A year that earns in ten weeks
Clayhaus makes tableware for about sixty independent shops and restaurants, plus its own online store. Roughly 70% of the year’s sales land between October and the week before Christmas. January and February are quiet, while clay, glaze, wages and the studio rent carry on as usual.
Mara kept the cash picture in a spreadsheet she updated on Sunday nights. It covered the next four weeks, and it was usually a little behind the bank. Twice in 2022 she drew on a $40,000 credit line at 11.5% to cover February payroll, both times with less than a fortnight’s notice.
Testing the kiln before buying it
Mara connected two Brightwater accounts, Ledgerly and Northwind Payroll in one afternoon. The first forecast showed week 19 dipping to $138,600, under the $150,000 floor she had set, right where the kiln deposit was due.
Instead of cancelling the order, she opened a scenario and moved the deposit two weeks later. Every week stayed above the floor. She called the supplier the same day, and they agreed to the new date without a fee.
- Lowest week
- $138,600$161,200
- Weeks under the floor
- 2None
“The kiln was the biggest thing we had bought in five years. I signed for it on a Tuesday afternoon, because I could see exactly which week it would land in.”
Mara LindqvistOwner, Clayhaus CeramicsWhat changed in the first year
The Monday cash email replaced the Sunday spreadsheet. Mara now sees a tight week about eight weeks out instead of two, which is enough time to move a supplier payment, chase a stockist or bring a wholesale invoice forward.
Clayhaus went through the 2024 and 2025 winters without touching the credit line, and the studio’s accountant now works from the same forecast when planning the quarterly tax set-aside.
