Keegan's chocolate chip cookies always fly off the shelves at The Lakehouse Bakery. Customers love them, and they’re a bestseller. It’s the kind of product every small business dreams about.

But there was just one problem:

Let’s face it — when most people hear the word “budget,” their eyes glaze over. Visions of spreadsheets, expense reports, and accountant jargon start swirling, and before you know it, someone’s suggesting you "circle back on that next quarter."

But here's the truth—A well-built budget is a strategic powerhouse. For small business owners,

It's that time of year again. The holidays are approaching, your inbox is overflowing, and somewhere in the back of your mind, a little voice whispers: "Don't forget about taxes."

Cue the collective groan.

But here's the thing—year-end tax planning doesn't have to be a scramble through shoe boxes of receipts at 11 p.m. on December 31st. You can use it as an opportunity. A chance to save money, make strategic decisions, and set yourself up for a killer new year.

Laura Tackett, owner of Agile Accounting, volunteers as Children’s Literacy Network’s Treasurer, as part of her commitment to community investment. CLN's early childhood initiatives work to prevent achievement gaps before they take root. Since literacy development starts long before formal schooling begins, these programs empower parents and caregivers with tools to support their children's reading development at home.

Quarterly Taxes: Your Business's Best Friend in Disguise

There's a peculiar disconnect that happens when you become a business owner. You learn to think in cycles - quarterly reviews, seasonal fluctuations, and monthly cash flow patterns. You understand that revenue doesn't arrive in neat, predictable chunks, and you adapt accordingly.

Every small business owner has a secret drawer. Maybe it's literal - stuffed with receipts, invoices, and scraps of paper with numbers scrawled in weary handwriting. Perhaps it's digital - a folder labeled "Important Financial Stuff" that hasn't been opened since last tax season.