What happens when four years of incredible Growth convinces you that nothing can touch you?

In this episode of Cash Flow Confessions, Stephanie talks with Alan Lazaros, CEO and founder of Next Level University, about the financial scare that almost ended his company. For four years straight, his business grew by an average of 115% a year, peaking at 119% in one year alone. Growth like that feels unstoppable. So Alan and his business partner Kevin leaned on credit cards, hired fast, and expanded into new departments (even a side app).

Then growth slowed. Hard. After COVID, the podcast industry doubled in size almost overnight and competition followed. In one quarter, Alan's company lost ten major clients. Revenue growth dropped to 19%, then 11%. The same credit card debt that felt manageable during a 119% growth year suddenly had them in the red.

Alan walks through the exact math behind that shift, the moment he sat Kevin down and told him they were headed toward shutting down, and how they figured out which 8 of their 24 departments were actually keeping the business alive.

If your business is riding a wave of strong revenue and growth right now, this one's for you. It's a real look at how cash flow, profit, and debt interact, and why checking your numbers daily, not just at year-end, is one of the best habits you can build before things slow down.

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My name is Stephanie Smith, owner of New Light Financial Solutions, and we help business owners walk the one clear path to generating more cash in their business. To learn more, visit us online at https://newlightfs.com/

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Stephanie Smith Owner, New Light Financial Solutions

Stephanie Smith is a CFO and a business owner. She uses her financial background to help business owners take the one clear path to generating more cash in their business.