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When it comes to running a business, few things are as important as cash flow. It’s the heartbeat of your company – you need to keep it healthy to survive and thrive. Some of the sharpest minds in business (and even hip-hop!) have shared insightful thoughts on cash flow, reminding us how crucial it is to monitor what’s coming in and going out.
The concept of cash flow has been around for a long time – the first modern mention was way back in 1863 in the U.S. Since then, business leaders and everyday people alike have emphasized its value. We’ve rounded up some of the best cash flow quotes to get you thinking about your business finances.
10 quotes that speak volumes
“Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is king.”—Unknown
No one knows exactly who first said this, but former Volvo CEO Pehr G. Gyllenhammar popularized it after the global stock market crash in 1987. Companies that had cash reserves survived much better than those with poor cash management.
The message is simple: revenue might look great on paper, but it doesn’t mean much if your cash flow is a mess. Profit gives you peace of mind, but only steady cash flow can truly show you’re doing things right.
“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.”—P.T. Barnum
P.T. Barnum, the famous showman behind Barnum & Bailey Circus, knew how to bring in cash. But he also understood that money should work for you, not the other way around. For entrepreneurs today, cash flow is the same – use it as a tool to grow your business, not as the sole focus.
“Never take your eyes off the cash flow because it’s the lifeblood of business.”—Sir Richard Branson
Richard Branson started his first business at 17, and today he’s involved in everything from airlines to space tourism. His businesses have flourished, and he credits cash flow for keeping them alive. Even the most ambitious ventures can’t thrive without keeping cash flowing steadily.
“Cash rules everything around me. C.R.E.A.M., get the money—dollar, dollar bill, y’all.” —Wu-Tang Clan
Who knew the Wu-Tang Clan was dishing out business advice? Their iconic song “C.R.E.A.M.” reminds us that cash really does rule everything around us. In business, you can’t ignore cash flow, because if you do, things will fall apart quickly.
“If I had to run a company on three measures, those would be customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and cash flow.” —Jack Welch
Jack Welch, the legendary former CEO of General Electric, turned the company around by focusing on three key areas: happy customers, happy employees, and solid cash flow. No matter how great your products or services are, if your cash flow is struggling, your business will too.
“We were always focused on our profit and loss statement. But cash flow was not a regularly discussed topic. It was as if we were driving along, watching only the speedometer, when in fact we were running out of gas.” —Michael Dell
Michael Dell learned early in his career that cash flow, not just profit, is what keeps a business going. You can have all the sales in the world, but if you don’t keep an eye on cash flow, you might be running on empty without even knowing it.
“Entrepreneurs believe that profit is what matters most in a new enterprise. But profit is secondary. Cash flow matters most.” —Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker, a pioneer in management thinking, reminds us that for new businesses, profit is nice, but cash flow is essential. Without positive cash flow, even a profitable business can fail.
“The more a business owner knows about their cash flow, the more empowered they become.” —Nick Chandi, Forwardly CEO
Our own CEO, Nick Chandi, sums it up perfectly. The more you understand your cash flow, the better equipped you are to steer your business in the right direction. Cash flow forecasting can help you spot trends, anticipate gaps, and plan for the future with confidence.
“There is really only one way to address cash flow crunches, and it’s planning so you can prevent them in advance.” —Elaine Pofeldt
Planning is everything when it comes to avoiding cash flow problems. A business might be booming one day and struggling the next. The best way to safeguard against these ups and downs is to plan ahead and manage cash flow wisely.
“Balance sheets and income statements are fiction, cash flow is reality.” —Chris Chocola
Balance sheets and income statements can paint a rosy picture, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Cash flow is what reveals the true financial health of your business. Keep an eye on it, and you’ll be able to see if your business is built to last.
The bottom line
No matter which of these quotes resonates with you, the key takeaway is simple: keeping your cash flow healthy is crucial for success. With Forwardly, you can track your current cash flow and future projections, so you always have a clear picture of your financial health. Join thousands of businesses using Forwardly for simple, stress-free cash flow management, streamline your billing and invoicing with affordable instant payments and free same-day ACH bank transfers.
It’s easy to get started with Forwardly—just connect with QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks or Zoho Books, and you’re good to go! Keep your cash flowing smoothly and focus on what you do best: growing your business. Sign up now for free!
