How much should wineries invest in direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing? Many winery owners struggle to find the right balance. Drawing insights from SaaS benchmarks, this post explains how to structure a DTC marketing budget, track key performance metrics, and maximize ROI for sustainable growth.

How much should wineries invest in direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing? Many winery owners struggle to find the right balance. Drawing insights from SaaS benchmarks, this post explains how to structure a DTC marketing budget, track key performance metrics, and maximize ROI for sustainable growth.

The Sprouts Innovation Set promises visibility and market validation for emerging CPG brands, but is it the right fit for your business? In this deep dive, we break down the real costs, potential benefits, and hard-earned lessons from brands that have taken this path. Before you commit, make sure you have the full picture.

Attending trade shows and sampling events can boost your brand's visibility, but they also impact your sales tax obligations. Understanding physical nexus and multi-state tax compliance is essential to avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations. Learn how to navigate trade show tax rules effectively.

Is Expo West worth the investment for CPG brands and wineries? This cost-benefit analysis breaks down registration fees, travel costs, and hidden expenses—plus key benefits like networking, retail placements, and brand visibility. Find out if attending Expo West aligns with your business goals.

Managing inventory seasonality can be a challenge for wineries and CPG brands, especially when cash flow fluctuates. A strong lender relationship provides financial flexibility, helping you bridge cash gaps, secure better financing terms, and scale your business with confidence. Learn how to leverage lender partnerships for long-term growth.

Mastering cash application is essential for emerging CPG brands—it’s the backbone of strong cash flow management. Learn how cash application differs from trade spend and why a streamlined process is critical for financial success.

Sustainable growth is a challenge for emerging CPG brands. To build a profitable strategy, it's essential to integrate go-to-market (GTM) channels into financial models. This guide explores retail, DTC, and food service GTM strategies, highlighting key cost drivers, revenue forecasts, and investment considerations for financial success.

Discover the best approach for your small winery's direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. Learn the pros, cons, and cost implications of securing your own DTC licenses versus using Vinoshipper. BBG can help you navigate this critical decision to maximize your winery's growth and profit margins.

Discover why GAAP accounting doesn’t impact your tax deductions and how to choose the best accounting method for your business. Learn about GAAP, cash basis, and tax basis accounting and how BBG can guide your financial strategies.

Scaling your business is thrilling, but navigating funding options can feel like a maze. Whether it’s angel investors, crowdfunding, or venture capital, we’re breaking down the pros, cons, and paths to success. Let Balanced Business Group guide your funding journey.

Slotting fees can feel like a major hurdle for emerging CPG brands entering retail. Learn what they are, how they impact cash flow, and practical strategies to handle them without stalling your growth.

Understanding the cash flow challenges of trade spend is crucial for emerging CPG brands. Learn how to align promotional spending with seasonal demand, manage payment delays, and forecast costs effectively to sustain growth and prevent financial strain.

Unlock insights on how much money your brand can borrow from lenders, including key factors like revenue milestones, collateral, and credit history. Learn to prepare a strong loan application, compare lending options, and align financing with business goals.

Emerging CPG brands thrive when they focus on the right metrics. Discover the 5 most critical KPIs for monitoring growth, staying profitable, and making data-driven decisions. From gross margin to the cash conversion cycle, these insights will power your brand’s success.

Discover how to confidently negotiate loans and secure better terms for your business. Learn practical strategies to prepare, understand lender priorities, and build lasting relationships for funding success.

California sales tax for wineries can be complex, but with the right tools and strategies, compliance becomes more manageable. In this post, I share five tried-and-true best practices to simplify the process, minimize risks, and let you focus on creating exceptional wines.

The right compensation structures are critical to long-term success, especially in the non-alcoholic food and beverage industry. Explore how salary trends and tools like the Force Brands Salary Report can help you create winning compensation strategies tailored to your company's size and goals.

Effectively managing accounts payable (AP) can make or break a business — especially in the fast-paced world of consumer packaged goods (CPG). Learn the top five lessons for building secure AP processes that safeguard your cash flow and prevent costly mistakes, with practical insights and tools like Bill.com.

Regenerative CPG brands are redefining sustainability but face financial hurdles to scale effectively. This post explores how smarter financial strategies, like budgeting, forecasting, and aligned lending practices, empower these brands to balance profitability with their mission.