As movers, we all recognize the everyday challenges our industry brings—regulation, licensing, insurance, equipment, staffing, and even the weather. We face them more often than we’d like, and overcoming them is simply part of the work. But there’s one constant challenge that towers above the rest: our financials—more specifically, our cash flow.
Cash flow is the lifeline of every business. How we maneuver through both prosperous seasons and difficult ones determines whether we merely survive or have the room to grow. Even the healthiest balance sheet only stays that way when we stay vigilant in managing both accounts receivable and accounts payable. In simple terms: ensuring money isn’t leaving faster than it’s coming in.
The recent government shutdown made this reality painfully clear for many of us. Even if our receivables weren’t tied directly to U.S. government work, many of our customers rely on government-funded revenue to pay their bills—including the invoices they owe us. The ripple effect is real, and it hit our cash flow quickly.
Recognizing the challenge ahead, I decided to act early—before we were in distress and while we were still in good standing with our creditors. My first calls were to our credit card companies. I reached out to American Express and explained that while our account was current, we anticipated a shortfall once things reopened. To my surprise and relief, their team was empathetic, understanding, and ready with short-term solutions that protected both our credit standing and our operational stability. Each creditor I contacted responded similarly different options, but the same willingness to help.
What I learned was simple: help is often available if we’re willing to ask for it. This isn’t about seeking handouts about responsibly managing cash flow, slowing the outflow of funds so we can focus on recovering receivables and restoring stability. These conversations reinforced that our relationships with vendors and financial partners matter—and they are often more supportive than we expect.
In closing, the challenges we face aren’t roadblocks; they’re reminders to act. By engaging proactively, communicating openly, and working collaboratively with our partners, vendors, and credit institutions, we put our businesses in the strongest possible position to weather whatever comes next.