It's a complicated question and these answers don't work for me. Save & invest and put aside amount for spending and don't go crazy at Christmas. Always Try to Buy local from someone who owns their business. 

2021 was a record year for us. Even with cost of goods increasing and lengthy lead times. We focused on customer communication and improved our cash position by increasing our deposit requirement and managing or AR. Our improvement in cash flow has enabled us to upgrade equipment, vehicles and hire. While being a locally owned business has it's challenges we have been able to leverage our story into relationships. In these times it has proven beneficial. 

...and you know what? You can never have enough cash, but the only solution is to form a plan for increasing sales and cashflow in the future. What's in the past is in the past. What is today will be in the past tomorrow. What happens today and tomorrow is what counts and I am totally optimistic about 2022.

We have to stop the strategy of stopping and halting all work and business for every mild variant now abd in future . We need to look at number of deaths. Not number of cases.  You get it you feel kind of bad  a few days then back to life.  You get sick that’s life we move in.   We are destroying the fabric of business  with over reaction now.    My opinion. 

2021 was the best year my business ever had!!  Yay!!  I did a lot of networking and was able to work with mentors.  I also invested in social media, which has helped get the Knit Me Sew Me name out into the marketplace.  I'm also very careful when I make purchases for the business.  I just got a new business credit card that gives me cash back on every purchase.  I have another card that I only use for postage, since I get more cash back on that one.  I buy almost all of my supplies with coupons and discounts, and I use my resale license.  My goal for this year is to do more boutique, make more product and meet lots of new people!

People need to get back to work and stop taking handouts. When I’m ready to hire and ask what are you been doing for the last year and they say sitting home taking handouts guess what you’re unhirable. 

We had a very very strong year. It’s most likely e do to people and families cooking at home more and being more in tuned to quality and health, and safe efficient cookware (cookware is not tested for chemicals or toxins or heavy metals seeping into meals daily).

And we are 98% referral so that has proven to be the best way to maximize cash flow. 

I believe in buying local from small family producers as much and whenever  possible.

We are all in this together and food security needs to be a real discussion so our prime growing land doesn’t all go to wineries, pot and highways. 

Who is with me? 

As a new business getting known is the hardest part

It never hurts to have more cash flow, Growth is not cheap! 

This was our best year yet, but our supply costs skyrocketed.  We have to try to build slowly (go for adding 2 restaurant customers a month vs going crazy.. )  also, we are going to focus more on our most profitable areas (knives, scissors, garden tools) instead of trying to be  "all things to all people".  

here's to a profitable 2022.

Mark 

SharpSmith

M & M Sharpening Services LLC