By the time July rolled around, Emma Carlisle could feel the shift in the air—not just from the rising heat but in her studio’s day-to-day rhythm. Clients took longer to reply. Some paused projects. The buzz of spring’s momentum was giving way to what many call the “summer slowdown.”
But Emma, founder of Carlisle Creative, wasn’t about to let seasonal shifts derail her profitability. Not after all the progress she’d made this year with Number Crunchers® by her side.
In early June, during a routine check-in with her advisor at Number Crunchers®, Emma brought up a familiar concern: “How do I keep our profit margins healthy when the work tapers off in July and August?”
The response came with both reassurance and strategy.
The Calm Before the Surge
Emma had always known that summer could be quieter. Some clients travelled, while others postponed launches until fall. But now that her business was generating over $1 million annually, even a slight dip in activity could ripple into future months.
In the past, she might have filled the downtime with speculative pitches or discounted design packages. But this year, she wanted a smarter approach—one that maintained stability and didn’t sacrifice long-term goals for short-term fixes.
A Mid-Year Financial Pulse Check
Number Crunchers® started with a mid-year financial review, highlighting:
- Fixed vs. Variable Costs: Which expenses were essential, and which could be trimmed or paused?
- Cash Flow Forecast: How long could the business run on existing reserves without panic?
- Profitability by Client and Project: Which accounts brought in strong margins, and which ones dragged down her bottom line?
This snapshot gave Emma clarity. With that, she made confident decisions.
Small Adjustments, Big Impact
Emma gathered her leadership team for a Monday morning strategy session. She shared her new mantra: Summer isn’t for slowing down—it’s for levelling up smartly.
They reviewed every subscription, tool, and overhead cost. A few changes made an immediate difference:
- Paused two underutilized software subscriptions, saving nearly $500 per month.
- Deferred planned equipment upgrades until the fall rush, when revenue would be more predictable.
- Restructured part-time hours for interns, aligning them with active project weeks.
None of it felt drastic. But collectively, it kept cash flowing in the right direction.
Planning Ahead for Predictable Expenses
Emma also worked with Number Crunchers® to create what they called a “seasonal buffer.” By analyzing past years, they set aside a summer-specific reserve during the busier spring months—kind of like building a personal rainy-day fund but for the business.
They also set quarterly budget targets, giving her team clear boundaries and reducing the need for reactive decisions.
Investing in Efficiency (Not Just Cost Cutting)
Emma didn’t just slash and burn her budget. With Number Crunchers®’ help, she reallocated funds to improve long-term profitability.
For instance, she:
- Booked team training in July, when project volume was lighter. This turned downtime into skill-building.
- Hired a virtual assistant on a trial basis, freeing her up from repetitive admin so she could focus on creative strategy and client relations.
- Tested an automated proposal tool, which reduced the back-and-forth during onboarding new clients.
These changes not only trimmed costs but also made the business more agile and scalable.
Finding Opportunity in the Quiet
The unexpected surprise of the summer slowdown? Space to breathe.
Emma used the lighter client load to finally build out her dream brand strategy package—a premium offer that would debut in the fall. With financial peace of mind and a leaner expense sheet, she had the freedom to innovate without scrambling.
Wrapping Up the Season with Confidence
By August’s end, Emma’s profitability hadn’t just held steady—it had improved compared to the previous summer. Better yet, she didn’t feel like she’d hustled harder. She’d simply planned better, with guidance from experts who understood her business.
Before Labour Day rolled around, she sent a quick Slack message to her Number Crunchers® advisor:
“Thanks for helping me stay profitable this summer. I actually feel excited for fall this time.”
And that was the goal all along.
Start Your Financial Journey with Number Crunchers® today and discover how we can support your business’s growth and help you achieve your goals. Whether it’s summer budgeting or long-term planning, our team ensures you’re always prepared.