In this episode, I’m sharing why entrepreneurs don’t need a rigid New Year plan for growth—and how a more sustainable approach to planning can create clarity, momentum, and focus without burnout.

We’ll talk about why January doesn’t need to be rushed, how stepping away from internet-driven pressure leads to better decision-making, and what it looks like to set a few clear, grounded non-negotiables instead of an overpacked plan.

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to plan the new year with intention, protect your energy, and build long-term growth without forcing productivity, this episode will help you slow down, recalibrate, and lead your business in a way that actually works.

In today’s episode, I share:

• 03:48 – Why 2026 feels like a “becoming year” and what the Year of the Horse symbolizes for leadership, clarity, and movement
• 07:18 – How treating January as a recalibration month (not a sprint) changed everything
• 08:48 – Why focusing on non-negotiables matters more than setting big goals or resolutions
• 09:28 – Why the podcast remains the portal and the most aligned anchor in the business
• 10:38 – The power of one simple weekly email and how the Better Together newsletter fits into a sustainable rhythm
• 11:48 – Why committing to one in-person networking event a month creates real momentum and connection
• 12:48 – How the CEO Week schedule provides structure without rigidity (and why No-Meeting Fridays are sacred)
• 14:08 – A simple framework to define your own theme, non-negotiables, and quarterly rhythm
• 16:18 – Permission to stop forcing clarity, trust your boundaries, and let your habits reveal what’s next

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

👉 Take the FREE CEO Week Challenge → www.hollymariehaynes.com/ceoweek

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

🔗 FREE RESOURCES:

https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/workwithme

Ever notice how spending money in your business can feel strangely loaded, like you’re supposed to know the “right” number, the “right” time, or the “right” formula, even though no one ever actually taught you how to make those decisions? In this episode, I’m joined by Kickstart Accounting CEO and co-founder Danielle Hayden for a grounded, refreshing conversation that takes the pressure off your finances and puts clarity back in the driver’s seat.

Danielle breaks down the psychology behind spending, the expense categories every entrepreneur should understand, and the simple percentages that make decision-making feel less emotional and more strategic. We talk about navigating different seasons of life and business, why permission to invest is often the turning point for growth, and how to shift from “I’m not a money person” to “I can absolutely learn this.”

If you’ve been craving structure, confidence, or a healthier relationship with your numbers, this episode will help you see spending as a tool, not a test, and step more fully into your CEO role.

Today you’ll hear:

• 02:48 – How Danielle’s journey from corporate CFO to entrepreneurship reshaped her mission around helping women feel empowered with their money
• 05:48 – The hidden money narratives entrepreneurs bring into business and why so many feel intimidated by their numbers
• 06:48 – Why reducing expenses isn’t the path to profitability and how spending should reflect your actual goals
• 08:48 – The major business spending categories explained (plus the healthy percentage ranges to aim for)
• 10:48 – When to invest in expert support, how to use operating costs to buy back time, and what shifts as you approach six figures
• 12:48 – A real client case study showing how spending evolves across growth, personal life changes, and different business seasons
• 15:48 – The power of quarterly planning and why long-term goals must stay flexible in a changing world
• 17:48 – The most common limiting belief around money and Danielle’s reframe that helps entrepreneurs stop seeing finances as a personal flaw
• 19:48 – How the 48-Hour Rule keeps you from impulse investing and brings your decisions back into alignment
• 20:48 – Danielle’s non-negotiable business expense (and why no entrepreneur regrets hiring the right help)
• 21:48 – Her top recommended money resources and the advice she’d give her younger entrepreneurial self

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE:

Website: http://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com

Instagram: @kickstartaccounting

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

👉 Take the FREE CEO Week Challenge → www.hollymariehaynes.com/ceoweek

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

🔗 FREE RESOURCES:

https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/workwithme

We’re wrapping up the year with your most-downloaded episodes—the ones that helped you grow smarter, simplify faster, and work less without losing momentum.

In today's pep talk, I share about high-impact activities—the tasks that actually move the needle and help you hit your goals. The secret to real growth isn’t doing more—it’s doing the right things.

In today's episode, I share:

• How to identify high-impact vs. low-impact tasks in your business
• The 80/20 rule and how to maximize your results with less effort
• The 3 categories of business activities and where to focus your time
• How to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real progress

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

👉 Take the FREE CEO Week Challenge → www.hollymariehaynes.com/ceoweek

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

🔗 FREE RESOURCES:

https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/workwithme