Cash flow planning for seasonal businesses

Seasonal businesses have a structural problem: expenses are spread across the year, revenue isn't.

Start by mapping your last 24 months of monthly deposits. The pattern will repeat. Then layer in fixed costs — rent, payroll, insurance — and identify the months where you'll be short.

For short bridges (1–3 months), a small MCA can carry you cheaply. For longer cycles, look at a line of credit if you can qualify for one.

The biggest mistake: waiting until you're already underwater. Plan the bridge in your slow month, not your panic month.