As the year comes to a close, many business owners find themselves running on empty. The final months are often packed with deadlines, financial decisions, and personal commitments, leaving little time to pause and reset. Before stepping into 2026, it is important to focus not just on your business, but on your own energy and well-being. Recharging now helps you start the new year with clarity, focus, and motivation. Here are a few intentional ways to restore your energy befo

December is known for year-end reflections and planning, but one task many business owners overlook is reviewing their pricing strategy. In reality, the end of the year is one of the best times to evaluate your rates, profitability, and how well your pricing supports your goals for the year ahead. At SMG, we often see business owners working more without earning more. The issue is usually outdated pricing that no longer reflects rising costs or the true value of their service

As 2025 winds down, many business owners shift their focus to the holidays, year-end wrap-ups, and preparing for tax season. But December is also the perfect time to look ahead and set your business up for a smooth and financially confident start to the new year. Q1 is often a tricky period. Sales cycles can slow, clients may delay payments after the holidays, and annual renewals or subscriptions can put sudden pressure on your cash flow. Planning now helps you enter 2026 pre

The end of the year often brings a rush of deadlines, goals, and to-do lists, but it also gives business owners an opportunity to pause and reflect. One powerful practice that can transform the way you lead, motivate, and grow is gratitude. Gratitude might sound like a soft skill, but its impact on business is anything but. When practiced intentionally, it can strengthen relationships, improve team morale, boost customer loyalty, and even help you navigate stressful seasons w

The holiday season is an exciting time for many small business owners. Sales can spike, customers are more engaged, and opportunities to grow your brand abound. But alongside the excitement comes a challenge that can make or break your success: managing your cash flow. When expenses rise and payments slow down, it’s easy for your finances to feel stretched. Here’s how you can stay on top of your cash flow and finish the year strong. 1. Forecast Your Cash Flow Early Start by r

The end of the year is a natural time to pause, reflect, and reset your business finances. Before you dive into goal-setting for the new year, take a little time to make sure your books tell the full story of where you’ve been - and where you’re heading. At SMG, we always remind clients that clean books are more than a tax-time task. They’re a foundation for smarter decisions and less stress. Here’s how to wrap up your bookkeeping confidently before the year closes. 1. Start

Halloween might only come once a year, but for many small business owners, bookkeeping mistakes can haunt them all year long. From missing receipts to unbalanced accounts, these errors can creep up quietly and cause financial headaches when you least expect them. At SMG, we’ve seen how small missteps can snowball into bigger problems. Here are the top 5 common bookkeeping mistakes to watch out for - and how to keep them from giving you a fright. 1. Ignoring Account Reconcilia

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and there’s plenty to celebrate. Over the past decade, women-owned businesses have become one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurship in the U.S. From local service providers to tech innovators, women continue to shape industries, create jobs, and strengthen communities. At SMG, we’re proud to be part of that movement. As a woman-owned business, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of women leading with both purpose and

Cash flow is the heartbeat of every business. You can be profitable on paper but still struggle if cash isn’t moving in and out of your...