Taking time to plan for a new year can feel like a luxury when you're running a business and raising a family, but it’s one of the most valuable things you can do.
Even though I’m a huge advocate for putting yourself first, I get how hard it is to carve out the time. Between the constant demands of your business and the never-ending needs of your kids, it’s easy to let your own priorities slip.
I know this because I do it with my clients…and this year, I made the time to do it for myself.
I booked a space for myself, took the time to reflect, and mapped out a plan for 2025. I looked at what worked and didn’t work, revisited our operations, team structure, services, pricing, marketing, and more. I tackled the areas that usually get pushed to the back burner and created a roadmap that ensures sustainable growth next year.
The clarity and direction I walked away with were incredible, and now we’re going into 2025 with a solid plan for success.
Here’s a peek into how I spent my VIP Day planning for the new year and how you can apply this same approach to your business!
Reflection First
I always start with a recap of the year.
In this recap, I looked at the big wins — what went really well, both big and small.
Sometimes, as business owners, we’re so focused on striving for the next thing that we overlook the progress we've already made. In doing so, I realized that I did so much better than I was giving myself credit for.
For example, in my business, we increased revenue over six figures and increased our profit the same amount. Not only did we see growth in revenue, but we also became more profitable.
Because of this, we had two of our biggest months ever in 2024, served more clients and received more referrals and renewals than ever before.
Then I also took time to look at the challenges faced.
This enabled me to look closely at where any new business came from, how my client retention and renewals were, and even how my team and I felt supported (or unsupported) to address and grow from in the new year.
Key Questions for Your Year-End Review
These questions allow us to see where to focus our efforts and resources for the future:
What worked well this year? Celebrate those wins!
What didn’t go as planned? Dig into why and learn from it.
Where did most of your new business come from? Was it word-of-mouth, referrals, or social media? Focus on what’s working.
How were your client renewals and referrals?
Were there any areas where you felt unsupported? These gaps could point to what needs to be improved.
Use them for reflecting on your year in business to uncover any wins you may have underestimated or challenges that need to be addressed in the new year.
Goal Setting Second
Once I understood where I succeeded and where I fell short, then it was time to set goals.
For me, financial goals are important, but they’re not my main focus. Instead, I focus on impact. I believe that the income will follow when I’m intentionally focused on creating value and building community.
That said, here’s how I set goals for next year:
“North Star” Goal: What’s the big vision for the year? This is my guiding light and everything else I plan will align with this.
Smaller, Tangible Goals: These include goals around revenue, client acquisition, retention rates, visibility, and team operations.
Time Management: I also set goals around how much time I want to spend working in my business, as we often forget to prioritize our time.
Third, Ensure Profitability and Alignment
After setting the new goals for my business, I needed to make sure that they were going to be profitable and grow my business, without stepping out of alignment or having to do more of what I don’t enjoy.
To do this, I took a full look at my offer suite. I reviewed everything—pricing, services, and offerings—and did a complete audit. I took out what was no longer aligned, added things that made sense for my new goals.
I also considered the services that drained me. If something doesn’t resonate with me anymore, I’m okay with letting it go.
So, what’s to come for my business?
One of the exciting things we’re adding next year is in-person workshops, luncheons, and dinners. I’m thrilled about these events because they align with my passion for creating meaningful in-person connections.
We’re also bringing back a more accessible option for busy entrepreneurs through a voice and text-only support service, so clients can get the guidance they need without another call on their calendar.
Why Do You Need A VIP Day?
When you’re constantly in the weeds, it’s hard to find clarity, let alone develop a clear strategy for your business.
In fact, I often hear from my clients that they feel like they’re always behind, always reacting, and never truly moving forward.
That’s where a VIP Day comes in.
A VIP Day is about more than just a break. It’s about carving out time to zoom out, assess where you are, and set a clear, actionable plan for the next step.
Here’s what’s included in this immersive, in-person experience tailored to help you create the change you’ve been avoiding:
Strategic Business Assessment: We’ll dive deep into where your business stands today, what’s working, and what’s not.
Clarity-Driven Roadmap: We’ll map out a clear plan for scaling your business in a sustainable way, so you can continue growing without burning out.
Customized Solutions: We’ll address your most pressing challenges—whether that’s team dynamics, client retention, marketing, operations, or anything else holding you back.
Focus on Longevity and Sustainability: We’ll examine the foundational pieces of your business to ensure long-term success, so you don’t have to keep putting out fires or sacrificing family time.
Peace of Mind: Leave with a clear, actionable plan that will help you move forward with confidence and calm, knowing exactly what steps to take next.
All of my Private Partnership clients receive a VIP Day with their program. I do also offer limited VIP Days as a one-time experience. There is currently a waitlist for both, so if you’re interested in having one for your business, get on the list to be the first to know when they become available!
The last couple of weeks spent planning were incredibly refreshing and necessary for my growth. If you haven’t set aside time to reflect, plan, and think about your goals for the upcoming year, I highly encourage you to do so.
Get out of your office, set aside time for big-picture thinking, and make sure you’re working ON your business, not just IN it.
If you’re not sure where to start, but really want to take your business to the next level (while still having time for what matters most), get on the waitlist to book a VIP day with me. Here’s to a successful, intentional 2025!
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