As small business owners look ahead to 2026, the outlook is marked by cautious optimism and forward momentum. JPMorganChase’s 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey from January shows that confidence is strengthening as business leaders pursue growth opportunities, adopt new technologies, and explore strategic partnerships amid a more stable operating environment.

At TAP, we see how this optimism coexists with ongoing operational pressure. Even experienced business owners tell us that day-to-day demands often leave little time to step back and set clear priorities. Among the 2,800 small business owners we engaged with in 2025, many shared that they remain deeply focused on managing cash flow, staffing, customers, and operations, making structured goal setting and long-term planning both difficult and essential.

But here is the challenge. Without clear goals, your business loses direction. Whether you are trying to launch a new product,  secure financing, expand your team, or improve profitability, growth requires focus and intention.

The Common Goal-Setting Struggle

When we ask clients about their goals, their answers often fall into one of three categories.

• Some have not really set goals at all.

• Others have goals, but they are vague or unwritten.

• And many have set goals but do not revisit or track them.

  
  

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. But there is a more effective and more profitable way to run your business.

A major reason businesses struggle to grow is the absence of clear, measurable objectives. Team members want to understand what success looks like. Lenders and investors want to see a plan.. And as an owner, you need a framework that helps you make better decisions with limited time and resources.

That is where SMART goals come in.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

SMART goals bring structure and accountability to your planning process. Instead of broad or abstract ambitions, they force clarity and focus on outcomes that matter.

• Specific goals clearly define what you want to achieve.

• Measurable goals include numbers or milestones so progress can be tracked.

• Achievable goals are realistic given your current resources and constraints.

• Relevant goals align with your broader business objectives rather than distracting from them.

• Time-bound goals include deadlines that create urgency and accountability.

Together, these elements turn intention into action.

SMART Goals in Practice

Consider the difference between these examples.

SMART goals create a roadmap. They help you measure progress, build momentum, and make informed decisions along the way.

Why SMART Goals Matter for Growth and Financing

Lenders, grant programs, and investors do not just want to hear that you plan to grow. They want to understand how you will grow and whether that plan is realistic.

Using SMART goals in a business plan, pitch, or loan application demonstrates credibility and preparedness. It signals that you understand your market, have thought through your strategy, and are ready to execute.

Beyond financing, SMART goals help align your team, prioritize your time, focus on high-impact activities, and hold yourself accountable. Most importantly, they help you build momentum by turning small wins into long-term progress.

Support That Turns Goals Into Action

This month of January, TAP is kicking off 2026 with a free series of coaching sessions focused on “Setting and Prioritizing Your Business Goals”. Each session includes one experienced TAP consultant working with three business owners, creating space for focused guidance, peer learning, and practical problem solving.

Participants gain clarity on their most important priorities and leave with a sharper strategy, a two-week momentum plan to move ideas into immediate action, and a practical accountability framework to sustain progress beyond the program.

One repeat TAP client, Katja Frazier of My Kindergarten Pocket in Harlem NYC, shared how TAP coaching helped her move forward while balancing a full-time job alongside her business.

This model is powered by a national network of nearly 200 volunteer consultants and a human-centered approach that allows TAP to meet business owners where they are and uncover the real challenges standing in the way of growth.

Katja reflected on her experience:

Start 2026 With Focus and Momentum

You do not need dozens of goals to grow your business. You need the right ones. Clear, actionable priorities that help you stop reacting and start planning.

TAP supports small business owners nationwide across a wide range of industries, including beauty, healthcare, wellness, food, beverage, construction, and childcare. Our tailored guidance spans finance, operations, marketing, and strategy, delivered at no cost to the small business owner. We work alongside entrepreneurs from early traction through growth and exit planning, helping them build businesses that extend beyond the founder, create lasting value, and generate a ripple effect that strengthens families, communities, and the broader economy.

If you are a small business owner ready to move from surviving to scaling, we invite you to APPLY HERE  for the Setting and Prioritizing Your Business Goals small group coaching session, running throughout January. Once you submit your application, you will be immediately directed to a booking calendar to schedule your session and begin 2026 with a sharper strategy, a two-week momentum plan, and a built-in accountability framework to keep you on track.

Stay up-to-date on TAP programming throughout the year.  We change topics monthly, learn more CLICK HERE