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January 2026
HANSON HEADLINES
CraigHansonCPA.com • (701) 252-6190
PERSISTENCE AND PROFIT YOUR 2026 REVENUE ROAD MAP
We can’t change many things about the world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reset our lives from time to time. Considering that January is typically a month for making resolutions for the year ahead, I can think of no better time to encourage you to think about your money in new ways. If you’re determined to set and fulfill ambitious financial goals for 2026 (like building wealth, expanding your business, or securing your family’s future), you need to have a solid and realistic tax plan in place to go the distance. Now is the time to take proactive steps that protect your income and position yourself for long-term success. Here are a few ways to get started. Start with your 2026 vision. Before diving into numbers, define what you want your financial life to look like by the end of 2026. Are you planning to buy or upgrade a home or business property? How about a business exit or sale? Will this year be when you finally pay off debts and build emergency reserves? Would you like to explore new investment opportunities for retirement or education? Once your goals are clear, we can design your tax strategy to support those outcomes, not just reduce this year’s bill. Coordinate taxes with your investment plan. To help you create a clearer picture, take the time to consider how to harvest your losses in 2025 to offset this year’s gains. Utilize Roth conversions while tax rates are still historically low, comprehend your dividend and capital gains exposure before possible rate increases, and evaluate municipal bonds and other tax-free income options. These moves can enhance your overall portfolio performance while managing future tax risk. Integrate business and personal planning. Every business decision can be a wealth-building opportunity when structured wisely. Review your entity structure (S corp, LLC, C corp); optimize owner compensation and
retirement plans; use depreciation, deductions, and credits strategically; and align your business cash flow with personal savings targets. Build a tax-efficient cash flow plan. Focusing on smart cash flow management will help you turn your tax filings from painful to predictable. You can achieve this goal by setting up a dedicated tax reserve account for estimated payments, automating retirement contributions and tax payments on schedule, and using refunds or savings to accelerate your 2026 priorities. Avoid common mistakes. Proactive planning today creates flexibility tomorrow. Don’t wait until the last minute to put a plan into motion, and never assume current tax rates will last. Expand your focus to include a positive long-term structure, not just whatever deductions you can take. Taxes can significantly impact your retirement and investments, so it’s essential never to ignore them. Schedule a ‘tax-to-goal’ meeting now. Together, we will review upcoming tax law changes, identify key savings opportunities, and map out a customized action plan. You’ll walk away confident, focused, and ready to make your money work smarter — not harder. Of course, a meaningful tax plan involves a wider range of considerations than those included in this article. Please contact me to discuss how to make your future prosperity
possible. We’re already in the new year, so the sooner we connect, the better. Let’s make this the year you make your resolution to grow your wealth stick! –Craig Hanson
HAVE TAX PROBLEMS? UNSURE WHAT TO DO? Our Free video reveals what you should and should NOT do when you receive the dreaded letter from the IRS. CraigHansonCPATaxResolution.com 1 CraigHansonCPA.com Published by Newsletter Pro | NewsletterPro.com
Micro Pivots That Move Mountains
WHY SMALL SHIFTS CAN DRIVE BIG WINS IN BUSINESS
• Chase high-impact tweaks: Look for small changes with the biggest payoff, such as simplifying a checkout flow or reshaping a sales script. • Experiment like a scientist: Test, measure, and adjust. Small-scale trials mean low risk and faster learning curves. The key? Repeat relentlessly. Micro pivoting isn’t a one- and-done trick. It’s the engine of continuous improvement. Proof That Small Shifts Deliver Big Results Need real-life micro pivoting examples? Picture an online boutique that notices a dip in email open rates. Instead of overhauling its entire marketing strategy, it tests new subject lines, tweaks send times, and segments its audience more precisely. These minor adjustments could dramatically boost engagement and sales, proving that tiny shifts in approach can yield measurable results. Maybe a local café spots that lunchtime traffic is slower than usual. Rather than revamping the menu or opening new locations, they could experiment with a daily specials board, streamline online ordering, or offer quick lunch combos. This minor pivot could turn a quiet afternoon into a revenue-driving opportunity. Finally, imagine a subscription-based software platform that identifies a feature that users rarely touch. Instead of building a new product, the team could redesign the feature for simplicity, create in-app tutorials, or adjust pricing tiers. This subtle shift could significantly improve user satisfaction and reduce churn. The Entrepreneur’s Edge Micro pivots are your secret weapon against stagnation. While others cling to outdated strategies or bet on risky overhauls, you’ll build resilience and momentum one smart shift at a time. In entrepreneurship, survival isn’t about making one massive leap; it’s about making the right small moves, over and over again, until they stack into something unstoppable. So, ask yourself: What’s the next micro pivot that could change everything for your business?
In business, waiting until the storm hits to change course is too late. The most successful entrepreneurs don’t rely on dramatic reinventions or risky overhauls; they win by staying ahead with sharp, calculated micro pivots. These small but mighty shifts can unlock new opportunities, protect your bottom line, and keep you two steps ahead of your competition. What Makes Micro Pivots a Power Move Think of micro pivoting as fine-tuning, not overhauling. It’s about spotting subtle shifts in customer behavior, market conditions, and team performance, then making small adjustments before they snowball into major problems. This could mean tweaking your marketing message, adjusting pricing, or shifting resources toward a service feature that’s gaining traction. These changes might not seem dramatic, but when stacked over time, they can transform your trajectory without the upheaval of a complete business pivot. The brilliance lies in the balance: You’re adapting without disrupting your core mission. Why Entrepreneurs Can’t Ignore This Strategy Today’s market isn’t just fast, it’s ruthless. Consumer expectations shift overnight, competitors spring up from nowhere, and yesterday’s strategy can quickly become tomorrow’s liability. By practicing micro pivoting, you’re not waiting until something breaks to fix it. You’re catching opportunities in real time and avoiding risks before they become costly mistakes. Micro pivoting also creates a culture of adaptability. It shows your team that small, consistent improvements matter and encourages everyone to contribute ideas that sharpen your edge. That mindset keeps you competitive and fuels innovation from within. How to Master Micro Pivoting Here’s how to make micro pivoting part of your business DNA. • Pinpoint your performance drivers: Focus only on the metrics that fuel growth, like revenue streams, retention rates, and customer lifetime value. • Mine the data gold: Use analytics, feedback loops, and real-time insights to spot trends and pain points.
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The business lesson? Never underestimate the power of add- ons, customization, and consumer creativity. When your product becomes a platform instead of just a purchase, you can deepen customer engagement and unlock new revenue streams. From Clearance Racks to Catwalks
reintroducing your product in an unexpected context. Scaling Without Losing Soul Crocs’ rebound wasn’t just luck; it was a smart strategy. Management narrowed its focus on the core clog, expanded through high-profile collaborations, and doubled down on digital sales channels. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Crocs rediscovered its essence while allowing the brand to flex across multiple audiences, from nurses to Gen Z trendsetters. Crocs proves that business growth doesn’t always come from expanding product lines. Sometimes, it comes from refining, focusing, and amplifying what you already do best. Building a Movement Today, Crocs is a cultural phenomenon. The brand thrives because it transcended function to tap into identity. For many, Crocs
By the late 2000s, Crocs faced declining sales and critics who
signify individuality and a willingness to defy convention. This is the ultimate lesson for entrepreneurs: The strongest brands don’t just sell products. They create meaning, invite participation, and turn customers into communities. The Crocs journey shows that even the “ugliest” ideas can grow into beautiful businesses when paired with courage, adaptability, and a deep understanding of consumer psychology. Sometimes, what looks like a joke at first glance is the foundation of a movement.
dismissed them as a fad. Inventories piled up, copycats entered the scene, and the global recession hit hard. Many believed the brand was finished. But then came a bold pivot. Fashion designers began experimenting with Crocs on the runway, starting with Christopher Kane in 2016. What had been an anti-fashion symbol suddenly became ironic chic. Soon, luxury brands and celebrities joined the wave, and Crocs were back in the spotlight. Sometimes, survival depends on
HAVE A Laugh When Toilets Were Taboo The Rise and Fall of the Hays Code
In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a misplaced joke might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s. One rule banned the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer,” a childish noise considered too vulgar for film. Words like “lousy” and “cripes” were also forbidden, and Clark Gable’s famous line from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. Priests and other clergy could be stern or kind but never funny or corrupt, and childbirth was considered too improper to show, even in silhouette. The oddest ban involved bathrooms. Toilets didn’t exist on screen until Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” flushed the rule away in 1960. After that cinematic breakthrough, the Hays Code began to fade.
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905 James Ave. NE • Jamestown, ND 58401 (701) 252-6190 • CraigHansonCPA.com Inside This EDITION
Have tax problems? Unsure what to do? Our Free video reveals what you should and should NOT do when you receive the dreaded letter from the IRS. CraigHansonCPATaxResolution.com
1.
A Clear Way to Wealth
2.
Unlock Explosive Growth With Micro Pivots
3. The Strange Rules of Old Hollywood 4.
The Shoe Everyone Hated Became the Shoe Everyone Bought
How Crocs Went From Clearance Racks to a Cultural Icon When three friends set sail in 2002, they weren’t expecting to launch a billion-dollar brand. What began as a quirky foam shoe designed for boating became one of footwear’s most polarizing products. At first glance, the odd-looking clog was downright laughable. But once people slipped them on, comfort won out. This is a reminder that differentiation often beats conformity. A product that some people dislike can The ‘Ugly’ Shoe That Built a Billion-Dollar Empire
inspire fierce loyalty from others, and that passion is far more valuable than
The Crocs origin story proves that breakthrough products don’t always emerge from sleek design studios. Sometimes, they start with curiosity, a strange-looking prototype, and a willingness to take a bet where others see nothing. Embracing the ‘Ugly’ Factor Crocs didn’t succeed because they fit conventional beauty standards. Quite the opposite. The clunky foam silhouette turned heads, raised eyebrows, and sparked endless debate. But here’s the genius: Controversy meant attention. Rather than shy away from the design’s “love it or hate it” effect, the company leaned into it. Their messaging boldly claimed that utility and comfort matter more than fashion rules.
indifference. In crowded markets, being memorable is a superpower. Personalization as Power A turning point in the Crocs story came not from the company itself but from a clever mom who invented charms to decorate the clogs. These trinkets, known as Jibbitz, transformed Crocs into more than footwear; they became canvases for personal expression. Suddenly, kids, teens, and even adults could showcase individuality on their shoes.
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