E 812: Financial Strategy for Beauty Brands: Cash Flow, Retail Growth, and Smart Funding

Summary In this episode of Scaling Emerging Beauty, I'm joined by Matt Putra, fractional CFO and founder of Eightx, a financial advisory firm helping CPG and beauty brands scale responsibly. If you've ever felt unsure about forecasting cash flow, managing inventory costs, or figuring out how to fund retail growth—this is your episode. Matt shares his proven frameworks for financial planning, with a focus on what beauty brands need to know when transitioning from DTC to retail. He breaks down complex financial concepts in a way that's clear, actionable, and rooted in real-world experience. We cover: ✅ How to prepare your beauty brand financially before entering retail ✅ The difference between short-term sales growth and long-term financial health ✅ Smart approaches to funding—debt vs equity, and how to choose what's right ✅ Cash flow strategies to avoid inventory shortages and payment crunches ✅ Why forecasting matters—and how to use your numbers to make better decisions If you're a founder navigating the leap into retail, or trying to build a more sustainable, profitable brand, Matt's insights will help you move forward with confidence. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! Links: 📌 Connect with Matt Putra on LinkedIn 📌 Check out Eightx Group: https://eightx.co/ 🔗 Monique Benoit on Instagram  🔗 Monique Benoit on LinkedIn  🔗 Scaling Emerging Beauty on Instagram  🔗 Scaling Emerging Beauty Website  🚀 Subscribe to Scaling Emerging Beauty for expert tips on growing your beauty brand!