Jennifer McKinley

Jennifer McKinley

New Zealand and the USA
Bootstrapped founder of 18 years. Jennifer built COR Silver on its own cash flow — through a business dissolution, a pandemic, and everything in between. Now she teaches other product founders to do the same, helping with financial management.
10
Jun
I've Already Lived Through My Version of an Economic Apocalypse

I've Already Lived Through My Version of an Economic Apocalypse

Two crises. Twelve years apart. Same founder. Same product. Completely different outcomes. Here's what changed.
4 min read
02
Jun
While Everyone's Worried About AI Taking Their Job, I'm Thinking About Yours Differently

While Everyone's Worried About AI Taking Their Job, I'm Thinking About Yours Differently

AI may disrupt white-collar work, but product founders could be in a stronger position than most realise. A counterintuitive take from an 18-year founder.
3 min read
28
May
You Know What's In Your Bank Account. But Do You Know How Long It Will Last?

You Know What's In Your Bank Account. But Do You Know How Long It Will Last?

Most product founders check their bank balance every morning. But knowing what you have isn't the same as knowing how long it lasts. Your runway number is what determines whether your business survives.
2 min read
19
May
The Margin Math That's Missing You

The Margin Math That's Missing You

Your pricing spreadsheet probably looks fine. But if owner's pay isn't a line item in your unit economics, you're not pricing — you're subsidising. Here's the reframe.
3 min read
14
May
The Number That Explains Why Your Business Is Profitable But You're Always Broke

The Number That Explains Why Your Business Is Profitable But You're Always Broke

Your P&L says you're profitable. Your bank account says otherwise. The cash conversion cycle is the number that explains the gap — and the three levers that close it.
3 min read
16
Apr
You May Be Owed a Tariff Refund — Here's What to Do

You May Be Owed a Tariff Refund — Here's What to Do

If you imported goods from certain countries and paid IEEPA tariffs, you may be owed a refund. Here's how the CBP CAPE portal works and what to do with the money when it arrives.
2 min read
07
Apr
Dear Bootstrapped Founder: That Tax Bill Means You Won

Dear Bootstrapped Founder: That Tax Bill Means You Won

A tax bill means your business made money this year. Here's why that's worth celebrating — and how Profit First makes tax season almost boring for product founders.
4 min read
24
Mar
Scale is Not a Strategy. It's a Cash-Eating Monster.

Scale is Not a Strategy. It's a Cash-Eating Monster.

A founder texted: "We're up 40% this month. And we might miss payroll." Revenue is not cash. Scale without financial architecture is one of the most dangerous things you can chase in CPG.
3 min read
14
Nov
The Financial Cadence That Keeps My Business (and Sanity) Flowing

The Financial Cadence That Keeps My Business (and Sanity) Flowing

A simple, repeatable financial management cadence that keeps two businesses running in under two hours a week — annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly rituals for product founders.
3 min read
24
Oct
Managing Cash Flow in a High-Growth Product Business

Managing Cash Flow in a High-Growth Product Business

High growth is supposed to be the goal. So why does it so often feel like a financial emergency? Here's the three-part system for managing cash flow when you're funding future sales from current cash.
2 min read