From Operational Bottlenecks to Strategic Growth
Project overview
THE CLIENT
A premium skincare brand specializing in natural, high-performance products. While the brand had gained significant traction in the luxury market, rapid growth revealed inefficiencies in their financial and operational strategies. This resulted in strained resources, reduced profitability, and operational bottlenecks that hindered scalability.
THE CHALLENGE
As the brand expanded its retail partnerships and direct-to-consumer (DTC) operations, they struggled to maintain profitability and efficiency. Financial reporting lacked clarity, making it difficult to identify underperforming areas or allocate resources effectively. Operationally, manual processes and outdated systems created delays, increased costs, and strained resources, leaving the leadership team uncertain about how to sustain their growth trajectory.
OUR ROLE
M.I. Business Consulting was brought in as a Fractional CFO and COO to address these challenges. Our goal was to create financial clarity, optimize operational processes, and build a scalable foundation to support sustainable growth.
We got to work
With our Fractional CFO and COO expertise, we:
- Conducted a detailed profitability analysis across product lines and sales channels to identify high-performing areas and reduce reliance on low-margin offerings.
- Developed a dynamic cash flow forecasting model to improve decision-making and ensure adequate funding for growth initiatives.
- Streamlined expenses by renegotiating supplier contracts and optimizing inventory purchasing practices.
- Implemented an inventory management system to reduce waste, improve order accuracy, and support scalability.
- Automated workflows within the fulfillment process to cut lead times and enhance operational efficiency.
- Optimized supply chain operations by refining vendor relationships and addressing unnecessary delays.
- Designed a strategic growth roadmap that aligned with the company’s vision, focusing on scalable systems and market expansion.
- Provided ongoing advisory support to empower the leadership team and ensure confidence in their decision-making.
- Created KPIs and real-time dashboards to track performance and align teams with the company’s goals.
Results
In just 18 months, the company saw significant improvements across all areas of the business:
Through targeted cost reductions and pricing strategy improvements.
Reduced supply chain costs by 15%, enabling faster time-to-market and greater customer satisfaction.
Enhancing the customer experience and boosting loyalty.
Positioned the brand as a leader in the luxury skincare market, with a strong foundation for continued growth.
How we got there:
- Conducted detailed reviews of financial data, operational workflows, and market positioning to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Worked closely with the leadership team to ensure all changes aligned with the company’s vision and long-term objectives.
- Actively oversaw the rollout of new processes and systems, minimizing disruption and ensuring a seamless transition.
- Used KPI dashboards and frequent check-ins to track progress and course-correct as needed.
This case highlights how the right mix of financial expertise, operational efficiency, and team alignment can transform a growing business. With clarity and strategy in place, this high-end jewelry brand is now positioned for sustainable success.