What Founders Should Keep Top of Mind During the Holiday Rush
December hits differently for founder-led, family-owned businesses. The holiday season brings both opportunity and overwhelm - surging demand, tighter timelines, and the pressure to finish the year strong. It also brings something unique: the chance to reinforce the values, connection, and legacy that make your business what it is.
As you move through the holiday rush, here are the key areas to focus on to protect your people, strengthen your operations, and position your business for a strong start to the new year.
1. Balance Speed With Sustainability
During the rush, it’s easy to slip into “just get it done” mode. Let’s face it, efficiency that comes at the expense of burnout isn’t really efficiency.
Look ahead at workload peaks and staff availability.
If it makes sense for your business, hire temporary help to avoid overloading your core players.
Identify bottlenecks before they become problems.
2. Protect Your Family Dynamics
Family-owned businesses feel the strain of the season in a different way. When family members are involved, stress doesn’t stay in the conference room; it follows you home.
Create clarity on holiday roles and responsibilities.
Remember to separate “business conversations” from “family conversations” whenever possible.
Keep in mind, healthy dynamics fuel healthy operations.
3. Communicate Early and Often With Customers
Holiday expectations are high. Transparency goes a long way.
Share cutoff dates for orders, services, or projects.
Communicate proactively about delays or constraints.
Reinforce what customers can expect from you this season.
4. Prioritize Operational Readiness
The businesses that stay calm in December are the ones that prepared in October. But even now, small adjustments make a big difference.
Streamline packaging, labeling, and fulfillment steps.
Confirm supplier timelines and have backup plans in place.
Tighten internal processes that tend to wobble under pressure.
5. Stay Connected to Your Team
Your people notice the moments when a founder shows up - and they remember them.
Walk the floor.
Help assemble boxes or pack orders.
Bring lunch or treats during peak weeks.
Celebrate the small wins that keep the machine moving.
6. Protect the Traditions That Matter
The holidays are a chance to intentionally reinforce the culture that sets family-owned businesses apart. Whether it’s a team lunch, a charitable tradition, handwritten cards, or a simple 'thank you speech, keep your unique culture alive during this chaotic time. These rituals create the glue that holds your team (and your legacy) together.
For additional ideas on keeping the culture strong during the holiday season, check out this blog from 2024 by Reverie called, Keeping your Employees Jolly (And Productive) During the Holidays.
7. Step Back So You Can Look Ahead
It’s tempting to stay fully in the weeds until December 31st, but founders need space to think. A quiet hour with a notebook can do more for your business than another hour answering emails. Before the year ends, carve out intentional time to reflect on:
What worked
What didn’t
Where you want the business to go in the next 12 months
Final Thoughts:
The holiday rush is intense, but it’s also a reminder of why you built the business in the first place. People trust you. They choose you. They come back to you.
Lean into the chaos, protect your people, and stay rooted in the values that make your business family-owned, founder-led, and special. When you do, December becomes more than survival; it becomes momentum.
Happy Holidays!