It’s a new year and right after the ball drops, it’s time to go to work. Often entrepreneurs and business owners create their New Year’s Resolutions around their business. It could be more revenue, hiring clients or launching a new product or service, but every new year is an exciting time because it’s ripe with opportunity. We asked 30 entrepreneurs to share their business goals and what they were looking forward to in 2021.
#1- Two fundamental goals for 2021
The first is to lead by example; the culture and the foundation of your business start with you. Be consistent with your work, and your employees will see that. I’m pretty much available to the company 24/7. My staff knows if they ever need anything that I’m here to help with any issues that they may encounter. As a leader, you should lead during this time with exemplary actions. You should lead by example and not illustrate how turbulent times may affect you personally. Second, seek out opportunities; don’t let hard times get the best of you, and seek new doors when others have closed. Stay open-minded with new opportunities that come your way to grow and expand your business more.
Thanks to Daniel Snow, The Snow Agency!
#2- Honestly, there's so much more to do!
We've focused our energies so far on helping a small set of relationship-driven businesses build valuable long-term relationships. But we think there's a deep vein of opportunities to help our existing customers and many more people manage and expand their professional network. One of the concepts we get most excited about is making it easy for people outside of an organization to share their relationship networks with each other – effectively expanding their network, and enabling that much more access to opportunity.
Thanks to Ablorde Ashigbi, 4Degrees!
#3- Double our revenue
It's a big goal, especially because our original goal for Anvil was 2in2, meaning double our 2019 revenue in 2021, but COVID delayed that target. I didn't want to lose sight of the goal, so we revised our plan to hit our goal in half the time. To get there, we've modified our service mix, processes, upgraded our team and refocused our sales and marketing efforts.
Thanks to Kent Lewis, Anvil!
#4- Push the community for deeper engagement
RISC-V will remain laser-focused on ratifying extensions, identifying and addressing opportunities and gaps, and expanding collaboration and development across markets to strengthen the community and access to RISC-V resources. To help accomplish this goal, we will continue to push the community for deeper engagement in our technical groups and will continue to roll out new educational programs. Doubling down on these efforts will help to fuel volume deployments of RISC-V in the coming years.
Thanks to Calista Redmond, RISC-V!
#5- Remain calm
My goal for 2021 is to remain calm things are never as good or as bad as they seem. In the second half of March revenue for all online businesses dropped a lot…people were freaking out and many laid-off employees. We stayed firm and even did a sale for our customers which had the proceeds benefiting the CDC foundation to provide PPE equipment to front-line responders to the virus. In the next 30 days online sales doubled for all e-commerce businesses and we were glad we kept our team. Had we been too quick to react and laid off our staff we would not have been able to handle the increase in sales that came next. I know a lot of companies are still struggling but I do think the lesson of not reacting too quick still holds. ANd for 2021 I plan to keep this mentally.
Thanks to Alex Keyan, goPure Brands!
#6- Focus
This year was filled with distractions, and as an entrepreneur, distractions can be the kiss of death. There will always be more work to do than hours in the day, and the only way to achieve success is by finding ways to block out all the unimportant noise. I plan to begin each and every day in 2021 by writing out a simple question for myself: What is the most important thing I can accomplish for my business today? By thinking through and writing out my main goal for that particular day, I will be able to retain focus on what truly matters, and push my business further than ever before.
Thanks to Kelly Bertog, Yours!
#7- Release 6 new products and expand
In 2021, our goal at Gleamin is to release 6 new products and expand into international markets. As we currently stand, we have one best selling product which has done extremely well in the beauty market, we would like to expand our offering of products to better suit a variety of needs of customers from all over the world.
Thanks to Jordan Smyth, Gleamin!
#8- Keep my healthy habits
I work out almost every day and stay very healthy to keep my energy levels up and my mind as sharp as possible. It has helped me a lot this year to keep my body healthy as we have gone through so many different rollercoasters because of the pandemic. During these unprecedented times, I have come to realize that health is the most important thing and I plan to do my part to keep being healthy.
Thanks to Dr. Robert Applebaum
#9- Materialization of dreams
We've put so much aside this 2020, and what I think is that we have to be more clear of the path we want to follow so that we'd be able to put a direction on it. This year is when I realized how much my goals matter for my satisfaction, and why I should also find ways to materialize such and finally turn those into reality. It's when we stop all the what if's and finally start living your what if. This coming year is about being brave and taking the risks to turn that impossible into I'm Possible instead. My goal is set on improving my career, and building more opportunities as I dwell on my profession.
Thanks to Lianne Sanders, Total Shape!
#10- Keep growing my business
As eCommerce takes the stage for all business revenues I hope to take my business from point A to point B and expand on the opportunities that the year 2021 has in store for us. I hope that I can increase my brand's awareness and leave a lasting imprint in the beauty world.
Thanks to Jason Wong, DoeLashes!
#11- Development and communication of company culture and values
The reason is that the company culture you create is what your customer sees. It is simultaneously your identity and your picture. If it's effective, it will attract good employees and also will be able to retain customers. This has never been more valuable than today. While it has always been crucial to every business, the intensifying talent wars have raised culture's relevance to a new level. Now, workers have more choice in employers than ever before. Competitive wages and compelling performance still matter, but I believe that culture will retain my best employees, eject those who are not as devoted, and attract candidates who will thrive in our workplace. The bottom line is that we need to prepare for prosperity in the next year. While managing this economic cycle's challenges, I strive to get our business ready to capitalize on the next one.
Thanks to Eric Anwar, NU-X CBD!
#12- Share our message and story
At Dr. Brite, our main goal for 2021 is to spread our brand messaging and share our story and how your products/services are different from everyone else's. We have started educating our customer base via emails and acquiring new customers via paid ads. It's important to nurture the existing customer relationships, talk about our story, and when the time comes, ask our loyal followers and customers for support. If we don't start now, we will not have a loyal audience that is willing to spend money on our brand/products. Sharing our story is KEY to success. When people know us and trust us, they naturally will buy from us and support us.
Thanks to Dr. Pooneh Ramezani DDS, Dr. Brite, LLC!
#13- Perfect my presentation skills and networking
This new remote working environment requires lots of public speaking, presentations, and general networking. In order to differ from the rest and get recognized, I must learn to use new communication tools and solutions to the best of my advantage. That is why I've decided to bring my presentations to life with creative designs and layouts. Also, I want to discover the most suitable communication platforms to engage with our clients, colleagues, and employees that will ultimately make us stand out from the competition. I will strive to become an expert in hosting virtual conferences using the various tools available. Who knows, this might be the next big career as businesses and organizations are shifting to the digital world. My additional plan is to attend more conferences, webinars, and local meetups with experts in my field to learn how to effectively collaborate and deliver while working remotely.
Thanks to JP Brousseau, Phone Loops!
#14- Become a better entrepreneur
My primary goal for 2021 is to focus on the 80/20 rule when it comes to my work and time. The 20% of my time and energy that accomplishes 80% of the results in my business is where I want to focus my attention. I want to focus on perfecting my current skillset rather than trying to wear everyhat in my business. My goal is to become a better entrepreneur by being a better manager and knowing what to get off my plate. I want my vision for my business and for myself in 2021 to be so large that I will only be able to accomplish it with the help of other people. I want to include more people in my business by giving them key responsibilities and autonomy to make decisions.
Thanks to Alex Shute, FaithGiant!
#15- Extend my business
Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of helping well over 100 fellow freelancers by sharing lessons learned along my own freelance journey. But a lot of that assistance has been informal. In 2021, my focus will be on developing and sharing accessible, practical resources for new and struggling freelancers looking to overcome current challenges and reach the next level in their businesses.
Thanks to Nia Gyant, Nia Gyant Content Writing!
#16- Two goals
My goal for 2021 is to take some time be in the present and prioritize what matters. I can get too caught up in work sometimes and forget to take care of myself. 2020 has been especially difficult for me (and many others) and I’m hoping to come into 2021 feeling stronger than ever. Business-wise we’re hoping to really emphasize and grow our brand’s “personality” we want to separate ourselves from the rest of the crowd and are constantly experimenting with new products and expanding our line of ambassadors.”
Thanks to Danny Pollack, Bespoke Extracts!
#17- Simplicity
Keeping my 2021 goals simple is going to be imperative. My goals are really focused around how I can empower my team. Specifically, I'm going to do a deep dive into our systems and pivot in order to create more autonomy for my team in their roles and help them feel empowered. With a remote crew, it's so important that they feel confident in their decision making and that we can come together collectively with our unique skillsets to move the company forward and provide our clients with the best service possible. Better systems will be key for making this happen.
Thanks to Nickey Rautenberg, Player Partnerships!
#18- Creating a healthy organisation culture for staff retention
Staff come and staff go, but when you lose great staff you ask yourself What could I have done differently to make them stay? For 2021 we have decided to change the question to How do we make great staff stay? Our goal is to create an environment where business process improvements can be seamlessly executed to increase profits and improve workplace workflows. To ensure that progress is maintained, we will be providing staff education, mentorship and culture programs to align teams with common goals and deliver exceptional outcomes.
Thanks to Alida Karro, The Practical Enterprise Group!
#19- Reopen offices in a smaller capacity
In 2021, I would like to reopen offices in a smaller capacity when it is safe to do so and when my employees are comfortable with returning. My goal is to make everyone as happy as possible, in which I have developed a hybrid solution of working from home combined with the option of available office spaces. Having both options available will give employees the ability to choose what suits their needs most for that specific day, week, or month. I look forward to testing this hybrid workplace solution this coming year as we settle back into somewhat regular life post-pandemic.
Thanks to Brandon Monaghan, Miracle Brand!
#20- Establish a trustworthy reputation
Next year I will distinguish my brand as trustworthy and reliable to customers. As we have been moved into a digital era, people are not as likely to be exposed to new products on the market. Customers are looking for word-of-mouth recommendations from their friends, colleagues, and/or favorite influencers. People want to hear and see how reliable and esteemed a product is, so my goal is to establish a trustworthy reputation through influencer marketing and growing a larger social media audience.
Thanks to Daniel Shapiro, Fourlaps!
#21- Social awareness
I want my company to be a safe social space for everyone. Social awareness is paramount during these times, especially in the workplace. Not only are we faced with a global health crisis but we have all had a wake-up call about how distant we are from complete social harmony and it is the responsibility of employers to uphold their company and team to a standard of tolerance and appreciation of all cultures.
Thanks to Roy Ferman, Seek Capital!
#22- Continue sharing my story
As the founder/Owner of Jamie R. Wright, LLC, my goals for 2021 is to continue sharing my story of surviving domestic violence in the midst of COVID-19 in a way that raises awareness, provides education, encouragement, and empowerment to others. Finding myself at a local women’s shelter (Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) during COVID-19 as a result of domestic violence, and now I thrive as a result of the help/resources I received at HAWC; I feel it’s my life purpose to do the same for others!
Thanks to Jamie R. Wright
#23- Revive, grow, and give back
The economy has taken a huge hit during the pandemic, which has created a butterfly effect that echoed through all sectors of business. My plan for 2021 starts with reviving my business and dedicating myself to regaining pre-pandemic productivity. The next step is to grow and reach new levels of success. 2021 will feature an economy ripe for commerce and I want to be a business that takes advantage of the upcoming growth in our economic cycle. Lastly, I will put a renewed emphasis on giving back. Whether that means donating time and money to people in need, or giving a platform to marginalized causes. 2020 has shown us we must stick together to conqueror life's obstacles. In the new year, I am making it one of my main goals to do more for others.
Thanks to Julian Goldie, Goldie Agency!
#24-Surviving
In the tourism industry, it would be easy to say, my goal is to recover business. However, realistically 2021 is going to be a year of surviving in my industry. So, I think my personal goal, because things are so unstable, is to continue working on the bedrock of my business so that when I get busy again, I have a good foundation. I have spent 2020 updating my site, working on link building and trying out different marketing techniques. By the time tourism recovers, I would like to have a clear marketing goal going forward that works well on its own and just needs me to check on it from time to time. I also will be working on plans to prepare for COVID-like situations in the future as society becomes more unstable.
Thanks to Shaun Taylor, Moriti Private Safaris!
#25- Get back on track
Just like other business owners, 2021 will be the year of the comeback. For what has happened in 2020, there are a lot of losses that happened and that’s why 2021 is focused to get back on track. As a business owner myself, my goal in 2021 is to make a suite for a well-known artist and to be the best tailor locally. This will definitely make us back on track and this will attract more leads and prospects that eventually turn into profitable clients and customers.
Thanks to Samrat Amarnani, Collars & Cuffs!
#26- Finish a detailed company processes wiki
My goal for 2021 is to finish a detailed company processes wiki by May. This way I can spend the rest of the year planning where I will open my second and third offices. The plan is to provide my employees with a detailed processes wiki they can refer to whenever they have a question or concern. Then, if the wiki is not properly explaining the process to them, they can come to management with questions.
Thanks to Ryan McEniff, Minute Women Home Care!
#27- Establish a Virtual Workplace
Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the way businesses set their goals, and it has influenced my goal setting as well. The pandemic and global lockdown have taught me to set a goal that is timeless and works forever. I have planned to make my business activities versatile and flexible so that we can operate in any kind of situation and circumstances. My business goal is to set up a working environment that doesn’t require the physical presence of every individual in one place. In other words, I have set a goal to establish a virtual workspace, to which we can shift at any time so that our business doesn’t shut down or get affected by any disaster or pandemic. We will be flexible in our everyday business operation and have a versatile workspace and team that can adapt to any kind of circumstances.
Thanks to Adi Donna, Cozy Down Home!
#28- Refining our web application and pushing out more content
In 2021, we want to focus on how we can support the overall wellness of our own team members and other teams through well-being coaching. We're going to do this by refining our web application and pushing out more coaching content that's related to things like how to develop psychological safety in the workplace and improve communication. Most importantly, I want to continue practicing these principles with my own team to see them through these tough times we're living in.
Thanks to Michelle Duval, Fingerprint for Success!