Yvo Keijlewer, owner of Natural Spices spoke with SPYNE about why they invested in financial systems early—and how it paid off
Natural Spices has been the natural seasoning in the kitchen for 90 years. With their 100% natural herbs and spices and seasonings and sauces with fewer salt and sugar these are the basis for really good and nutritious food. While the business has been growing fastly over the years, it was Yvo who reached out to us to check whether SPYNE could assist Natural Spices with bringing the financials to the next level suitable to the current and preferably future needs
Many growing businesses struggle with the question: when should we invest in financial systems and processes? Some wait until they encounter problems, while others try to anticipate future needs. But is there a "right" time to start?
Many businesses delay financial upgrades until issues arise. But some, like Natural Spices, take a proactive approach. We spoke with Yvo, owner of Natural Spices, who partnered with SPYNE to strengthen their financial systems early—and saw the benefits firsthand.
Before diving into timing, let's briefly define what we at SPYNE consider a strong financial infrastructure.
Because a well-structured financial system is more than just accounting software. Your company’s financial foundations are the backbone of your company’s health. It ensures accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.
So key elements include:
The question of timing often creates a paradox for growing businesses: better systems are essential for scaling efficiently, but growth itself can make implementation feel like a low priority. Natural Spices knows this challenge well.
However, waiting too long to upgrade financial systems can lead to inefficiencies, inaccurate reporting, and cash flow issues that hinder growth.
Yvo’s advice? "Do it now." From experience, he knows early implementation provides the insight and control needed to scale effectively. "It will give you so much more visibility into your growth and cash flow," he emphasizes.
Taking action early means building a foundation for efficiency, scalability, and better decision-making.
Yvo’s experience proves that waiting too long creates unnecessary inefficiencies. At Natural Spices, the turning point came when Yvo realized he was spending more time compiling spreadsheets than making decisions. In addition, their old system lacked cloud capabilities and transparency, making it harder to support business decisions.
"With our old system, cash flow was a challenge," Yvo explains. "Now, it's much more precise. We get clear weekly and monthly overviews and can track exactly what’s driving cash flow—how it moves, what influences it, and how to respond."
This improved visibility has reshaped how they operate. "Better insights mean better control over our numbers and where money flows," he says. "It gives us the confidence to grow."
Recognizing the need for change is one thing—implementing it effectively is another. That’s where SPYNE’s expertise came in. While Yvo took on much of the manual implementation, SPYNE’s strategic guidance was instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition.
"They assessed our existing software, identified the best fit for our needs, and advised on setting up proper reporting with the new system," Yvo shares.
This structured approach allowed Natural Spices to be fully operational within days rather than weeks or months. Thus minimizing downtime for a business that relies on efficiency.
So when is the right time to invest in financial systems? According to Yvo's experience, there are clear signals:
Perhaps the simplest test? "If you're questioning whether your software is good enough, it’s probably time for a change," Yvo advises.
And his recommendation?
"Get professionals to help you. It saves time and lets you focus on what truly matters." For Natural Spices, that expert guidance allowed them to strengthen their financial foundation without losing focus on their core business.
Natural Spices’ journey highlights a key lesson for growing businesses: a strong financial foundation isn’t just about addressing today’s challenges—it’s about enabling future growth.
The most successful companies don’t wait for problems to escalate. They recognize early warning signs and take proactive steps to implement systems that can scale with their ambitions.
Curious about how to build a financial foundation that supports long-term success?
Download our whitepaper "The importance of building a financial fundament" for a comprehensive guide to assessing your current systems, identifying the right time to upgrade, and implementing changes that drive sustainable growth.
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