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From Cash Flow Crisis to Profitable Growth – John’s Turnaround Story

  • by Jocelyn Wallace

Years ago I started working with John, a confident entrepreneur with multiple businesses. But behind his charm was a growing financial problem. His primary business, which should have been thriving, was barely able to cover payroll. John invited me to coffee and shared how he and his dad constantly clashed over cash flow issues. While he passionately defended himself to his dad, deep down he had imposter syndrome. 

Hidden Issues: Cash Flow and Staffing

The reality was that customer payments were late, and sales orders weren’t always getting billed. He suspected staffing problems, and with sales down and expenses up, the business was heading for a projected $225,000 net loss. John was overwhelmed and embarrassed, but when his friend told him about me and called me a “Secret Weapon,” he decided to reach out.
 

Uncovering the Real Challenges

Through conversation, John opened up about what energized him: sales, talking to customers, and working on his side businesses. But when it came to managing people, processes, and systems, he was drained. Admitting this out loud was a relief—he was trying to do it all but wasn’t in his element.
 

The Turnaround Begins

After visiting his business, we started implementing stage one of my Profit Plus Operations Playbook, a framework that I developed to help a company perform at its potential. Small changes made a big impact. In just a few months, we gained momentum and addressed key issues. By year end we saw a 360% improvement in profits. Cash flow stabilized, and John and his team gained the tools and strategies to stay ahead.
 

The Emotional Payoff

John’s dad, who had been critical of him, gave a quiet nod of approval—a moment that meant more to John than the financial turnaround. Although he regretted not asking for help sooner, John was finally free to focus on what he loved, and his business was back on track.
 

A Lesson in TimING

John’s delay in seeking help cost him $120,000 and significant stress. But once he was ready, working together brought both emotional relief and measurable results, proving that reaching out sooner could have spared him from unnecessary struggles.
 
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Jocelyn Wallace

Jocelyn Wallace is a Fractional COO for hire, and founder of Profit Plus Business Advisors, an advisory firm that helps business owners maximize profitability and valuation.

If you are ready for a financial and operational health assessment for your business, please set up a call to learn more. 

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