Before you plan 2026, start here

I’ll never forget the day my Great-Uncle looked me in the eye, with that old man kind of twinkle, and said, “It’s all about the people.”

And he should know. The son of a sharecropper born in rural Carolina, he went on to serve in the military and eventually build a highly successful company. What an arc. And yet, he wouldn’t have had that story if he didn’t understand this truth: it really is all about the people.

We’re in the thick of Q4, and if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur, your brain is probably already racing ahead to 2026. What are the sales goals? Which metrics should we track? How many new hires do we need to make? What will profit look like? Totally normal questions. But here’s the problem: too often we plan for growth and forget the heartbeat of the business…the people.

When your team is thriving, the business usually is too. When your people are off, you can feel it; in the energy, in the culture, and ultimately in the results.

I remember leading our company’s annual Team Retreat a couple of years ago and asking, “What would make you love where you work?” I expected answers about compensation or big perks. Instead, they gave me three simple requests:

• A better coffee maker.

• Better snacks.

• No Friday huddle—just a flexible day to wrap up the week.

That was it. Small things that made a big difference. And you better believe I implemented them immediately. Because here’s the thing: when you take care of your people, they’ll take care of your business.

So as you head into your annual planning, I invite you to pause and ask:

• What do my people really need?

• How can I serve them better?

• What would make their days easier, fuller, or lighter?

That’s how you build a company that grows with people, not at their expense.

If you’re ready to make a 2026 plan that supports both your people and your profit, I can help. Strategic planning and execution is my jam. And it’s exactly what we do inside a Business Strategy Session.

Just ask my friend Emily, who started her design business:

“When starting my business Laura played an invaluable role in not only getting my systems in place but my mindset in the right direction. Having someone that is both your cheerleader and guide is a powerful tool in the direction towards a successful business. I am beyond grateful for her guidance and expertise through what could have been a much more difficult process without her.”

Because at the end of the day, it’s all about the people. Always has been. Always will be.