The Founders Who Plan Ahead Will Dominate in 2026 - What You Can Do to Be One Of Them.
It’s mid-November. That OMG it’s nearly the end of the year panic is hitting…but there’s still time to make moves that matter and set yourself up for a stellar start to 2026 as a brand.
What’s Inside
THE Q4 Brand Momentum Strategy: 5 Things to Focus on to Get Ahead
Free Marketing Strategy Template + Content Planner
Free Big Picture Thinking Business Prompts
👋 Hiya! I’m Sarah Saxty, but most people call me Sax.
I've been referred to as "a business guardian angel", "a pocket CMO" "community builder" and "my motivation" but in basic terms - I'm a brand marketing mentor and business coach helping beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands launch, grow and scale.
Everything we do is rooted in my core philosophies and frameworks: Sticky Brand DNA, BFF-level Customer Connection, Aligned Marketing, and IFGT Founder Confidence.
The same things we talk about here :)
I'm 44 years into life and 20 years into my brand building career
[*career in 2X ~ fashion buyer corporate > trends reporter > NYC brand founder > marketing freelancer > fractional CMO > mentor]
I’m pretty active on Notes, and I show up here with a new post every week to help you create a brand that people are obsessed with and a business that drives sustainable revenue while stepping into your IFGT (I Fucking Got This) era as a founder and entrepreneur.
Let's start creating forward. ↴I’m a numbers girlie, I love the data proof.
40-60% of annual revenue for product brands happens in Q4.
Last year, Shopify processed $94.46 billion in GMV during the holiday season.
$11.5 billion happening during BFCM alone.
Revenue surged 31% year-over-year.
But here’s what the data doesn’t show: the founders who crushed it weren’t the ones throwing together a 25% off sitewide sale 1 week before BFCM.
They were the ones who planned ahead.
Here’s another stat:
Businesses that prepare for Q4 early tend to outperform their reactive peers by 25–40%.
I’m not saying this to make you feel behind.
I’m saying it because whether you planned ahead or not, there are still strategic moves you can make RIGHT NOW that will set you apart from everyone else who’s just winging it.
What Reactive Panic Mode Looks Like
Brands that are in reactive mode, are:
Running generic BFCM sales with zero strategy
Blasting their email list with discount codes
Posting sporadically because they’re “so busy”
Hoping traffic will just... happen
Planning to “figure out January” after the holidays
Translation: They’re leaving space for you to stand out
What IFGT (I Fucking Got This) Founders Do Instead
While everyone else is in reactive mode, you’re being intentional about the last weeks of the year.
Your audience isn’t checked out, so neither should you. They’re:
Actively gift shopping and making purchase decisions
Scrolling during downtime with family
Actually opening emails (hello, holiday engagement spike)
Looking for brands that GET them, not just discount them
This is prime time for strategic brand building, not just desperate discounting.
The question is: Will you use it?
THE Q4 Brand Momentum Strategy: 5 Things to Focus on Now
1. Strategic Visibility (Not Just Noise)
When your competitors go into panic-post mode with zero strategy, your consistent, thoughtful content stands out.
Do this: Show up with a unique POV on gifting, end-of-year reflections, or what’s coming in 2026.
Show your BFF customers you’re thinking bigger than a sale.
2. Nurture Your VIPs (They’re Your Easiest Revenue)
Loosen your grip on new customer acquisitions, focus on relationship building with the people who already love you.
It’s a common knowledge in the marketing world that an existing customer is way more cost efficient than a new one.
New = cold.
Existing = hot.
Do this:
Segment your VIPs and send them early access or exclusive offers
Send them a quick Q text, DM, or email asking what they’re gifting this year or what’s on their wish list
Reward loyalty with surprise samples or comp their next subscription order
Bump up your review capture with a specific review driving campaign (social proof = holiday conversions)
EXAMPLE:
I’m obsessed with what the Brez founders did here to engage with their VIP’s (and go viral)
3. Make Your Customer Journey Crystal Clear
If someone lands on your site right now, can they figure out what to buy in 30 seconds? Or are they overwhelmed and bouncing?
Do this:
Audit your homepage, navigation, and product pages.
Add “gift guide” categories.
Create clear one-liners for each product that say WHAT it is, not your cute brand name
IE: The Miracle Worker = The Miracle Worker Magnesium Powder
Real example: Last year I worked with a 7-figure wellness supplement brand, who had an amazing product line that was confusing AF.
Which was intriguing given their whole mission is to make gut health healing, easy.
We renamed products, restructured her site, and built a clear customer journey. Result?
She doubled her Q4 conversion rate and was on track to hit her revenue goals.
4. Start Thinking Big Picture
The founders who win aren’t just fixating on November, they’re planning out Dec, Jan, Feb and even Mar as Q1.
Do this:
Grab my big picture thinking prompts here.
Plot out your Annual Calendar for 2026 (15 mins)
Map out your multi-channel Marketing Strategy (at LEAST through December)
THEN, work on Q1.
You can use my Marketing Strategy Template + Content Planner here.
5. Plant Seeds for 2026 Partnerships
Yes, even now. The brands crushing partnership collabs next year are having conversations THIS MONTH.
Start the conversation NOW before their calendars fill up and you get a whole bunch of “ahhh, our calendar is full, maybe next year?
Do this:
Create your list of 15 - 25 dream partners or media targets.
Send a thoughtful note to at least 5 of them.
Get coffee in December. Play the long game.
Refresh your partnerships website page.
Update your pitch deck (3 pages max)
The Compound Effect
Every strategic move you make while competitors just discount and hope compounds your advantage.
Every relationship you build RIGHT NOW strengthens your 2026.
Every piece of customer data you capture gives you fuel for smarter decisions.
The founders building intentional brands right now are the ones you’ll see everywhere in 2026.
Don’t let the end of the year be your “Ugh, I wish I did that” moment.
Be the founder that followed through.
Sax - X
Recap Checklist:
Segment your email list (VIPs, subscription customers, inactive subscribers)
Audit your site’s customer journey for connection and conversion
Do the Big Picture Thinking exercise
Map your annual marketing calendar through Q1
Launch a review campaign to build social proof
Reach out to 3 potential partners or media contacts for 2026
P.S. Grab the two templates I mentioned (for free) here:
What are you focusing on for the rest of 2025 and early 2026?
Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear what you’re building toward.