Currently in month 8 of running a landscaping business and cash flow is destroying me. Revenue is good when it comes in, but the gaps between payments are brutal.

The situation is insane – customers pay net-30 (or later), I have to pay my crew every week, materials need to be bought upfront, and equipment payments are due monthly regardless. Last week I had to tell my crew we couldn’t take on a $15k job because I literally couldn’t afford to buy the materials upfront.

What I’ve tried so far is asking customers for deposits (some say yes, most say no), net-15 payment terms, and personal credit cards which are now maxed out at 24% interest.

I’m looking at business lines of credit, invoice factoring, or some kind of bridge financing but honestly don’t know what makes sense.

I’m profitable on paper but broke in reality. There has to be a better way.