MD Eagles

Problem collection Problem 02

Small businesses struggle with uneven cash flow

Help owners understand what is coming in, what is due and where payments get stuck.

Start with a local conversation

Place
Maryland · start with a local business group
Topic
Small business
Status
Ideas awaiting local testing
Sources reviewed
November 5, 2026

What the evidence shows

In the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Maryland employer-firm chartbook, 51% of respondents reported uneven cash flow as a financial challenge. The survey does not establish late invoices as the cause or describe every Maryland business.

Source: Federal Reserve Banks, 2025 Maryland employer-firm chartbook.

Possible solutions to test

These are MD Eagles proposals, not projects already operating. Test the need with residents and existing services before building.

  1. A neighborhood cash flow clinic

    Work with a business association and a qualified adviser to help owners build a simple weekly cash forecast. Test whether a shared spreadsheet and a regular check-in are enough.

  2. A payment follow-up service

    If interviews identify overdue invoices as a recurring cause, pilot clearer payment terms, reminders and an invoice tracker with willing owners. Compare existing tools before developing software.

Your first step

Ask five owners in one commercial district what caused their most recent cash shortfall. Separate weak sales, seasonal demand, expenses and delayed payments before choosing a project.

Who to involve

Business owners, a local merchants association and an experienced bookkeeper or SBDC adviser.

What to measure

Whether owners can identify upcoming shortfalls earlier and spend less time chasing payments. Do not promise increased revenue.

Build on what already exists

Start by learning from Maryland SBDC consulting. Ask what they already provide and what remains difficult. No partnership is implied.

Facing this yourself? Find an existing service in the resource guides.

Take this brief with you

Download the project worksheet (plain text)

Use it to record local evidence, collaborators, costs and a small test before committing to a larger project.