30% Margin vs. Strong Cash Flow: Which Business Thrives?30% Margin vs. Strong Cash Flow: Which Business Thrives?
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ould you rather have:
✅ A company with 30% EBITDA margin but poor cash flow
OR
✅ A company with 15% EBITDA margin but strong cash flow?
Here's a simple example:
Company A
EBITDA Margin: 30%
Annual Revenue: $1,000,000
EBITDA: $300,000
Customers pay after 120 days
Struggles to pay suppliers and employees on time
Constantly relies on loans to fund operations
Company B
EBITDA Margin: 15%
Annual Revenue: $1,000,000
EBITDA: $150,000
Customers pay within 15 days
Strong cash reserves
Pays suppliers on time
Can invest in growth without borrowing
On paper, Company A looks like the winner.
But when payroll is due next Friday, EBITDA won't pay the bills.
Cash will.
That's why many profitable businesses fail—not because they lack profit, but because they run out of cash.
📊 My choice? I'd take the company with 15% EBITDA and strong cash flow every time.
Because profit is an opinion. Cash is a fact.
What's your choice and why?
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