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Otway Pasta Co

Challenge

Otway Pasta Company, a thriving and steadily growing business, faced a critical challenge: its owner, Steve Robinson, was solely responsible for all decision-making and change management. This centralisation created personal strain and posed a significant risk to the business's sustainability.

As operations became busier, essential financial tasks, like accurate record keeping, forecasting and tracking performance, were neglected. This lack of financial oversight affected cash flow management, gross margin analysis, and overall business performance, leaving Steve without the support he needed to make informed decisions.

Otway Pasta Co

Solution

In September 2022, Lighthouse Finance Partners began working with Steve on a monthly basis, introducing foundational financial reporting tools such as:

  • Actual vs. budget results
  • Top 20 customer reviews
  • A KPI dashboard

It quickly became clear that deeper support was needed. By November 2022, Lighthouse increased its involvement to a day-per-week engagement, expanding services to include:

  • Process improvement initiatives
  • Inventory management system review
  • Cleanup of the Xero accounting file
  • Enhanced sales analytics to support a growth-focused business plan
  • Profit and cash flow forecasting
  • Recruitment of key operational staff

Regular forecasting enabled proactive decision-making; whether hiring new staff, purchasing assets, or evaluating financing options. Steve gained not only a strategic financial partner but also a sounding board to help bring his vision to life.

Otway continues to grow sustainably

Results

By January 2024, Otway Pasta Company had achieved nearly all of its transformation goals. The business was operating more efficiently, with reduced reliance on Steve. Monthly reporting shifted from retrospective analysis to forward-looking planning.

Lighthouse’s time commitment decreased to just half a day per week, marking a transition from intensive change to ongoing maintenance. The company continues to grow sustainably, with improved financial management and enhanced business valuation.

Client testimonial

"Ben brings with him broad financial knowledge but also understands the pressures of a small business. Ben has helped OPC change from a reactionary business to a proactive business. This is not only better for the bottom line but has created much better work-life balance for me. Ben is, and will continue to be, an integral part of OPC."


— Steve Robinson, Owner, Otway Pasta Company