Today is the last day of the last month to pretend you don’t know Christmas is right around the corner.

Tomorrow, everything changes.

It’s gonna get crazy. Shoppers are armed with checkbooks, coupons, circular ads, wish lists and way too much caffeine.

That’s right - it’s the holiday season. Time for joy, cheer and insanely long days preparing your business for frantic shoppers and constant restocking.

Unlike the majority of holiday shoppers out there, you can’t procrastinate.

Small business owners like yourself don’t have the luxury of waiting until the last minute.

You’ve got plan now. This is a wonderful time to boost your business. People actually want to spend money!

And lots of it.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Who ever said business owners can’t take breaks?

Everyone needs down time. Especially the people who are sure they don’t.

These are the people (I’m talking to you…) who think by being “on” 24/7, they will never worry about their business being “off.”

The opposite is true. Ever twist one of those wind-up toys too far? What happens?

They bust.

Don’t wind yourself up to the point of self-destruction. If what is needed is an extended holiday or a personal vacation, go for it.

Take a walk; go surfing. Do whatever is needed to recharge your batteries.

You are just one person, but lucky for you there are others around. You just have to be open to seeing them.

Remember when your mother would point her finger at you and scold, “What do you say?” whenever you forgot your pleases and thank-yous?

Well, on this day, the entire planet is screaming at you…”WHAT DO YOU SAY?!?!?”

It’s Thanksgiving and if you haven’t done so already, say thanks.

Thanks to your employees who keep things running smoothly.

Thanks to your janitors for cleaning up after you.

Thanks to your delivery people for bringing you what you need.

Thanks to your family and friends who supported you and helped your business get underway.

Thanks to your business partners for completing your vision.

Thanks to your landlord for supplying the space.

Thanks to your lawyer for sorting things out.

Thanks to everyone you know who helped you become the person you are today.

What do you get the guy or girl who has everything? You know, the business-savvy tech person who has every gadget known to man…

I got it! How about something he/she will really appreciate - a valuable tool used for business AND pleasure? The almighty business card.

Business cards are an important marketing tool for any small business looking to get the word out. They also make it simple to transfer your personal information to friends, acquaintances and strangers alike.

When I was in college, my friends and I ordered business cards for ourselves with phrases printed on them like “professional bohemian” and “makes good waffles.” Hey, we might not have had the most esteemed positions, but we weren’t forgettable.

Whenever you decide to make your own business cards, you gotta have an edge, something people will remember you by. If your card is boring, it will probably get lost. And so will you.

Another good way to grab someone’s attention and make sure your business card is kept is to have a recipe printed on the back or some sort of cosmic fortune. You gotta be creative if you want to get a call back! Whether it’s a business associate or someone you met at a bar, it’s all in the card you hand ‘em.

Have you checked in with yourself lately?

In the midst of all the craziness (and that’s crazy in a good way!) of owning your own business, you have to remember to check in with yourself.

It’s easy to forget your original goals and let the momentum of your business bury your original ideas.

Don’t forget to periodically check in with yourself and your partners if you have them.

Going back to your original game plan and reviewing those ideas you had set forth when you started is a good way to keep you going in the right direction.

That feeling of success that lifts you up and makes you feel as though you’re floating in the air is great.

Just don’t forget to come down every now and then and feel your feet firmly planted on solid ground.

If you’re just starting out, write out a list of what you want for yourself and your business. Lock it away somewhere safe.

Always treasure your original dreams and goals and do your best to stay on-point.

You spend a lot of time checking in with others. Now take some time to check in with yourself.

Having trouble finding the funds to start up your small business?

Believe it or not, you could be the recipient of a cash award that will help you get the ball rolling.

That’s right. You could actually win money for your entrepreneurial venture!

This is a good place to start.

And the prize? $50,000!

Remember filling out scholarship applications for college? Remember how good it feels to get FREE money?

Whether you’re an old pro at this sort of thing or just starting out, you could have a chance at making your dreams comes true by simply throwing your name out there.

There is no easier way to fill you bank account.

No one doesn’t like to be appreciated. Just like nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee.

It’s a no-brainer.

When you feel appreciated, you want to show up. You want to continue doing what you’re doing because you know it’s not going unnoticed.

This same (proven) theory applies to how your customers show their loyalty.

If they know they are being appreciated and that the business they give you is noted and taken to heart, they are more likely to continue coming back.

One way to show customer appreciation is to send out monthly coupons.

If you want to save on postage, start an e-mailing list.

Every once in a while, send a mass email to all those who have signed up.

Let your customers know that you are rewarding them for shopping at your store.

Even a slight gesture such as this goes a long way!

What’s in a profile?

A profile tells a story. It gives you a sense of who a person is at a glance.

Models, artists and fashion designers know how important a profile is.

But they’re not the only ones who should be working on them.

Business people need to perfect their profiles, too. Especially when showcasing your talents and/or products on online networking websites.

You have but a small moment to make an impression on those seeking business professionals.

The stronger your initial impression, the more positive feedback you will receive and the more potential buyers you will attract.

Profiles can be funny and full of wit. They can be filled with accomplishments and awards.

But whatever your profile looks like, most importantly it should represent you and your unique personality.

So, go ahead. Show us what you’re made of.