Lessons in Growth: Craig Talks with Jordan Howard on Scaling, Cash Flow, and Learning the Hard Way

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jordan Howard, Managing Director of D2 Integrated Systems, to talk about the highs, lows, and hard lessons of building a business.

Jordan’s journey is one that many business owners will recognise – starting out with big ambitions, learning some tough financial lessons, and ultimately transforming his business through better cash flow management, processes, and people.

From risky partnerships and restructuring to scaling a business beyond £4 million, Jordan’s story is a real-world lesson in why knowing your numbers isn’t just important – it’s essential.

 

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ How Jordan grew his business – and the mistakes he learned from along the way
✅ The importance of mentorship – and why he wishes he’d sought guidance earlier
✅ How a lack of financial visibility nearly cost him his business
✅ Why cashflow forecasting is the number one thing every business owner should focus on
✅ The lessons learned from restructuring and taking back control of his company
✅ How focusing on processes and the right people has transformed his business

 

Key Takeaways:

✅ Start with mentorship. Jordan believes that business owners should seek guidance from day one – not wait until things go wrong to ask for help.
✅ Cash flow is king. Without clear visibility on cash, business owners risk making decisions in the dark.
✅ The right people and processes make all the difference. Jordan learned the hard way that hiring the best people isn’t enough – you need clear processes to set them up for success.
✅ Turnover is vanity – profit and cash are everything. Many business owners focus on top-line revenue, but it’s gross margin and cash flow that truly determine success.

 

Memorable Quotes:

📢 “If you don’t know where your cash is going, things can go bad very, very quickly – and you won’t even know it’s happening.” – Jordan Howard
📢 “Looking at your cash flow is scary – so a lot of business owners stick their heads in the sand and just hope for the best. That’s the biggest mistake you can make.” – Jordan Howard
📢 “I’m not scared of finance anymore. Before, I used to just look at my bank account and hope. Now, I understand where the business is really at.” – Jordan Howard

 

Timestamps:

01:22 Jordan's Career Beginnings
02:55 Starting His Own Business
05:17 Forming a Group Company
07:34 Challenges of Managing a Group
12:48 Seeking Mentorship
16:22 Joining Know Your Numbers Mastery
17:42 Reflecting on Achievements and Lessons Learned
18:31 Overcoming Business Challenges
19:36 Financial Strategies for Business Growth
21:21 Building a Strong Team and Structure
24:08 Focusing on Recurring Revenue
31:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

 

Resources Mentioned:

📌 D2 Integrated Systems – Learn more about Jordan Howard’s business and services on his website.
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Discover how Craig helps business owners take control of their finances and drive sustainable growth.
📌 Download Craig’s Free Cash flow Template – Get the tool Jordan used to transform his financial visibility on the KYN Download Page.