You’re moving product, getting shelf space, and watching your revenue climb — so why does it feel like there’s never any money? For early-stage CPG founders, the gap between top-line growth and actual profitability is one of the most disorienting (and dangerous) places to be. This session is built to close that gap. We’ll cut through the noise of early-stage scaling to give you a clear-eyed look at the numbers that actually drive your business — not just the ones that look good in a pitch deck. From decoding your true cost of goods to protecting your margin before it quietly disappears into chargebacks, retailer fees, and hidden operational costs, you’ll leave with the financial fluency to make smarter decisions at every stage of growth. Key things you’ll learn: How to accurately calculate your COGS — and why most founders get it wrong The margin-killing costs hiding in plain sight (chargebacks, slotting fees, freight, and more) How to read your cash flow in a way that actually tells you something useful How to know when your financial setup has outgrown your current resources — and what to look for in the right support at your stage The financial benchmarks that matter most for CPG brands at your stage of scale
