October 21, 2026
Stop Procrastination! (Now, Not Tomorrow)
Learn how to overcome the urge to procrastinate
Nearly every day, clients and prospective clients come to me with a big idea or project they want to tackle. Some are brimming with excitement, others with concern. Either way, some jump right in while others just seem to stall.
Procrastination is something we’ve all been guilty of now and then. (My particular form of procrastination includes popcorn, excessive organizing, and some form of social media.)
Whatever the specifics, I think it stems from a perception that their project will be difficult, expensive, or confusing. The key word is perception.
How then, can we get moving when stalled on a new project? Here are some tactics that have worked for me.
Know what you need to know and what you don’t. There are some projects where it is essential to understand exactly how something is set up. There are others where you only need to know enough to keep things going. Take setting up an email newsletter, for example. If setting up Mailchimp or Constant Contact is not intuitive for you, and you’re wasting hours doing something you don’t love, let someone else do the initial set up. You can still handle it monthly from there, even if you were not the one to build it in the first place.
Ask the question: What other information do I need? Sometimes we need to do research to get started with a project; sometimes we already have all the information. If you need more information, decide specifically what that is and make a plan to get it. If you have everything, look at it all together so you can see the big picture of the project to feel more confident.
Don’t ask for too many opinions. While it’s nice to have the support of family and friends, ask yourself how much they really know about the decision you’re trying to make. When it comes to logo design, for example, I trust my designer, not my friend who’s good with colors (even though she may have a strong opinion). When it comes to choosing software to run my business, I listen to others who have made this decision before me. Asking for too much input is often just another way of procrastinating.
Break the project down into categories. Something like redesigning your website can seem like a huge task. But if you break it down, you’ll see more manageable chunks of work. In this case, start with the homepage and make a list of what you want to include – things like Facebook and LinkedIn social media icons, a head shot of yourself, a testimonial from a client, a link to your calendar. The point is, be as specific as you can.
Don’t keep the details in your head – write them down. When I don’t have a written plan, I can spend hours spinning my wheels trying to remember what I’ve done and what to do next. Spend time up front to write a detailed plan in order to see the entire project. It will save time and work.
Leave perfectionism behind. It’s better to get started and improve the work rather than wait until you have every detail just right. You’ll learn as you go and make it better over time. Businesses evolve all the time – so develop the improvement muscle and you’ll be able to stay current with what your business needs.
Overall, the hardest part of any new project is getting started. Apply these six simple ideas and put procrastination away forever!
Employee Retirement Account Options: Simple IRA
A SIMPLE IRA, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, is an employer-sponsored retirement plan for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It lets employees save through salary deferrals while requiring the business to make either a matching contribution (up to 3%) or a non-elective contribution (2%).
SIMPLE IRAs are easy to set up, and they can be a good option for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees who earned at least $5,000 in the prior calendar year. The contributions are 100% vested immediately.
The beauty of this plan from the business owner’s perspective is an inexpensive, low-maintenance plan that encourages employees to save for retirement. From the employee’s perspective, the plan stays with the employee if they leave and can be directly utilized in retirement without interaction with the company.
However, they do have some drawbacks; the business owner cannot save as much as with other small business retirement plans. Unlike 401ks, employee loans are not permitted. A 10% tax applies if withdrawn before age 59½, increasing to 25% if withdrawn within the first two years of participating in the plan. Any IRA the employee holds cannot be combined with a Simple IRA.
All retirement plans differ in the flexibility, administrative requirements and employer responsibilities; be sure to make an honest evaluation of your company’s priorities.
https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/small-business/simple-ira/overview
Small Business Owner Must-Haves
On a daily basis, small business owners will face many challenges; one of the biggest needs is technology that does its job the first time, easily, and reliably. One of the best I’ve found is EmailOctopus, which is a lesser-known but easier-to-use email marketing platform; think MailChimp and Constant Contact without the roadblocks.
In mere minutes, a small business, solopreneur, or non-profit can send out a newsletter, create forms, and track it all with reports without lengthy how-to videos, confusing interfaces, or back-office interference before you can even get off the ground.
It’s free version is robust, and the paid version [more than half the cost of the others!] adds integrations that make the work even easier.
Click here for more details.
October 1, 2026
Be Your Own Detective
Adjust outdated processes as your business evolves
As a small business owner or solo professional, you’ve got many processes and procedures in place, not to mention lots of outwardly facing marketing things, like your LinkedIn profile and your web site.
Over time, it’s easy to look at them, without really seeing them. That can be a problem, particularly as your business evolves. With that in mind, here are three ways I keep a fresh eye on my work:
- Question past decisions. Decisions we made about how to do something 3 or 5 years ago may no longer apply today. Better software solutions are invented all the time. Maybe your business focus has shifted. Or, maybe, there is an easier, less expensive solution available now.
- Look closely at the parts of your business that are right in front of you. The other day, a friend noticed a typo in her email newsletter that had literally been there for years – how could that happen?
To avoid this, I suggest you do a scan of the parts of your business you may be taking for granted. If you’re about to give a presentation you’ve given many times already, review it closely one more time. Look at your website – every page – and make sure all the buttons and links your potential clients might be clicking are working as they should.
- Know that the buck stops with you. I’ve heard many times from solo-professionals: “I don’t know how that works, so and so set it up for me.” That’s fine, I don’t expect you to know how the technology was set up, let alone how to make modifications to it. But it is critical to check the work you outsource and make sure you understand what is supposed to happen when. Then document it, so you can look back later on and check again!
It’s easy to fall into a comfortable groove when running your own business. That can be a good thing; just make sure your eyes remain wide open!
Support for Small Businesses
Having worked in Washington D.C. for nearly a decade, I can tell you that the voice of small businesses on Capitol Hill is unequivocally the National Federation of Independent Business.
For over 75 years, they have represented members’ interests on the most pressing small business issues, such as taxes, healthcare, and regulations. What you care about, they care about. They carry your voice to the Hill, support small business with HR, legal experts, and compliance help, as well as offering timely webinars, reports and guides. The discounts they offer through brand partners are meaningful, including Dell, FedEx and Global Payments.
I encourage you to check out their website here: https://www.nfib.com/benefits-of-membership/
Things I Can’t Live Without: Inspiration
Where does your inspiration come from? On a daily basis, we all face multiple barriers to our energy, goals, and motivation.
My family inspires this business, because it allows me time to focus on them. I love sunsets and sunrises, because the colors bring me joy. I love meeting new people and finding out their dreams, goals and life experiences.
Do one thing every day that makes you happy. Find your inspiration. That is what drives your business, and your future.
https://www.azquotes.com/top_quotes.html
September 16, 2026
Untangling Your Messy Calendar
Learn how to successfully organize your business calendar
Keeping appointments and deadlines in a calendar is essential. Without one, unless you’ve got a fabulous memory, things go bad quickly!
Unfortunately, many people still struggle with electronic calendar set up, something I see with clients every day. This is how it usually happens:
- They have a job before they start their business, and they use a calendar associated with their personal email for their personal life. That makes perfect sense.
- They start a business and decide to keep business and personal lives separate (just like when they had a job). So they get a new email account for work, something like, mybusinessname@gmail.com account. Now there are two calendars.
- Then (sometimes), they get a “paid domain” email account (e.g., yourdomain.com ). Then they get a calendar with that and there are now three places to log into and three places to track.
I was one of these people until I decided it was time to consolidate everything in one place.
If there is resistance to this idea, it’s usually from people who want to keep their “work life” and “personal life” separate. I understand, but, since there is only one you and only one place you can be at any one time, it makes more sense to keep everything in one place.
You can even have other people’s calendars show up (with their permission, of course). For example, I can toggle on and off some clients’ calendars. This way, we can schedule meetings easier, reducing the confusion.
Sorting this out can take a little time, but I guarantee it’s worth the effort. Here’s how to start:
- Decide which calendar you’re going to use. Open the other calendars and transfer your appointments manually or hire someone to migrate them for you. Be sure to look a year ahead so you don’t miss any recurring events, like anniversaries and birthdays that might be months in the future.
- Make sure all calendar invites sent and received are done so using the email address tied to this calendar.
- Ask other calendar owners, like your children, significant others and select clients, to “share” their calendar with you. If you use Google calendar click here for step by step instructions, click here if you use Outlook.
When you’re finished with the consolidation, you’ll be able to access your calendar across all your devices knowing that everything you need is in one place.
What the Federal Reserve’s Expected Interest Rate Change Means for Small Businesses
Published on September 9, 2026
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions affect more than just macroeconomic policy. They also shape the financial playing field for Main Street. When the Fed raises rates, key business expenses become costlier, including loans, credit lines, and day-to-day financing. Conversely, monetary easing by the Fed can improve access to cheap capital, but can also shift consumer behavior and inflation dynamics.
This article explores how small business owners are impacted by rate fluctuations and provides guidance on navigating those shifts with confidence,
Things I Can’t Live Without: Ember
I’m a coffee aficionado, and the trips back and forth to the microwave to warm up coffee are HIGHLY INEFFICIENT. Introducing a life-changing gadget well worth the money: Ember mug. I have a lavender one on my desk, and a red one in the living room – because color is fun! It’s Bluetooth technology keeps your coffee warm for up to one and a half hours, but it does require handwashing. This will instantly become your new favorite mug, so clear out the cluttered coffee mug cabinets and ignore every other mug from now on in favor of the beauty of Ember. You’re welcome.
And, unbeknownst to me, they’re ON SALE! Get them for friends, coworkers, and relatives NOW for Christmas and birthdays!
On sale today for $39.99-incredible!
September 02, 2026
You Can’t Do It All! How to Delegate Effectively
Learn how to leverage your time with help
It seems that at least once each week I hear the same five words from friends and clients: “I need to delegate more.” And then, immediately afterward, they say, “But I don’t think there’s anybody who will understand my work, take it as seriously as I do, and do a really great job.”
As a result, nothing gets delegated and they are left doing everything for themselves.
The problem, I’ve discovered, is not a lack of capable and committed people willing to help. It’s that people simply don’t know how to delegate and are afraid to let go, even a little. So they assume there’s no way forward.
Here’s what I recommend instead on your way to becoming a delegation rock star:
1. Do your research. It’s important to know what skills are needed by the person you’re going to hire. Just like hiring an accountant to do your taxes, you’ll want to find someone with expertise. If you need to delegate setting up your newsletter, find someone with experience using Mailchimp, Constant Contact or a similar program.
This may sound obvious, but I often hear solo professionals say they are thinking about hiring very smart friends, but I discover after a few questions they don’t have any relevant experience. You wouldn’t hire a “very smart friend” who knew nothing about cars to act as your auto mechanic – delegation of your business needs works the same way; specific skills are required.
2. Take time to plan. You’ve got to give the person doing the work enough time to schedule it into their calendar and get it done. This requires planning ahead. When I get ready to write my newsletter, for example, I ask my editor on Sunday or Monday if she has time for edits on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. I don’t just assume and send it over to her. You need to be prepared, too, for the answer to be “no” or “not this week.”
3. Provide specific information. “Can you handle this?” is not enough information for the person you’re delegating to – even if it’s a simple and (in your mind) self-explanatory task. Include details, timelines and any supporting information. For example: “I’m ready to publish my next newsletter. Attached is the word document and the images I’d like to use. Can we schedule it for this Friday at 6:00 am?” Be thorough: include deadlines and guidelines about how you’d like the work to be done.
4. Create check-in and control points. If you’ve delegated a project, schedule check-in points for milestones to make sure things stay on track. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about the required tasks even when you both think you understand. Regular meetings will help with discovery and allow for adjustments.
5. Develop a communicative relationship. When you work with someone you are in a relationship with them. I don’t mean you need to be BFFs, but simple things that work in your other relationships will work in this one too. A simple, “Thank you – great job,” or “How was your weekend?” will go a long way. Be sure to answer questions about the project quickly so that it can stay on track and on time. Your work together will require conversation – either written or verbal.
My guess is that 99% of the time the person assisting you wants to do a good job. If that’s not happening, check these five points to see where you two might be going off track.
Delegation is a powerful way to leverage your time and get help with areas of your business where you might not have expertise. Done well, it can be a big win for you and your business.
SBA Proposes Overhaul to Simplify Small Business Classification and Expand Access to Federal Programs
Size standard proposal would increase small business count by over 110,000
Published on August 20, 2026
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) proposed a comprehensive overhaul of its small business size standards, modernizing how the federal government defines and classifies small businesses across the United States. Published in a proposed rule, the new standards would simplify industry categorization and raise applicable size thresholds, allowing small but rapidly growing firms to continue qualifying and adding over 110,000 firms to the 36 million small businesses in America.
“Thanks to President Trump and America First policies, small businesses are starting and growing at record rates, which is why the SBA is proposing modernized size standards that acknowledge their growth and empower them to compete against large corporations,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Small businesses create the vast majority of new jobs. This proposal ensures that these job creators have the regulatory certainty to scale, expanding small business eligibility by 0.3%, or over 110,000 firms. By streamlining definitions, the SBA will expand access capital, counseling, and contracting opportunities, which in turn create jobs and drive growth.”
Mandated by law every five years, this historic update would introduce a market-size approach that would dramatically simplify industry classifications by transitioning from complex separate 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code standards to streamlined 4-digit category standards where appropriate. By cutting the total list of similar industry categories by approximately 65%, down to 338 broader classifications, the SBA seeks to remove regulatory complexities for business owners.
The proposed standards would also expand the official small business pool by over 110,000 firms, ensuring that rapidly growing companies can continue to qualify as small businesses under President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda. By raising applicable size thresholds, the proposal is designed to reward growth rather than force successful firms out of small business eligibility prematurely, especially those in industries that are critical to American strength.
For example, the employee-based size standard for semiconductor manufacturers would increase from 1,250 to 2,800 employees, ship building would increase from 1,300 to 2,300 employees, and oil drilling would increase from 1,000 to 2,650 employees. The receipt-based side standard for support activities for animal production would increase from $11 million to $71 million. These changes would enable more businesses to access SBA loans, compete for federal contracts, and participate in other federal support programs, while reducing the regulatory ambiguity and compliance costs associated with overly narrow industry classifications.
Key highlights of the proposed size standard overhaul include:
- Streamlines the existing NAICS structure to a 4-digit classification system that reduces total size standard categories from nearly 1,000 down to 338 broad industry groupings, simplifying how firms determine their small business status.
- Introduces regional market considerations to ensure size thresholds accurately reflect the realities of local economic competition.
- Expands the pool of employer small businesses (firms with 1 or more employees) by 1.8%, growing the nation’s 6.3 million employer firms by over 110,000 and adding to the 36 million small businesses that exist today.
The SBA is seeking comments on the proposed rule. Small businesses can check their current industry classification and size eligibility by visiting www.sba.gov/size-standards.
Things I Can’t Live Without: My Echo Show
I admit that I was a little late to the game, but I finally bought an Echo Show and I’m in love. All day long Alexa is playing my favorite music, setting alarms to remind me of appointments, and keeping me apprised of the weather. And I’m only skimming the top of her capabilities.
Let me what you love about Alexa!