Pick the few metrics that actually matter

Tracking everything means acting on nothing. Pick the 3-5 metrics that actually predict a healthy store and ignore the vanity ones.

Dashboards overflow with numbers, and most are noise that creates the illusion of control. A healthy DTC store is governed by a few metrics: contribution margin, blended MER/CAC, repeat rate, and cash runway. The skill is choosing the few that drive decisions and deliberately ignoring vanity metrics. AI proposes your shortlist from your model; you confirm what maps to real decisions.

Tracking everything means acting on nothing, most dashboard numbers are noise that feels like control. A healthy store runs on a handful: contribution margin, blended efficiency (MER/CAC), repeat rate, and cash runway.

AI can propose your shortlist and name the decision each drives; you confirm which map to choices you actually make, because that's a judgment about your business.

What you'll learn

Anchor on contribution margin and blended efficiency
Add a retention signal
Watch cash runway as a tripwire
Actively ignore vanity metrics