I love time-saving apps and tools. 
I am in full support of efficient systems. 
But...

If what you are doing now isn’t creating a profitable outcome…
Doing it more efficiently is only going to get you the same outcome faster.

YES, Implementing tools + systems are a BIG part of how I help business owners achieve their profit goals.
But it’s the FINANCIAL STRATEGY that matters the most. 

Without a clear set of goals + a strategy for reaching them
tools can ONLY help you be more efficient, not more profitable. 

In this video I’m sharing:

• The 2 things you MUST do before shopping for tools, apps or software

• My ‘Before You Buy’ Checklist

If you’re thinking about making a software purchase be sure to watch. 
If you recently made a purchase and are having buyer's remorse, there is value in this information for you too! 

Looking for low-cost helpful tools to build your profitable food business?

Checkout our Financial Success Toolkit and be sure to visit the Tools + Resources page for more of our favorites!

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.

Earlier this year when the pandemic had just forced us all indoors and flipped our worlds upside down, I turned to yoga in hopes of finding an indoor workout that would also (fingers crossed) help relieve some of the stress I was feeling. 

To my surprise and delight the daily yoga practice produced sore muscles (the good kind), a stress release that I could literally feel about 15 minutes into a yoga flow, and ideas that would help me in my business! 

Somewhere around month two the teacher posed the question,

“Where are you working harder than you need to?”   

At that moment I was in a plank pose trying to be mindful of the straightness of my neck and my spine, attempting to lift my knees up (whatever the heck that means) and actively push away from the ground while keeping a slight bend in my elbows... and she was asking where I was working harder than I needed to?! 

Then she said… 

… relax your face, that’s not helping you hold this pose any better.  And she was right. 

… relax your shoulders, that’s not helping you hold this pose any better.  And she was right.

… take a deep breath and realize where in your body you are exerting energy that you don’t need to in order to achieve the desired outcome. 

Holy crap. 

I took this question “off the mat” and thought about it as I went about my daily tasks. 

It started out with me realizing where I was holding tension in my body..

then transitioned to me noticing the actual energy that I was feeling inside when I had a long to-do list, was running behind schedule, or doing something out of my comfort zone - feeling anxious and like I needed to hurry wasn’t actually helping me move faster or perform better. I could let go of that anxiety. 

Then I applied the question to my business. 

It helped me re-focus on my goals and put my efforts toward the things that would have the biggest impact.

Asking that question gave me clarity to see what is mine to do, what could (and should) be automated, what should be delegated, what could be put on hold until the future, and what I could let go of completely.

And now I want to ask you…

Where are you exerting energy in your food business - mentally or physically - that is not ACTUALLY helping you reach your goals? 

Where are you working harder than you need to? 

Share your answer in the comments below, or join us in The Profitable Food Business Community!

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Consultant + Freelance CFO with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.

Building something strong and sustainable requires a solid foundation, right?

What does the foundation of your food business look right now? 
Does it need strengthening?

I’ve learned that in business, it’s NEVER TOO LATE to start building that foundation. 
It’s the work I’m passionate about and I invite you to do!

Here are three things you can do to create, and solidify, the foundation of your business so you can achieve financial sustainability and profitability.

1. Record your financial data.

Yes, ALL OF IT.
Your revenue, your expenses, your costs. Make sure to update this information monthly.

2. Track your key metrics

Your key metrics include your revenue, cogs, operating + labor expenses, and review them as a percentage of your revenue. 

Check out my IGTV video on how this small change causes a big impact!

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3. Find your Financial Success Formula

This formula helps you see the revenue and cost target goals specifically for YOUR business. 
Watch The Conversation Series on Finding Your Financial Success Formula!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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You started with your dream and are working hard to create a successful business.
Your hard work + a strong foundation will lead to profitability and sustainability so that you can continue to do this for years to come! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

find more details + support in building the foundation for a profitable food business in the the free Profitability Roadmap,

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.

“I wish we could never ever see numbers so the creativity flows without the annoyance of the other side of the business..."                               

Do you ever feel this way? 
There is a very good chance you did not start your food business to focus on numbers.

No, you got into this because you're passionate about food and beverage, making delicious products and CREATING.

But the numbers are there and the numbers are important.
How many times has wondering about the state of your finances caused so much stress and worry that it actually caused a creative block? 

Here’s the thing: LOOKING at the numbers FREES you from the numbers.

When your food business financials aren’t in order your mind is ALWAYS on money.  Worrying, wondering, constantly checking in on your balances and your sales numbers … 

When you slow down and fully understand your numbers you become informed and empowered. 
You can implement systems that help your business thrive financially - without constant attention - and there is only a need to look at your financials once a week, or even once a month!  

You know what’s going on, you feel in control, and creativity starts to return. 

This is a transformation I see ALL the time.  

The freedom to be creative in your business comes when you embrace the numbers.

building a solid financial foundation is the first step.

Download the Profitability Roadmap + Checklist to ensure you’ve got a solid food business financial foundation in place, so you can understand your numbers and start building a more profitable food business!

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of The Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to build a more profitable food business Click Here.

When I work with food biz owners 1-on-1 and inside the Financial Success Formula Program, the FIRST thing we do (after making sure they’ve got a solid foundation in place, of course) is focus on achieving financial sustainability + boosting profitability WITHOUT increasing sales. 

We do it by focusing on what’s happening INSIDE the business and…

• Finding profit leaks

• Ensuring their products are priced right

• Identifying inconsistencies within their business

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “WHERE is our money going?!”  or been surprised by big losses, or tiny profits despite growing sales, you’ve probably got at least one of these things happening in your business. 

And it’s holding you back from achieving your financial goals. 

Here are 3 ways to improve your profitability without increasing sales:

1. Find + Fix Profit Leaks

Simply put, profit leaks are expenses in your business that are unnecessary, excessive, or that you are simply unaware of. 
Fixing these is the EASIEST and quickest way to boost the overall profitability of your biz. 

Some examples include:

• Subscriptions that you pay for but never use

• Insurance premiums that jumped and you didn’t notice because it’s on auto-pay

• Bank fees you didn’t know you were being charged

• Over-ordering of inventory or ingredients, or inefficient purchasing.  

2. Price Your Products to Hit Your Target Food Cost Percentage

A lot of people focus on the profit margins of their products… that’s helpful for ensuring that your products are profitable, but not your business - that’s a very important distinction! 

If you’re interested in the latter, and not just having profitable products, take a few minutes to determine the food cost % for each of your products.  If it’s higher than your food cost target the product is hurting your profitability.  From here you can determine if cost reductions or a price increase are the right next step to reach your targets. 

3. Find + Eliminate the Inconsistencies in Your Business

What’s an inconsistency?  Here’s an example: You had a high sales month (exciting!) but your hourly labor costs jumped from they typical 25% to 35% of revenue for the month and ate up 10% of your profits (how defeating!). This jump in spending is an inconsistency and it can happen with any of your variable costs. 

When you experience random or regular inconsistencies in your business it can wreak havoc on cash flow and will prevent you from achieving financial sustainability + consistent profitability. 

Identifying + correcting inconsistencies in your business is a process, but it makes the biggest and longest lasting impact to your bottom line.   


Ready to boost your profitability?!  
I’m excited to hear what you find + how changes will impact your business! 

Need some help identifying your Target Food Cost % or knowing if there are inconsistencies in your business?  Visit our website to explore the multiple services we offer to make your good food business a profitable one.

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of The Profitable Food Business program and the host of the Good Food CFO Podcast. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to build a more profitable food business Click Here.

During a recent Q+A Session, I was asked the following question…

“I’ve never set any sales goals for my business… it is turning from a little money on the side to a real business, and I don’t want to set goals that will burn me out, but I would LOVE  to make more money. 

I made just over $35,000 in sales last year, If I set a $100,000 goal for the next 12 months, part of that gets me excited - the other part thinks I’ll burnout if I attempt it... So I keep shifting the goal and not actually landing on any number. I just keep doing what I’ve been doing…
and I’m NEARLY breaking myself.

What is the strategy for setting meaningful and realistic sales goals?”

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Have you struggled to set meaningful sales goals for your business?

Struggled to really work toward a sales goal that seems “plucked” from thin air?

Or maybe you’ve exhausted yourself to achieve your sales goals in the past, but they never produce the financial outcomes you desire.

This was my advice to this business owner, and to you, if you need it…

Far too often business owners work tirelessly to reach a sales goal and in the end have nothing to show for it.  No increase in pay for themselves, no new team members to help them grow, no profits to reinvest. I don’t want that for you!

When we talk about setting goals, even revenue goals, the focus needs to be on the OUTCOME - personal + financial.

The strategy I am sharing today is intended to release you from the  “Do More” and “Sell More” mentality that we all often find ourselves in and will help you NOT BREAK yourself or burnout while achieving your profit goals.  

Here are my 3 steps for setting the right sales goals for your biz:

1. Start by looking at your COSTS.

   Get an understanding of what your break-even sales number is.
   This is your absolute minimum sales goal - a starting point!
   

2. Get clear on what YOU want out of your business. 

   Is it to pay yourself $100,000 a year?  
   Hire a new team member so you can take some time off? 
   Maybe you want to reinvest a certain amount so you can expand into new markets because you’ve got a goal to sell the biz in a few years! 
   
   Whatever you want out of your business in the next 12 months (and it doesn’t have to be just one thing!) attach a financial value to it. 
   When you’re clear on WHAT you want, and the dollar amount attached to it, you can determine exactly what you need to get there.
   

3. Set Your Sales Goal

   Your sales goal is the number of sales you need in order to achieve what YOU want out of your business.
   It is meaningful, valuable, and you can create a strategic approach to reaching it.

CLARITY is key. 

When you know exactly where you are headed and why, you can create a plan, track your progress, and achieve your goals!

Want to dive deeper into this goal-setting strategy?  Watch the video above.
Need a little extra help sorting out the numbers? The Sales Goal + Profit Projection Calculator inside the Financial Success Toolkit can help!

Once you’ve set your sales goals for your food business I hope you’ll share them with me and the Profitable Food Biz community. 
We are here to support you + cheer you on! 

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program and the host of the Good Food CFO Podcast. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.

You know that financial reports can be extremely valuable tools for building + operating a profitable food business.

But, be HONEST…. 

When you review your P+L Report do you think…
...What does it all mean?
...Is this SUPPOSED to be helpful?
...Do I not know how to read my P+L?!

Here’s the truth: It’s not you!  It’s your financial reports. 

Most business owners are working with very BASIC financial reports that don’t serve their needs, aren’t helpful in understanding their business, and worst of all, may actually be misleading!
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The good news is that you have a say in what your financial reports look like.

When your reports are designed for YOUR business and are working FOR YOU, you can count on them to show you how your business is performing, set meaningful goals + get to work on building a profitable business! 

Here are 3 Signs that Your P+L Report is in Need of a Revamp:

1. All of your sales are lumped into one line item ... and you have more than one revenue stream⠀

2. All of your Cost of Goods Sold are lumped into a single line item called “Cost of Goods Sold”

3. Your Expenses are listed in Alphabetical Order⠀

Sound familiar?  Want to learn more?  
Watch my video above and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel to for more valuable information that will get you on the path to a profitable, successful food business.

Remember, financial reports can be extremely valuable tools for building + operating a profitable food business - but only if they're serving up the information you actually need.

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based, in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.

Food Costs play a BIG role in the success and profitability of your food business. 

But time and time again I meet business owners who have…
...cost out their products for the launch of their business and never revisit their calculations again
...never cost out their products 
...not paid attention to what their Food Costs are month-to-month. 

They have no idea what their TRUE food costs are!
And the result is low profit margins, inconsistent financial outcomes, and cash flow trouble. 

Here’s the GOOD NEWS:
Understanding your food costs, setting the right targets, and hitting them consistently isn’t hard, and you can get started TODAY.

In this video I share the #1… only takes a few minutes… BUSINESS CHANGING thing you can do today to Better Understand + Start Controlling Your Food Costs.

It’s the very thing that helped one of my program members identify that her Food Costs were 60% - that means 60% of revenue went directly to making her products, and just 40% was left to cover operating + labor expenses.  It became easy to see why she was experiencing consistent losses.

Another member discovered he had average Food Costs of 93%! He was floored, and truly had no idea!

A third member discovered his food costs ranged from 18-35% during any given month and the large swings were playing a BIG part in his cash flow issues

Follow the simple 2-step process to gain a better understanding of your food costs, start saving money and improve your profitability!

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About the Author: Sarah Delevan is a Food Business Financial Coach and Consultant with over 7 years of working in the food industry. She received her MBA from Rollins College and In 2017 she founded Sarah Delevan Consulting based in Los Angeles, CA and serving clients across the United States. She is the creator of the Financial Success Formula and the founder of the Profitable Food Business program. To learn more about Sarah and opportunities to grow a more profitable food business Click Here.