What are your business or personal goals for 2026?

[Minion]

As 2025 comes to an end, what are some of your business or personal goals you are looking to achieve for 2026?  Are you looking to hire more employees? Maybe expand or start another business?  Maybe you are looking to step back and take a little R&R for your personal well being?  

For me, I have a plate full I am looking to do!  I slow down for a few weeks in February, so I picked up a laser engraver to help me stay productive during this time (don't really care about turning a profit on it) as I am mainly looking to use this to promote my current business, and learn with my son at the same time so he can take over that part of it on his time after school. 

I am also looking at a piece of land to build a larger garage, more bays with a customer waiting/show room for auto accessories. 

I am hoping to utilize more of the Square Marketing aspect in an attempt to get people in the doors earlier in the year so that my fall time isn't so chaotic, with the possibility of trying to incorporate the loyalty program. 

What are your goals?

[CurlyDoodle]

I love your idea of working with the laser engraver to stay busy and creative during a slower time. In addition to my brick-and-mortar business, I have a blog and YouTube channel. I am brainstorming and creating video and article content and thinking of doing some grooming livestreams. A dog tried to bite me the last time I filmed so it can get very exciting!

My primary goal for 2026 is to grow the business. One of the things I am doing is marketing outside of my small town. I am in communication with a large senior apartment community in a neighboring city. I plan to offer pickup and drop off of the dogs for grooming. I am also using EDDM at the post office to send marketing post cards to those areas. 

[DinaLRosenberg]

great idea!

I love watching TikToks of groomers!! It's such fun content especially when there's a dramatic makeover 🙂

[isabelle]

LOVE dog groomer tiktoks!! 

[Minion]

How long does it take you take make/edit one video for YouTube?  

The pickup/delivery sounds like a great idea to offer!

[CurlyDoodle]

It's amazing how many hours it can take for a video of a few minutes! There's ideation, scripting, filming of the talking head and B-roll, then editing. This one about finding a lost cat took a few days because my friend helped me film the parts featuring me. I have a system so it's efficient, but I'd say on average 4 hours per video. 

I'm waiting on the buildout of my vehicle for dog delivery. Stay tuned 😊.

[DinaLRosenberg]

Great question!

next year (April 2026) my first published tarot deck comes out.

I have 3 proposals floating around in my brain I'd like to get out- so I'd like to get those done. 

I'd also like to do in-person talks in support of my tarot deck- hit up some stores and do local travel.

[CurlyDoodle]

That sounds amazing! I started drawing my own Tarot deck many years ago. I didn't finish, but I cherish the cards I have and their meaning for me.

[Minion]

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@DinaLRosenberg wrote:

Great question!

next year (April 2026) my first published tarot deck comes out.

I have 3 proposals floating around in my brain I'd like to get out- so I'd like to get those done. 

I'd also like to do in-person talks in support of my tarot deck- hit up some stores and do local travel.

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Congrats on that again!  Are you going to be doing like a signing or anything at your shop for when it comes out?

[schaefferjosh]

We are pretty much done for this year, so we are looking to grow our socials, better website, etc. 

I am really trying hard to get into a licensable location so we can expand where we can sell our products, but holy cow, rent is insane in a university town. 

We are also currently doing some R&D with the intent of selling microwavable mac and cheese cups, bread box mixes, fry mix, etc. We just tested our hellfire corn bread at an event, and it was a big hit!

[Minion]

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@schaefferjosh wrote:

We are pretty much done for this year, so we are looking to grow our socials, better website, etc. 

I am really trying hard to get into a licensable location so we can expand where we can sell our products, but holy cow, rent is insane in a university town. 

We are also currently doing some R&D with the intent of selling microwavable mac and cheese cups, bread box mixes, fry mix, etc. We just tested our hellfire corn bread at an event, and it was a big hit!

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Hellfire corn bread, that just sounds delicious!

[CurlyDoodle]

You are making me hungry! I love the food from my local licensed home kitchens and street markets. I live off of it sometimes 😁. I looked at your website and had to see what flavor "Swamp" is! I love to cook when I have time, but many seasonings have too much salt or MSG which makes me ill. I would love to have a source of safe and delicious flavor.

[isabelle]

GREEAATT question! You teed me up... Professionally, I’m really hoping to bring the Community to new heights in 2026 ✨ I have some big dreams for engagement and for Square Champions participation. We’re a tiny and scrappy team, but we’re making thoughtful changes to improve how the Community works and how we support our sellers. I won’t say too much, but I’m excited for what’s coming 💛 Hope that didn't sound too salesy. I also finished my master’s degree in September, so I’m looking forward to learning how to slow down again and actually… relax 😌

Personally… I’ve read 103 books so far in 2025 📚 and my goal is to hit 150 next year. And my husband and I are hoping to buy a place to live because renting is starting to feel a little old 🏡

That’s all from me! Love that you’re thinking of leaning into Square Marketing and Loyalty more, @Minion, and you totally nailed it with the part about taking a little R and R for your own well-being... feels like we all need to relearn how to do that 💕