As we step into spring, it's the perfect time for business owners to clear out the clutter—not just physically but strategically. Just like refreshing your home, your business needs regular check-ins to ensure it's running efficiently, aligned with your goals, and positioned for success.

Barbara Tolliver-Haskins, a WBO member and business leadership expert and executive coach with Executive Coaching Solutions, emphasizes the importance of reassessing your business operations regularly. She describes spring cleaning as “not just an activity, but a futuristic energizer”—a time to pause, evaluate, and reenergize your strategy. Drawing from her expertise, we’ve outlined key strategies to help you reset and reinvigorate your business this spring.

1. Evaluate & Refresh Your Business Goals

Mid-year is an excellent time to review your goals and make adjustments based on what’s working and what’s not. Ask yourself:

• Are your goals still aligned with your long-term vision?

• Have market conditions changed, requiring a shift in strategy?

• Are there areas where you've exceeded expectations or fallen behind?

Barbara advises business owners to take a big-picture approach when revisiting their goals. “Start with your vision and mission,” she says. “If your day-to-day actions don’t align with them, it’s time to recalibrate.” She also stresses the importance of benchmarking performance and ensuring accountability across the business.

Pro Tip: Break your goals into quarterly benchmarks. This makes them more manageable and allows for timely adjustments.

2. Identify Areas for Streamlining & Reorganization

Over time, inefficiencies can creep into any business. Identifying bottlenecks and eliminating unnecessary processes can free up valuable time and resources. Consider:

• Are there repetitive tasks that could be automated?

• Do any workflows create unnecessary delays or confusion?

• Are team members aligned with their strengths and responsibilities?

Barbara highlights that team engagement and feedback are essential to identifying inefficiencies. “Even the best of leaders and business owners need to stay in touch with their team’s concerns,” she explains. If your employees feel disconnected or unheard, it can lead to declining morale and productivity. Ensuring open and strategic communication can prevent unnecessary breakdowns in operations.

Pro Tip: Conduct a “time audit” for a week—track where your time goes and identify low-value tasks that can be outsourced or eliminated.

3. Prioritize with the Right Tools & Methods

Spring cleaning your business isn’t just about what to remove—it’s about how you organize and execute tasks going forward. Utilizing productivity frameworks can keep you focused on high-impact activities.

Barbara recommends:

• The Eisenhower Matrix for prioritizing urgent vs. important tasks.

• A quarterly business check-in to assess progress and obstacles.

• A structured action plan that aligns with long-term growth strategies.

She also stresses the importance of proactive decision-making: “Spring cleaning is about looking ahead, not just tidying up loose ends. Be intentional with the changes you make.”

Pro Tip: Use project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to keep tasks organized and ensure follow-through.

4. Reignite Your Business Strategy

With your goals refreshed, processes optimized, and priorities in place, the final step is breathing new energy into your business. This could mean:

• Exploring new marketing strategies to reach your ideal clients.

• Revisiting your brand messaging to ensure it’s still relevant.

• Strengthening your network and partnerships for fresh opportunities.

Barbara shares a case study about a business owner whose frequent travel caused team frustration. While the business was financially successful, the lack of leadership presence led to employee disengagement. This serves as a reminder that growth should not come at the cost of team cohesion. “Businesses that thrive are those that are willing to adjust their approach while staying true to their core values,” she shares.

Pro Tip: Schedule a brainstorming session with your team to identify one new growth opportunity for the upcoming quarter.

Final Thoughts

Spring is a time of renewal, making it the perfect season to refresh your business. By revisiting your goals, eliminating inefficiencies, implementing effective prioritization tools, and reinvigorating your strategy, you can set your business up for continued success.

What’s one area of your business you plan to ‘spring clean’ this year? 

Starting a business in 2025 is an exciting and transformative journey, especially for women who are looking to make their mark. Whether you’re taking the leap for the first time, adding another business to your portfolio, or refining your existing venture, there are key areas you’ll need to focus on to set yourself up for success. From legal matters to technology, marketing, and beyond, here are the five essential steps to help you launch your business confidently this year.

1. Legal: Set Your Business Up for Success

Before you dive into the operational side of your business, it’s important to get the legal foundation right. This includes registering your business, understanding taxes, and ensuring you have the right legal structure in place.

Action Steps:

• Choose your business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.).

• Register your business with the appropriate local, state, and federal authorities.

• Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for tax purposes.

• Consult with a legal expert to draft contracts, terms of service, and intellectual property protections.

Need more guidance on setting up the legal side of your business? Reach out to Laurie Lee, owner of The Legal Department, who specializes in building legally sound businesses or Kate Mesic, Mesic Law Firm for expert advice on business law and contracts.

2. Financial: Build a Solid Foundation

Financial planning is critical to the success of any business. Having a clear financial strategy will help you manage cash flow, secure funding, and make smart decisions from day one.

Action Steps:

• Set up a separate business bank account to keep personal and business finances separate.

• Create a budget and financial forecast for the first year.

• Research potential funding options, such as small business loans, grants, or investors.

• Consider hiring an accountant or financial advisor to help with taxes, bookkeeping, and financial planning.

For financial advice and resources, connect with Amanda Bunk-Sizemore of Maige & Sizemore Financial Planning for customized financial strategies tailored to entrepreneurs.

3. Marketing & Branding: Know Your Audience and Craft Your Message

Effective marketing and a strong brand identity begin with understanding who your customers are. Knowing your audience helps you create targeted messaging, tailor your offerings, and connect with potential clients on a deeper level. Once you know who you're speaking to, you can craft a brand and marketing strategy that resonates with them.

Action Steps:

• Define Your Audience: Identify who your ideal customers are by considering factors like age, gender, location, income, interests, and pain points.

• Create Buyer Personas: Develop detailed profiles of your target customers, outlining their needs, goals, and behaviors.

• Tailor Your Message: Craft a brand message that speaks directly to your audience’s values, challenges, and desires.

• Use the Right Channels: Choose marketing platforms where your audience spends their time—whether that's social media, email newsletters, or in-person events.

Need help identifying and reaching your target audience? Allison Walcutt from Branded MKTG can elevate your business marketing strategy.

4. Technology: Start Simple, Then Scale

When you're starting a business, the world of technology can feel overwhelming. From accounting software to project management tools, there’s an endless array of options. However, investing in the right tools early on can help streamline your operations and save you time. The key is to start with the basics, focusing on what’s most important for managing your day-to-day tasks and gradually expanding as your business grows.

Action Steps:

• Start with the Essentials: In the beginning, focus on technology that helps you manage key operations: basic accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks or FreshBooks) and a simple email marketing platform (like Mailchimp) are great starting points.

• Look for All-in-One Solutions: Rather than purchasing separate tools for each function (accounting, project management, etc.), explore software that combines several features in one (e.g., Zoho or G Suite). This reduces complexity and helps you avoid making multiple investments too soon.

• Be Selective About Automation: While automation tools can save time, it’s important not to automate too early. Start with manually handling customer outreach, scheduling, or social media to get a feel for your business needs before investing in complex systems.

• Choose Scalable Tools: As your business grows, you’ll need more robust tools. Invest in systems that can grow with you, offering additional features as your needs evolve.

Unsure about which tech tools are right for you at this stage? Dawn Wilson from Bluefin Tech Group offers expert advice on selecting the right technology for new business owners.

5. Strategy: Plan for Growth and Sustainability

A solid business strategy is essential for long-term success. Knowing where you want to go and how you’re going to get there will keep you on track, even when the road gets tough.

Action Steps:

• Define your short- and long-term business goals.

• Develop a business plan with clear objectives, timelines, and milestones.

• Stay adaptable and be ready to pivot if necessary.

• Build a support network of fellow entrepreneurs to share experiences and strategies.

Our organization is full of experienced members who can help you with every aspect of growing and sustaining your business. By joining, you’ll gain access to a wealth of knowledge, resources, and a network of like-minded women ready to support your journey. Learn more by visiting the Members page of our website.

Conclusion: Your Business Journey Starts Now

Starting a business in 2025 is an exciting opportunity. By following these essential steps and utilizing the right resources, you’ll be well on your way to success. If you’re ready to dive deeper into any of these areas, be sure to connect with the expert members of our community who can guide you through each step.