Quarterly Planning: Q1

Q1: January, February, March

Planning ahead is one of the best tips I can give for running a successful business. You have to think ahead to not be overwhelmed. If you’re keeping the plan in your head, it’s easy to lose track of the details. And that can lead to feeling overwhelmed and always behind. (This is something we run into ourselves!)

Plans, lists, and calendar reminders are some of the things we’ve found that help keep us on track. Each quarter, we’ll be posting a list (NOT all inclusive) of things to keep track of, items to update, and tips for planning for future holidays.

You can use the list below as a reminder to help you create your own task list or planning schedule. It’s not all inclusive - add to it as needed.

MAJOR HOLIDAYS

Major holidays need thought and attention BEFORE the holidays. It’s good to start thinking about your plans before the rush. Below you’ll find some things to consider.

Valentine’s Day ❤ (Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023)

Planning ahead will guarantee a successful Valentine’s Day. Since Valentine’s Day is so close to Christmas, it’s good to start thinking about your plans before the Thanksgiving/Christmas rush.

December:

This is technically quarter four, but we wanted to remind you

  • Plan holiday specials - what will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?

    • If you have records from last year, review them now!

  • Create the recipes for each special.

January:

  • Estimate how many of each special you want to sell

  • Place preorders for all fresh and hard goods so you can maximize savings

    • This should be based on the recipes for your specials

    • NOTE-pay attention to you supplier pre-book deadlines and adjust this accordingly

  • Order hardgoods and packaging materials

  • Start looking for extra help—designers, delivery drivers, phone help, etc.

  • Start you marketing program (emails, ads, etc.)

  • Set up your store displays

  • Put your specials on your ecommerce site

  • Sign up for our Valentine’s Day Systems Prep webinar! (Watch for the email for more information)

February:

  • Confirm extra help. Get any paperwork taken care of prior to Valentine’s week.

  • Finalize orders for fresh materials and hardgoods with your wholesalers if needed

  • Check the weather - this can change your delivery and packaging plans, so know what’s coming

  • Pace yourself - start designing as early as possible (this will depend on when your flowers arrive and what your specials include)

Mother’s Day 🌸 (Sunday, May 14, 2023)

As soon as Valentine’s Day is over, it’s time to focus on Mother’s Day.

March:

  • Plan holiday specials - what will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?

    • If you have records from last year, review them now!

  • Create recipes for each special


Minor Holidays

Minor holidays don’t take as much pre-planning, but it’s still good to think about them beforehand. It’s up to you if you promote these or not.

Easter 🐣 (Sunday, April 9, 2023)

March: (after Valentine’s Day)

  • Plan holiday specials - what will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?

    • If you have records from last year, review them now!

  • Create recipes for each special

  • Put your specials on your ecommerce site (early March this year)

Prom 💃 (Dates vary by school)

March: (after Valentine’s Day)

  • Confirm prom dates with your local high-schools

  • Order materials if needed

  • Start your marketing campaign

  • Put your specials on your ecommerce site

  • Confirm extra help if needed (based on prom dates in your area)

SEASONAL CHANGES

As holidays end and seasons change you need to think about making ecommerce updates as well as changing retail space displays. Go through this list to make sure you’re prepared for the new seasons.

January:

This could be for Spring or Valentine’s Day or both.

  • Change store displays. remove winter items, add spring &/or Valentine’s Day items. Dust & clean.

  • Plan ecommerce for upcoming season

  • Start your seasonal or everyday marketing (all occasions marketing) - spring to summer, etc. updating for seasons

February:

After Valentine’s Day.

  • Change store displays. Remove Valentine’s Day items.

  • Plan ecommerce for upcoming season

March:

  • If marketing for Easter and Prom, add store displays and ecommerce

FINANCIALS

Each month you need to be aware of what taxes are due and prepare for upcoming expenses. Staying on top of your financials is crucial to running a successful business! This, more than anything else, will determine your success as a business.

January:

  • File your sales tax

  • Pay monthly payroll taxes

  • Quarter 4 profit/loss review

    • Profit/loss for major holidays (if any)

  • Year end profit/loss review

  • Save for upcoming big expenses

  • Check in with your CPA

  • Cash flow - set aside portion of this months income for slow periods OR if slow period, withdraw money from that fund

February:

  • File your sales tax

  • Pay monthly payroll taxes

  • Profit/loss review of previous month

    • Profit/loss for major holidays (if any)

  • Save for upcoming big expenses

  • Check in with your CPA

  • Cash flow - set aside portion of this months income for slow periods OR if slow period, withdraw money from that fund

March:

  • File your sales tax

  • Pay monthly payroll taxes

  • Upcoming big expenses

  • Check in with your CPA

  • Cash flow - set aside portion of this months income for slow periods OR if slow period, withdraw money from that fund

**DISCLAIMER - This list is not exhaustive. We are not tax or legal professionals. You are responsible for your own deadlines, tax and legal obligations.

POST MORTEMS

Time to refresh and follow up after these big holidays. After each holiday record your thoughts, what went well, where you had issues, what the weather was like, what you want to do different next year. It’s good to write these down in a place where it’s easy to find next year!

January:

  • Christmas / Winter Holidays

February/March:

  • Valentine’s Day

SELF CARE

Taking care of your business is very important but taking care of yourself and your employees is just as important, if not more! Don’t forget to take the time to relax and destress, especially after busy seasons.

  • January is the perfect vacation month if you only do weddings

  • Take a day off, plan a spa day, get a massage

  • Close for a day of rest after Valentine’s Day, especially if you’ve worked through a weekend

  • Do something nice for your employees - gift cards, day off, bonus, buy them a meal


Need some personalized help with all this?

Click to LEARN MORE about our 1:1 consulting.

Previous
Previous

DON’T PANIC! Valentine’s Day Shorts to keep you on track & NOT panicking

Next
Next

Florist Tips