War Chest Thinking: How Smart Businesses Fund Their Own Growth

23 June

Before we begin:

My name is Troy McLennan. I didn’t learn business from textbooks — I learned it by getting punched in the mouth. I’ve made just about every mistake you can make: trusted the wrong people, moved too fast, moved too slow, lost deals, lost sleep, and nearly lost myself in the process.

I built my business brain in the fire of Australian retail — 14 years climbing the ranks inside one of the nation’s largest brands, trained by some of the sharpest operators and mentors in the game. That’s where I learned to sell, lead, and win under pressure.

Then I pivoted to real estate — from cadet to being headhunted by Australia’s leading brand, Ray White. From a standing start, we built what takes most people 30 years: a dominant business, powerful partnerships, and serious market share. We did it in eight. Through mergers, acquisitions, marketing plays, and sheer grind.

Along the way, I’ve survived just about every punch business can throw — banking freezes, pandemics, legal battles, team walkouts, reputational hits, broken bones, and broken trust. Each one taught me something I now pass on.

Today, I’m growing this business into its next evolution — and helping other SMEs do the same. As a business strategist and founder of Arcanium, I help business owners turn their war stories into strategy — and their setbacks into serious growth.

1. What is War Chest Thinking?

You’re ambitious. You’re capable. And somehow, growth always feels just out of reach. You want to scale, but you’re stuck reacting to the fires in front of you. You know there’s a bigger version of your business waiting—but every time you try to grab it, life and cashflow get in the way.

Does this feel like you?

Big dreams, but always reacting to what’s urgent
No extra cash for growth when opportunity shows up
Living month-to-month, even five years in
Tired of hustling without feeling like you’re getting ahead

So what is it?
War Chest Thinking is the mindset shift from “survive each month” to “fund your own future.” It’s about building capital before you need it. Not savings. Not emergency cash. Offensive capital — used to move when others pause.

I Missed My Shot

A few years back, I had a growth opportunity land right in my lap. The kind that only knocks once. But I had no war chest. No buffer. Just hustle. We couldn’t move.

That hesitation — or more honestly, that lack of preparation — cost us two full years of growth.

The Truth No One Tells Founders

Even five years in, I was still treading water. I was “swanning”: calm above the surface, frantic underneath. I tried every playbook. Nothing prepared me for the unforeseen, let alone a damn global pandemic. And weirdly, the missed opportunity saved us. If we had expanded, COVID would’ve wiped us out. But it also left me burnt out, exhausted, and frustrated.

So I started building my war chest. One painful, disciplined dollar at a time. This I’ve now learned is the ‘normal’ for majority SME owners, and unless you understand, and execute this concept, the likelihood of ever growing is slim to f*&# all.

That’s where Arcanium’s philosophy came from: learned through fire, fuckups, and missed chances.

2. Why Most SMEs Don’t Have One

You’ve been told to keep things lean, to reinvest when it feels safe, and to grow only when ready. But the truth is, you’ve never truly felt safe. You’re carrying payroll stress, uncertain revenue, and a market that keeps moving the goalposts. So building a war chest feels like a luxury—for someone else.

Does this sound familiar? - You spend profit the second it hits your account - You reinvest reactively, not strategically - You think war chests are for “later” - You believe you can’t afford it

One Opportunity Away From Regret

Most business owners don’t skip growth because they lack vision. They skip it because they can’t fund it when it counts. That was me. I didn’t feel safe enough to build a war chest. I was always “about to” reinvest, but operating so lean that setting aside cash felt impossible.

Until it wasn’t an option anymore.

I learned that if you don’t build your capital strategy when things are stable, you’ll have no leverage when things go sideways. Or worse, when the window opens and you’re not ready.

3. How to Build Your War Chest (Without Magic)

You don’t need more theory. You need something that actually works in your world—real business, real clients, real bills. You’re not looking for hacks or hype. You want a method that respects your grind and gets results without needing a miracle.

Want to stop reacting and start striking? Start here: - Separate your war chest account from operations - Automate transfers, even if it’s just $500/month - Cut margin leaks and redirect it to your future - Monetize dormant assets - Reinvest windfalls, don’t spend them

How I Turned $25K Into a Strike Fund

Once I finally committed, I slowly built a $25K war chest. It wasn’t much, nor glamorous. It took ruthless consistency. When the right opportunity was presented, I moved instantly. That one single strike took my War Chest to a 6 figure arsenal.

That fund became commercial buildings. Strategic partnerships. A jump from scraping by to multiplying value. Straight from Tier 1 to Tier 3 in one decisive move.

The War Chest Maturity Ladder

Tier 1: Survival Padding
2–3 months of operating expenses. The oxygen tank.
Tier 2: Strategic Reserve
Capital earmarked for marketing, hiring, tech stack upgrades.
Tier 3: Opportunity Strike Fund
Liquid and ready. You can buy, acquire, or launch within 7 days.

Where are you right now?

How to Build Yours (In Practice)

Use a tiered system:

Tier 1 first. Stabilize.

Tier 2 second. Build offensive options.

Tier 3 last. Weaponize.

No shortcuts. Just rhythm, system, and commitment.

I used to believe I couldn’t afford to build a war chest — until the day I couldn’t afford not to. Everything changed the moment I stopped waiting for things to calm down and started preparing like they never would. If I had kept delaying, I’d still be stuck in survival mode. You don’t need to be ready. You need to get disciplined — before the next window opens and you’re not.

4. War Chest ROI: Real Impact

You’re not in this to scrape by. You want results that move the needle—proof that all the effort is adding up to something real. You’re looking for business decisions that create impact, momentum, and freedom. And you want to hear from someone who’s actually done it.

What we’ve done with ours:

Survived multiple unforeseen downturns without layoffs
Funded a marketing blitz that 5x’d our lead funnel in 90 days
Secured key partnerships and sponsorships that gave us national exposure
Used capital to acquire competitors, expand locations, and dominate market share

This isn’t theory. This is how we broke the ceiling.

And here’s what most people don’t realise — none of these wins were lucky. They were funded. And they were only possible because we had the capital ready to move. Before we understood this, we were surviving. After? We were building with purpose. That’s the shift. It’s not just about having money — it’s about having options. And when you’ve lived through the pain of not having either, you never want to go back.

5. Final Thought: Growth Favors the Prepared

Opportunities don’t knock politely. They kick in the damn door.
If you’re not ready, you’re left with a broken door, no money, and regret.

If you’re not prepared to strike, you’ll always be catching up.

A war chest is readiness. Power. Freedom.

Build it before you need it. Or regret it when it matters most.

6. Ready to Weaponize Your Capital?

Arcanium helps founders build strategic capital disciplines that unlock real growth.

We don’t pitch theory. We build war chests that win battles.

Book your War Chest Execution Call →
Or download the War Chest Readiness Checklist to get started

Adroit Solutions