10 things you can do in January to set you up for the year

1.Start tracking your profit and loss - the importance of this

Let’s talk about one of the most underrated but absolutely essential habits to nail down at the start of the year: tracking your profit and loss (P&L). If you’re not already doing this regularly, January is the perfect time to start. Why? Because your P&L is like your business’s report card, and you don’t want to be guessing how they’re doing when they’ve got big goals to crush in 2026.

When you track your P&L, you’re not just looking at numbers, you’re getting a snapshot of your business’s health. You’ll see what’s working, what’s not, and where you might be bleeding cash without even realising it. Think about it like this: it’s hard to steer the ship if you don’t know where the leaks are.

Starting in January gives you a clean slate. Review last year’s numbers, note your wins, and (this is key) own up to any areas that need improvement. Maybe your costs crept up without you noticing, or you were spending more on ads than they were actually bringing in. Tracking your P&L shines a light on all of that.

Here’s the kicker: once you’re in the habit of doing this, it’s not just a one-and-done exercise. Make it part of your monthly routine. The insight you’ll gain will help you set realistic goals, make smarter decisions, and avoid those end-of-year “Where did all the money go?” moments.

2.Start putting money aside for tax and VAT: Future you will thank you

This follows on from the first point. If there’s one habit you should adopt this year, it’s setting money aside for tax and VAT from day one. Trust me, the last thing you want is to be scrambling to pull together a lump sum when the taxman comes knocking. It’s stressful, avoidable, and, let’s be honest, a little unnecessary when you’ve got time to prepare.

Here’s the deal: every time money comes into your business, a portion of it isn’t really yours. Yep, it’s the harsh truth of running a business. Whether it’s VAT, income tax, or corporation tax, these obligations can feel like a sucker punch if you’re not ready. But here’s the good news: by building a system to set that money aside now, you’ll save yourself a world of stress later.

How do you do it? Simple. Set up a separate account just for tax and VAT. Think of it as your “out of sight, out of mind” account. Every time you make a sale, move the relevant percentage straight into this account. For VAT, that’s usually 20%, and for tax, aim to stash away around 25-30% of your profit, better to overestimate than be caught short.

If you hit the VAT threshold last year or think you might this year, being proactive is even more important. Reaching that milestone means more paperwork and more money going out, but it’s all part of growing your business. The key is not to let it sneak up on you.

And don’t forget, you’ll feel like an absolute boss when that tax bill arrives, and you’ve got it all sorted without breaking a sweat. No dipping into your savings, no panic-mode decisions, just smooth sailing. 

3. Survey your customers: The shortcut to smarter decisions

Surveying your customers is another must for 2026. Why? Because they’re the ones using your products, and they’ve got the insights that can help you improve, innovate, and grow. 

Now, this doesn’t mean you need to bombard them with a 50-question interrogation. Keep it simple and focused. What do they love about your product? What’s missing? How do they feel about your pricing, your customer service, or even the packaging? The goal here is to identify what’s working and what could use a little TLC.

Start by choosing the right method. You could send out a quick email survey, post a poll on social media, or even include a feedback card with their orders. Tools like Google Forms, Typeform, or platforms like SurveyMonkey make it super easy to collect responses. Incentivise participation with a small discount or a giveaway, it’s amazing how much more people will engage when there’s a little something in it for them.

The insights you gather can shape your plans for the year. Maybe customers are craving a new product variation or would happily pay more for faster shipping. Or, on the flip side, maybe they’re struggling to find what they need on your website, something you can tweak to improve conversions.

You have to listen, and then act. When customers see you’ve made changes based on their feedback, it builds on that trust. Plus, it shows that you’re not just in it to sell but to genuinely meet their needs.

4. Start forecasting instead of winging it: The secret to better cash flow

Let’s be real, winging it might work for the odd Saturday night plan, but it’s not a strategy for running a successful business. If you’ve spent the past year reacting to what’s happening in your business instead of planning ahead, it’s time to switch gears. Enter forecasting: the ultimate tool for taking control and improving your cash flow.

Forecasting is all about looking ahead and making educated guesses about what your business will need in the coming months. This includes predicting sales, expenses, and profits. While it might sound like extra work, it’s a game-changer for staying ahead of the curve, and it’s much less stressful than constantly putting out fires.

Here’s how it ties directly to cash flow: when you forecast, you get a clearer picture of when money is coming in and when it’s going out. For example, if you know January and February are slower sales months, you can plan to hold back on spending or prepare a marketing push to generate more income. On the flip side, if you expect a big spike in orders around a product launch, you can make sure you have enough stock (and funds) to cover it without stretching yourself too thin.

To get started, review your numbers from last year. What were your best months? When did expenses hit hardest? Use that data to project what might happen this year. Tools like spreadsheets, accounting software, or even cash flow forecasting apps can make the process much easier.

Forecasting also gives you clarity for decision-making. Should you invest in a new product line now, or wait a few months? Can you afford to hire extra help for a busy season? Instead of guessing, you’ll have a solid basis to work from, reducing the risk of overspending or running out of cash.

5.Use a trading calendar to plan everything out: Your year at a glance

Ever feel like you’re constantly reacting to the next big thing in your business? One sale ends, and you’re already scrambling to prep for the next holiday or product launch. Let’s break that cycle. Enter the trading calendar:, enabling you to make the most of every opportunity throughout the year.

A trading calendar is exactly what it sounds like, a calendar where you map out everything related to your business. Key trading dates, product launches, marketing campaigns, restock periods, sales events, and even quieter times when you might focus on admin or planning. It’s the big-picture view that helps you avoid last-minute chaos and take a proactive approach instead.

Here’s how it works: start by noting down all the important dates for your business. Think Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, back-to-school season, or whatever makes sense for your industry. Then add in any internal dates, like planned launches, end-of-season sales, or when you typically order stock.

Once you’ve got the skeleton of your year, flesh it out. What campaigns will you run? What deadlines do you need to hit to make those campaigns happen? For example, if you want to launch a spring collection in April, your trading calendar will tell you that you need to start designing in January, ordering in February, and marketing in March.

The beauty of using a trading calendar is that it gives you a roadmap. You can plan your cash flow around these events (forecasting!), avoid overlapping projects that might overwhelm you, and even identify gaps where you could introduce something new. Plus, it helps with consistency, when you’re organised, you’re more likely to follow through on those plans instead of letting them fall by the wayside.

And don’t forget to include personal downtime in your calendar, too! Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint, and scheduling breaks will keep you refreshed and focused.

6.Check your email flows: Have you optimised?

When was the last time you looked at your email flows? If the answer is “not since I set them up,” then it’s time for a refresh. Your email flows are like your silent sales team, working behind the scenes 24/7 to engage your customers, drive sales, and build loyalty, if they’re done right, that is.

Start by auditing what you already have in place. Are your welcome emails still relevant? Are your abandoned cart reminders persuasive? Do your post-purchase emails create excitement and encourage repeat purchases? Go through each flow step by step to ensure the content is up-to-date and aligned with your goals for the year.

Here’s when the optimisation comes in:

Look at the data. Check open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates for each flow. If certain emails aren’t performing well, it’s time to tweak the subject lines, improve the content, or test a new call-to-action.

Segment your audience. Not all customers are the same, so why send them the same emails? Use segmentation to tailor your flows to different groups, new customers, loyal buyers, lapsed customers, or even those who’ve only browsed your site. Personalisation makes your emails feel less spammy and more like a conversation.

Check the timing. When are your emails going out? Too soon, and you risk overwhelming your customers; too late, and you might miss the opportunity. Experiment with timing to find the sweet spot for each flow.

Test and refine. A/B testing is your best friend. Whether it’s testing subject lines, email length, or button placement, small changes can lead to big improvements.

Add value. Your email flows shouldn’t just sell, they should build relationships. Share helpful tips, exclusive content, or updates that make your audience feel connected to your brand.

Optimised email flows can do so much for your business, reduce cart abandonment, drive repeat sales, and even encourage glowing reviews. A little effort this month can pay off massively throughout the year. 

7. Start showing up on socials: Put your face to your brand

Let’s have an honest moment: how often do you show up on social media as you? Customers want to connect with the person behind the brand, it builds trust, loyalty, and a sense of authenticity. And here’s the thing: no one else can tell your story like you can.

Yes, putting your face out there might feel intimidating at first, but think about it this way: people buy from people. They want to know who they’re supporting, what you stand for, and why your business exists. Showing up on socials isn’t just about posting selfies; it’s about creating genuine connections.

If this feels totally out of your comfort zone, start small. Post an introduction video or a photo of yourself with a caption sharing your story, how you started your business, what you love about what you do, and what makes your brand unique. Let your passion shine through.

Why showing your face makes a big impact:

Build trust. When people see the face behind the brand, they’re more likely to trust you. Trust leads to loyalty, and loyalty leads to sales.

Boost engagement. Posts featuring you are often the most engaging. Why? Because people relate to people. They’ll comment, like, and share more when there’s a personal connection.

Stand out. In a sea of businesses, your personality is your secret weapon. Sharing your quirks, values, and behind-the-scenes moments makes your brand memorable.

Humanise your business. Whether you’re celebrating a win or sharing a lesson learned, being real makes your audience root for you.

And don’t worry about being perfect. Social media is all about authenticity. You don’t need professional lighting or a perfectly scripted video, just be yourself. The more you show up, the easier it gets, and the more your audience will connect with you.

8. Stock take: Clear out old stock to free up cash and space

January is the perfect time for a good old-fashioned stock take. It’s like giving your business a fresh start, organising what you’ve got, clearing out what you don’t need, and making room (both physically and financially) for the year ahead.

Why is this so important? Old stock is just sitting there, taking up space and tying up cash that could be better spent elsewhere. Whether it’s leftover seasonal items, products that didn’t sell as well as expected, or things you just forgot about, clearing it out can be a game-changer for your business.

Do a full inventory. Go through everything you’ve got, every shelf, drawer, and storage bin. Identify the slow movers and non-sellers. This will give you a clear picture of what’s taking up space and how much money you’ve got locked up in old stock.

Decide what to clear. Be honest with yourself: if something hasn’t sold in months, it’s time to let it go. Seasonal stock? Move it fast. Outdated or niche items? They’re just eating up resources.

Create a clearance plan. Discounts, bundles, flash sales, use whatever strategy works to move that stock quickly. Promote your clearance event on social media, through email marketing, and even with a banner on your website. The goal is to generate cash flow while freeing up valuable storage space.

Donate or recycle. If something just won’t sell, consider donating it to a local charity or recycling it if possible. It clears your space and gives back to the community, a win-win.

Learn from it. Clearing old stock isn’t just about the short-term gain; it’s a chance to reflect. Why didn’t these products sell? Was it pricing, timing, or something else? Use those insights to make smarter buying or production decisions in the future

9. Undertake a competitor analysis: Make sure you’re positioned to win

Take a step back and check out the competition. Why? Because understanding what others in your market are doing, and how you compare, can help you sharpen your strategy, find opportunities, and ensure your business stands out. A competitor analysis isn’t about copying anyone; it’s about making sure you’re positioned to thrive.

Identify Your Competitors

Start by listing your direct competitors, those offering similar products or services in your niche. Don’t forget to include indirect competitors too, brands that might not be an exact match but could still steal your customers’ attention.

Check Out Their Offerings

What are they selling? How do their products or services compare to yours in terms of quality, pricing, and variety? Are they offering anything you’re not? Look for gaps you could fill or ways to improve your own offering to stand out.

Analyse Their Pricing

Pricing plays a huge role in how customers perceive value. Are you underpricing yourself and leaving money on the table? Or are competitors offering better value for a similar price? Use this insight to fine-tune your pricing strategy.

Study Their Marketing

Pay attention to their social media, website, email marketing, and ads. What kind of content are they creating? How are they engaging with their audience? What’s their tone and style? While you don’t want to mimic anyone, you might spot tactics or trends that could inspire your own marketing efforts.

Evaluate Their Customer Experience

Look at reviews, testimonials, and customer feedback. What do their customers love? What are they complaining about? This can give you a goldmine of information to improve your own customer experience and find ways to set yourself apart.

Spot Opportunities

A competitor analysis isn’t just about seeing what others are doing, it’s about identifying where you can stand out. Maybe you can offer better service, target an underserved market segment, or improve your delivery times. Look for ways to play to your strengths.

Stay True to Your Brand

While it’s important to keep tabs on your competition, remember that your unique selling points (USPs) are what truly set you apart. Use this analysis to enhance your positioning, not to blend in.

10. Join my membership: It’s a no-brainer. 

By joining, you’re investing in your business and yourself. It’s a chance to start the year strong, get clarity on your goals, and build momentum that lasts. Plus, you’ll have me cheering you on every step of the way.

So, if you’re ready to stop winging it and start building a business you’re proud of, let’s do this together. Join my membership today, and let’s make this your best year yet!