The Inventory Genius Podcast

Ciara Stockeland
  • 5.0 (36)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Looking for a business mentor with decades of experience in business ownership, inventory and cash flow management, and client coaching? Get started with Ciara Stockeland’s Inventory Genius podcast. As a Fractional CFO and Profit Strategist, Ciara specializes in breaking complex business topics into bite-sized, actionable steps you can implement today. Tune in, get inspired, and learn from Ciara and her range of incredible guests. Discover why thousands of products-based businesses owners turn to Ciara for guidance on inventory management, debt reduction, e-commerce strategies, financial strategy, business growth, retail profitability, and more. Whether you’re a new business owner or a long-time entrepreneur, each episode with give you nuggets of information, insights and strategies you can start implementing now. For business inquiries please email: hello@ciarastockeland.com.

  1. 3H AGO

    #276: Debt Series Part 3 - What Number to Focus On First

    When your business is bogged down by debt, every bill feels like an emergency and every slow sales day feels catastrophic. This creates "noise"—a cycle of anxiety, reactive decision-making, and overwhelm that keeps you stuck. In this episode, I'm breaking down why debt is almost never a sales problem and revealing the single most important metric you need to track to climb out of the hole and regain control of your business. Key Takeaways The Debt-Noise Cycle: Debt creates mental noise (guilt, shame, fear), which leads to overwhelm. Overwhelm leads to paralysis, keeping you stuck in the same financial patterns. The "Sales" Myth: Most business owners try to out-earn their debt. However, debt is usually a result of issues below the sales line: cost of goods, low margins, overspending, or poor purchasing discipline. The Golden Metric: If you focus on only one number to fix your debt, let it be your Gross Margin. This is your real margin after discounts, shipping, shrinkage, and fees—not just your initial markup. Operations & Margin: Margin isn't just about pricing; it’s tied to operational efficiency. How you run your business daily directly impacts your profitability. Restructuring vs. Bankruptcy: You don't always need a massive, dramatic action (like filing for bankruptcy) to fix a massive debt. Incremental, disciplined changes to your margin can pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. The Five Categories of a P&L Debt hides in the gaps between these five lines: Sales (The top line) Cost of Goods (Where the problem often starts) Gross Margin (The number to focus on) Expenses (Operational efficiency) Net Profit (The freedom fund) Actionable Steps for This Week Don't let the "noise" paralyze you. Choose one bite-sized action to take today: Get Honest: List out exactly what you owe. No more hiding from the total balance. Calculate Your Real Margin: Look at your numbers after all the "leaks" (discounts, fees, etc.) are taken out. Commit to Strategy: Move from "living sale-to-sale" to making disciplined, strategic financial decisions. Memorable Quotes "Debt creates noise... the noise creates overwhelm... and the overwhelm keeps you stuck." "Debt is almost never a sales problem. It’s a cash flow structure problem. It’s a margin problem." "Restructuring isn't dramatic. It's disciplined. Discipline builds profit, profit builds freedom, and freedom eliminates debt." Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

    16 min

  2. MAR 3

    #275: Debt Series Part 2 - The Different Kinds of Debt (And What Is Best)

    Is your debt a strategic tool or a heavy burden? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on a topic many entrepreneurs avoid: Debt Management. Debt isn't inherently "bad," but for inventory-based businesses, the wrong type of debt can quietly choke your cash flow and restrict your freedom. Let's break down the six common types of business debt—from traditional SBA loans to the predatory nature of Merchant Cash Advances—and learn how each impacts your balance sheet. Whether you are navigating high-interest credit cards or utilizing vendor terms (Accounts Payable), this episode provides the roadmap you need to move from "servant to the lender" to a confident, profit-focused CEO. Key Takeaways: The Debt Spectrum: Why predictable debt (like traditional loans) is power, while unpredictable debt (like capital loans) is a danger to your daily operations. The "Inventory Gap": How to strategically use Lines of Credit to fund long lead times without falling into a debt trap. Family & Personal Loans: Why documentation and amortization schedules are non-negotiable, even when the lender is "Mom and Dad." The Debt Payoff Plan: How to prioritize your repayments to regain control of your cash flow. Actionable Steps You Can Take Now: Audit Your Debt: List every balance, interest rate, and payment term you currently hold. Identify the "Predators": Prioritize paying off Merchant Cash Advances and high-interest credit cards first.  Formalize Agreements: Ensure all informal family loans have written terms and a clear payoff schedule.   Seek Expertise: If your books are a mess, consider hiring professional services to clean up your records so you can make data-driven decisions. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

    23 min

  3. FEB 24

    #274: Debt Series Part 1 - Why Debt Isn't the Solution (and What To Do Instead)

    Debt is a heavy word, and for many business owners, it’s a source of silent shame. If you feel like your "debt mess" is too big to fix, this episode is your invitation to breathe again. We’re stripping away the complexity and the guilt to look at the cold, hard truth of how debt works—and how you can escape it. In this episode, we explore: The Debt Trap: Why we’ve been told debt is a "solution" when it’s actually a drain on cash flow. The Psychological Toll: How carrying a balance sucks your creative energy and steals your freedom. The Path Out: Practical steps to stop the cycle and reclaim your business’s future. You aren't alone in this. Let’s stop managing the mess and start cleaning it up. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

    33 min

  4. FEB 17

    #273: Investing in Yourself with Mark Willis

    What does it mean to truly steward your wealth? This week, CFP Mark Willis shares his unconventional approach to financial planning. Tune in to discover why Mark’s philosophy stands apart from the crowd and how you can apply his unique insights to your own financial journey. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Mark: Website: https://lakegrowth.com/

    24 min

  5. FEB 10

    #272: When Should You Use a 3PL?

    What does it actually look like to outsource your inventory fulfillment? Today, 3PL founder Alia Oneal joins us to navigate this new territory for the podcast. Tune in as we break down the benefits of 3PL and how it can help your business grow. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Alia: Website: https://www.loudergroup.co/contact

    26 min

  6. FEB 3

    #271: The Hidden Cost of Complexity

    Today we're talking about why complexity is the enemy of profitability and what the hidden costs of complexity actually are. I'm going to give you some real life examples and break down what this idea really means. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

    23 min

  7. JAN 27

    #270: Why Women Get Stuck at the Same Stage and How to Break Through It, Interview with Jennifer Allwood

    Today, a guest is returning who's been so popular on this show. Jennifer Allwood is talking about women getting stuck in their business, feeling like they can't gain traction, and how to break through this tricky spot. You don't want to miss this conversation. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Jennifer: Website: https://jenniferallwood.com/ She’s Equipt Offer: $100 off first month any tier with code Ciara100 at shesequipt.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferallwood  Jennifer Allwood is an inspiring entrepreneur and business coach who has built a thriving multi-7-figure a year business in the online space. Leveraging her faithful social media following of over 650K followers, “She’s Equipt with Jennifer Allwood” podcast with nearly 7 million downloads, and her #1 best-selling book “Fear Is Not the Boss of You,” Jennifer empowers women to create financial freedom online while using their God-given gifts.In the last decade, Jennifer has taught over 20,000 women how to grow and sell on social media, diversify revenue streams, and transform their financial situations through online business.As the founder of She’s Equipt, an all-in-one marketing platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with all the online tools to build sustainable businesses, Jennifer continues to provide high-value training, mentorship, and resources that help women grow their brands and thrive in an ever-changing online world. More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

    21 min

  8. JAN 20

    #269: Q1 Conversation with Your C-Suite

    I’m chatting with two incredible women from the Inventory Genius C-Suite Program about the financial side of employees and marketing. We dive into how these key areas affect business growth and talk through ways to spot and fix issues early—before they become bigger problems. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

    52 min
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5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Looking for a business mentor with decades of experience in business ownership, inventory and cash flow management, and client coaching? Get started with Ciara Stockeland’s Inventory Genius podcast. As a Fractional CFO and Profit Strategist, Ciara specializes in breaking complex business topics into bite-sized, actionable steps you can implement today. Tune in, get inspired, and learn from Ciara and her range of incredible guests. Discover why thousands of products-based businesses owners turn to Ciara for guidance on inventory management, debt reduction, e-commerce strategies, financial strategy, business growth, retail profitability, and more. Whether you’re a new business owner or a long-time entrepreneur, each episode with give you nuggets of information, insights and strategies you can start implementing now. For business inquiries please email: hello@ciarastockeland.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Ciara Stockeland
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ciara Stockeland
  • Show Website
    The Inventory Genius Podcast

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