As another year wraps up, it’s time for our annual planning conversation, but this one hits differently. In this yearly tradition, Terry and Aaron step back from the noise to help you reset, refocus, and plan for a year that feels clear, intentional, and sustainable. Instead of piling on more goals and tools, they walk through how to review the past year honestly, simplify your priorities, and make smarter decisions that support both your business and your life. This episode is for shop owners who want fewer surprises, better margins, and a plan that actually holds up once the year gets busy. If you’re ready to move into the new year with confidence instead of chaos, this is the planning conversation you want to be part of.
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Aaron: Why was the snowman digging through the bag of carrots?
He was picking his nose
Terry: Let’s do my favorite thing, make a list! Sit down and think about what you would like to accomplish in your business in 2026. Anything from increasing sales, adding production capability, being more efficient, hiring a new employee, or even coming up with a new logo. I like to list 20 things without stopping. The deeper in the list, the more creative thinking is what I’ve found. After you make your list, pick one thing to dig deeper into and build a plan to get there.
Aaron: I love a good list, too, but you know me, always the contrarian. Build a “No List” Before You Build the Plan. This is a list of things, opportunities, and even people you need to say no to. Because every yes costs something, and most of the stress we carry in our businesses comes from yeses we never should have made in the first place. Saying no is what creates space. Space to say yes to opportunities that are a fit, clients you actually enjoy working with, and real possibilities that feed your zone of greatness.
Terry: Try something brand new! It’s easy to stay with the status quo, but you’ll never grow your business or grow personally, trudging along doing the same old things. This doesn’t have to be a big capital expense. Try a new workflow to be more efficient. Order some specialty ink if you’re a screen printer and experiment. Order some different films and test them on your DTF transfers. Experimentation breeds innovation that breeds new opportunities.
Aaron: I’m going to stick with my less-is-more theme. This is normally Terry’s place to bring me back down to reality, but I love that the tables have turned this year. Build the Year Around One Profit Driver. Choosing one primary profit driver for the year can make a massive difference. When you try to improve everything at once, it becomes overwhelming, and then nothing actually improves. Better planning means choosing where improvement truly matters.
Terry: Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years? Maybe you want to be doing exactly what you’re doing now. Maybe you’re considering retiring or doing something else moving forward. Are you positioning your business to turn over to the kids, or even sell in the future? Take a look now at what things would need to look like for that kind of transition. You can start now positioning for that intended eventuality.
We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.
