Introduction
Welcome to the Thrive By Design Summer Series - quick, practical episodes to help you step into the holiday season with clarity, calm, and confidence. Whether you’re taking a full break or just slowing the pace, these episodes will help you set things up so your business keeps humming while you recharge.
It’s early December - which means many of us are in that wild mix of finishing projects, juggling client requests, thinking about gifts, school finishing, and desperately trying to get everything sorted before we take a break.
But there is one thing I want you to pause and look at… Your cashflow.
Because nothing will ruin a well-earned break faster than a nasty financial surprise in mid-January.
And to show you why this matters - let me tell you a story about one of my clients.
Summer #1 - The Chaotic One
Two summers ago, James had what he now calls “the worst start to a year he'd ever had.”
December had been hectic — tons of work, lots of delivery, plenty of invoices raised… and he walked into Christmas feeling hopeful.
But January rolled around and suddenly things didn’t look so good.
Clients were away.
Invoices he expected to be paid… weren’t.
His team’s leave payments landed right as his bank balance dipped.
And the cash that “looked fine” in December evaporated almost overnight.
He told me later he spent most of that January refreshing his banking app, hoping the numbers would magically change.
It was stressful, embarrassing and completely draining.
He went into February feeling behind, worn out, and frustrated at himself - even though he hadn’t actually done anything wrong.
He just didn’t have a plan.
Summer #2 - The Turnaround
Fast forward to last summer.
We sat down together in early December and worked through the exact Summer Cashflow Checklist I’m going to walk you through today.
He mapped his cashflow.
He chased payments early.
He smoothed his expenses.
He created a small buffer.
And he planned his January activity before he even closed for Christmas.
And it changed everything.
He came back from his holiday refreshed instead of anxious.
His cashflow was steady.
He didn’t panic once.
And for the first time, he felt like he was genuinely leading his business instead of reacting to it.
This summer - Summer #3
This summer - right now - he’s completely calm.
Not because everything’s perfect.
Nor because he’s magically immune to seasonal cashflow dips.
But because he now trusts the process.
He knows his numbers.
He knows what’s coming.
He knows what to do.
He knows the system works.
And that’s exactly what I want for you.
So let’s dive into the Summer Cashflow Checklist that helped James turn two very different summers into a repeatable rhythm - one that supports him year after year.
Why Summer Cashflow Matters
I want to start by talking about why summer cashflow matters so much.
December always feels like a booming month. You’re busy, clients want work done yesterday, invoices are flying - it looks great.
But activity doesn’t equal cashflow. And cashflow doesn’t always care how hard you worked.
Here’s what typically happens in a service business over summer:
December is huge, but
January is slow
February can be delayed
Meanwhile, your expenses keep ticking along
And payroll, rent, and subscriptions hit whether you’re working or not
It’s not mismanagement - it’s seasonal timing.
And this is why so many entrepreneurs get caught off guard.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. Once you understand the cycle and plan for it, you can eliminate 90% of the stress.
That’s what James learned.
And that’s what you’re about to learn.
Step 1: Forecast the Next 8 Weeks
The very first step - and the most powerful - in the summer cashflow checklist is visibility. You can’t plan for what you can’t see.
So take some time this week to forecast your cashflow from now until the end of February. You don’t need a fancy model. A simple spreadsheet or even a notebook works.
Start with:
1. Confirmed Work Before Christmas
List everything you know you can invoice before the break.
Then ask:
Has it been invoiced yet?
When is it likely to be paid?
What date will it hit the bank?
This is the detail that matters.
2. Likely Income in January and February
Then, think look at what your likely income is for January and February.
Be honest - not hopeful.
If your clients usually take long breaks, factor that in.
If your biggest payer shuts down for three weeks, don’t assume they’ll magically process your invoice early.
Shift the expected dates.
3. Identify Every Expense That’s Coming
Lastly, identify every expense that's coming over the period. Think about:
Payroll.
Rent.
Software.
Subscriptions.
Taxes - We definitely don’t want to forget them.
Plus any surprise “summer extras” like the cash you want for your family holiday.
Then, put it all together.
Plot your expected bank balance week by week.
When James saw this laid out for the first time, he had a huge lightbulb moment:
“The problem wasn’t December - it was January. I was planning for activity, not cashflow.”
Once you see the truth on paper, you’re no longer guessing.
You’re leading.
Step 2: Collect What’s Owed - Now
The next step is to focus on what you are owed. This is the moment to tighten your receivables. If you wait until mid-December, it’s too late. Finance teams shut down. Inbox chaos takes over. People mentally check out.
So, before this week is over:
Run your aged receivables report
Send reminders for anything overdue
Pick up the phone for larger outstanding amounts
Ask for early payment if possible
Invoice January work now if it’s already confirmed
This isn’t being pushy. This is being responsible.
You have already delivered the work. You have already earned the payment.
And the difference this makes heading into January is huge.
For James, collecting outstanding invoices early was the single biggest factor that turned his second summer around.
He told me: “The moment the money hit the bank, he felt like I could actually relax on holiday.”
That’s the outcome we want.
Step 3: Review and Time Your Outflows
Step 3 is all about reviewing the timing of your outflows. Cashflow isn’t just about what you earn - it’s about when the money moves.
Once you know what’s coming in, flip your attention to what’s going out.
Go through your expenses and ask:
What is essential and must stay?
This is your core operational costs.
What can be moved or delayed?
Suppliers are often more flexible than you think.
Many are happy to shift due dates or split payments over December–February.
What can be prepaid?
Sometimes paying something early in a strong December can soften the January dip.
And don’t forget payroll.
Annual leave, public holidays, and timing quirks can mean you have two pay cycles close together.
This is what caught James off guard in his first summer - and what he planned for meticulously in his second.
He went from:
“Why is all my money disappearing?”
to:
“This is exactly what I expected - and it’s fine.”
That’s the power of timing.
Step 4: Protect Your Summer Buffer
Step 4 is all about creating a summer buffer. If December is financially strong - protect part of it. Create what I call a Summer Buffer.
Think of it as your financial sunscreen - preventing damage before it happens. This doesn’t need to be huge.
Even a modest buffer can cover:
A quiet week
A late invoice
A holiday pay cycle
An unexpected subscription or cost
And here’s the mindset shift:
A buffer isn’t a sign you’re worried. It’s a sign you’re leading.
James said this was the moment he finally felt like a CEO:
“Having a buffer made me feel safe, even when things slowed down.”
That’s what we want for you too.
Step 5: Plan Your January Momentum
The last step is all about planning your January Momentum. January is slow for many people because they return to work without a plan. But your January doesn’t have to be slow. Create momentum now - before you switch off.
Take an hour this week to:
Draft your January social content
Prepare proposals
Schedule client check-ins
Line up outreach
Block time to work on the business
Refresh your offers or pricing if needed
James did this in his second summer and it completely changed how he started the year.
Instead of scrambling, he came back with clarity.
He stepped into January already in motion.
And this year?
He already has his January mapped out, and we’re still in early December.
That’s what repeatable systems give you - confidence.
Bonus Tips & Quick Wins
Here are some actions you can take today for some quick wins:
1. Email your clients your shutdown dates and invoice cut-offs
Clarity prevents chaos.
2. Do a 15-minute invoice tidy-up
You’ll be shocked how many people owe you money you haven’t followed up.
3. Check your subscriptions
There is no need to pay for things you are not actively using.
4. Automate payment reminders
Let your systems do some work while you’re away.
5. Add future-dated reminders to your calendar
For example:
“Follow up X invoice on Jan 10th.”
That one action can save a cashflow dip.
To Wrap-Up…
To wrap up, here’s your Summer Cashflow Checklist:
Forecast the next 8 weeks
Collect what’s owed - now
Smooth the timing of your outflows
Protect your buffer
Plan your January momentum
This is exactly the system that took James from:
Stressed, blindsided, reactive in his first summer
to:
Steady, confident, and in control in his second summer
to:
This summer: being calm - because he knows the system works.
That’s the power of planning, That’s the power of clarity and
That’s the power of designing your business, not just surviving it.
Take an hour this week to run through the checklist.
One hour now will save you weeks of stress later.
Until then, keep thriving - but do it by design, not by default.
Crafting a Business You Love
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