Planning a More Profitable Business in 2026

Are you interested in growing your sales, but more importantly your PROFITS in 2026? 

If so, read on! I've got some great tips for you in this one! 

Most business owners don’t fail because they aren’t working hard enough.
They fail — or burn out — because they’re working without a plan.

Profit is rarely the result of hustle or luck.
It’s the result of intentional planning.

Profit Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Many business owners assume profit will “show up” once revenue grows. But what actually happens is this:

• Revenue increases

• Expenses increase right alongside it

• Cash still feels tight

• Stress stays high

That’s because profit isn’t something you discover at the end of the year — it’s something you design ahead of time.

Planning a profitable business means deciding beforehand:

• How much profit the business needs to generate (20%? 40%? or more?) 

• Knowing what your profit margin is NOW

• What needs to change (increase revenue, reduce expenses, or both?) 

Why Planning is THE Answer (even when you feel like you can't take time for it)

We often avoid planning because it feels:

• Overwhelming

• Technical

• Like something only accountants or CFOs do

But real planning isn’t about complex spreadsheets or perfect forecasts.
It starts with clarity.

In addition to the margin you decided on above, now determine the following:

• Write out your top 5 expenses

• Review your last credit card bill and see where you're spending money needlessly

• Review your sales goals - are you hitting your sales goals? Falling behind? What do you need to change or improve?

The Shift from Reaction to Intentional Planning

One big change you'll want to make going into this week is knowing ahead of time WHAT you need to focus on. Make a list of the top 3 action items you need to focus on this week to improve profitability. Get specific in your planning. Include in your plan:

• WHO can help you with your top 3 action items? 

• WHEN will the 3 action items be accomplished? 

• HOW will you measure the results? 

When you start taking time to plan instead of react, you begin:

• Making spending decisions with confidence

• Saying no to things that don’t support profit

• Aligning operations with financial goals

This is where profit and operations start working together — not against each other.

Planning Is a Leadership Skill

Planning a profitable business isn’t about controlling every detail.
It’s about leading with awareness.

When you understand your numbers at a high level and pair them with how your business actually operates, you gain:

• Better judgment

• Clearer priorities

• Fewer surprises

And perhaps most importantly — peace of mind.

What to STOP Doing

To make planning something that happens every week, you must get clear with what you need to let go of. You simply cannot do it all. If you are the business owner, please realize that there are things that ONLY you can do, and there are things others can do.

Many times business owners are working on things that can be delegated, and neglecting the very things that ONLY they can do. As the business owner, YOU and only you can: 

• Analyze your financials and determine future direction

• Create and review your high-level strategic plan

• Lead your team and ensure everyone is working on tasks and projects that are in alignment with the businesses' core strategy and purpose

Take some time today to write out your business plan for 2026.

Write out what your profitability was from 2025 (both the number and as a percentage of revenue) and ask yourself if this is where you want it to be, or if you want this to grow.

Because profitable businesses aren’t built by accident.

They’re built by owners who choose to plan — simply, intentionally, and consistently.