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

    #287: ROI is Not Just a Marketing Metric

    We’ve all heard the classic business cliché: "You have to spend money to make money." But honestly? I’ve never really loved that phrase. It leaves out the most crucial part of the equation. What if we rephrased it to: You have to spend money to make money, but you also need to know if the money you’re spending is actually working. In this episode, I’m challenging product-based business owners to stop looking at Return on Investment (ROI) purely through the lens of digital ad spend. The truth is, every single dollar that leaves your business is an investment, and every investment deserves a return. From hiring team members to investing in photography, copywriters, and coaching programs, I break down how you might be flying blind with your capital and how to start tracking profit metrics instead of vanity metrics. I also share a simple, three-question audit you can start using today to ensure every dollar has a job and is doing it well. Key Takeaways The ROI Reframe: ROI isn't just a marketing metric. If cash is flowing out of your business in a dozen different directions, you need to measure what is coming back in return for every single one of those streams. The Danger of Raw Ad Metrics: Generating $3,000 in sales from a $1,000 ad spend sounds great on paper (a 3x ROAS). But when you factor in a 50% cost of goods ($1,500), agency fees, fulfillment labor, and shipping, you might actually be paying to run yourself out of business. Measuring the Unmeasurable (Employees): Hiring feels like growth, but without tracking output, it’s just added overhead. Employees don't always generate direct revenue, but they must generate a measurable return—whether that's freeing up your time to bring in new accounts or increasing production speed. Learning vs. Implementation: Buying a coaching program, course, or mastermind and only implementing 20% of it means you are losing money. Learning is not a return on investment; implementation is the return. The Secret of Profitable Businesses: The most profitable product-based businesses aren't necessarily the ones with the highest revenue. They are the ones with the fewest dollars going out the door that don't serve a clear purpose. The 3-Question ROI Audit To keep yourself from flying blind, I want you to perform this quick audit this month on any expense—whether it's a software subscription, a new piece of equipment, an employee, or a mastermind: What did it cost me? (Be sure to include your time, not just your money). What specific outcome was I expecting from it? (Name a tangible, concrete result). Did I get that outcome? (Yes, partially, or not at all). My Advice: Once you have your answers, act on them immediately. Double down on what’s working, fix or re-engineer what is underperforming, and ruthlessly cut what isn't producing. 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

    19 min

  2. MAY 19

    #286: Why Clean Data is the Backbone of Every Product Business

    Today we’re digging into a topic you might not have considered before: the importance of clean financial data. We talk about numbers constantly—how to focus on them, why they matter, and what you should be looking at. But we haven’t truly discussed why having clean information is the absolute backbone of successful decision-making in a product-based business. The Danger of Dirty Data I recently spoke with two clients who were using a financial analysis tool to guide their buying. The tool kept telling them to buy more, buy more. They followed the data, thinking they were being efficient, only to end up buried in inventory that didn't move. That wasn’t a supply chain problem or a marketing problem—it was a data problem. Dirty data is dangerous because it doesn't come with a warning label; it looks like fact, but it's actually fiction dressed as finance. What Does Dirty Data Look Like? If you want to avoid making wrong decisions confidently, watch out for these five common red flags: Miscategorized Transactions: Expenses floating in no man's land or assigned to the wrong revenue streams. COGS vs. OPEX Confusion: When your inventory purchases are blurred with operating expenses, you can’t see your true margin. Timing Errors: Recognizing revenue when cash hits rather than when it’s earned (Cash vs. Accrual). Inventory Valuation Gaps: Your books say you have 800 units, but your warehouse only has 500. Un-netted Discounts: Refunds and chargebacks that aren't properly subtracted from your top-line revenue. The Three Cs of Clean Data To run a genius inventory system, your data must be: Consistent: Applying the same rules and categories every single month. Connected: Your POS, bank account, and accounting software should all tell the same story. Current: Books should be reconciled and in your hands by the 15th–20th of every month—not just at tax time! 8 Key Data Points You Need to Track I want you to look at your dashboard and ask: “Do I actually have this number, and can I trust it?” Gross Margin by SKU: Not just overall, but by category and brand. Inventory Valuation: Real-time wholesale and retail value. 12–13 Week Cash Flow: A forward-looking projection of your bank balance. Net Revenue: Gross sales minus returns, fees, and discounts. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): What it actually costs to get a buyer through the door. Inventory Turn: How fast your product is moving by department. All-in Cost Per Unit: The landed cost including shipping and handling. Contribution Margin: Revenue minus all variable costs to see what truly goes toward profit. Your 3-Step Data Audit Don't just listen—take action today with these three simple steps: Step 1: Pull your P&L and go line-by-line. Ensure every expense is correctly categorized. Step 2: Confirm your bookkeeper is reconciling accounts monthly and delivering reports on time. Step 3: Check your POS. Ensure every SKU has an accurate cost associated with it. Final Thought: Stop treating your books like a tax document and start treating them like a GPS. Clean data leads to better decisions, which leads to stronger margins, which leads to cash. 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.

    25 min

  3. MAY 12

    #285: Meet the IGOS (The Inventory Genius Operating System)

    I am so excited to dive into today’s topic because it is the heartbeat of everything we do here. We’re talking about the Inventory Genius Operating System (IGOS). As a podcast listener, save $500 when you click here and enter code PODCAST2IGOS at checkout. I believe—no, I know—that every single product-based business owner needs this system. Why? Because I built it out of the ashes of my own failure. I’m sharing my story, not because it’s easy to tell, but because it’s the proof that business can be done differently. You don’t have to play store anymore; it’s time to build a business that actually serves you. My Journey: From Total Loss to Total Clarity In 2006, I opened my first brick-and-mortar retail store. I was chasing the entrepreneurial dream—expanding, franchising, and hitting top-line revenue goals. On the outside, I looked successful. I had a warehouse, a team of 12, and millions in sales. But behind the scenes, I was drowning. The Reality: I never took a consistent paycheck while my employees got raises. The Debt: I kept taking on more debt because I didn't understand that profit matters more than revenue. The Crash: Eventually, I lost it all—my business and my home. That pain gave me a burning desire to ensure no other business owner felt that way. When I started my next business (a subscription box), I did it differently. I built for profit from Day 1, took a paycheck from Day 1, and developed the system that became IGOS. Within 18 months, I sold that business for a profit. Why IGOS Works for Every Product Business Whether you are a $4 million brand with a decade of history or a six-figure e-commerce side hustle, the problem is usually the same: Inventory is eating your cash. The $4M Success Story: I worked with a client drowning in debt and guilt. In just one year of using IGOS, we paid off $500,000 in debt and turned her business into a cash-flowing machine. The E-comm Success Story: Another client, Megan, was infusing her own 9-to-5 salary just to keep her online shop afloat. Within six months of implementing IGOS, she was profitable enough to take her family on a six-month trip around the world while the business ran itself. The Core Framework: The Three Layers of IGOS We build your business back up using three interconnected layers: 1. The Relationship: Cash Flow + Inventory This is the foundational truth: Cash and inventory are directly connected. * If you buy too much, your cash is stuck on a shelf. If you buy too little, you lose sales. IGOS moves you away from gut feeling and emotion and moves you toward data-driven decisions. 2. Financial Structure & Rhythms Once you understand the connection, we build a system to maintain it. Most owners are reactive—panic buying or holding "fire sales" out of anxiety. We create a predictable rhythm. Note: You don't need to be a math whiz! I’m not an accountant or a CPA. I’ve made this simple, bite-sized, and accessible for everyone, even if you hate numbers. 3. Sustainable Operations This is where you move from surviving to thriving. We build operational systems that your team can follow and that can scale with you. We replace your daily chaos with absolute clarity. Stop Playing Store IGOS isn't a magic wand or a trendy strategy; it’s a system that addresses the root cause of your financial stress. If you have inventory—whether it's clothing, dog food, or handmade goods—this will work for you. Ready to change your story? Stop frantically chasing money and start building with strategy. Visit: www.ciarastockeland.com Action: Click on "Work With Me" and get the Inventory Genius Operating System today - save $500 with the code PODCAST2IGOS I want to hear your success story next. Let's stop playing store and start building a business that pays you back! 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:Get $300 off your first month of Pie, and start attracting more high-intent customers through Google Ads and AI search. Claim the offer here: https://getpie.com/contact?utm_source=Ciara+Stockeland&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=300+offer

    28 min

  4. MAY 5

    #284: Shopify and Klaviyo with Simply Lynn's Creative

    I have been looking for someone like Cassidy for years. Seriously. I can’t even count how many times you all have asked me, "Ciara, who do you recommend for Shopify help?" and I never had a name I felt 100% comfortable sharing—until now. Today, I’m sitting down with Cassidy from Simply Lynn’s Creative. What makes her different? She isn't just a tech person. She grew up in the retail world, helping run her family’s 4,500-square-foot kitchen store that’s been around since the '80s. She understands the heartbeat of a retailer because she lives it every day. We talk about how she takes the mess out of the backend and turns your website and email marketing into a streamlined, profit-generating machine. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Mom Test: Cassidy shares how she moved her mom’s entire business—thousands of SKUs, bulk coffee, and oil-on-tap—from a manual system into a seamless Shopify POS setup. Stop the App Overload: We discuss Cassidy’s less is more philosophy. Before you buy another $30/month app to fix a problem, listen to her advice on using native Shopify features first. Email Marketing That Actually Works: If you have 25,000 emails and haven't sent a message in months because you're overwhelmed, Cassidy explains how she audits, cleans, and automates Klaviyo to drive real sales. The Employee Factor: It’s one thing to have a system; it’s another to have your staff know how to use it. Cassidy dives into the importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and training. Driving Foot Traffic: Why your website is your best window display and how it influences customers to walk through your physical doors. Key Insights The Integration Advantage: Why having your Point of Sale (POS) and E-commerce on the same platform is the only way to truly have one source of truth for your inventory. Quality Over Quantity: Why Cassidy would rather see you have a small, healthy email list of 5,000 engaged fans than 25,000 people who never open your mail. Empowerment: Cassidy's goal isn't to make you dependent on an agency; it's to build a system so solid that you (and your team) feel empowered to run it yourselves. 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 Simply Lynn's CreativeIf you’ve been struggling with a wonky website or feel like your branding doesn't match the beautiful experience you provide in-store, you need to connect with Cassidy. Visit the Website: simplylynnscreative.com Follow on Instagram: @simply.lynns.creative The Resource Shop: Check out her DIY Canva templates and Klaviyo workshops to help you get consistent without the overwhelm. Use code CS15 at checkout, and save 15% off anything in the Resource Shop!

    34 min

  5. APR 28

    #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-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign 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! Use code CS15 at checkout, and save 15% off anything in the Resources Shop!

    45 min

  6. APR 21

    #282: Should You Pay Attention to Your Business Credit?

    We often obsess over our personal credit scores, but how much thought do we give to our business credit? In this episode, I’m joined by Gerri Detweiler from Nav to demystify the world of business credit. We explore why most of us are in the dark about our business scores, how these scores impact our ability to secure supplier terms and loans, and the simple steps we can take to monitor and build a healthy financial profile for our businesses. Key Takeaways The Business Credit Gap: Unlike personal credit, there are no federal requirements for free annual business credit reports. Most of us don't even know our score exists until a loan application is denied. The Big Three Bureaus: We look at the major players Gerri mentions: Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Equifax Commercial, and Experian Commercial. The Power of Terms: Paying our Net 30 supplier invoices on time isn't just good for the relationship—it’s a primary way to build a positive credit history, as many suppliers report to the bureaus. Separating Personal from Business: While our personal credit often remains a factor for small businesses, establishing an LLC and obtaining an EIN and DUNS number are critical steps toward our financial independence. Hidden Use Cases: It’s not just for loans! Business credit can affect our insurance premiums and our ability to land large commercial partnerships or retail distributions. The Debt Trap: Gerri explains the hidden cost of fast capital and provides resources to help us calculate the true APR of financing offers that might seem cheap on the surface. 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 Nav:Website: https://www.nav.com/ 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.

    22 min

  7. APR 14

    #281: Let's Talk Pinterest, Interview with Julia Bocchese

    In this episode, I’m diving into a platform that many of us love as consumers but find totally intimidating as business owners: Pinterest. I’ll be honest—I’ve personally dipped in and out of Pinterest for years, but it always felt like a heavy lift. However, for my clients with visually stunning products—like jewelry, home decor, or design services—it is a goldmine. Joining me today is Julia Renee, an SEO and Pinterest expert, to explain why we need to stop thinking of Pinterest as social media and start treating it like the powerful search engine it actually is. Key Takeaways It’s Not Social Media: Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest isn’t about showing up daily or dancing on camera. It’s a visual search engine where users go with a specific intent to find, plan, and buy. The Power of Keywords: Because it’s a search engine, your success depends on keywords. I learned that putting keywords in your pin titles, descriptions, and even as text overlays on your images is what helps Pinterest read your content and show it to the right people. Play the Long Game: Pinterest is evergreen. A pin you post today can drive traffic to your site for months or even years. While it takes about 3–6 months to see significant momentum, that traffic compounds over time. The One-a-Day Rhythm: You don’t need to be on the platform 24/7. Julia suggests starting with just one pin per day. The best part? You can use a scheduler like Tailwind to batch a whole month of content in a few hours and then walk away. Shopify Integration: If you’re on Shopify, you can connect your store directly to Pinterest. This automatically updates your prices and product details, making it a seamless experience for shoppers. Strategic Tips for Product Owners "Think about what people are searching for around your product, not just the product itself." Julia shared a brilliant tip for those of us with unique items: Use blog posts. If you sell a specific jewelry line or a niche skincare product, write a blog post like "10 Great Gifts for Mother’s Day" or "How to Style Layered Gold Chains." Pin those blog graphics to catch people who are looking for inspiration, then lead them straight to your shop. Connect with Julia: Website: https://juliareneeconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bocchese/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliareneeconsulting/ 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

    21 min

  8. APR 7

    #280: Why to Start a Subscription Box with Sarah Williams

    I'm sitting down with subscription box expert Sarah Williams (founder of Launch Your Box) to debunk the myth that subscription models are dead. We're diving into why recurring revenue is the ultimate safety net for retail owners and how to transition from a struggling local shop to a thriving national brand. Key Takeaways The Introvert’s Growth Strategy: Sarah shares her journey of hitting a growth ceiling in her small-town retail store. To scale without needing more foot traffic, she turned to the subscription model to reach customers nationwide. Data-Driven Curation: Don't guess what should go in your box. Look at your best-selling categories (e.g., graphic tees, tumblers, accessories) and your average order value to determine your box contents and price point. The Power of 75%: Imagine having 75% of your monthly revenue hit your bank account on the 1st of the month. This predictability allows you to hire, scale, and pay off debt without the stress of slow days in the shop. The Analog Movement: In a digital-heavy world, customers are craving tangible, grandma-style activities (crafting, yarn, physical products). Subscription boxes provide a gift-to-self experience that screens can't replicate. Overcoming the "Is it Still Relevant?" Fear: Sarah reveals her subscription sales are up 22% this year alone. People still value convenience, exclusivity, and the surprise and delight of a curated mystery box. Action Steps for You Analyze Your Data: Identify your top 3 selling categories. Collect Emails at the Register: Especially if you are in a touristy area, get those one-time visitors onto a list so you can sell them the experience of your store year-round. Start Small: You don't need a massive 10-item box. Sarah suggests starting with a One Thing of the Month box (like a T-shirt club) as the lowest-hanging fruit. Find an Accountability Partner: Send this episode to a fellow business owner and commit to planning your first 6 months together.  Connect with SarahFree Workshop: https://www.launchyourboxwithsarah.com/sarahs-method-for-curating-6-boxes-in-60-minutes-e   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:Get $300 off your first month of Pie, and start attracting more high-intent customers through Google Ads and AI search. Claim the offer here: https://getpie.com/contact?utm_source=Ciara+Stockeland&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=300+offer

    34 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
    290
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ciara Stockeland
  • Show Website
    The Inventory Genius Podcast

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