Recession fears. Economic uncertainty. Tariffs. Interest rates. It's been a stressful year for small business owners, and you might be worried about what 2026 will bring.
But here's what I learned this week at a Small Business Week event with the Chief Economist from BDC: 2026 won't be as bad as you think.
Yes, we'll see slower growth. But growth nonetheless - not recession. And as a small business owner, you have way more control over your success than you realize.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the economic outlook for 2026 (both Canada and the US), what it actually means for small businesses, and most importantly - what you can do right now to ensure your business thrives regardless of what the economy does.
What we cover:
- The real economic outlook for 2026 (hint: it's not doom and gloom)
- Why consumer spending will continue and what that means for service-based businesses
- The areas you can actually control in your business: productivity, costs, customer experience, and sales
- Why AI might be your secret weapon for 2026
- The hard truth about sales: why YOU need to be doing it (and when you can finally delegate)
- The Million Dollar Baby (actually movie title is "Joy" :)) lesson every business owner needs to hear
The Bottom Line:
You can't blame the economy for slow sales when you're doing nothing to bring clients in. People are still spending, but they're being more cautious. Your job is to show them why you're worth it.
Stop waiting. Start planning. Make 2026 your best year yet.
Ready to Plan Your Best 2026?
I'm hosting two complimentary Strategic Planning Events in November and December to help you create a clear, actionable plan for 2026. Spaces are limited.
Email me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com to secure your spot.
Want personalized help growing your business? Book a complimentary consultation at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
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