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WillowOlder
WillowOlder
May 7, 2018

QUESTION: What’s Your Secret to Running a Successful *Seasonal* Business?

  • May 7, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 0 views

Plenty of entrepreneurs have seasonal (and, hopefully, predictable) highs and lows throughout every business year. For example, if you own a construction, lawncare or landscaping business or you run a beachside restaurant, an ice cream shop or a summer camp for kids, the warm summer months are typically your busiest. When the weather cools down, so, too, does your revenue stream.

We want to know:

How do you strategize and adjust for the shifting seasons in your business? How do you plan ahead – in terms of finances, employees, inventory and more – both for your busiest and your slowest sales cycles?

Thanks for sharing your insights in the comments below. We’re excited to learn from your experience!

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      4 replies

      WillowOlder
      WillowOlderAuthor
      May 7, 2018

      Hi @Thehvacguys, @jmisunas, @257197 -- any experience or insights you can share about working in a biz that has some sort of seasonal aspect to it? I'm really curious about how you adapt and prepare for both high and low seasons. I know it's a juggling act, to say the least! Thanks for replying...

        jmisunas
        jmisunas
        May 8, 2018

        Great question Willow! In the beginning stages, my business was definitively governed by the holiday season. While now it’s adapted to be rather fruitful year round. My advice is to try and find ways of service and relevance in the non-season or use that down time to market and network to build your business and allow it to grow feim

        there. 

          EmilyCowan
          EmilyCowan
          May 8, 2018

          That's a great point, @jmisunas! There's lots of room for creativity in making the most of the "off-season."

           

          The seasons here in New England change A LOT, and it can be a challenge for many outdoorsy businesses to adapt their services. "Boat Camp," for example, began as very popular summer program in our area. The organization soon began expanding into educational programs like half-day "forest kindergarten" in the fall and spring and vacation-week camps in February and April. They also host marine-science themed birthday parties at their boathouse in the winter. 

            WillowOlder
            WillowOlderAuthor
            May 9, 2018

            @jmisunas @EmilyCowan -- Thanks for chiming in. I guess a lot of it comes down to planning ahead for the high season and staying nimble to get the most out of the quiet time. Here's a good example of nimble: I know someone who runs a New England lawncare company in the summer and spring. In the winter, he's focused on his holiday lighting biz. Nice!

             

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