Capital won’t save you if your business is broken.
Hi y’all,
I’m seeing it everywhere heading into 2026: event pros want capital. More inventory, bigger trucks, a warehouse upgrade, more crew members. And I get it. Growth requires investment.
But more money just makes you more of what you already are.
If your cash flow is chaotic, capital amplifies the chaos. If you’re not tracking what’s profitable, you’ll just lose money faster. Capital is like gasoline — it accelerates whatever fire you’re already fueling, so you need to make sure you’re stoking the right flames.
Before you chase funding, ask yourself:
What is this money in service to? Is it boulders (big strategic moves that change your business), rocks (important operational improvements), or sand (nice-to-haves that can impact day-to-day, but don’t create fundamental shifts)?
Does the business have the financial discipline to use it wisely? If not, get your finances in shape before you go after capital. Not only will you have an easier time qualifying for it, you’ll actually use it right.
Here’s what financial discipline looks like:
- Exercise stronger cash flow management. What your business needs may vary from season to season: Maybe that means no refunds during slow season. Maybe it’s tightening your payment terms. Maybe it’s finally tracking which services actually make you money and which ones just keep you busy.
- Know your numbers — not just revenue, but what you’re keeping. Really get into the nitty-gritty of your finances to understand your profit margins.
- Set up systems that don’t fall apart when you scale, and take the time to intricately understand those systems. When you know what’s working (and what’s breaking, and why that’s breaking), you’ll know exactly where capital would have the most impact.
If you need access to capital, you could partner with a local bank or pursue a Stripe Capital Loan,* to help you scale. But only after you’ve done the work to make ensure you’ll use the capita; wisely.
See you next Monday,
Mallory Mullen
Goodshuffle
