166. Profit, Margins and Cash Flow...OH MY! A Mini Masterclass in Food Business Financials with Sarah Delevan

We're talking margins, growth scenarios, and building the food business you actually want to lead.

This episode is like a mini masterclass in food business finances—and while it’s longer than usual, it’s intentionally so. This is the kind of conversation you can come back to as your business evolves, your numbers change, and your goals become clearer.

Your hosts, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods), are joined by food business financial consultant and strategist Sarah Delevan of The Good Food CFO for a grounded, honest conversation about what food business owners really need to understand about profitability, growth, and financial decision-making.

Together, they unpack why common industry advice often falls short—and how food business owners can replace hope-based growth with clarity, confidence, and intentional strategy.

What this episode covers

• Why "scale" is not a financial strategy—and how chasing scale in the wrong way can put your business at risk
• The truth behind the 50% margin myth
• How to think about profitability by design
• Using growth scenarios and “what if” planning to evaluate channels, product mix, and more
• How to approach debt thoughtfully—when it can support growth and when it becomes a liability
• Why proving repeatable success matters before investing heavily in growth
• The role of financial visibility in leadership, decision-making, and long-term sustainability
• How The Good Food CFO's financial tools and insights can support food businesses from pre-launch through $1MM in revenue

This conversation bridges strategy, numbers, and real-world experience—connecting the financial side of the business with your goals as a food business owner.

Why this episode is so important...

Too many food business owners are told to “just scale,” hit arbitrary margin targets, or follow playbooks designed for much larger companies. This episode offers a different approach—one that treats financial clarity as a tool for leadership, not pressure or judgment.

It’s not about building the biggest business possible. It’s about building a meaningful, memorable, and sustainable one that you love to lead.

Important note

This episode is educational and directional, not financial advice for your specific business. Every food business is different, and the insights shared here are meant to help you think more clearly and confidently about your financial decisions—not tell you exactly what to do. Always consider your unique situation and seek personalized professional guidance when needed.

Resources & links

• Learn more about Sarah Delevan’s work and financial strategy tools here*
• Explore Katie’s brand strategy work for food business owners at Real Food Brands
• If you missed a worksheet for a past episode, please send Katie an email ([e-mail]) or DM her @realfoodbrands on Instagram.

Want to talk about your strategy?

Katie & Clint help food business owners review their strategy, cut through noise, and move forward with a clear plan. Reply to the Weekly Newsletter or use the private scheduling link included each week to book a session.

What's Next?

1. 📧 Katie's Friday Newsletter includes a Weekly Worksheet to help you apply these ideas directly to your food business. Sign up here.

2. 💬 Join the Conversation! Tune in to the podcast, then join us in the Real Food Brands Marketing Round Table - a free food & farm business owner community - to ask questions and meet other people who love producing real food as much as you do!

3. 📞 If you're ready to talk about building a clear, cohesive brand or integrating your brand + sales strategy, you can Request a free Intro Call to discuss the ways we work with food, farm, and natural product brands.

Thanks for listening – let’s go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist | Real Food Brands

*note: This includes an affiliate link to the software. Sarah is a trusted industry friend and collaborator, which is the only reason I am sharing this with you. I believe these tools can truly help you if you think it's the right fit for your needs. And, even a few extra dollars helps cover podcast expenses! :)