Whether you have been in business for a while or are just starting, I would like to give you permission to do it your own way. I always say there are many right ways to run a business. Most of us leave our 9-5s so that no one is telling us what to do, only to find ourselves working 24/7 and, more than ever, facing the pressure to do what everyone thinks we should be doing. You should be on TikTok. You should invest a lot of money in your business. You should write a business plan. You should charge less. You should incorporate right away. You should hire people. You should grow and scale quickly. And on and on… The truth is you get to do it the way that is aligned for you. There are MANY right ways to run your business. For many years, I taught sourdough workshops and everyone, literally everyone, said, “You should open your own bakery.” I loved teaching people bread making, working with small groups of customers, running workshops when it worked for my schedule, and being able to pop up in different spaces. But a bakery is a very different business model where you wake up every morning at 3AM, have employees, a commercial lease, a store to keep open and running all year long, and you need 100+ customers daily to make it all work. Don’t be afraid to tell people no. They don’t have to live with the daily reality of the work that their suggestion might mean. And if it doesn’t light you up, don’t do it. You have permission to do it your way. Don’t want to grow and have employees? I get it. Not into dancing on TikTok? I also refuse. Not ready to take out a loan for your business? That’s fine! Want to be more available for your family? More power to you! What are you doing in your business because someone else thinks you should be? Maybe it’s your accountant, a trusted friend, or a family member; perhaps it’s internalized social pressure. Please note where it comes from and learn to say no to things that don’t align with your values and carve out your own way. You have permission to do it your own way.
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I know, I know! We have yet to even hit Halloween. And I am one that still wants to see the Spook-tacular decor in store and not entirely ready to see Candy Canes....However, preparing for the end of fall and being willing to usher in the holiday season is crucial for small business owners to ensure they can capitalize on the opportunities and challenges that this time of year presents. And with proper planning, it doesn't have to be scary! To help you get ready (while also celebrating where we ARRRG - please excuse my festive Halloween and autumn references while also providing some handy holiday information.
1. Pumpkin-Spiced Planning: - Create a Holiday Calendar: Start by outlining important dates like Halloween, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and New Year's. Then, work backward from these dates to plan marketing campaigns, promotions, and events. - Decorate Your Store: Add some seasonal charm to your physical or online store. A "spooktacular" window display can attract attention and create a festive atmosphere. It doesn't have to be complicated, but regularly changing your window displays to coincide with the seasons is a great way to continually catch the eyes of passersby and entice folks to periodically shop because they can see it is likely something new to discover! A well-decorated storefront can be the "potion" to lure customers inside. - Inventory Check: Make sure you have enough stock for the upcoming holiday rush. You wouldn't want to "ghost" your customers with empty shelves. Remember the Target Canada debacle? 2. Boo-tiful Marketing: - Promoting your business shouldn't be scary: Consider running on-themed promotions to draw customers in. Use humour where appropriate that is tailored to your audience, as it tends to help information stick - Social Media Content: Share creative seasonal content on your social media platforms. There is still time to capitalize on some Halloween traffic, too! Post pictures of your team in costume or ask your audience to share their best costume ideas. - Email Campaigns: If you don't already have an email list started, make 2024 the year you prioritize this. Just don't treat your email list like a social media account and send something every day. You know how you hate being drowned with emails from Old Navy... Pick a schedule that works for your workload and the volume of information that needs to go out. Maybe you only send one quarterly, or like us - monthly with an occasional additional timely message. In no time, you'll be sending out "fang-tastic" email newsletters with holiday offers and gift suggestions. 3. Treats, Not Tricks: - Customer Appreciation: Show gratitude to your loyal customers with special discounts or early access to holiday products. - Customer Service: Train your staff to provide excellent customer service during this busy season. A great customer experience is better than any sweet you could offer- less cavities, too. This staff training should also include some appreciation for your staff - being in customer service can be emotionally draining, and appreciation goes a long way. Also, a quick reminder for yourself that no one cares about your business as much as you do, and you can't expect that your employees will - if they do, you've got something extraordinary and have found the perfect people to help support you and your vision - treat them well! - Gift Cards: Offer gift cards for those who are unsure about their holiday shopping. It's a "boo-nanza" for last-minute shoppers. 4. Plan for the New Year: - Set Goals: Outline your business goals for the new fiscal year. What do you want to achieve? Use this time to reflect on your past performance and strategize for the future. - Budgeting: You don't want any frights in this area! Review your financials and allocate budgets for marketing, expansion, and any necessary improvements. - Team Alignment: Ensure your team understands and is aligned with your goals for the coming year. A strong team is your "holiday miracle." 6. Be Ahead of the Sleigh: - Fulfillment and Shipping: Make sure you have a robust fulfillment and shipping process in place to handle the holiday rush. Consider offering free or expedited shipping options if you offer products online. It's also a great time to consider transitioning to discrete shipping to help keep gifts surprising! - Returns Policy: Review your returns policy to accommodate gifts and purchases made during this season. 7. Network Like a Vampire: - Holiday Networking: Attend local holiday events and business mixers to build relationships and foster partnerships for the new year. Might we suggest the After Dark Party at Horton Market on November 25 ;) - Collaborations: Explore collaborations with other local businesses for cross-promotions and events. 8. Year-End Clean-Up: - Inventory Clearance: Consider offering end-of-year clearance sales to reduce excess inventory. - Financial Review: Meet with your accountant to review your year-end financials and get your taxes in order. 9. Celebrate and Rest: - Holiday Party: Organize a holiday party for your team to celebrate your accomplishments and unwind. You could treat them to a night out for the After Dark Party *wink* - Relax: Take a break to recharge for the new year. You've earned it! Get this break on the calendar now, and if adjustments to store hours or availability need to be made to accommodate a break, post the changes early to give your customers a good heads-up. With these "spooktacular" tips, you'll be well-prepared to navigate the end of fall and the holiday season while aligning your small business with your goals for the new fiscal year. Happy Haunting and Happy Holidays! 🎃👻🎅🎉 But, I also have a question...Is the Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or a Christmas movie? As a business owner you know you are required to track all the financial transactions that flow through your business. So why then do so many owners scramble in March and April getting their books together for tax season? The answer is simple. You are passionate and great at the product or service you offer but for many that is not an accounting business. Here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid the tax season scramble. 1. Why record your transactions If the only reason you are tracking is to be able to file your tax return, you may find that you don’t have the motivation to track regularly. A more motivating reason why you want to keep good records is so you can make business decisions. Do you need to increase the price you charge? Do you have unnecessary expenses that are making you unprofitable? It is difficult to answer these without good financial tracking. 2. What transactions to record When it comes to recording your business dealings, ALL transactions need to be recorded. This includes cash transactions, e-transfer transactions and business expenses you personally purchase for your business. 3. Where to record your transaction For many businesses starting out, a simple excel sheet tracking all of your sales and expenses is enough to get started. If you do choose to invest in an accounting system, make sure you understand how to use it. There is nothing worse than paying for a system, using it wrong and ending up in a bigger mess. 4. When to record your transaction It is recommended to record your transactions as close to the time of the transaction as possible. For some it may not be practical to record each time you make a sale or a purchase. However, getting yourself into a weekly habit of recording all the transactions for the week can be a huge benefit. You can likely remember your transactions for the past week (or quickly figure out what that charge was for). Also recording on a weekly basis for many business owners can take less than an hour of time. 5. Talk to an Expert Are you aware of all the things you can claim as an expense in your business? This is a common problem area. Often times business owners get advice from friends and family about what expenses they are able to claim. When it comes to tax time, Canada Revenue Agency might not agree that the advice is correct. Please remember that every business is different and as a result there may not be a one size fits all approach when it comes to your expenses Tracking your business expenses may not be the thing that brings you joy. However, ensuring you are properly tracking, with the right tools and on a consistent basis might just be the reason why you can continue the business that is bringing you joy! ![]() Jennifer Hare, CPA Jennifer is a Financial Coach who has a big passion for helping people feel more safe and secure in their financial situation. Contact her at [email protected] or on Facebook or Instagram |