Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Bowden.
Hi Dee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never imagined that collecting $6 million in 60 days would lead me to where I am today.
Twenty years ago, I worked for a small IT firm outside of Boston, where I’m originally from, as a part-time collections specialist. They had $8 million worth of sales on the books—but not in the bank. That’s when I stepped in. I prayed for guidance, rolled up my sleeves, and got to work.
B2B Collections, at its core, is about Problem-Solving, Customer Service, Express Gratitude, and Relationship Building. Using those principles, I recovered $6 million in just 60 days. But then, the unthinkable happened.
Despite that success, the company closed its doors just two months before the holiday season, laying off 100 employees—including me. It was a gut punch. I had done my job, yet the company still didn’t survive. I didn’t know it at the time, but that setback would eventually lead me to create Collect The Cash.
The turning point? A simple conversation.
My book coach listened to my story and said, “Dee, your ‘why’ is helping small business owners win so they never experience what happened to you.” That stuck with me. I took a risk, enrolled in her class, and started shaping my legacy.
Along the way, I embraced resilience, trusted the process, and invested in my growth.
From business accelerator programs to working with speaker coaches and crafting my Collect the Cash Signature Talk. I committed to learning how to serve small business owners better. And the biggest lesson? Clarity changes everything.
My first attempt at sharing my message—How Secure Is Your Cash Flow?—got little response. But when I asked for feedback, I realized I needed to shift. That’s when Collect The Cash was born, and everything took off. So glad that I made a shift and followed the advice given.
Now, I teach small and mid-sized businesses how to recover their outstanding invoices and improve cash flow using my 4 Keys to Collect The Cash Framework. I have also supported several government agencies and recovered over $100 Million dollars in excess funds.
Looking back, I see how every challenge prepared me for this. It was the mindset shift that was needed to change things for the better.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Building Collect the Cash has been a journey filled with lessons, faith, and persistence.
When I started this work, most people didn’t see the value in talking about Accounts Receivable. They focused on making sales, not on collecting what was owed. I had to change that conversation. I believe every unpaid invoice has a story behind it—a missed detail, a communication gap, or a relationship that needs repair. Teaching companies to uncover those stories and solve those problems became my mission.
There were times I questioned whether anyone understood the vision. I had to explain over and over that collections aren’t about chasing money—they’re about people, systems, and accountability. It took resilience to keep showing up and refining my 4 Keys to Collect the Cash: Problem Solving, Customer Service, Express Gratitude, and Relationship Building.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every challenge shaped me and confirmed that this work matters. Because when you understand the story behind the invoice, you can finally close it—and collect the cash.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the Author and Creator of the Collect the Cash Framework, a proven system I teach to business owners, consultants, and corporate teams to recover overdue invoices, improve cash flow, and strengthen client relationships.
With over 20 years in contract administration, accounts payable, and receivables, I discovered that most companies have strong sales processes—but weak follow-up systems. They celebrate the sale but forget that the sale isn’t complete until the money is in the bank. That realization inspired me to create a framework that blends process, communication, and accountability.
The Collect the Cash Framework is built on my 4 Keys: Problem Solving, Customer Service, Express Gratitude, and Relationship Building. I teach teams to apply these Keys so they can manage receivables with confidence, close payment gaps, and maintain strong client relationships.
I’m most proud of creating a framework that works—for those who see its value. What sets me apart is that I teach the human side of Accounts Receivable. I believe every unpaid invoice has a story, and when you uncover that story, you can solve it—and collect the cash.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always curious, creative, and full of questions. I’ve always wanted to understand how things work, and that curiosity shows up in everything I do today—especially in how I approach problem solving and business relationships.
I’ve always had an appreciation for connection and good conversation. I love great music and moments that make you pause and appreciate life. I’m a big fan of smooth jazz, I love Ferris wheels, and I enjoy spending time by the water—it’s where I recharge and think.
I’m also an avid reader, always learning something new or diving into a great business or personal development book. Even as a kid, I loved stories—because stories connect people. And that’s really at the heart of what I do now: connecting the story behind every unpaid invoice to the solution that gets it resolved. That’s how I Collect the Cash.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://collectthecash.biz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deecollectscash
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deebowden-arconsulting/
