Ep. 28 - 2026 Big Picture Planning
Today I'm going to walk you through how to map out 2026 now so you can step into the new year with a plan and a whole lot less stress.
Because the truth is, waiting until January to plan your year is one of the biggest mistakes I've made in the past. And it can make or break you as a spa owner.
If you're showing up in January trying to figure out all the promotions and memberships and events, you're already behind.
Let's plan now while things are a little on the slower side, less stressful, and you can think clearly going into 2026.
Step 1: Map Out the Whole Year
Think of it the same way you think of your vacation. You don't just show up at the airport and say, "Well, I guess I'll figure it out from here."
You plan your flights, your hotel, the activities, maybe even some restaurants to try.
Your business deserves that same level of intentional planning.
That means sitting down and mapping out the whole year based on:
What you did this year
What you've got going on in your personal life next year
The goals you have
Figure out your promotions, your membership (if you're going to have one, which I strongly encourage), if you're going to do events, or if you're just going to wing it month to month.
When you see the big picture, it becomes SO much easier to align your marketing, finances, and staffing with this bigger vision.
Make sure you set in stone any of the things you have going on in your life. You should always be planning and making this business around your life.
If your kids are in school and you know they're going to be out for winter break, spring break, or summer, figure out those dates and plan accordingly.
Step 2: Anchor In Those Events First
The best way to make this really simple is to put those really big events on your calendar first—your anchors. They're going to anchor you down, and then you can build off of there.
Personal life:
All the breaks for your kids' school
All the birthdays
All the anniversaries
Business:
Black Friday is on the same Friday every single year
Christmas is on the same day in December every single year
If you already know what your holiday promotions are going to be, put it on the calendar
Maybe there's a Valentine's Day special or a back-to-school push. Whatever worked really well for you this year that you want to do again next year, or maybe you realize, "Dang, I missed an opportunity—I want to make sure I get it next year."
When those anchor events are set, you can build around them. You can build smaller promotions or client experiences around those anchor events.
Think of it like decorating a Christmas tree: You start with the really big ornaments first, and then you fill in the gaps with the smaller pieces that really make everything shine.
Step 3: Plan Now So You Can Achieve Goals and Create Less Stress (But More Profit) Later
I can promise you this: Spa owners who plan now are the ones who feel calm and in control when everybody else is scrambling.
Right now (September), a lot of people are complaining that it's really slow, the books aren't filled. But we are about to go into the busy Q4. Things are about to get crazy.
This is the calm before the storm. When January hits, you already know what's going to happen in February, March, and April because you've mapped it out.
That kind of foresight means:
Less stress for you
More consistency for your team and your clients
More profit for your business
This also keeps you from falling into the trap of panic discounting or running last-minute promotions that don't serve your absolute bottom line and goals.
When you have this step-by-step system in place, you can see what works and what doesn't. You know what's coming next, which helps your nervous system so much.
Step 4: Set Time Aside RIGHT NOW
I actually encourage you to go forward in your calendar and actually block this time off.
I do this at the beginning of September every year. I block off two solid days to work on this because I want to think really long and hard about it. I want to make the right decisions for my business.
I'm looking at:
What worked this last year
What worked the year before
Is there anything I want to try differently in the coming year
There needs to be a memo that goes out to spa owners: Most of the time things are not going to work right the first time, and most likely not even the second or third. And that's okay.
You're going to get better as you do it. But the key phrase is that you're doing it and you're learning how to get better.
Example: I've done the "Buy $100, Give $100" promotion since 2019. The very first time I did it, I felt like it was such a flop.
Now I do it and I almost always have to reorder my vouchers every single year because there are SO many more people who buy it. It works better and better every year.
Our brains love predictability. Our clients can count on us to be steady, stable, and predictable. That's going to make their lives easier.
It's okay to do the same thing every single year.
This Is Actual CEO Time
Please set some time aside. This is not something to do in between clients. This is actual CEO time.
Block it on your calendar—even if it's just for two hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Sit down and really get in the zone. Track everything. See what worked, see what didn't, see what you want to keep doing.
Treat it like a non-negotiable meeting with yourself. Get out your calendar, pour a cup of tea or coffee, and start plugging in those anchor events. Then look at all the spaces in between to map out what makes sense for your life, your spa, and your clients.
Ready to create your strategic plan for 2026?
Fill out this intake form to book a discovery call with me. Let's map out your year together so you can step into 2026 with confidence and clarity.
