra Valasquez + Christie Lee about Sales Strategy, Distribution + Marketing and how they all tie in to your financial strategy We’ll also spend a little time on Money Mindset, and Funding and LOTS more! 3. Founder StoriesWhen Good Food Business Founders join us, they’ll be sharing their stories from start up to where they are today highlighting lessons learned along the way. There are also some special roundtable episodes, Frequently Asked Questions, and Client Coaching Sessions! New episodes are released every Monday on your favorite podcast platform AND on YouTube. Stay up to date on all episodes AND special bonus content by joining our podcast mailing list and subscribing on your platform of choice. Then, join me in conversation after every episode, inside the Profitable Food Business Community now on Mighty Networks (we said goodbye to Facebook) by clicking here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe