152 - Laryssa and Liz on Planning 2026 With Clarity, Confidence, and Less Overwhelm

Summary

Success With Jewelry Podcast – Episode 152

Title: Planning 2026 With Clarity, Confidence, and Less Overwhelm
Hosts: Laryssa Wirstiuk & Liz Kantner
Date: December 1, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this year-end episode, Laryssa and Liz help jewelry business owners prepare for 2026 with practical, actionable advice on year-end reflection, goal-setting, and building sustainable business plans. The episode is grounded in empathy, encouragement, and their own lived experiences, offering guidance on how to reduce overwhelm while increasing clarity and confidence in business planning.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Q4 Challenge & Year-End Energy

• [01:52] Balancing Holiday Rush with Planning
  Liz highlights the unique struggle jewelry brands face due to Q4’s demands and the challenge of planning for a new year amid the end-of-year rush.

  “It’s like you spend so much time, effort and energy around [Q4] that the new year is like, how do you even think about that?” – Liz [01:52]

• [03:35] January’s Slowdown and Opportunity
  Both hosts discuss how January tends to be slower, which brings both challenges and a "renewed energy" to reflect and reset for business growth.

The Importance of Reflection

• [05:00] Reviewing What Worked – The Data and the Feelings
  Laryssa stresses the need to objectively review the year, using sales figures, analytics, customer feedback, and honest personal reflection.

  “Look at real numbers. Sales, marketing, social media, analytics, growth, customer feedback. All of those things are really helpful…” – Laryssa [05:35]

• [06:22] Confronting 'Numbers Anxiety'
  Liz admits the stress that comes with reviewing one’s own numbers and encourages making the review process enjoyable:

  “Maybe, like, put it on your calendar, get your favorite coffee beverage… make it not scary…” – Liz [06:40]

• [07:08] Celebrate Consistency as a Win
  Even if growth isn’t dramatic, maintaining consistency in business is acknowledged as a significant achievement.

  “I’d say staying consistent is a real win.” – Laryssa [07:54]

Setting a Vision for 2026

• [08:51] Articulating Long-term Goals
  Liz and Laryssa urge listeners to define where they want their business to be by the end of 2026, even if the path forward is unclear.

  “Like, I know with certainty where I want my business to be at the end of 2026. I don’t know how I’m going to get there. And that’s the hard work of, like, putting a strategy together…” – Liz [08:56]

• [09:53] Journaling and Externalizing Your Vision
  Liz recommends journaling or sharing with others to clarify internal goals.

  “Sometimes when it comes out, you’re like, oh, yeah, I did think that, or I do want that, but it’s just living in my head.” – Liz [09:59]

Turning Vision into Actionable Plans

• [10:29] Write Down Specifics
  Details matter: write down target income, the types of clients or work you want, and break big numbers into manageable pieces.

  “A yearly goal…and then breaking it down by month, I find to be helpful. And then also breaking it down by like, how many pieces do you need to sell?” – Laryssa [10:57]

• [11:16] Make Goals Tangible & Less Overwhelming
  Liz notes that breaking sales goals down into their real-world components makes them feel attainable.

  “You could have a sales goal and it could feel so impossible to you. But when you break it down…” – Liz [11:19]

• [12:29] Quarterly and Monthly Milestones
  Planning at the quarter and month levels enhances focus and allows for tactical execution:
  • Example Q1: Launch a new collection
  • Q2: Grow your newsletter list
  • Q3: Apply to shows
  • Q4: Increase holiday sales by a percentage over last year

Building Systems & Habits for Consistency

• [13:47] Schedule Regular Check-Ins
  Monthly progress reviews (with a treat!) keep goals front-of-mind and reduce last-minute stress.

  “Maybe once a month on the calendar…to again have a treat and look at your numbers again, or like look at your strategy and just check in with yourself.” – Laryssa [13:51]

• [14:28] Protecting Creative and Restorative Time
  Plan time for creativity and rest as intentionally as for sales and marketing.

  “If you’re constantly working or constantly in your to-dos, it’s hard to set space to be creative.” – Laryssa [14:37]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s hard to set space to be creative…looking at your year now, maybe it’s blocking off days…to be creative or do something for yourself, because that, I think, will go a long way.” – Laryssa [14:37]
• “There might be something negative out there in the numbers, but if you were doing the work, showing up, putting in the time, I promise you there was some kind of win or improvement…” – Liz [07:54]
• “Having a plan will make all of the other things easier because you will have something that you’re working towards…” – Laryssa [05:00]
• “Do as I say, not as I do. But I am constantly working towards better planning. This year’s gonna be different.” – Laryssa [14:28] (with laughter)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Q4 Challenges & The New Year: [01:52]–[04:51]
• Annual Reflection Process: [05:00]–[08:16]
• Vision & Goal Setting for 2026: [08:51]–[12:25]
• Building Consistent Habits & Systems: [12:29]–[14:37]
• Action Item—Set Time for Your Planning: [15:20]–[15:36]

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Actionable Takeaways

• Set aside intentional time in December or January for business reflection and 2026 planning.
• Review the year’s real numbers and celebrate both big and small wins—even if it’s just “staying consistent.”
• Articulate your big-picture vision and break it down into actionable quarterly and monthly targets.
• Schedule monthly check-ins and make them enjoyable to stay engaged with your goals.
• Protect and prioritize creative/restorative time as a core part of business planning.

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Final Note:
The hosts conclude with encouragement for the community to share their wins and planning progress, and offer to be accountability partners for their listeners.

“Let me know if you do this too. Let us know if you reflect and do this work. And I’d love to hear a win from everyone too, if you’re up for sharing.” – Laryssa [08:51]

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For further connection or to share your 2026 plans, visit successwithjewelry.com and reach out!

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Success With Jewelry Podcast. Your go to source for real conversations about business marketing and what it actually takes to succeed as a jewelry brand.

[B]

Today I'm Larissa, the strategist systems queen and the one who finds joy in turning big marketing challenges into step by step plans that actually work. Email marketing and generating revenue through it is a specialty of my agency, Joy.

[A]

Joya and I'm Liz, your creative compass and advocate for designers doing things differently. I I live for brilliant brand storytelling, beautiful visuals, and helping designers confidently show up and shine. I founded the Stay Gold Collective to create community and support for independent jewelry brands.

[B]

Together, we bring you nearly two decades of jewelry marketing experience and on this podcast we're pulling back the curtain on everything we've learned. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to your next big milestone, you'll get honest insights, helpful tips, and maybe a few giggles along the way.

[A]

This is episode 152. As we wrap up the year, it's time to look ahead and start planning for 2026. Thoughtful planning sets the foundation for growth, focus and balance in your business. Whether your goal is to increase sales, refine your brand direction, or create more space for creativity, now is the time to map out what will help you get there. In this episode, we'll walk through how to review your past year, set realistic goals for the next one, and build a plan that actually supports your business and your life. Let's get into it.

[B]

Oh, 2026, am I right?

[A]

I know it's coming, it's coming, it's coming quick. Yeah, I think when this comes out it will either be, I think it'll be the first week in December I.

[B]

Think is where we are.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what kind of sucks for like not just jewelry brands, but anyone that revolves around Q4 being a big selling time of year. It's like you spend so much time, effort and energy around that that the new year is like, how do you even think about that?

[A]

It's tough. And really we're talk, I think we're talking about this earlier than usual, but later than we should. Maybe you kind of have to be in holiday mode and planning mode kind of in tandem, which is not necessarily easy to do, especially if you're have to be at your bench, you know, making things or shipping things or doing all of that work. It's a lot. Or maybe you're at direct to consumer events and you just don't have the time. So, you know, a lot of designers I know like to take kind of between, you know, Christmas and New Year's to think about, you know, the upcoming year, do some. Some big picture planning because they finally have the space to do that. Some people just like to take off from their business at that time. We have a joke in the Stay Gold Collective where we'll talk about planning in January, but kind of like, pretend that February 1st is the start of the year so that you have that, like, extra month. But that's tricky when you have, like, trade shows coming at you quickly or you have, like, we have Valentine's Day that comes up so quickly. So having some sort of plan going into January is obviously the best way to do it.

[B]

Absolutely. Yeah.

[A]

And the other thing that's challenging is.

[B]

January can be a slower time, and so it can be hard to get excited for that or to rally or to have new ideas to keep your audience engaged.

[A]

Yeah, it's. It's this. This whole thing is tricky. I think. I. It's interesting, though, that, like, January does bring this new energy, and, you know, it kind of feels like, you know, you get through that last of your holiday selling, and then you can take a pause, maybe spend time with family, and then, like, come back, kind of reinvigorate it or with, you know, a more robust energy. I kind of love Q1 for that, is that I feel like people do come into it with, like, a renewed energy.

[B]

That's really true. A renewed desire to, like, improve and optimize, to reflect and look at new opportunities, that maybe at other times of the year when you're, like, in the thick of everything, it's hard to know where or how or when to make a change for something.

[A]

And fresh clarity. And I think that's. That's something I really appreciate about my business, is that when I do get to this point of the year and I'm like, oh, I'm feeling, like, a little bit stuck, or I'm kind of not sure what I want to focus on. I can always reset for a new year. Mm. So, anyway, when it comes to planning, and we know why planning is important, because planning ahead, like, you know, we're. As a solopreneur or a business owner, you are setting the direction for your business. So if you have no game plan, then you are directionless. And having a plan will make all of the other things easier because you will have something that you're working towards, but the first thing you want to do is reflect on the previous year. So looking at what worked, what didn't work, and why, you know, we still have a month left in this year, and maybe it's your biggest month, but start looking at everything else that happened and, and what worked and what didn't. Look at real numbers, sales data. Like, you can reflect on your feelings too, but look at real numbers. Sales, marketing, social media, analytics, growth, customer feedback. All of those things are really helpful to, like, really ground yourself in.

[B]

I have so much empathy for people that go and do this process at the end of the year. For me, looking at numbers, especially for my own business, I have no problem.

[A]

Doing it for other businesses.

[B]

But when it's for my own business, I get numbers anxiety. I hate it so much. So if that's you and you also feel that way, I think try to find a way to make it, like.

[A]

More of a joyful, fun experience.

[B]

Maybe, like, put it on your calendar, get your favorite coffee beverage or whatever. Go in a comfy place. Like, make it not scary. I think adjusting your environment and your mindset and preparing yourself for that will make it a less awful experience if you just, you know. Yeah, it's hard. It's. I don't know what I'm trying to say, but it can be really anxiety inducing.

[A]

Yeah. Get yourself a treat, identify your wins and make it fun, because it's interesting. They. You know, I know a lot of designers were kind of coming into Q4 being like, oh, this year is not looking great, but I talked to a few, too, who were like, oh, I actually looked at my numbers for some of my fall events or just my fall sale or whatever, and I'm actually ahead of last year. So sometimes when you look at the actual numbers, you're actually ahead of where you kind of felt you were, and you might have more wins to celebrate than you thought. And I would say that staying consistent, and maybe you're not growing your business or maybe you're not way ahead of last year, but I'd say staying consistent is a real win.

[B]

I love what you just said. Yes. So there might be something negative out there in the numbers, but if you were doing the work, showing up, putting in the time, I promise you there was some kind of win or improvement that happened for you. And you almost need to, like, find it sometimes because it might not be obvious.

[A]

Yeah, I. I need to make a commitment right here, publicly on this podcast that I am going to look at my numbers, I'm going to get myself a treat, and I'm going to look at these numbers. I'm going to do my reports, which I'm way behind on, and. And celebrate my wins. I'm going to do it, because there's.

[B]

Got to be wins in there, a hundred percent there.

[A]

Let me know.

[B]

Maybe they're different from wins that you've had in the past. And so they're not going to be as obvious to you, but you'll find something that you'll be like, oh, wow, okay, I didn't realize that.

[A]

Let me know if you do this too. Let me know. Let us know if you reflect and do this work. And I'd love to hear a win from everyone too, if you're up for sharing. But after you reflect, then you want to start looking ahead and set kind of your big picture vision. So where do you want your business to be at the end of 2026? Interesting saying that out loud. Like, I know with certainty where I want my business to be at the end of 2026. I don't know how I'm going to get there. And that's, that's the hard work of, like, putting a strategy together and figuring out, you know, the plan to put in place to make sure or not make sure, but to, to put everything in place so that you can try to get to that. And anyway, I, I was kind of like in this last month of the year, like, I have no idea what I want to do with my business, but saying that just now, I do have more clarity than I thought I did.

[B]

I think that's probably true for a lot of people, but maybe if it lives in your brain only, it could be hard. I recently started in my end of year reflection, I've been journaling a lot to try to, like, make sense of it, because sometimes when it comes out, you're like, oh, yeah, I did think that, or I do want that, but it's just living in my head, you know, So I don't, I don't pay that much attention to it.

[A]

Yeah, you have to put it out in the universe somehow or write it down or share it with someone, have an accountability group.

[B]

You could tell us.

[A]

We'd love to hear from you. I've said that so many times this episode. We really would love to hear from you. Tell us. Please tell us. But also, like, getting clear on. And I know this too, but I should write it down. The, the kind of work and clients you want to attract and how you want to feel in your business, what kind of balance you want, what kind of creativity, space for creativity, what kind of income goals. Writing down numbers, I think is really, really helpful for yourself. And, you know, a yearly goal, like a goal for the year. And then Breaking it down by month, I find to be helpful. And then also breaking it down by like, how many pieces do you need to sell? Like maybe you have this bestseller and you need to sell X number of them to meet your sales goals.

[B]

All of that can be really helpful. Yeah, that practice to be so eye opening sometimes because you could have a sales goal and it could feel so impossible to you. But when you break it down in the way you describe, like I need to sell X amount of pieces, that means I need to like get this many people to my website or reach out to like whatever. This many people. You're like, oh, I could do that. Like that's not out of the realm of possibility. But if you're just thinking in abstracts, it feels so much harder than it needs to be.

[A]

And when you're thinking about it as like one big number or one big idea for 20, 26 versus like what do I want to accomplish in Q1, what do I want to accomplish in q2 and make it smaller and more actionable, then you can set like real tactics, like put tactics in place to make those things happen versus like oh, I want to get to. I want to sell a million dollars worth of jewelry. Like you need to break it down so that you have a clear plan on how to get there and make it like actionable.

[B]

A hundred percent. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I think, you know, having like one main goal per quarter. So maybe you have your big idea for the year or your big number for the year and then like have your quarterly goal. And I like monthly goals too, but a quarterly goal of like one big thing you want to accomplish each quarter. Like maybe it's launch a new collection in Q1 and then grow your newsletter list in Q2. And maybe Q3 you're applying to shows and maybe Q4 you're having, you know, you're increasing your holiday sales by 15% over last year. So something like that get kind of clear after you have that big picture of what you want each quarter to look like and then break it down by month I think can be really helpful. And then once you have all that building systems and habits to support the plan. So coming back to how can you stay consistent to achieve these things? So monthly check ins to track your progress is good. Like maybe once a month on the calendar you put like you block off a couple hours to again have a treat and look at your numbers again or like look at your strategy and just kind of check in with yourself. And if you put it on your calendar now, it'll be there for you. You won't have to keep thinking about it. It'll just. It'll be there and you'll do it. You know, kind of speaking to having, like, a renewed sense of energy in the beginning of the year. That's why it's such a great time to, like, go in with this type of plan and to do some of this work in the beginning of the year. Because by the time we get to Q4, we're feeling burnt out and tired and all the things. But we, you know, ideally would have already done a lot of this planning, so we don't have to have that big burst of energy. We can. We can just go with the plan and keep going.

[B]

Yeah, it'll make you feel so much more grounded. Everything. Listen to Liz. It'll make you feel so much better. Everything that she just said.

[A]

Yeah, do as I say, not as I do. But I'm con. I am constantly working towards. Towards better planning. This year's gonna be different. We're gonna do it. And I think that the other thing I would say, as we're looking ahead to the new year, because I know so many of you need this, is to think about how you can protect your creative time and have time to rest and take care of yourselves. You know, especially from a creativity standpoint, like, if you're constantly working or constantly in your to dos, it's hard to set space to be creative. So, like, looking at your year now, maybe it's putting blocking off days or parts of days where you can be creative or do something for yourself, because that, I think, will go a long way. All right, so. So, you know, I know. I know we're in it. I know we're in December, but schedule a time to kind of think about your 2026 planning to. To do your reflection on this past year and to think ahead to the next year. Yeah, just schedule that. That's. That's your action item.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Have you started thinking about 2026? Let us know. Visit successwithjewelry.com, and if you love the podcast, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message or leave us a review. Thanks for being a.