Is Your Supply Chain Ready for Growth?

Hey there,

Happy New Year! 2025 is here, and it’s the perfect time to align your supply chain with your business goals.

Success isn’t just about creating amazing products—it’s about getting them into your customers’ hands quickly and efficiently. But here’s the big question: Is your supply chain strategy aligned with your current business stage?

If you’re still running your supply chain like it’s Day 1, you’re leaving money—and time—on the table. On the flip side, trying to operate like a big brand when you’re in the early stages is a recipe for chaos.

Let’s break it down by business stage and pinpoint the strategies you need to level up.

Starting Stage (<$1M)

Keep it lean and agile.

What to Focus On:

• Simple Tools Work: Stick to spreadsheets for now. Pair them with free apps for speed—no need for expensive software yet.

• Nail New Product Development (NPD): Focus on getting your product right, FAST!

• Small, Flexible Suppliers: Work with vendors who prioritize smaller clients over big brands with long production lead times. You won’t be a priority for a factory producing for bigger names, so find partners who value your business.

Quick Win:

Look for suppliers who can fulfill orders within 30 days. Anything longer is a red flag at this stage.

Example:

One startup I worked with switched from a large manufacturer with a 60-day lead time to a smaller, local supplier offering 25-day lead times. The result? Faster launches and a 15% increase in sales from better-stocked inventory. The only downside? Working with smaller factories requires better coordination—but the benefits far outweigh the effort.

Acceleration Stage ($1M–$7M)

You’re scaling now—time to refine and automate.

What to Focus On:

• Smarter Forecasting Tools: Factor in seasonality, ADS (Average Daily Sales), growth rates, and buffer stock to avoid stockouts or excess inventory.

• Trim Your Product Line: Focus on best-sellers and offload slow movers with creative promotions.

• Launch Consistently: Plan at least one product variation per quarter to keep your brand fresh.

• Audit Your 3PL: Ensure your logistics partner is ready to handle your growth.

Quick Win:

Improving your forecasting accuracy by just 5% can save thousands in storage fees and prevent lost sales.

Example:

An apparel brand I worked with cut 20% of their slow-moving SKUs and reinvested in their top-sellers. More SKUs don’t always mean more business, especially if the majority are underperforming. They continuously launched new products while streamlining their product line, freeing up storage space and boosting profits by 10%.

Expansion Stage ($7M+)

You’ve hit the big leagues—it’s all about efficiency and global reach.

What to Focus On:

• Optimize Shipping Routes: Collaborate with freight forwarders to reduce costs and delivery times.

• Invest in Advanced Demand Planning Tools: Manage complex inventories with predictive analytics.

• Diversify Your Supplier Base: Expand globally to mitigate risk and improve speed.

Quick Win:

Diversify your supply chain by adding suppliers in different regions. This protects you from disruptions and enhances flexibility.

Example:

A DTC home goods brand I supported expanded their supplier network to include partners in Vietnam, India, and Pakistan. When shipping delays hit one region, they seamlessly shifted production to another, saving $50,000 in lost revenue.

Is Your Supply Chain Strategy Aligned with Your Business Stage?

• For startups: Stay lean and agile.

• For scaling brands: Focus on refinement and consistency.

• For established brands: Aim for efficiency and global reach.

What’s one thing from the insights above that you’d like to tackle first? Hit reply—I’d love to brainstorm strategies with you.

Here’s to building smarter, faster supply chains,
Lara