Join Club

Small Biz Focus: End of The Year Small Business Tips — Get Ready for 2018

This column is written by Tara Palacios and sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

We are about to close the final chapter on 2017. The holidays have officially launched. We’ve run out of creative ideas of what to do with our turkey leftovers. Are you ready for 2018? As a local small business, there is still much to do. Business never ends but how can you ever be ready?

We’ve got some quick tips for local entrepreneurs so you too can plan for a worry-free holiday season.

  • Strategize for 2018 while things slow down during the holiday season. December is an excellent month to get things done. Activity is stone-cold quiet by the time December 20th rolls around (shipments end). Write down the goals you’d like to accomplish before the New Year begins. Factor in holiday parties and time spent with friends and family. Organize paperwork, do a visioning of 2018 with achievable goals and an updated business strategy. Use quiet time to develop efficiencies.
  • End of Year Charitable contributions. There are plenty of opportunities before the end of the year to give back, and to do social good. Identify an organization you’d like to support. Create a campaign or other activity to help others in need. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has great tips on not only making sure an organization is qualified as a charitable organization but also a tax assistant to help identify how much you can deduct during the looming tax season.
  • Revisit your tax structure. Taxes are changing constantly and are in the news every day. Set a time to meet with your tax advisor before the end of the year to ensure you have set up the best tax structure based on current law that meets the needs of your business. If you don’t have a tax advisor – get one. They may save you money in the long-term, and will be up-to-date on the latest tax recommendations.
  • Seasonal thank you notes to your clients/customers. This is the best time of year to let your customers know how much you appreciate them for their business. Send out handwritten notes (a real standout in today’s age of technology) of appreciation or a personalized email letting them know how much their business means to you and your company.
  • Be mindful and consciously plan to recharge your batteries. Running a business is hard work. Make sure you plan for time for yourself and for your employees. The holidays can be very busy and a time for a lot more juggling – but being good to yourself will help you be in a good place in the future and to your customers.

Check out BizLaunch programming for the New Year. We will be hosting events on mindfulness and strategic planning. There are still events in December too. We hope you can join us.

Do you have top tips you’d like to recommend before the New Year begins? If so, please let us know in the comments below.

Recent Stories

A Wakefield High School freshman named Jorge Chavarria Rodíguez died Thursday evening, according to several sources. The 16-year-old attended Barcroft Elementary School and Kenmore Middle School and had just started…

This regularly scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Video summaries of some articles can…

One day, a new bus rapid transit line could connect East Falls Church to Alexandria and Tysons Corner. But the planning effort for the bus line, Envision Route 7, needs…

Metro 29 Diner will remain closed for at least another week, and possibly upwards of a month, due to a serious plumbing problem. Peter Bota, the owner of the nostalgic…

The Kinhaven 5K and Family Fest is the family-friendly race of the fall. Runners, walkers, and stroller pushers hit the trail while family members enjoy the fan zone including moonbounce, face painting, music, snacks, and games.

Proceeds support outdoor education and fitness programming.

Early Bird Registration rates through September 30 at runkinhavendotcom!

Submit your own Announcement here.

Donate between 9/27 (Wed) and 9/30 (Sat) to Double Your Contribution to Nathan’s Cancer Slayers 2023, on behalf of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Nathan’s team works in memory of Nathan Fleming, who graduated from Washington-Liberty in 2019 while undergoing chemo and radiation.

Nathan was one of a kind, a great soul, and wise beyond his years. Loving and kind, funny, smart, interesting, easy-going, a little bit goofy and always positive.

Since May 2020, Nathan’s team has raised more than $425,000 to advance innovative childhood cancer research. This year, all the funds we raise will support sarcoma research at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Every dollar makes a big difference. Research to discover new drug treatments would NOT be possible without philanthropic funding. Unbelievably, childhood cancer research receives just 4% of the annual budget from the National Cancer Institute, underscoring the importance of charitable giving.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

New Moms Groups forming now!

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you just had your first baby, we want to meet YOU! All those feelings you’re having are NORMAL and it’s not just you. Please don’t isolate yourself – that’s quicksand.

Mamistad groups are

Equality Arlington Coming Out Party

Come celebrate National Coming Out Day at Equality Arlington’s Coming Out Party on Wednesday, October 11th from 7-8:30 PM at Busboys and Poets (Shirlington)! Senator Adam Ebbin is our featured speaker and we will have Arlingtonians sharing what coming out

×

Subscribe to our mailing list