10 things you can do right now to set your business up for a successful year

Jan 6

If you want this year to feel less chaotic and more intentional, this is where it starts. Not with a 20-step strategy or a vision board you’ll forget about by February, but with a handful of practical decisions that make your business easier to run and easier to grow.

These are 10 things you can do right now that genuinely make a difference. No vague advice. No “manifest it” nonsense. Just practical steps that help you take back control and set your business up for a strong, sustainable year.

Let’s get into it.

1. Start tracking your Profit and Loss

Your Profit and Loss is your business report card. It shows you what’s working and where you’re leaking cash.
Review last year’s numbers, cut unnecessary expenses, and make monthly check-ins a non-negotiable so there’s no end-of-year panic

2. Start putting money aside for tax and VAT

HMRC isn’t a surprise guest…they will show up.
Put a percentage of your income into a separate account every month.
VAT? Usually around 20%.

Tax? Often 25–30% of profit (depending on how you’re set up).
Future you will thank you when tax season rolls around.

3. Survey your customers

Want to grow faster? Ask the people already buying from you.
What do they love about your brand?
Where else do they shop?
Would they pay more for X?
A quick Google Form is more than enough, the important bit is acting on the feedback.

4. Forecast instead of winging it

Guessing your cash flow is a recipe for stress.
Forecasting gives you control.
Look at last year’s trends, predict slower months, plan ahead for dips, and make sure stock and cash are ready for busier periods.

5. Create a trading calendar

If you’re always rushing to plan your next sale, this changes everything.
Map out key sales, product launches, and important industry moments in advance.
Less last-minute stress, more proactive decision-making.

6. Check your email flows

Your emails should be making sales while you sleep.
Refresh your welcome series, improve abandoned cart emails, personalise based on behaviour, and test subject lines.
Small tweaks here can lead to a big lift in conversions.

7. Show up on socials

People buy from people.
Share why you started, show behind the scenes (real, not perfect), and actually engage with comments and DMs.
Trust is built by showing up consistently.

8. Do a stock take

Old stock is cash tied up doing nothing.
Do a full stock check, discount or bundle slow movers, and learn from what didn’t sell.
Clearing stock creates space and frees up cash flow.

9. Analyse your competition

Success leaves clues.
Look at pricing, marketing, and customer reviews to see what’s working, and what isn’t.
Not to copy, but to position yourself more strongly in your market.

10. Get support to put it all into action

Knowing what to do isn’t the same as doing it.
My membership is designed to help you focus on what actually matters, put the right things in place, and build a business you’re proud of, without the overwhelm.