Profit and bank cash move on different schedules
An order may be profitable when it ships, but the related cash can arrive later and in a different amount after fees, refunds, reserves, and currency conversion. Inventory and advertising are often paid earlier, creating a funding gap even when the income statement looks healthy.
Build a weekly cash calendar
- Expected marketplace deposits by account and currency.
- Supplier, freight, duty, and packaging payments.
- Advertising and software charges.
- Payroll, warehouse, and service-provider commitments.
- A reserve for refunds, claims, and delayed disbursements.
Use a conservative deposit scenario
Do not assume every sale converts immediately into spendable cash. Model a normal case and a delayed case, especially before a large purchase order or launch. The delayed case shows whether the business can keep operating if the deposit arrives later or smaller than expected.
Set growth by available cash, not sales headlines
Increase inventory and ad budgets only after checking the lowest projected cash balance. A profitable growth plan can still fail if it requires more working capital than the business can fund during the settlement cycle.