The History of MobleyLightsMary Mobley owns a business that makes geometric shaped lamps calledMobleylights. The Mobleylights are made from plastic panels that fit togetherlike puzzle pieces. The pieces make lamps of different shapes, patterns andcolors. The Mobleylights come in a variety of shapes and sizes with the largestball lamp being $4\text{'}$ in diameter, or $4\text{'}$ x $4\text{'}$ square. The largest lamp sells for $$125$while the most popular model, a $15"$ diameter model sells for $$49\mathrm{.}99.$ Peoplewho purchase more than three Mobleylights get one free. The choice can behanging lamps or sit on a desk or a table. Mobleylights are popular withchildren and teenagers for room decor. Party plannerslike Mobleylights because they can set a mood in the room and they can be useagain in different ways supplementing the patterns or colors from time to time.Mary first started the business in a kiosk of a local mall. The overhead was lowand sales varied. She broke even almost immediately. By the end of the firstyear; she was making a profit. Mary expanded to another mall by the end ofsecond year doubling sales. Encouraged by the success, Mary thought it maybe time to open a shop. She looked for a spot in a small strip of stores but notin a strip mall. She found a place on the main street of "Old Town" in EllicottCity, Maryland. It was a small store with questionable parking but a highvolume of foot traffic.Mary began doing lighting for party events and sales skyrocketed. Yearly saleswent from $$200,000$ to $$500,000.$ Thrilled with her success, Mary began to takeon help. She even considered opening a shop or kiosk at the Baltimore HarborPier thinking she would have a lot of foot traffic. Mary was constantly thinkingof ways to expand the customer base of the company. She opened a kiosk inthe Harbor Building housing "Philips," a popular Maryland landmarkrestaurant. Sales were far from stellar but the business still showedgrowth. The company was now looking at over a million dollars in sales withexpenses of just over $$500,000.$ The business had $18$ employees. At thispoint, Mary had not really explored internet sales or social media.Unbeknownst to Mary, who had been very busy growing the business, YouTube was showing instructional videos on how to make the lamps and includedonline websites where people could purchase the panels and other materialsneeded to make the lamps. One day, a downtown employee spoke with Maryabout the videos. Mary was shocked. The employee said she overheardsomeone say to a friend, "Yes I think they are cute too, but you can go onlineand buy the panels and make it yourself for half the price."Within six months of this conversation, Mary, found that sales were dropping inthe various kiosks, but not in the party business. Mary closed two of thekiosks, the Baltimore and the location at the first mall. She stuck with the storeand the second mall location. Sales were doing well at both locations although profits were flat. One year later, Mary closed the remaining kiosk. She kept theparty business in the store front. Later, Mary would close the party business aswell but continue to work out of her house. Her million$-$dollar business hadreverted to $$300,000$ in the span of three years.

Based on the company's history answer the following questions: Research the best tips for managing cash flow and create a checklist for Mary to use in the future. Try not to pick the most common ideas; look for those that are different as well.