Mastering Inflation: Top Strategies for Business Success

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Inflation continues to be a significant challenge for businesses in 2025. With rising costs and economic fluctuations, it’s crucial for businesses to adapt and implement effective strategies to navigate these turbulent times. Here are some updated strategies to help your business combat inflation:

  1. Negotiate with Suppliers

Building strong relationships with suppliers can provide leverage to negotiate better terms and prices. In 2025, 77% of companies are either using or exploring AI in their operations, which can help in analyzing supplier performance and identifying opportunities for cost savings.

  1. Streamline Operations

Efficiency is key to managing costs. By streamlining operations and reducing overhead costs, businesses can maintain profitability. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) provides continuous, timely data for key economic measures, helping businesses make informed decisions.

  1. Diversify Revenue Streams

Diversifying revenue streams can help mitigate the impact of inflation on your business. Exploring new markets, products, or services can provide additional sources of income and reduce dependency on a single revenue stream.

  1. Strategic Pricing

Implementing strategic pricing can help manage the impact of rising costs. Regularly reviewing and adjusting prices based on market conditions and cost changes can ensure that your business remains competitive and profitable.

  1. Strengthen the Supply Chain

A robust supply chain is essential for managing inflation. Strengthening relationships with key suppliers, diversifying suppliers, and investing in supply chain technology can help ensure a steady flow of goods and materials.

  1. Leverage Technology

Technology can play a significant role in managing inflation. The AI market grew to over $184 billion in 2024, up nearly $50 billion from 2023. Leveraging AI and other technologies can help businesses optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making.

  1. Maintain Strong Financial Planning

Strong financial planning is crucial for navigating inflation. Regularly reviewing financial statements, forecasting future financial performance, and maintaining a healthy cash flow can help businesses stay resilient in the face of economic challenges.

How Kickfurther can help

Kickfurther connects CPG brands with backers that can provide working capital. At Kickfurther you can get inventory now and pay later, so you can combat inflation while improving the bottom line. Our unique funding model highlights the following. . .

  1. No immediate repayments. You control repayment. Don’t pay until your product sells.
  2. Non-dilutive. Maintain equity in your business, we know how hard you worked for it. We are here to work with you, not against you.
  3. Not a debt. Because you have enough financial strain, this is not a loan.
  4. Upfront capital. Pay suppliers faster with upfront capital, there when you need it!

Conclusion

Inflation is an ongoing challenge, but with the right strategies, businesses can navigate these turbulent times and continue to thrive. By negotiating with suppliers, streamlining operations, diversifying revenue streams, implementing strategic pricing, strengthening the supply chain, leveraging technology, and maintaining strong financial planning, businesses can effectively combat inflation.

 

Inventory Financing for CPG: Future‑Proofing Your Supply Chain

Posted on by Amanda Levine

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry has always been dynamic, but 2025 is proving to be one of the most challenging years yet. Rising tariffs impacting CPG brands, supply chain disruptions, and tighter capital markets have left many brands struggling to fund the inventory they need to grow. For many CPG founders, inventory financing with Kickfurther has become a game-changing solution, especially when traditional loans or equity funding fall short.

In this post, we’ll explore how inventory financing works, why it’s ideal for today’s CPG landscape, and how Kickfurther is helping brands overcome supply chain hurdles while fueling growth.

The Supply Chain Squeeze in 2025

According to Kickfurther’s April 2025 Tariff Impact Survey 51% of CPG brands have been impacted by the latest round of tariffs. Many are forced to raise prices, absorb costs, or find alternative sourcing solutions, all while consumer demand remains unpredictable. Add inflation, rising raw material prices, and slower freight timelines, and it is clear why cash flow is under immense pressure.

For many brands, the traditional approach, paying for inventory upfront and waiting months to see returns, is no longer sustainable. This is where inventory financing comes in.

Inventory financing allows CPG brands to secure the cash needed to produce or purchase inventory without tying up capital. Instead of paying upfront, brands pay for inventory only after it sells, unlocking cash flow and reducing risk.

Kickfurther takes this model further by connecting brands to a community of backers who fund up to 100% of inventory costs. Brands then repay the cost plus a small profit margin once the inventory sells. Compared to traditional loans or equity raises, this approach is faster, more flexible, and non-dilutive.

4 Key Benefits of Kickfurther’s Inventory Financing

  1. Cash Flow Freedom

No more tying up cash in products that sit in warehouses. Kickfurther lets brands pay for inventory only after sales occur.

  1. Up to 100% Funding

Unlike banks that offer partial financing, Kickfurther covers the entire production or purchase order cost, ensuring no growth opportunity is left on the table.

  1. Flexible Repayments

Kickfurther aligns repayment schedules with your actual sales velocity, removing the stress of fixed monthly payments.

  1. Faster Growth

With reliable access to inventory funding, brands can scale faster, launch new products, or fulfill big retail orders without cash bottlenecks.

Growth Stories: CPG Brands Winning with Kickfurther

Kickfurther has helped hundreds of CPG brands unlock cash flow and grow without traditional debt or equity dilution.

  • Baseball Lifestyle was facing challenges common to rapidly expanding businesses: managing cash flow, imperfect inventory levels, and ordering delays.
  • Goodwipes faced the challenge of needing more inventory to meet demand but lacked the immediate cash flow to produce it.

These real-world examples show that financing doesn’t have to mean giving up equity or taking on high-interest loans, it can be a tool for smart, scalable growth.

How to Launch a Co‑Op with Kickfurther

Getting started with Kickfurther is simple:

  1. Create a Profile – Brands with at least $200,000 in trailing 12-month revenue can apply here.
  2. Set Your Terms – Use Kickfurther’s calculator to choose terms that align with your sales forecasts.
  3. Get Vetted – Kickfurther’s Metrics Model ensures backers see only credible opportunities.
  4. Get Funded – Many co-ops fund within 24 hours.
  5. Sell & Repay – You repay backers as your inventory sells.

The Bottom Line

In a year defined by uncertainty, inventory financing is becoming a must-have tool for CPG brands. By freeing up cash flow and funding growth without the burden of upfront costs, Kickfurther helps brands stay resilient, competitive, and ready for what’s next.

Ready to future-proof your supply chain? Talk to an expert to get funded.

The Holiday E-Commerce Rush Starts Now! Five Things to Remember

Posted on by Amanda Levine

As we approach the holiday season, it’s crucial to start preparing early to ensure a successful Q4. The e-commerce landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, and staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever. Here are five key things to remember as you gear up for the holiday rush in 2025:

  1. Stay Ahead of Ecommerce Trends

The e-commerce industry is constantly changing, and 2025 is no exception. Key trends include the rise of blockchain technology for secure transactions, the popularity of livestream shopping, and the increasing importance of sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) claims. Brands are also leveraging AI and data analytics to streamline operations and better understand their customers. Keeping up with these trends will help you stay competitive and meet consumer expectations.

  1. Diversify Your Supply Chain

Recent global disruptions have highlighted the importance of having a diversified supply chain. Establish relationships with multiple manufacturers and ensure you have the ability to scale up production as needed. This will help you avoid potential delays and keep your customers satisfied during the busy holiday season.

  1. Leverage Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing remains a powerful tool, but it’s essential to collaborate with influencers who align with your brand values and target audience. Personalized shopping experiences and flexible payment options are becoming increasingly important to consumers. By working with the right influencers, you can create authentic connections with your audience and drive sales.

  1. Optimize Your Amazon Listings and SEO

Optimizing your product listings on Amazon and other platforms is still crucial. Brands should also consider using AI tools to enhance their SEO strategies and create content that resonates with their audience. This will help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and attract more customers.

  1. Focus on Mobile-Friendly Email Marketing

With the increasing use of smartphones for online shopping, mobile-friendly emails are more important than ever. Use data-driven insights to personalize your email campaigns and create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and countdown clocks. This will help you capture your audience’s attention and drive conversions.

By incorporating these tips, you can ensure that your holiday e-commerce preparation strategy is current and effective. Start preparing now to make the most of the holiday rush and set your business up for success.

 

How to Report Kickfurther Funding on Your Books

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Understanding how to report Kickfurther’s funding on your financial statements is essential for maintaining accurate records and presenting a healthy balance sheet to current and potential lenders and investors.

Kickfurther has compiled insight from its customers and outside accountants to give you some insight as to how they manage Kickfurther funding.

Key Points 

  • Non-Debt Classification: Kickfurther’s funding is not classified as debt. This is important because it positively impacts your balance sheet, avoiding the negative connotations associated with traditional debt.
  • No Debt Obligations: Unlike traditional lenders who scrutinize your existing debt, Kickfurther funding does not fall under this category. This means you don’t need to disclose it as a debt obligation.

Accounting for Inventory

  • Inventory Purchases: Instead of purchasing inventory from a traditional vendor, you are acquiring it through Kickfurther.
  • Accounts Payable: When you receive funding from Kickfurther, it should likely be recorded in your accounts payable (AP), not as a loan.
  • Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): As you sell the inventory, you should likely include the fees paid to Kickfurther in your COGS.

Balance Sheet and Financial Health

  • Balance Sheet Metrics: Kickfurther funding does not affect your debt coverage ratios negatively. This means it helps maintain a healthier balance sheet, which is attractive to potential investors and lenders.
  • Presentation to the Outside World: Reflecting Kickfurther funding correctly showcases better balance sheet health and enhances access to additional capital.

Accounts Payable Management

  • Avoiding Aging AP: Ensure your accounts payable related to Kickfurther funding do not age. This is managed by maintaining long AP payment terms and paying Kickfurther promptly as you sell the inventory.
  • Regular Updates: Debit the AP for the balance owed to Kickfurther as you sell the product and ensure cash flow is managed effectively.

Reporting and Expenses

  • Pro Fees and G&A: Any pro subscription fees and platform costs (“Kickfurther Fees”) should be classified under General & Administrative (G&A) expenses, not COGS.
  • Auditor Considerations: Auditors will review your records to ensure you recognize the amounts owed. As long as these amounts are accurately reflected, you should be compliant.

Practical Steps for Accountants and CFOs

  1. Record Kickfurther Funding: Enter the received funding into your accounts payable.
  2. Manage Inventory Costs: Include Kickfurther Fees in your COGS as you sell the inventory.
  3. Update AP Regularly: Ensure that your AP does not age by setting appropriate payment terms and regularly debiting AP as inventory is sold and payments are made.
  4. Classify Fees Correctly: Classify Kickfurther Fees under G&A expenses.
  5. Maintain Balance Sheet Health: By accurately reflecting Kickfurther funding, maintain strong balance sheet health metrics.

As a business owner, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy balance sheet while ensuring accurate reporting. Kickfurther’s non-debt classification for funding is a game-changer for CPG brands. It allows you to acquire inventory without adding debt, which positively impacts your financial health.  By recording Kickfurther funding under accounts payable rather than loans, you avoid debt burdens and keep your balance sheet attractive to potential investors. 

 

Disclaimer: This document was created using insight from Kickfurther customers and outside accountants. Nothing in this document shall be construed as Kickfurther providing any tax or accounting advice, and you should always consult your tax advisor and accountants prior to making any tax or accounting decisions.

How to Estimate Product Manufacturing Costs: A 3-Step Strategy

Posted on by Amanda Levine

When building a physical product business, your margins matter. One of the most effective ways to boost profitability is by lowering production costs without touching your pricing.

Let’s break down why cost optimization matters using a simple product margin model.

Product Margin Breakdown: Raise Prices vs. Reduce Costs

Scenario Unit Cost Wholesale Price Margin Retail Price Margin
Baseline $1.00 $2.00 50% $4.00 75%
Raise Prices 10% $1.10 $2.20 54.5% $4.40 77.3%
Lower Costs 10% $0.90 $2.00 55% $4.00 77.5%

While both strategies improve margins, reducing production costs does it without risking customer pushback, making it a safer, scalable lever.

Step 1: Find Comparable Product Prices Online

To ballpark your product manufacturing costs, start by researching similar products on sourcing and marketplace platforms:

  • Alibaba.com: Factory-level pricing and global suppliers.
  • 1688.com: Chinese domestic prices (use Google Translate).
  • Temu.com: Great for seeing ultra-low-cost consumer goods.
  • Amazon.com: Insight into final consumer pricing.

Tip: If your product is custom, find the closest category match (e.g., if you’re creating a specialty water bottle, look at insulated bottles or gym bottles).

Step 2: Adjust for Customization and Quality

Once you’ve gathered 3–5 sample prices from each site, adjust them for factors that affect cost, such as materials, design, or packaging.

Custom Feature Cost Adjustment
Premium materials +10–25%
Custom tooling or molds +20–40%
Branded packaging +10–20%
Low order quantity (<500 units) +15–30%

After adjustments, average the estimates to arrive at a realistic production cost range.

Step 3: Validate With Modern Sourcing Tools

For a more accurate picture of actual factory pricing, use sourcing intelligence platforms:

  • ImportYeti – See your competitors’ manufacturers via shipping records.
  • JungleScout / Helium 10 – Analyze top-selling Amazon products and likely sourcing strategies.
  • Sourcify – Connect directly with trusted manufacturers worldwide.

These tools offer real-world data to cross-check your estimates and discover vetted suppliers you can contact directly.

How to Negotiate Lower Product Manufacturing Costs

Armed with data, you’re ready to negotiate more effectively:

“We’re seeing similar products quoted at $X on 1688 and Alibaba. Can you explain what makes your pricing higher?” This kind of informed question signals professionalism. It may result in:

  • A better quote
  • Access to different production tiers
  • New supplier introductions

Even if you don’t secure a price drop, you’ll walk away with valuable insight into your supply chain options.

Plan for Long-Term Cost Reductions

Early production runs often cost more due to:

  • Small MOQs
  • Custom tooling
  • Limited supplier leverage

But understanding what’s possible at scale helps you set target COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) for the future. Use your initial estimates as a benchmark to negotiate toward as you grow.

Final Takeaway: Smarter Sourcing = Higher Margins

By using modern tools and market-based research, you can:

  • Set realistic production cost expectations
  • Avoid overpaying for manufacturing
  • Increase your gross margins without alienating customers

Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling a line, understanding your true production cost potential is key to growing a sustainable, profitable brand.

Have you negotiated a great deal with your manufacturer or used a sourcing tool that saved you money? Drop us a note and we might feature your story!

 

 

 

Building and Maintaining Strong Supplier Relationships

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Strong supplier relationships aren’t just a box to check, they’re a competitive advantage. In today’s volatile and fast-moving global economy, collaboration with suppliers drives resilience, product quality, and innovation. 

Platforms like Kickfurther can help fund your inventory and scale your operations, but it’s your relationships with suppliers that form the backbone of long-term success. Below are five strategies to build and maintain strong supplier relationships in 2025.

1. Focus on Core Suppliers

Managing thousands of suppliers can dilute your focus and drain resources. Many businesses now follow the 80/20 rule: concentrating 80% of spend on the top 20% of suppliers. This allows for deeper collaboration, better pricing, and more predictable quality.

That said, today’s geopolitical landscape demands flexibility. Between shipping bottlenecks, sanctions, and regional unrest, diversification is no longer optional, it’s strategic.

In 2025, country-level diversification is just as critical as vendor diversification. Over 60% of U.S. companies are shifting part of their supply chains out of China, favoring countries like Vietnam, Mexico, and India, per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. With ongoing tariff rounds and rising scrutiny around ESG compliance, “China-plus-one” and nearshoring strategies continue to gain traction.

2. Understand Their Operations

Deep knowledge of your suppliers’ operations shows respect and lays the groundwork for true collaboration. You’ll better understand their constraints, capacity, and quality systems, allowing you to plan smarter and react faster.

Companies like Toyota lead in this area by using AI-powered supply chain visibility tools. These platforms use predictive analytics to flag delays, assess supplier risk, and generate real-time performance dashboards. Some even recommend alternative suppliers when disruptions are detected.

To keep up, consider platforms like NetSuite, Odoo, Katana, or Cin7, many of which now offer AI-driven alerts, supplier scoring, and demand forecasting. These tools help you stay proactive, not just responsive.

3. Address Issues Proactively

Even the best suppliers will sometimes falter. When issues arise, whether it’s late deliveries, damaged goods, or missed specs, the goal isn’t blame, it’s resolution.

Approach problems with transparency and empathy. Frame challenges as joint issues, not accusations. Keeping communication forward-looking helps preserve trust and often leads to process improvements on both sides.

Tip: Many leading firms now use automated dispute resolution systems or shared ticketing platforms to manage supplier issues with transparency and speed.

4. Give Feedback Constructively and Often

Feedback helps suppliers improve and it signals that you’re committed to the relationship. Brands like Honda send monthly supplier scorecards covering delivery, quality, and responsiveness. This kind of regular feedback helps identify problems early and reinforces expectations.

In 2025, AI can auto-generate these reports from procurement and logistics data, freeing up teams to focus on strategy. Quarterly reviews or collaborative SWOT sessions can also reveal shared opportunities for growth and efficiency.

5. Treat Suppliers as Strategic Partners

The most resilient supply chains are built on partnership, not transactions. Suppliers who feel respected and included are more likely to invest in your success, be it ramping up production, sharing market insights, or flagging upstream risks.

Top consumer brands treat supplier engagement like customer success: they prioritize communication, co-innovation, and aligned incentives. This mindset drives better performance and helps brands meet evolving demands for sustainability, traceability, and speed.

Final Thoughts

In a world of economic uncertainty and rising consumer expectations, your supplier relationships are a key source of stability, efficiency, and innovation. Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling a global supply chain, building trust with suppliers is a long-term investment that pays compounding dividends.

And when you’re ready to fund your next inventory purchase, Kickfurther is here to support your growth, so you can deliver with confidence, backed by a supply chain you trust.