Based on insights from Supply Chain Moves, Move’s official podcast.
When DTC founders talk about scaling, they often separate two critical functions: finance and supply chain. But as Move Supply Chain founder Lara Guevara and controller Judy explained in one of the latest episodes of Supply Chain Moves, that separation is exactly what slows growth, erodes margins, and creates chaos when it’s time to scale. Because at the end of the day, cost control isn’t just a finance thing — it’s a supply chain survival skill.
Finance Enables the Supply Chain to Move
As Judy puts it, “Supply chains drive the business, but finance enables it to move efficiently.” Every purchase order, warehouse invoice, and shipping deposit depends on one thing — cash timing. Even the best forecasting plan can fail if the budget doesn’t arrive on schedule. Move’s team sees this all the time: product launches delayed not because of bad sourcing or long lead times, but because invoices couldn’t be paid when due. Those seven lost days in cash flow can destroy months of planning.
When Numbers Go Wrong, Operations Follow
Judy shares a common pain point: messy data equals messy operations. Without clean books and proper cash flow visibility, founders risk over-ordering inventory that ties up cash, missing ad budgets after goods arrive, and losing vendor trust due to late deposits. Good financial housekeeping — from knowing real inventory balances to tracking attributable costs like shipping and warehousing — creates the foundation for smart decisions. When you understand your true margins, you can actually plan for growth instead of reacting to emergencies.
Why “Money Problems” and “Process Problems” Are Twins
In Move’s work with DTC brands, Lara sees two types of issues: either it’s a money problem (cash isn’t available when needed) or a process problem (budgets and plans aren’t aligned). In both cases, finance and supply chain must work together. “Even if you have the best forecasting plan,” Lara said, “it doesn’t matter if the budget can only buy half of it.” Controllers like Judy bring clarity — not more cash, but clear timelines for when money can move. That clarity helps founders decide whether to adjust ads, delay launches, or renegotiate payment terms before it’s too late.
The Invisible Cost of Poor Coordination
Finance and supply chain misalignment doesn’t just hurt cash flow — it damages relationships. When founders keep rushing suppliers for payments or last-minute orders, vendors lose trust. On the other hand, when finance gives supply chain the right visibility, Move’s teams hit better lead times, avoid friction, and strengthen long-term supplier partnerships. That’s why Judy calls financial planning and inventory forecasting “twins.” When they move together, brands gain visibility, control, and growth momentum.
For Founders: The Bare Minimum Financial Visibility
For startups and early-stage DTC brands, Judy laid out the essentials every founder must track — even before hiring a controller:
- Accurate inventory balance – Know what’s really on hand, not just what Shopify shows.
- Cash balance – Track how much you have, how long it’ll last, and how it aligns with upcoming payables.
- Gross margins – Count all costs tied to your product, from freight to fulfillment, to ensure you’re selling at a profit.
Ignoring these three metrics can turn even a successful sales season into a cash crisis.
Financial Controls to Lock in Before Q4
Heading into Black Friday or any peak season, Judy recommends locking in three controls before placing big orders:
- Validate real inventory levels — compare system data with actual warehouse counts.
- Choose which SKUs to push — don’t spread cash thin across low-margin products.
- Confirm supplier payment terms — timing makes or breaks your ability to restock fast.
These checkpoints keep founders from over-ordering, missing ad spend, or running out of cash when demand peaks.
The Takeaway
Supply Chain Moves reminds founders that finance and operations aren’t two departments — they’re one decision engine. Without financial clarity, even the best supply chain plan collapses. And without operational insight, even the cleanest balance sheet hides risk. As Lara summed up: “This isn’t optional anymore. If a client doesn’t have visibility into their finances, it’s 100% chaos for their supply chain.”
Listen to the full episode
To hear the full conversation between Lara Guevara and Judy, listen to Supply Chain Moves, the official podcast of Move Supply Chain — where every move counts. Visit Spotify to explore more episodes and learn how to connect your finance and supply chain for sustainable growth.