Is Your Business Ready for the Season Ahead?
June has arrived in Truckee-Tahoe.
The days are longer. The mountains are green. The lake is beginning to sparkle with that unmistakable Tahoe blue. Visitors are starting to arrive, business owners are preparing for the busy season, and everyone is wondering what kind of summer lies ahead.
While no one knows exactly what the season will bring, there is one thing we do know: the businesses that thrive are rarely the ones that sit back and wait to see what happens.
They're the ones that prepare.
As we head into summer, here are five questions every business owner should ask themselves.
This may be the biggest missed opportunity of the season.
Many business owners are so busy getting ready for summer that they forget to document it.
Over the years, I've noticed that some of my best photos are captured right now. Early summer in Tahoe often brings crisp air, deep blue skies, green landscapes, lingering snow on the peaks, and those afternoon rain showers that wash the atmosphere clean.
The result is stunning imagery that I find myself using throughout the year.
Ask yourself:
☐ Have we captured fresh photos this season?
☐ Do we have current video of our business?
☐ Have we documented our staff, customers, and experiences?
☐ Are we creating content now that we can use throughout the year?
☐ If someone visits our website or social media today, do they see what our business looks like right now?
Summer doesn't just bring customers.
It brings content opportunities.
The photos and videos you capture in June may become the marketing assets that carry your business through fall, winter, and beyond.
Before customers can visit your business, they have to find it.
Take a few minutes this week and check your online presence.
☐ Is your website current?
☐ Are your summer hours updated everywhere?
☐ Are your Google Business Profile photos current?
☐ Have you posted recently on social media?
☐ Does your business show up well on a mobile phone?
Think of your online presence as your digital storefront. For many customers, it's the first impression they'll have of your business.
Make it a good one.
People come to Tahoe for experiences.
They remember the sunset cruise, the patio with live music, the friendly staff member who made them feel welcome, or the unexpected moment that turned a good day into a memorable one.
Ask yourself:
☐ What experience do customers talk about after they leave?
☐ What makes our business memorable?
☐ Is there one small thing we could add this summer that creates delight?
☐ What story will our customers tell their friends when they get home?
Sometimes the smallest touches create the biggest impact.
One of the greatest strengths of Truckee-Tahoe is our sense of community.
The businesses that succeed here often understand that we're stronger together than we are alone.
Consider:
☐ Could we partner with another local business?
☐ Can we support a local event or organization?
☐ Are we helping tell the stories of our community?
☐ Who could we collaborate with this summer?
Community isn't just good for business.
It's one of the reasons people choose to live, work, and visit here.
It's easy to focus on today's reservations, today's customers, and today's challenges.
But summer is also a chance to build momentum for the future.
Ask yourself:
☐ What do I want my business to look like in September?
☐ What improvements can I make this summer?
☐ What relationships can I strengthen?
☐ What systems can I put in place now that will continue paying off later?
The strongest businesses don't simply react to the season.
They use the season to prepare for what's next.
Summer arrives whether we're ready or not.
The question is whether we're making the most of the opportunities it brings.
Some opportunities arrive in the form of customers.
Others arrive in the form of photographs, partnerships, relationships, ideas, and experiences that continue paying dividends long after summer has ended.
The spirit of summer isn't about waiting for good things to happen.
It's about recognizing the opportunities already in front of us.
Here's to a great season ahead.
If there is a topic you’d like to hear more about, by all means comment below or direct message, and I’ll do my best.
Nothing better than a good question to jump into.
Reach out for a talk over coffee or a hike. tgold@bigwaterci.com
Comment below or share.
Trina Gold
Master Creator
