Happy New Year from The Extra Mile!
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Before you pop the champagne tonight, I hope you can take a moment to look back on the year. What lessons did 2025 have for you? What are you most grateful for?
Life rarely goes as planned, but it often gives us exactly what we need. Whatever missteps, risks, and unexpected triumphs shaped your year likely taught you more than playing it safe ever could. Acknowledging and applying those lessons will fuel your growth in the year to come.
Here’s why 2026 is going to be even better than you expect:
1. You’re more capable than you were a year ago.
Every challenge you navigated in 2025 added to your toolkit. You’re better at handling uncertainty, spotting opportunities, and making smarter bets.
2. AI tools are creating huge opportunities for small businesses.
New innovations are allowing small teams to compete in new ways, especially when it comes to marketing, customer service, and productivity. HBR is calling it the “Year of the 10x Founder” as entrepreneurs operate with “a level of velocity and productivity that is an order of magnitude greater than in prior generations.”
3. Canadian small business confidence just hit a year-long high.
According to the CFIB, small business optimism rebounded this month, with long-term confidence rising 4 points from November and getting back to the historical average. In other words, more Canadian small business owners expect their performance to improve over the next 12 months than to deteriorate. After a rollercoaster 2025, I hope that optimism will turn to increased motivation and growth.
And I could keep going – there are plenty more reasons to be excited for the year ahead if you go looking for them! I hope 2026 has some wonderful surprises in store for you, your family, and your business.
This Week’s Takeaway
Best wishes for a prosperous and enjoyable 2026!
Pricing for Profit
Most small business owners never get access to CFO-level financial guidance.
But on January 16th at ActionCLUB, I’ll be joined by fractional CFO Robyn Smith, from RS Management Accounting, in leading our “Pricing for Profit” workshop in Mississauga!
Robyn Smith is known for her practical, down-to-earth approach and her ability to break down complex financial information into clear, actionable insights. Her work focuses on cash flow awareness, building strong financial habits, and creating systems that support sustainable growth, especially during busy or unpredictable periods.
At ActionCLUB, you’ll learn how to create cash projections that show you exactly what you need to charge – backed by real numbers and experience.
What’s included:
→ ActionCLUB opening session (10-11am)
→ CFO-led pricing workshop (11am-12pm)
→ Networking lunch with local entrepreneurs (12-1pm)
$50 | IDEA Mississauga | Limited spots
Unreasonable Hospitality: By Will Guidara
This book is a helpful reminder that even in busy, fast-moving businesses, a little imagination and genuine attention can turn everyday moments into experiences people remember. With practical steps and uplifting stories, the author shares how a business can be transformed through small, intentional acts of care, both for guests and their own teams.
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