May 2025

We know you're going through challenging times. Running a small business is already a high-stakes, high-emotion endeavor, and right now, the pressure might be weighing heavier than usual. During Small Business Week (May 4–10) and Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to focus on the overlap: when your business feels more in control, so does your mind.

Here are three sanity-saving strategies we offer as business consultants and accountants—not just to grow your business, but to help you feel better while doing it:

1. Reassess Your Niche

Who are you really marketing to?

Last month we talked about clarifying your niche—let’s take that deeper. Get specific. What are your ideal customers struggling with right now? What do they want today, not last year? That clarity can make your messaging more effective and reduce the overwhelm of trying to be everything to everyone.

2. Refocus Your Offerings

Is everything you sell still worth your energy?

Maybe it's time to prune underperforming products or services. Then, look at what else your customers need before, during, or after working with you. Could another local business complement your offering? Partnership can be a sanity-saver—and a growth lever.

3. Sharpen Your Communications

More connections = more resilience

The businesses that thrived during past downturns? They didn’t go quiet—they amped up communication. Loyalty programs, weekly updates, and behind-the-scenes videos—they all keep your audience engaged and coming back, even when times are tight.

No, this isn't traditional “mental health” advice—but it is how you stay sane in chaotic times: by building a business that supports you, not drains you.

📎 CTA: Want help implementing any of these ideas? Talk to your CSA (don’t have one? Let us know, we’ll get you set up.) Let’s talk about a few strategic shifts that could ease your workload and sharpen your results.

If you're in manufacturing—or just rooting for resilient small businesses—here's something to celebrate. The SBA reports a 74% increase in 7(a) loan approvals for small manufacturers this spring, signaling renewed federal focus on the domestic industry.

While this won’t apply to every business, it’s an encouraging sign that growth capital is still moving in the right direction.

📎 Read More

📎 CTA: Thinking about financing this year? Let’s explore your options with your CSA. (Don’t have a CSA? Contact Roger at RogerA@PrattandLeFevre.com )

If you haven’t had your Quarterly CFO Call yet, now’s the time. These calls do double-duty: they look back at what worked (or didn’t) last quarter, and help you fine-tune your plan for the next one.

Whether it’s forecasting cash flow, adjusting tax strategies, or refining your pricing, this kind of review keeps you aligned with your goals—and prevents nasty surprises later in the year.

🧮 Pro tip: A smart tax plan isn’t just about deductions. It’s about decisions that keep cash in your account when you need it most.

📎 CTA: Ready to regroup and refocus? Book your Q2 CFO Call today—we’ll walk through the numbers and the next steps. Just visit <here> to book your session, or reach out to your CSA or CFO for an appointment.