What Smart Founders Are Doing Right Now (That You'll Be Glad You Did by December)
2026 might feel far off, but the last quarter always flies by. Between holidays and travel, many business owners lose momentum just when they should be prepping for next year. The founders who will enter 2026 on track for a successful year aren’t waiting- they’re laying the groundwork now.
Take a look behind the scenes at what our clients are doing right now to be better positioned for the new year.
1. Laying the Groundwork for 2026 Launches
Launching a new product or service takes more than just a few weeks of prep. Making changes requires coordination, organization, and advanced planning. Laurie Lindsey, an Online Business Manager and Systems Executor, sees this play out with her clients every year.
“I know January feels like it’s months away,” Laurie shared, “but my clients are already preparing for the start of 2026, and here’s why. The last quarter of the year goes by faster than we think. Both clients and team members are often enjoying the holiday season, and my clients want that time, freedom, and flexibility. What my clients are doing now is carving out a few hours to step into CEO mode: setting their vision, outlining what they want to happen in Q1, and sharing it with their team.”
Success doesn’t come from the vision alone, but from how it’s executed. Laurie sets an example of this approach by working backwards from those big-picture goals and translating them into tangible action items the team can start building now. The result? A relaxed holiday season and a smooth launch when the new year begins.
2. Creating Predictable Growth
Another key theme we’re seeing: businesses are getting more intentional about lead generation. As Suzie Consoli, CEO Coach, explains, many growing businesses hit a wall when they’ve relied solely on referrals. Though referrals work well, they’re unpredictable, unreliable, and harder to scale.
The first step to creating predictable growth is setting a sales budget. “What I like to tell my clients,” Suzie says, “is to not start by letting the internet tell you what type of lead generation you should do. The first thing I like to do is set up a sales budget. Pick a number you’re willing to spend month over month.”
From there, the shift is about moving beyond referral-based growth and toward outbound strategies you’re actively investing in. This could mean testing paid ads, cold outreach, or SEO. The important part isn’t picking the “perfect” channel right away. It’s having a consistent budget, trying different strategies, and tracking results until you find the combination that works best.
3. Using Data to Guide Their Strategy
Smart founders know that data, not just gut instinct, drives better decisions.
Suzie puts it this way: “I’m the queen of ‘it feels like’ statements… but you need to know exactly where your leads are coming from.” Instead of guessing, she and her clients track leads through dashboards and metrics. That data makes it easy to adjust your budget toward what’s working and stop wasting money on what isn’t.
When you use data as your guide, you’re not just tracking leads. You’re making smarter calls about marketing and operations. The result is a business that grows efficiently without wasting resources.
By gathering data now, business owners are entering 2026 with a clear picture of where their growth is coming from.
4. Getting Back to Basics with Marketing
At Lawson House, we’re seeing a powerful shift: founders are simplifying their marketing and getting back to what truly works. Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, they’re tailoring their messaging, focusing on who they serve, and showing up consistently where their audience actually is. Paired with a clear 2026 vision, scalable lead generation, and data-driven decisions, this approach is setting them up for sustainable growth.
If you’re ready to join them, start small: block off a few hours this month to step into CEO mode. Your December self will thank you.
You Can Be a Smart Founder, Too!
Nest year isn’t as far away as it feels—and the founders who will thrive next year are already putting the pieces in place. Whether it’s carving out time to set your Q1 vision, building predictable lead generation, making data-driven decisions, or simplifying your marketing, the key is starting now.
At Lawson House, we help business owners turn that big-picture vision into a strategy that works. If you’re ready to step into CEO mode and set yourself up for a successful 2026, let’s make it happen.
Book your free website audit or schedule a call today and give your future self the gift of momentum.
