For many growing brands, strong sales and a healthy P&L don’t always translate to peace of mind. In fact, cash flow pressure often intensifies after a brand begins to scale. That was the focus of a recent webinar hosted by YF’s Phil Peters, featuring Hunter & Gather co-founder Amy Moring and Mimo’s own CEO, Henrik Grim.

Together, they explored why fast-growing and even profitable brands still run into cash flow constraints and shared practical tactics to manage it without defaulting to expensive equity raises.

Cash flow challenges hide in plain sight

At Mimo, we see this every day. Brands are thriving on paper - hitting retail listings, unlocking DTC growth, generating real profit, but they still feel the pressure when it’s time to place the next stock order or pay a supplier. The core issue: it’s not that founders don’t understand finance, it’s that traditional financial tools don’t give them the real-time visibility or flexibility they need.

Amy shared how, even as Hunter & Gatherer grew 70% last year and maintained monthly profitability, the realities of holding stock, working across multiple channels, and growing fast created major working capital strains. It’s a story we hear often, and one of the core reasons we built Mimo in the first place.

Why profits don't equal cash

One of the most common traps founders fall into is assuming that good margins and profitability automatically mean good cash flow. But the moment you start ordering more stock in advance, offering payment terms, or scaling your team, the cash conversion cycle becomes the silent killer of momentum.

Amy explained how the brand had to learn (through experience) just how long stock can sit in a warehouse, how delayed some payments can be, and why tracking and tightening that cash conversion cycle became a survival skill.

Practical tactics you can use

The conversation was packed with real-world advice. Here are just a few of the tactics discussed:

1. Use supplier terms & Mimo Flex to extend runway

   Many brands are now stacking flexible payment tools to smooth cash flow. By paying suppliers with Mimo Flex, brands can access up to 60 days of additional breathing room, even when manufacturers expect payment upfront
   
   

2. Negotiate strategically
   Whether it’s securing early payment discounts from suppliers or using startup accelerators to improve retailer terms (like Amy’s experience getting 14-day terms with Tesco), small negotiations add up
   
   

3. Presale and pay later
   Early-stage brands can launch new SKUs through presales, generating revenue before they incur costs. Pair that with flexible working capital tools, and you can fund growth without diluting equity
   
   

4. Stack credit and cashflow tools
   Smart founders are combining business credit cards, early invoice payment schemes, and flexible funding platforms to unlock working capital across both purchases and spend (Amy even used Amex points to treat her team to a trip)

Finding tools that work in your favour

So what if you are a founder currently struggling? As Henrik explained in the session, Mimo was born from this exact pain point. After years of working at a VC with fast-growing consumer brands, he saw how often cash flow challenges derailed otherwise strong businesses. Mimo is built to solve that by making financial operations faster, more automated, and giving founders flexible capital at the moment they need it most.

With Mimo, you can:

• Automate payments and bookkeeping to save time and reduce errors.

• Get paid faster using smart AR workflows and digital reminders.

• Access embedded working capital directly when paying invoices - no separate applications or waiting around.

Amy’s team uses Mimo to bridge cash gaps, especially ahead of big promotional pushes or when stock needs to be held in multiple warehouses. They also use our AR tools to streamline reminders and reduce admin time chasing payments.

Financial advice for founders

The conversation ultimately landed on one key theme: the brands that succeed are the ones that get visibility early. If you understand your cash position (and the levers you can pull to improve it), you can make smarter decisions, plan further ahead and avoid last-minute scrambles for funding.

Communities like YF and tools like Mimo exist to make that easier. Cash flow will always be a challenge, but with the right support and the right systems, it doesn’t have to be a blocker.

Curious about Mimo? Get in touch to learn more.