Challenge

The company provides a full suite of retail advisory services, including operational strategy, merchandising, analytics, and supply chain guidance, helping independent retailers improve efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth. They were navigating a period of significant financial instability and lacked experienced financial leadership to manage through it. Without a qualified CFO, the Asset-Based Lender (ABL) risked stepping in to control operations or initiate a wind down.

Client objectives included:

• Retaining a CFO capable of repaying ABL bank debt, improving cash flow, and positioning the company for long-term stability.
• Strengthening invoicing, collections, vendor payments, cash flow, and working capital management processes.

Our Role

ETONIEN was engaged to provide an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer to stabilize operations, restore lender confidence, and guide the company through a period of financial distress.

Solutions

ETONIEN’s Interim CFO was tasked with:

• Acting as a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership to implement stronger financial management and oversight.
• Managing lender expectations and leading an accelerated repayment plan to resolve ABL loan default provisions.
• Strengthening cash flow, invoicing, collections, vendor payments, and working capital management processes.
• Negotiating with key vendors to maintain supply continuity during periods of delayed payment.

Outcome

ETONIEN’s interim leadership translated the turnaround plan into measurable, lender-visible results:

• Converted the business to strong positive cash flow through disciplined turnaround management.
• Retired all ABL bank debt within a record ten weeks, restoring lender confidence.
• Strengthened cash flow and working capital practices for durable control.
• Secured continued product flow by negotiating vendor support despite payment delays.
• Improved staff retention through clear communication and steady leadership.