In this solo episode 73 of My Kind of Business, I’m sharing the five business decisions I’d love you to make before January. If you’re a small business owner, freelancer or solopreneur feeling the pressure to have a polished 2027 plan ready to go, this one is for you. Drawing on nine years of coaching hundreds of small business owners, I explain why a good plan starts with a few simple foundations, and none of them need a complicated spreadsheet or a whole week off.

Each decision comes with one small action you can take today, so grab a pen and a notebook before you press play.

In this episode:

• Why strong foundations need to come before goals, numbers and quarterly plans
• How to get honest about who you really want to work with in 2027
• Three questions to help you decide which offers stay and which ones go
• Why I’m retiring my power hours, and what that decision has freed up
• Pricing from fear versus pricing from value, and whose voice is really behind your doubts
• How one graphic designer raised her prices and filled her diary for three months
• Choosing one main marketing channel instead of trying to be everywhere
• The difference between being visible and actually inviting people to buy
• Why plans slip when nobody checks in, and how to find the people in your corner

BOOK YOUR 2027 BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOP
A relaxed, practical workshop to look back on 2026 and plan your next 12 months in a way that fits your real life. All stages welcome.
Every ticket includes a pre-workshop mini audit, my simple goal-setting and planning framework, a guided visualisation, a panel of three business owners sharing their planning habits and a bonus online accountability session in mid-January.
Choose your date:
Shrewsbury: Tue 24 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Lion & Pheasant Hotel
https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningshrewsbury
Woburn Sands: Fri 27 Nov, 10am to 12.30pm, Frosts
https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningwoburn
Online: Wed 2 Dec, 10am to 12pm
https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2027businessplanningonline
Tickets: £48 in person, £38 online, or add £100 to go VIP and get a 60-minute 1:1 with me. In-person guests also get a printed workbook, pen, surprise goodies, pastries and refreshments. Spaces are limited.
Business training can often be tax deductible, so check with your accountant.

Timestamps
00:37 Welcome to episode 73 and why November is a good time to reflect
01:06 Why you need strong foundations before a 2027 plan
02:24 An overview of the five simple decisions
03:31 Decision 1: Who you want to work with
06:54 Decision 2: Which offers stay and which go
10:39 Decision 3: Your prices
14:10 Decision 4: Your main marketing channel
18:16 Decision 5: Who is in your corner
21:24 Recap of the five foundations
22:19 2027 Business Planning Workshop dates, venues and tickets
24:01 Make one decision today

Connect with me
Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com
Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching