UnitNorthFounder study 2026–2027
How do growing brands manage their cash?
We are talking with founders of direct-to-consumer brands about how they plan inventory, read their margins and keep cash in the bank as they grow. Every participant receives an anonymized benchmark of the brands in the study.
How it works
A short conversation now. Your benchmark later.
A short call
A video or phone call at a time that suits you. No preparation needed.
Questions about what happened
How you plan stock, track margin and manage cash. You answer in ranges.
Your benchmark
After about fifteen conversations, you see where your brand sits among its peers.
What you receive
See where your brand sits among its peers.
No brand is named. The page below uses invented figures to show the format.
Where Brand C stands out
Its cost per new customer is close to the median, but it takes longer to earn back because the first order leaves less margin.
What peers do differently
Brands in the top quarter sell more bundles on the first order and hold about two months less inventory.
Question to look into
Would smaller, more frequent orders free up cash before the holiday season?
Confidentiality
Your answers stay yours.
No brand is ever named
Results appear only as ranges across the group.
Ranges, not figures
We ask "between 40% and 50%". No access to your store or accounts.
Skip any question
You choose what to share.
Your notes, on request
We send you our notes from your call, or delete them, whenever you ask.
Questions
Before you say yes.
Who can take part?
Founders of direct-to-consumer brands selling mostly on Shopify, with about $500K or more in annual revenue. Someone who owns the finances, such as a head of operations, is welcome too.
Is this a sales call?
No. The conversation follows the questions of the study. If you are curious about our work afterward, you are welcome to ask.
When will I receive the benchmark?
Once the series of about fifteen conversations is complete. Every participant receives the same anonymized comparison, with their own position marked.
Take part
Twenty-five minutes, and a clearer view of your peers.
Write to us with your brand’s name and two or three times that suit you. We reply within two business days.