Ep 18. Montiel

The Profit season 5 episode 18, titled "Montiel," follows Marcus Lemonis as he meets with the owners of Montiel, a high-end swimwear company based in Miami, Florida. The company was founded by Lucho and Martina Montiel, who are married and operate the business together. They initially started the company as a hobby, but it quickly grew to become a full-time operation with over $2 million in annual revenue.

Despite their success, the Montiels are facing several challenges that threaten to derail their business. They are struggling with inventory management, with over $1 million in excess inventory that they need to sell quickly. They are also facing intense competition from other swimwear brands, particularly those that are less expensive. Additionally, they are struggling to find the right balance between creativity and profitability, with Lucho wanting to focus on unique and inventive designs while Martina is more concerned with the bottom line.

Marcus arrives in Miami to meet with the Montiels and assess the state of their business. He immediately notices that their showroom is cluttered and disorganized, which he believes is contributing to their inventory management issues. He also observes that they are spending too much on marketing and advertising without seeing a significant return on investment.

To help the Montiels get their business back on track, Marcus offers them a deal: he will invest $500,000 in exchange for 50% ownership of the company. The Montiels are hesitant at first, but ultimately decide to accept the deal.

With Marcus on board, the Montiels begin to make some changes to their business. Marcus helps them to restructure their inventory management system and get rid of excess inventory. He also works with them to streamline their advertising efforts and focus on social media marketing. Additionally, he encourages them to prioritize profitability over creativity, while still allowing Lucho to pursue unique and innovative designs.

Throughout the episode, Marcus faces some challenges in working with the Montiels. They have different approaches to business and sometimes struggle to see eye-to-eye. However, Marcus is able to use his expertise and experience to help them make the necessary changes to their business.

In the end, the Montiels are grateful for Marcus's help. They have a better understanding of how to run their business profitably while still incorporating their creative vision. With Marcus's help, they are able to sell their excess inventory and increase their profitability. They also have a newfound sense of confidence and clarity about the future of their business.

Overall, The Profit season 5 episode 18 is a compelling look at the challenges faced by small businesses in the fashion industry. Through Marcus Lemonis's guidance, the Montiels are able to overcome these challenges and take their business to the next level.