Clean Your House Before 2026: The Unsexy Work That Builds Strong Businesses

As 2025 winds down, the talk everywhere turns to goals, resolutions, and big plans for the year ahead. But if you’re anything like me, sometimes that can feel a little overwhelming. Some years, it’s not about big goals or fresh starts; it’s about getting your feet back under you and preparing your business for a smoother, stronger year ahead.

In full transparency, this has been one of the toughest years I have had in business. There were more hard days than easy ones, and many days I wondered why I kept putting myself through the chaos that comes with running a business. I don’t say that to be negative; I say it to be honest. Too often, we see highlight reels that make it look like everyone else is thriving, when in reality, most of us are just trying to make it through another day.

But those hard years teach you the most valuable lessons. And the biggest one I learned this year is this: you can’t build anything new until you clean up what’s messy.

Wearing the Wrong Hat

We have all heard the saying that wearing multiple hats is part of being a small business owner. But let’s be honest, wearing too many hats isn’t a flex, and wearing the wrong one can be downright damaging.

This year, I found myself deep in areas that aren’t my strengths: finances and HR. They are both important, but they are not what I love or what I’m best at. I’m happiest when I am being creative, strategic, and working on marketing and growth. Those are the things that move our business forward. But I spent too much time doing things that drained me.

When you’re stuck doing work that doesn’t fit your strengths, you end up holding your business back. It’s not about doing it all; it’s about finding people who love doing the things that drain you. When the right people are in the right roles, your company grows, and you regain the energy and focus to lead.

Stop holding yourself back by trying to control everything. There are talented people out there who actually want to handle the parts of business you dread. Let them.

Heading into 2026, ask yourself: what hat do I need to take off?

Get Real About the Numbers

Now for the unsexy truth: your finances matter. A lot.

If you are only tracking what is in the bank and paying bills when they come in, you’re flying blind. The difference between a business that’s surviving and one that’s thriving often comes down to financial discipline.

For years, I thought as long as we could pay our bills, our team, and ourselves, everything was fine. But “fine” isn’t the same as healthy. It wasn’t until we really started digging into the numbers daily, weekly, monthly, that I began to see where the gaps were.

Every dollar needs to be watched. You need people, not just software, keeping tabs on what’s coming in and what’s going out. When you finally get serious about your numbers, it’s like turning the lights on in a dark room. You see where the waste is, where the opportunity lies, and where your systems need tightening.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. Discipline around your finances will give you the stability and confidence to make bold moves in the year ahead.

Protect Yourself

Here’s another uncomfortable topic: lawyers.

If you plan to grow and hire, you need legal protection. All it takes is one unexpected situation, a customer, vendor, or employee, to throw your business into chaos. I’m not saying that to scare you; I’m saying it because it’s reality.

A good lawyer can review your employee handbook, pay structures, contracts, and policies to make sure you are compliant and protected. They can help you avoid the traps you don’t even know are there.

Pair that with a solid insurance review, and you will sleep better knowing that if something goes sideways, you’re covered. The last thing you want is to be blindsided by something that could have been prevented with a few proactive conversations.

The Foundation No One Talks About

Everyone loves to talk about building the “dream team” with your techs, CSRs, and managers. But your real foundation lives behind the scenes: your CPA, HR manager, insurance broker, lawyer, and your accounts receivable and payable reps.

These are the people who keep your business running smoothly when things get hectic. Without them, your company might look successful from the outside, but inside, it’s unstable.

So, before 2026 arrives, make this your focus:

• Review your handbook, policies and pay structures;
• Meet with your CPA and your lawyer;
• check your insurance coverage; and 
• Put the right people in the right roles.

These may not be the tasks that make flashy social posts or feel exciting, but they are what make a business sustainable. When your house is in order, you can finally focus on the things that drive you: leading your people, serving your customers, and creating a business that lasts.

Build Before You Begin

As we wrap up the year, I’m not setting resolutions or chasing shiny new ideas. I’m cleaning up what’s messy, tightening what’s loose, and preparing for what’s next.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that strong businesses and strong leaders don’t wait for Jan. 1 to start fresh. They start now.

Here’s to ending 2025 well, building a solid foundation, and stepping into 2026 ready for more good days than bad. Let’s clean the house and build something unshakable.