# What we learned in Clearco, Growth Partners, and Thompson Ferrier's Foundermade Masterclass

Have you ever felt the pressure of growing your [ecommerce brand](/content/case-studies/index.html) without losing control or [straining your finances](/content/blog/ecommerce-funding-constraints-growth/index.html)? Many founders face this, especially when growth requires covering expenses for [inventory, shipping](/content/blog/seasonal-demand-peaks-manage-inventory-fluctuations-gobolt/index.html), and marketing while keeping everything running smoothly.

In a recent masterclass titled "[How to Hit the High Growth Stage for Your Ecommerce Brand”](https://www.foundermade.com/master-classes/clearco) led by [FounderMade](https://www.foundermade.com/)’s CEO, [Meghan Asha](https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanasha/), along with [Andrew Curtis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-c-curtis-a381b213a/) from [Clearco](/content/site-root.html) and [Rafi Arslanian](https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffi-arslanian-77897024/) from [Thompson Ferrier](https://thompsonferrier.com/en-ca), the session focused on funding options that support growth without sacrificing equity or adding stress.

Below, you can find some key takeaways on [smart financial choices](/content/blog/why-fixed-payment-financing-is-better-than-revenue-based-financing/index.html), picking the right [funding](/content/ecommerce-funding/index.html), and maximizing your business journey.

### **Financial Literacy is Key to Long-Term Success**

Getting a handle on financial basics can make a real difference in your brand’s path forward. Around [50% of small businesses](https://www.wicpa.org/news/articles/2465:survey-half-of-small-businesses-face-financial-literacy-woes) in the U.S. face financial challenges largely because of insufficient [financial literacy](/content/blog/the-difference-between-cash-flow-revenue-and-profit/index.html), with many owners handling financial matters on their own. The most common issues include [cash flow management](/content/blog/how-to-calculate-cash-flow-for-ecommerce-businesses/index.html) (with [80% of failing businesses](https://www.onrampfunds.com/resources/5-things-to-know-about-ecommerce-funding-in-2024) struggling with cash flow), budgeting, and tracking financial metrics. Financial awareness doesn’t mean knowing everything all at once; it’s about building a clear picture so you can spot opportunities, make confident decisions, and keep [cash flow steady](/content/blog/mastering-cash-flow-forecasting/index.html).

### **Know Your Profit Metrics**

Keeping a close eye on your [profit metrics](/content/blog/how-to-calculate-ecommerce-product-gross-profit-contribution-margins/index.html) can make a big difference as your ecommerce business grows. It’s important to track gross profit and [contribution margins](/content/blog/what-does-the-average-ecommerce-store-generate-for-revenue-over-time/index.html) to understand your business's true health.

Gross profit shows what's left after subtracting the [cost of goods sold](/content/blog/quick-guide-to-inventory-financing/index.html), while contribution margins go deeper, including costs like shipping and marketing, to reveal per-unit profitability. With gross margins in ecommerce down [7.4% in early 2024](https://commerceiq.ai/q1-24-recap/) due to rising costs, tracking these metrics regularly gives you [the clarity you need](/content/blog/adding-clarity-to-your-funding-capacity/index.html) to make smart adjustments.

### **Different Financing Options Can Fuel Your Growth**

It's a good idea to choose [funding options](/content/blog/what-is-the-clearco-difference-invoice-funding/index.html) that align with your business needs. Think of it as giving yourself room to invest where it counts without the worry of equity dilution or tapping into personal funds. [About two-thirds of business owners](https://www.lendio.com/blog/small-business-survey/#:~:text=start%20a%20business.-,KEY%20STATS,of%20living%20would%20be%20helpful.) say that having a [streamlined funding process](/content/blog/guide-to-fundraising-for-ecommerce-business/index.html) made a huge difference in getting their business off the ground.

### **Put Your Customers First**

Making [customer service](/content/blog/meet-the-clear-crew-louie-kasiban-customer-support-lead/index.html) a top priority can set your brand apart. Every decision, whether big or small, should start with one simple question: Will this improve my [customer’s experience](/content/blog/one-click-buy-optimizes-checkout-for-ecommerce/index.html)? This could mean going above and beyond in your product quality, making communication easier, or ensuring that each interaction reflects your brand’s values. With nearly [73% of customers](https://convin.ai/blog/customer-service-statistics) saying they’d stop doing business after a poor experience, prioritizing service helps build loyalty and trust that lasts.

### **Grow Your Brand Without Giving Up Equity**

Flexible, non-dilutive financing offers your ecommerce brand a path to growth without the strings of [equity](/content/blog/what-is-an-equity-investment-why-important-keep-equity-in-your-ecommerce-business/index.html) loss or collateral. With [revenue-based funding](/content/blog/revenue-based-financing/index.html), you access capital based on your brand’s earnings, with predictable payments that fit into your [cash flow](/content/blog/the-importance-of-cash-flow-statements-in-business-planning/index.html). This setup helps you maintain independence, enabling important investments like bulk inventory orders, marketing, or quicker vendor payments, all while keeping ownership in your hands.

### **Key Takeaways**

We’ve learned that growing a [successful ecommerce brand](/content/blog/what-do-the-fastest-growing-ecommerce-stores-have-in-common/index.html) is all about making decisions that stay true to your vision. When you understand the financial essentials, keep an eye on profit metrics, and [choose the right funding](/content/ecommerce-funding/index.html), you can grow with confidence and [retain ownership](/content/blog/fund-your-saas-business-without-giving-up-equity/index.html) over your brand’s direction. Remember to put customer experience at the forefront and use flexible financing, this way, you’re setting your brand up to scale in a way that feels sustainable and right for you.

📺 Watch the masterclass here:

Clearco Master Class | How to Hit the High Growth Stage for Your Ecommerce Brand - YouTube

[Clearco Master Class | How to Hit the High Growth Stage for Your Ecommerce Brand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4G7fnqNQSw)