Tips For Reducing Small Business Holiday Stress

The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but if you are running your own small business during the most hectic time of the year, you are bound to be even more susceptible to overwhelm. I asked a few of my favorite successful business owners and makers what they do to keep things in perspective and under control during the holiday rush. Their answers had a very consistent theme to them. There are no magic tricks here, just simple ideas to keep you on track.

Start early!

Successful sellers say that by getting a jump on ordering supplies and filling inventory, the holidays will run a little smoother. Shannon Conrad (rubygirl) says that she tries to have all of her supplies ordered by the beginning of November:

“By ordering early, I have the luxury of searching out the best price for these items and can choose the cheapest (slow) shipping options. By planning ahead, you will save time and money, not to mention a lot of stress.”

Becky Stripe Striepe (Glue and Glitter) notes that for years she’s vowed to be more organized so that she can get a jump on the holiday rush and she’s finally taking her own advice:

“This year, I made a production schedule and forced myself to stick with it. I set up iCal reminders with how much of which product I needed to make each week to meet my holiday inventory goals, and it totally worked!”

It may be too late to be this ahead of the game this season, but it is never too early to start preparing for future rushes. Pay attention to what your hot items are (and which supplies you run low on) so that you can make a plan for next year.

Take care of yourself!

When we are really busy, self-care tends to fall to the bottom of the list of priorities. If you burn out or get sick, though, you are going to be less effective (and certainly more miserable). Shana Hampton (cookoorikoo) says to take simple actions to stay healthy:

“Make sure you’re getting sleep and taking vitamins, I’ve had more than my share of head colds during the holidays as a result of being stressed out and worn down.”

Just as important is making sure you get some downtime. Kirsten Moore (Piper Ewan) says that taking time away from your work is essential:

“Schedule time off. An afternoon to yourself, an outing with a friend, quality time with your family. It seems silly to have to schedule out down time, but this may be the only way you get it. Insist on it.”

Your small business probably doesn’t have paid holiday time or sick leave, so make sure you are being good to yourself!

Be Organized!

Whether you are filling increased orders from your shop or doing multiple holiday shows, you need to have a process and a plan to get things done efficiently and correctly. Painter Michele Maule speaks the truth about the importance of my favorite organization tool:

“I keep a detailed to-do list with me at all times. I find that I can stay on task better and I actually sleep better if I have a well thought out to-do list.”

Shana stresses the necessity of being organized when filling and sending out orders:

“Come up with a shipping process that works and includes a system for double checking. It is unbelievably easy to send the wrong item to everyone in a group of people, especially if you run more than one shop!”

And if your holiday involves the craft show circuit, Kirsten says you should keep everything together (and in one place) for the entire season:

“Have a designated area in your house or studio to put your show stuff. If you are doing multiple shows, it is great to have an area to keep everything and to add the bits and pieces as you think of them. Write a list of each and every thing you need to bring with you. Include food on that list!”

If being organized is not one of your natural tendencies, make sure to take the time to write everything down and check your lists!

Don’t take on more than you can handle!

If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that I am a big fan of saying not saying yes to every opportunity that presents itself. Shannon says this especially holds true during the extra busy holiday season:

“Whether a custom order, a new retailer or a promotional opportunity, it is ok to say no. Know your limits and be ok with walking away from something if you need to. I would rather miss a potentially great opportunity than take on too much and not be able to give anyone my best. The good news is by saying “no” you are presenting yourself as someone who is successful and in demand. That makes you desirable and many of the opportunities you have to turn down may still be there after the busy holiday season.”

Stay connected and stay real!

While keeping things on track and under control is essential, perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you do not live in a vacuum. Your community, your friends and family, and even your customers, are a great resource and support when you are feeling overwhelmed. Cassie Ridgway (designer and owner of Mag-Big) says that community is the key:

“There is nothing more fundamental or vital to the sustainability of a small business… And your friends and family are inextricably linked to your business. Whether you know it or not, they have helped you define it, and they will continue to do so. Never forget to thank them.”

And Shana reminds us that gratitude should not be set aside, no matter how much you are scrambling for time:

“Thank your customers! Even when things are crazy busy, I still include a thank you note with each package. When there are so many options to choose from, it’s important for our customers to know we appreciate them and their choice to buy handmade.”

With the holidays quickly approaching, what are the things you do to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed?

Bettie is a business lawyer and a self-taught photographer living in Portland, Oregon who just started selling her prints and notecards in her brand new Etsy shop. Bettie eats tomatoes like apples, hangs out in thrift stores, and collects knee socks and red shoes. You can find her blogging about life and DIY over at Little Paper Cities or hanging out with her two daughters and two ridiculous little dogs.

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