Cash flow issues can come up for many reasons when running a business, including timing gaps, rising costs, or external disruptions. Fortunately, entrepreneurs in Eau Claire, Wisconsin have access to local resources that can help you understand what’s happening and take practical steps to improve your cash position. The sections below outline actionable ways to help you stabilize now and plan ahead.
Disclaimer: The guidance published here on the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division website is meant to be a helpful starting point as you navigate business support in our community. It’s not the final word on what’s best for your unique situation. We always recommend checking in with financial, legal, or other professionals for advice tailored to your business.
When cash feels tight, it’s easy to feel like everything needs fixing at once. Instead, start by focusing on clarity and control. Use the next 48 hours to get a clear picture of your cash situation and give yourself some breathing room to think through next steps.
🎯 Goal: To understand how long your business’s cash will realistically last and relieve immediate stress.
Next Steps
1. List what’s due in the next 30 days.
Start by writing down every payment coming up in the next month—payroll, rent, utilities, loan payments, taxes, key vendors, and so on. Don’t worry about prioritizing yet; just get everything out of your head and onto paper.
2. Flag the payments that keep the lights on.
Look at your list and highlight the payments that are critical to staying open and compliant, like payroll, rent, utilities, and required taxes. These usually need attention first.
3. Get clear on the cash you have and what’s coming in.
Take note of how much cash is available right now and what money you realistically expect to receive in the next few weeks, such as customer payments or deposits. It’s better to be conservative here and assume some payments may come in late.
4. Follow up on unpaid invoices.
Review any outstanding invoices and overdue accounts, and start reaching out. Even partial or delayed payments can help relieve short-term pressure.
5. Hit pause on non-essential spending.
If there are expenses that can wait—subscriptions, travel, non-urgent purchases, etc.,—pause them for now until you have a clearer picture of your cash situation.
6. Be cautious with quick, high-cost financing.
It can be tempting to take out a fast loan or cash advance to buy time, but high-interest, short-term debt often makes cash flow problems worse. Try to understand your options before committing to anything new.
Now that you have a clearer picture of where your cash stands, the next two weeks are about steadying things and reducing surprises. This is where you shift from reacting day by day to being a little more intentional about what’s coming in, what’s going out, and where small adjustments could make a difference.
🎯 Goal: To stabilize your business’s cash flow over the next month or two and avoid unexpected shortfalls.
Next Steps
1. Sketch out a short-term cash flow forecast.
Put together a simple view of what you expect cash to look like over the next 60 to 90 days. It can be weekly or monthly—whatever feels easiest. The point is having enough visibility to see potential gaps before they catch you off guard.
2. Take a fresh look at pricing, payment terms, and invoicing.
Pay attention to how and when money comes in. You might find opportunities to invoice sooner, require deposits, tighten payment terms, or make small pricing adjustments to better reflect your costs.
3. Trim costs where you can without hurting the business.
Look for expenses that can be reduced or paused in the short term without affecting customers or staff. Even small savings can help relieve pressure while things stabilize.
4. Start conversations early if flexibility is needed.
If cash is still tight, consider reaching out to landlords, lenders, or key vendors sooner rather than later. Many are more open to temporary adjustments when communication happens early.
5. Learn about financing options that fit your situation.
If additional cash is needed, begin exploring working capital or stabilization-focused financing options. Focus on options with clear terms and realistic repayment, rather than quick fixes that could add stress later.
6. Get another perspective on your numbers.
This can be a helpful time to talk through your situation with a trusted advisor or local support organization. A second set of eyes can help confirm your assumptions and point out options you may not have considered.
Once cash flow feels more stable, the next few months are about fixing what caused the issue in the first place and putting simple habits in place to make things more predictable. By making steady improvements, your business will be able to better handle future ups and downs with less strain on your finances.
🎯 Goal: To make your business’s cash flow more predictable and reduce the chances of ending up back in the same situation.
Next Steps
1. Revisit pricing, margins, or what you offer.
Take another look at what you charge, what it costs to deliver, and which products or services actually help cash flow. Even small adjustments to pricing or your service mix can make a noticeable difference over time.
2. Find easier and faster ways to get paid.
Look for ways to shorten the time between doing the work and receiving payment. That could mean setting clearer payment expectations, asking for deposits, billing in stages, or following up more consistently.
3. Make sure staffing and hours match demand.
Step back and see whether your staffing levels, schedules, or operating hours still line up with how busy you are. Adjusting earlier can help prevent cash pressure from slowly building again.
4. Explore longer-term financing if it makes sense.
If cash flow challenges are tied to bigger structural issues, it may be worth looking into longer-term financing, refinancing, or restructuring options that better match how money moves through your business.
5. Start building a small cash cushion.
You don’t need a large reserve right away. Even setting aside a small amount over time can give you breathing room when something unexpected comes up.
6. Create a simple routine to check in on cash.
Set aside time weekly or monthly to review cash flow, upcoming expenses, and trends. Regular check-ins make it much easier to catch issues early—before they turn into emergencies.
Most cash flow challenges can be worked through by taking a closer look at your numbers, making a few operational adjustments, and giving those changes time to work, but sometimes it helps to bring in outside guidance sooner rather than later.
You may want to reach out to one of the support organizations listed below now if you’re starting to notice things like:
Experiencing one or more of these situations doesn’t mean your business can’t recover, but it can be a sign that you need an outside perspective to help. Local advisors can take a closer look at your financial position and identify practical next steps right away. Reaching out to them early could also open up more possibilities than waiting until your situation becomes more urgent.
Find local organizations and experts that can help with cash flow challenges.
The UW–Eau Claire Small Business Development Center is a no-cost, confidential business advising center that works with entrepreneurs and existing businesses throughout the region. Their advisors can help business owners review financial statements, identify the root causes of cash flow challenges, build cash flow projections, and develop practical strategies to stabilize operations and plan next steps.
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
SCORE, West Central Wisconsin is a volunteer network of experienced business mentors who provide free one-on-one guidance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Mentors can help review financial challenges, offer perspective from real-world business experience, and suggest practical adjustments that may help improve cash flow and long-term financial health.
🔗 score.org
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council is a regional nonprofit that provides business training, technical assistance, and access to financing programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Their team can help owners better understand their financial position, create budgets and projections, explore financing options, and develop plans to improve cash flow stability.
🔗 westerndairyland.org
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization that supports local companies through networking opportunities, business education, and connections to professional services. Chamber staff and programs can help business owners connect with financial advisors, lenders, and other professionals who may assist with addressing cash flow challenges.
🔗 eauclairechamber.org
The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is a statewide organization that supports entrepreneurs through business advising, technical assistance, and access to capital. Their team works with business owners to strengthen financial management practices, connect them with funding opportunities, and provide guidance on navigating financial challenges.
🔗 hmongchamber.org
A bookkeeper is a financial professional who helps businesses keep their financial records organized and up to date. They track income and expenses, monitor accounts receivable and payable, and generate financial reports that help owners understand their current cash position. Accurate bookkeeping can make it much easier to spot cash flow problems early and make informed financial decisions.
🔗 Find a Bookkeeper
A payroll provider helps businesses manage employee payroll, tax withholdings, and required filings. If cash flow becomes tight, they can help you understand upcoming payroll obligations, stay current on payroll taxes, and plan ahead so payroll expenses are managed responsibly.
🔗 Find a Payroll Provider
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a financial professional who helps businesses understand and manage their financial health. A CPA can review your financial statements, analyze cash flow patterns, identify areas where expenses may be reduced, and help create financial projections that support better decision-making.
🔗 Find a CPA
A small business financial advisor specializes in helping companies evaluate financial performance and develop strategies for long-term stability. They can help identify the underlying causes of cash flow issues, evaluate pricing or cost structures, and create financial plans that support sustainable operations.
🔗 Find a Financial Advisor
A business consultant works with companies to analyze operations, revenue models, and internal processes. When cash flow becomes tight, a consultant may help identify inefficiencies, evaluate pricing or service structures, and recommend operational changes that improve profitability and financial stability.
🔗 Find a Business Consultant
Commercial lenders and credit unions provide financing options that may help businesses manage short-term cash flow gaps. Depending on the situation, this could include working capital loans, lines of credit, or loan restructuring options that help stabilize finances while a business works through challenges.
🔗 Find a Lender
A business attorney helps companies navigate legal and contractual issues that can affect financial stability. They may assist with negotiating payment terms with vendors or creditors, reviewing contracts that impact cash obligations, or advising on legal options when a business is facing significant financial pressure.
🔗 Find a Business Attorney
Get in touch with the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division for connections to confidential business support from local partners.