The Nonsense Maker's Cash Flow Advice for Creative Businesses

In an interview with frankie magazine, Emily May and Sidonie Moore of The Nonsense Maker share their strategies for managing cash flow in a creative small business. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a cash buffer, diversifying income streams, and reconciling finances monthly. The duo, who met when May sought accounting help from Moore, now run a business that is half retail and half wholesale, selling giftware and greeting cards. They note that most of their cash flow comes from wholesale clients, which are mostly small bookshops and gift shops, reducing reliance on any single client. For seasonal businesses like theirs, they stress the need to conserve cash in the first half of the year to prepare for peak seasons like Christmas. They also discuss payment terms, recommending 100% upfront for first-time orders and 14-day terms for established wholesale customers. Moore advises using accounting software and checking cash flow monthly, while May highlights the importance of knowing your financial position to avoid overextending with new projects. The interview is part of frankie's 'strictly business' series, aimed at small-business owners.