Welcome to Chapter 14 of the Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. Reflections Series
This chapter delivers a reality check every entrepreneur needs: **cash flow is survival**. Colin C. Campbell compares cash to oxygen — when it runs out, your business suffocates. In this post, we explore how to hold your breath longer by running lean, negotiating smarter, and focusing on sustainable momentum instead of premature growth.

💨 Hold on as Long as Possible

Campbell stresses that founders should delay equity funding as long as possible. Holding onto ownership means building more value before dilution — and learning how to survive without relying on outside cash (Campbell, 2023).

🎯 Focus on the Stage Gate

Keep your business tied to clear milestones. Campbell reintroduces the “Stage Gate” concept as a filter for prioritization — asking, “What’s the next win we need to survive?” instead of chasing vanity metrics.

💬 Negotiate Everything

In early-stage business, every dollar matters. From office rent to software to product sourcing, Campbell encourages founders to negotiate like their life depends on it — because it often does.

💸 The Cheapest Way to Fund Your Business Is to Run It Lean

Cut unnecessary burn. Streamline ops. Don’t spend on things that don’t directly support growth or survival. This isn’t about scarcity — it’s about resilience.

💡 Final Takeaway

If you remember nothing else from Chapter 14, remember this: **cash isn’t king — it’s air.** Without it, your company can’t breathe long enough to scale. Prioritize flow over flash, and you’ll weather more storms than your competition.

🔁 Coming Next: Chapter 15 – Know Your Numbers

Up next, we talk metrics, margins, and mastering your financial dashboard. Because if you don’t know your burn, you’re playing blind.

💬 Share This With a Future Founder

Know a founder flying too close to the sun? This chapter might be their parachute. Send it their way — and maybe save their startup.

📬 Subscribe to Resilience Repurposed

Want more financial wisdom grounded in real-world experience? Subscribe and join the growing community of veteran-led, value-driven builders.