Episode Summary
In this mini episode of the Free to Grow CFO podcast, Jon Blair discusses the concept of LTV (Lifetime Value) in the context of DTC brands, emphasizing its importance in measuring customer value over time. He highlights common misconceptions about LTV, particularly the confusion between LTV and LTR (Lifetime Revenue), and stresses the need to measure LTV in margin dollars rather than revenue. Jon also explains the significance of time-bound LTV and its role in assessing profitability against customer acquisition costs (CAC).
Key Takeaways:
-LTV is the cumulative value that a customer represents to your brand over time.
-LTV should be measured in margin dollars, not total revenue.
-LTV must be time-bound, expressed in specific time frames.
Episode Links
Jon Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-albert-blair/
Free to Grow CFO - https://freetogrowcfo.com/
Transcript
00:00 Understanding LTV: Definition and Importance
03:14 Measuring LTV: Common Mistakes and Correct Approaches
04:59 Using LTV for Business Decisions: Profitability Assessment
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Episode Summary
In this mini episode of the Free to Grow CFO podcast, Jon Blair discusses the concept of LTV (Lifetime Value) in the context of DTC brands, emphasizing its importance in measuring customer value over time. He highlights common misconceptions about LTV, particularly the confusion between LTV and LTR (Lifetime Revenue), and stresses the need to measure LTV in margin dollars rather than revenue. Jon also explains the significance of time-bound LTV and its role in assessing profitability against customer acquisition costs (CAC).
Key Takeaways:
-LTV is the cumulative value that a customer represents to your brand over time.
-LTV should be measured in margin dollars, not total revenue.
-LTV must be time-bound, expressed in specific time frames.
Episode Links
Jon Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-albert-blair/
Free to Grow CFO - https://freetogrowcfo.com/
Transcript
00:00 Understanding LTV: Definition and Importance
03:14 Measuring LTV: Common Mistakes and Correct Approaches
04:59 Using LTV for Business Decisions: Profitability Assessment
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: How to Fund Your DTC Brand Without Sinking It
The Free to Grow CFO Podcast
45 minutes 47 seconds
7 months ago
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: How to Fund Your DTC Brand Without Sinking It
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Free to Grow CFO podcast, Jon Blair and Keith Kohler discuss the intricacies of financing for DTC brands, focusing on the importance of understanding good versus bad debt, the journey of K2 Financing, and the common reasons consumer goods brands require debt. They explore risk assessment between inventory and accounts receivable, the nuances of revenue-based financing, and the critical factors beyond just cost of capital that founders should consider. The conversation also delves into maturity matching in debt financing, multi-layered debt strategies, and the essential diligence items needed for successful lender conversations.
Key Takeaways
-Capital is essential for scaling DTC brands.
-Availability of capital can be more important than the cost of capital.
-Multi-layered debt strategies can provide flexibility and growth opportunities.
-Maturity matching is key to ensuring debt aligns with asset consumption.
Episode Links
Jon Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-albert-blair/
Keith Kohler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithkohler1/
Free to Grow CFO - https://freetogrowcfo.com/
K2 Financing - https://www.k2financing.com/
Meet Keith Kohler
Keith Kohler is the Founder of The K2 Group LLC, a finance consultancy specializing in helping CPG founders secure the right financing at the right time™. He has originated and closed over $100 million in financing and authored the CPG Financing Guide, covering debt financing options for CPG companies at every stage. Keith also offers a 30-minute strategy call to help founders develop a 2-3 year financing plan.
A sought-after speaker, Keith has led financing webinars for the Specialty Food Association, Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute, and Emerging Brands Summit. He created both CPG Financing Month, a series of conversations exploring the financing and mindset journeys of CPG companies, and the Making the Numbers Work® for You retreat (www.makingthenumbersworkforyou.com) where he helps founders overcome anything holding them back from the successful management of their business finances.
Keith supports CPG founders in several other roles, including as a member of the selection committee of Nutrition Capital Network and a Wharton Venture Lab Expert in Residence and Mentor.
Transcript
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00:00 Introduction to DTC Financing Challenges
03:10 Understanding Good Debt vs Bad Debt
05:57 The Journey of Keith Kohler and K2 Financing
08:49 Common Reasons for Debt in Consumer Goods Brands
11:44 Risk Assessment: Inventory vs Accounts Receivable
14:58 Revenue-Based Financing and Its Implications
18:06 Factors Beyond Cost of Capital
21:11 Maturity Matching in Financing Strategies
23:41 Navigating Multi-Layered Debt Strategies
26:02 Understanding Debt Financing Options
28:27 Capital Efficiency and Profitability
29:20 The Role of Lenders in Growth
32:51 Crafting the Perfect Pitch to Lenders
38:54 Preparing for Debt Conversations
42:48 Fun Facts and Closing Thoughts
The Free to Grow CFO Podcast
Episode Summary
In this mini episode of the Free to Grow CFO podcast, Jon Blair discusses the concept of LTV (Lifetime Value) in the context of DTC brands, emphasizing its importance in measuring customer value over time. He highlights common misconceptions about LTV, particularly the confusion between LTV and LTR (Lifetime Revenue), and stresses the need to measure LTV in margin dollars rather than revenue. Jon also explains the significance of time-bound LTV and its role in assessing profitability against customer acquisition costs (CAC).
Key Takeaways:
-LTV is the cumulative value that a customer represents to your brand over time.
-LTV should be measured in margin dollars, not total revenue.
-LTV must be time-bound, expressed in specific time frames.
Episode Links
Jon Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-albert-blair/
Free to Grow CFO - https://freetogrowcfo.com/
Transcript
00:00 Understanding LTV: Definition and Importance
03:14 Measuring LTV: Common Mistakes and Correct Approaches
04:59 Using LTV for Business Decisions: Profitability Assessment
