If January hasn’t gone to plan, this is for you!

I can’t quite believe we’re already entering the final days of January 2026.
What a whirlwind of a month it’s been.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve spoken to a lot of female business owners, and a common theme keeps coming up — not business challenges, but life ones.

Family bereavements.
Illness.
The usual family pressures and responsibilities that so often land on our shoulders.

We all step into a new year with enthusiasm and hope, and then sometimes, without warning, the wind is knocked out of our sails by something completely unexpected involving the people closest to us.

And when you’re a business owner, that can feel particularly hard.

You can’t fully prepare for these moments — and if this has been your experience recently, and you’ve had to step back from your business for a while, that is okay. Your health and your family’s wellbeing will always matter more than anything happening at work.

But life isn’t linear or predictable — and that’s exactly why, as business owners, we need to build businesses that can cope when we’re not firing on all cylinders.

That doesn’t mean having everything perfectly systemised overnight.
It just means taking tiny steps forward.

A few practical thoughts if things feel a bit heavy right now:

• If you’re scrambling to get your self-assessment done at the last minute, please consider finding an accountant this year. Doing it yourself rarely saves money in the long run — and it costs far more in stress and headspace.

• Look at admin tasks that could be outsourced, even for a few hours a month. You might be surprised how much time and energy they’re quietly draining.

• Ask yourself what absolutely needs you — and what doesn’t. Not everything requires your direct involvement.

None of this is about pushing harder.
It’s about protecting yourself.

If January hasn’t gone to plan for you, you’re not behind.
You’re responding to real life — and that takes strength.

And if you need to talk, or you’re not quite sure where to start making things feel lighter, my inbox is always open.

Speak soon,

Cherie