$125K on the Shelf: The Story That Changed How I See Cash
How a Simple Shift Turned Inventory into Cash
A few years ago, I worked with a retail business that was absolutely crushing it on sales. Every month set a new record. On paper, they looked unstoppable.
But when we opened the bank account, it told a very different story.
The balance was low. No cash. No cushion. Just stress.
So we started asking questions. The owner was proud of how they had stocked up early to stay ahead of demand and took advantage of some big vendor discounts. It was like buying swimsuits in December to be ready for July.
That strategy made sense for inventory control, but it was a disaster for cash flow. When we dug into the numbers, we found $125,000 worth of inventory sitting on the shelves. Paid for. Unused.
That is when I told her something every advisor should remember.
“Inventory is not just stuff. It is cash with dust on it.”
Until it sells, it does nothing for you. It takes up space, eats up capital, and quietly strangles cash flow.
Why So Many Businesses Feel Broke While Growing
This story is not unique. Businesses across the country are growing themselves into cash flow trouble because they confuse profit with cash flow.
In The Clear Path to Cash, I teach that every business has a rhythm. Money comes in, money goes out, and the timing in between determines financial health.
When that rhythm breaks, we call it the financial gap. That gap is often hiding inside everyday habits like overbuying inventory, extending credit too long, or paying bills too quickly.
The truth is, your client’s next cash flow breakthrough is probably sitting right in front of them.
The Plan That Released $80,000 in 30 Days
Once we put the math on the table, the owner looked at me and said, “Are you telling me I could have $125,000 in the bank right now?”
Exactly.
So we created a simple plan.
- Clear out slow-moving stock with small, targeted promotions
- Tighten up reorder points to prevent buying ahead
- Use freed-up cash to pay down the company’s credit line
Thirty days later, she had paid off that line of credit and increased her cash position by $80,000, all without a single new sale.
That is not luck. That is clarity.
The Advisor’s Role: Connect the Math to Meaning
In Don’t T.E.L.L. Me What To Do, I talk about the difference between telling a client what to do and showing them why it matters.
The most effective advisors are translators. They turn financial data into stories that move clients to act.
When you show a client that their inventory is cash with dust on it, you are not giving them numbers. You are giving them a reason to care.
That is what the Home Run Financial System is built to do. It helps you interpret financial statements quickly and focus on what matters: the patterns, the timing, and the behaviors that drive cash flow.
Turning Insight into Action
Finding hidden cash is more than an accounting exercise. It is a way to earn trust, deepen relationships, and prove your value.
Your clients do not need another spreadsheet. They need a framework that helps them make confident decisions, one conversation at a time.
That framework is The Clear Path to Cash.
If you want to learn how to help your clients uncover hidden cash, improve cash flow, and build stronger businesses, join the next Free Demo of The Clear Path to Cash App.
You will see exactly how tools like the Cash Leak Map, Home Run Financial System, and Fast Money Formula work together to identify opportunities fast.
👉 Reserve your spot for the Free Clear Path to Cash App Demo
Be the advisor they cannot afford to lose.
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