The Inventory Genius Podcast

In this final episode of our series on debt, I'm chatting with executive mindset coach, Jennifer Vollmann. Jennifer is the newest resident coach in the Inventory Genius Mastermind, and today she breaks down why the "stories" we tell ourselves about our finances are often the only thing standing between us and a zero balance. Episode Highlights Numbers are Neutral: A $50,000 debt is just a digit on a screen. Jennifer explains how 12 different people can look at the same number and feel 12 different emotions—from pride to paralyzing shame—based entirely on their internal narrative. The Thought-Action Loop: Understand the cognitive chain reaction: Thought → Feeling → Action → Result. If your debt isn't moving, it’s likely because your "story" is creating a feeling (like dread) that leads to inaction. Primitive vs. Prefrontal: Why your brain is wired to keep you "safe" (and stuck). Jennifer explains how to move from the fearful primitive brain to the logical prefrontal cortex to set and achieve bigger goals. The Power of Neutrality: You don’t have to be "positive" or "happy" about your debt to fix it. Jennifer shares how shifting to a neutral perspective—treating debt as simple information—can unlock the ability to take "messy action." A Story of Transformation: Sierra shares a powerful example of a Mastermind student who went from the brink of bankruptcy to success by changing her narrative from "survival" to "investment." Key Takeaways Identify Your Story: If your results aren't changing, your current story isn't working. Challenge the "Yeah, But": Your brain uses "yeah, but" as a safety mechanism. Counter it by asking, "What if it was possible?" Take Messy Action: Don't wait for the perfect plan. Any small action breaks the cycle of shame and builds self-trust. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Jennifer Vollmann:Website: https://www.findingyoursuccess.com/Email: jennifer@findingendurance.com  More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

Are your cash flow problems actually just "thinking" problems? In this episode, I'm exploring the connection between mindset, leadership, and the bottom line. Learn how to stop making frantic, scarcity-based decisions and start leading your business with the intention required to thrive. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Decision-Numbers Link: How every financial result in your business—from debt to profit—is simply the downstream effect of a previous decision. Scarcity vs. Leadership Mindset: Why a scarcity mindset speeds up decision-making but decreases clarity, leading to over-purchasing and "emotional" discounting. Rebuilding Self-Trust: How to overcome the "paralysis" of past financial mistakes by using data and small, disciplined actions to regain confidence in your gut instincts. The Power of Structure: Why the first 45 days of any turnaround must focus on bite-sized, actionable steps that create immediate stability. Mindset Reframing: Practical shifts in internal dialogue (e.g., moving from "My sales will fix everything" to "My margin fuels everything"). Key Takeaways: Your numbers reflect your leadership. If you want different numbers, you have to become a different kind of leader. Discipline is not restriction. A budget or profit plan is a tool for alignment, helping you focus on what actually moves the needle. Slow down to speed up. Leadership mindset requires slowing down enough to make strategic decisions instead of reacting to the "loudest" problems. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

When your business is bogged down by debt, every bill feels like an emergency and every slow sales day feels catastrophic. This creates "noise"—a cycle of anxiety, reactive decision-making, and overwhelm that keeps you stuck. In this episode, I'm breaking down why debt is almost never a sales problem and revealing the single most important metric you need to track to climb out of the hole and regain control of your business. Key Takeaways The Debt-Noise Cycle: Debt creates mental noise (guilt, shame, fear), which leads to overwhelm. Overwhelm leads to paralysis, keeping you stuck in the same financial patterns. The "Sales" Myth: Most business owners try to out-earn their debt. However, debt is usually a result of issues below the sales line: cost of goods, low margins, overspending, or poor purchasing discipline. The Golden Metric: If you focus on only one number to fix your debt, let it be your Gross Margin. This is your real margin after discounts, shipping, shrinkage, and fees—not just your initial markup. Operations & Margin: Margin isn't just about pricing; it’s tied to operational efficiency. How you run your business daily directly impacts your profitability. Restructuring vs. Bankruptcy: You don't always need a massive, dramatic action (like filing for bankruptcy) to fix a massive debt. Incremental, disciplined changes to your margin can pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. The Five Categories of a P&L Debt hides in the gaps between these five lines: Sales (The top line) Cost of Goods (Where the problem often starts) Gross Margin (The number to focus on) Expenses (Operational efficiency) Net Profit (The freedom fund) Actionable Steps for This Week Don't let the "noise" paralyze you. Choose one bite-sized action to take today: Get Honest: List out exactly what you owe. No more hiding from the total balance. Calculate Your Real Margin: Look at your numbers after all the "leaks" (discounts, fees, etc.) are taken out. Commit to Strategy: Move from "living sale-to-sale" to making disciplined, strategic financial decisions. Memorable Quotes "Debt creates noise... the noise creates overwhelm... and the overwhelm keeps you stuck." "Debt is almost never a sales problem. It’s a cash flow structure problem. It’s a margin problem." "Restructuring isn't dramatic. It's disciplined. Discipline builds profit, profit builds freedom, and freedom eliminates debt." Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

Is your debt a strategic tool or a heavy burden? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on a topic many entrepreneurs avoid: Debt Management. Debt isn't inherently "bad," but for inventory-based businesses, the wrong type of debt can quietly choke your cash flow and restrict your freedom. Let's break down the six common types of business debt—from traditional SBA loans to the predatory nature of Merchant Cash Advances—and learn how each impacts your balance sheet. Whether you are navigating high-interest credit cards or utilizing vendor terms (Accounts Payable), this episode provides the roadmap you need to move from "servant to the lender" to a confident, profit-focused CEO. Key Takeaways: The Debt Spectrum: Why predictable debt (like traditional loans) is power, while unpredictable debt (like capital loans) is a danger to your daily operations. The "Inventory Gap": How to strategically use Lines of Credit to fund long lead times without falling into a debt trap. Family & Personal Loans: Why documentation and amortization schedules are non-negotiable, even when the lender is "Mom and Dad." The Debt Payoff Plan: How to prioritize your repayments to regain control of your cash flow. Actionable Steps You Can Take Now: Audit Your Debt: List every balance, interest rate, and payment term you currently hold. Identify the "Predators": Prioritize paying off Merchant Cash Advances and high-interest credit cards first.  Formalize Agreements: Ensure all informal family loans have written terms and a clear payoff schedule.   Seek Expertise: If your books are a mess, consider hiring professional services to clean up your records so you can make data-driven decisions. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

Debt is a heavy word, and for many business owners, it’s a source of silent shame. If you feel like your "debt mess" is too big to fix, this episode is your invitation to breathe again. We’re stripping away the complexity and the guilt to look at the cold, hard truth of how debt works—and how you can escape it. In this episode, we explore: The Debt Trap: Why we’ve been told debt is a "solution" when it’s actually a drain on cash flow. The Psychological Toll: How carrying a balance sucks your creative energy and steals your freedom. The Path Out: Practical steps to stop the cycle and reclaim your business’s future. You aren't alone in this. Let’s stop managing the mess and start cleaning it up. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

What does it mean to truly steward your wealth? This week, CFP Mark Willis shares his unconventional approach to financial planning. Tune in to discover why Mark’s philosophy stands apart from the crowd and how you can apply his unique insights to your own financial journey. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Mark: Website: https://lakegrowth.com/ 

What does it actually look like to outsource your inventory fulfillment? Today, 3PL founder Alia Oneal joins us to navigate this new territory for the podcast. Tune in as we break down the benefits of 3PL and how it can help your business grow. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Alia: Website: https://www.loudergroup.co/contact 

Today we're talking about why complexity is the enemy of profitability and what the hidden costs of complexity actually are. I'm going to give you some real life examples and break down what this idea really means. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

Today, a guest is returning who's been so popular on this show. Jennifer Allwood is talking about women getting stuck in their business, feeling like they can't gain traction, and how to break through this tricky spot. You don't want to miss this conversation. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe Connect with Jennifer: Website: https://jenniferallwood.com/ She’s Equipt Offer: $100 off first month any tier with code Ciara100 at shesequipt.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferallwood  Jennifer Allwood is an inspiring entrepreneur and business coach who has built a thriving multi-7-figure a year business in the online space. Leveraging her faithful social media following of over 650K followers, “She’s Equipt with Jennifer Allwood” podcast with nearly 7 million downloads, and her #1 best-selling book “Fear Is Not the Boss of You,” Jennifer empowers women to create financial freedom online while using their God-given gifts.In the last decade, Jennifer has taught over 20,000 women how to grow and sell on social media, diversify revenue streams, and transform their financial situations through online business.As the founder of She’s Equipt, an all-in-one marketing platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with all the online tools to build sustainable businesses, Jennifer continues to provide high-value training, mentorship, and resources that help women grow their brands and thrive in an ever-changing online world. More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

I’m chatting with two incredible women from the Inventory Genius C-Suite Program about the financial side of employees and marketing. We dive into how these key areas affect business growth and talk through ways to spot and fix issues early—before they become bigger problems. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

Today’s episode is a conversation with my client Cat Fischer from the Inventory Genius Mastermind. Cat’s been putting in serious work around her business finances, and we’re talking about what she’s learned, the strategies she’s using, and the mindset behind stepping into full financial ownership as a business owner. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

What if your sales goals are doing more harm than good? In this episode, I’m unpacking why the constant focus on sales targets might be sabotaging your business. Sales matter—but not in the way you’ve been taught. Tune in to hear my take. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

It’s the final episode of 2025, and we're wrapping up the year with something special: how to plan for your best year yet! January 1st is right around the corner, and with it comes the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. In this episode, we’re diving into actionable tips and strategies to help you set yourself up for success in the new year. Grab a notebook and pen—you’ll want to take notes on this one! This episode is all about setting the tone for an incredible 2026. Don't miss it! Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

Today I'm sitting down with one of my clients. Stacy is currently in the messy middle and is bravely sharing her story. Tune in to hear Stacy's story and to learn what she's currently doing to get to the other side of the mess. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

In this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected epiphany I had on a Michigan highway that completely changed how I view my business—and success itself. After years of trying to follow the industry’s push to “scale,” I realized I didn’t actually want a scalable offer. What I truly wanted was impact, freedom, and a business built on my terms. Let's dive into why becoming a true business genius starts with defining success for yourself—not based on what coaches, consultants, or the online space say you “should” want. Whether success for you means multiple locations, a three-day-a-week schedule, a seven-figure business, or simply a steady paycheck that supports your life, I want to help you get clear on what your end goal really is. If you’re ready to let go of vanity metrics, reduce the stress, and start building a business that genuinely serves you, this episode is your invitation. Let’s rise, repeat, and aim for genius status together! Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

I'm sharing a powerful, eye-opening moment from a therapy session that totally flipped how I saw myself as a leader and a business owner. Spoiler: People-pleasing isn’t a virtue—it’s actually selfish. 😳 Join me as I dive into the tough truth behind avoiding direct communication and how letting things slide to keep the peace can cost you more than you realize. From a very fake employee named Tabitha to some hard-hitting lessons on leadership, this episode is packed with insights that will change how you lead and how you run your business. If you’ve ever struggled with conflict or keeping everyone happy, this one’s for you. Tune in, and let’s talk about why being a “good person” might be holding you back from being a great leader. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

I'm revealing the surprising truth behind why so many entrepreneurs struggle with their finances—and how a simple weekly routine can completely transform their bottom line. In this episode, I break down my Money Mondays framework and explain why true money management actually begins with time management. You’ll hear how one client, Cat, turned around a do-or-die financial situation, reconsolidated her debt, and freed up $10,000 a month—all by committing to consistent systems and disciplined time habits. If you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or frustrated with your cash flow, this episode will show you the foundational rhythm that can help you regain clarity, control, and profit. Tune in and discover why managing your time is the first step to managing your money. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Finding Freedom Financial Services (https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/) - Get help managing your business finances!

In today’s episode, I’m showcasing the third chapter of my newest book, Business Genius. Let's talk about one of the biggest differences I see in entrepreneurs: the gap between learning and executing. Most people who come to me genuinely love learning—they’ve read my books, listened to my podcast, and they’re hungry for growth. But loving to learn isn’t enough. Real transformation happens when we take what we learn and actually do something with it. To show you what that looks like, I share the story of my friend Dianuh, a talented entrepreneur I met in a mastermind group. She built an incredible live-art business from the ground up. Every time she came to our group, she brought thoughtful questions, soaked up the feedback, and—most importantly—went home and implemented it. At our next meeting, she always had results to share. Her willingness to act on what she learned is exactly why her business took off. And that’s the key difference: some people learn to create change, and others learn simply to feel productive. The first group asks, implements, evaluates, and repeats. The second jumps from expert to expert, gathering information but never putting in the real work. They stay stuck, even though they feel busy. I’ve been there myself. A coach once told me, “It’s time to stop asking questions and start executing on what you already know.” And they were right—I needed an information diet. No more new content until I took action. So if you’re constantly consuming but not progressing, it might be time for your own information diet too. Because if you want to be a business genius, you can’t just learn—you have to do. The winners in business aren’t just listeners. They’re doers. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

Let's dive into the second chapter of my newest book, Business Genius! In the chapter, I share how I went from refusing workouts longer than 45 minutes to crossing the finish line of my first Ironman in 12:47:16. My transformation wasn’t about suddenly becoming interested in endurance sports—it was about commitment, surrounding myself with the right coach, investing in the right equipment, and showing up even when it was uncomfortable. I connect that journey to entrepreneurship. So many business owners pour everything into their business—money, time, energy—yet stop short of success by cutting corners: DIY bookkeeping, avoiding experts, skipping hard conversations, and chasing vanity metrics. It’s like training for an Ironman but only doing 90% of the workouts: enough to be miserable, not enough to finish. My message is simple: stop playing business and fully commit. Go all in, invest in what matters, face the hard stuff, and set yourself up to succeed. If you’re ready to commit, I’m ready to walk you through the steps that lead to real results. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

My newest book, Business Genius, is now available! And today, I'm sharing the first chapter with you. Building a business is hard work, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Let's get started with some bite-sized, actionable steps that will you help you understand, complete and implement what you need to in order to become a true business genius. Get started now with the Inventory Genius Academy. Click here to save $250! Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.