Most small businesses don’t struggle because the strategy is wrong. They struggle because the business has quietly drifted out of alignment with the person building it. Over time, that misalignment shows up as friction, exhaustion, and decisions that feel harder than they should. Sustainable businesses don’t start with tactics or growth plans. They start with clarity about self, capacity, and direction.

The rush from Thanksgiving to Christmas moves fast, and small businesses often feel the pressure more than anyone. After surviving the wave of holiday shopping events, the real test begins: preparing for the December surge. From staffing and inventory to customer service and digital readiness, the holiday season demands intentional planning. This article explores how small businesses can strengthen operations, protect cash flow, and position themselves for a successful finish

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most practical tools available to small business owners. From improving customer relationships to streamlining operations and uncovering actionable insights, AI is helping entrepreneurs work smarter without increasing costs. This article explores how small businesses can use AI today, why the timing matters, and what steps owners can take to confidently adopt these tools with support from the Abilene SBDC.

The Abilene SBDC is using Google’s NotebookLM to enhance how we create and share small business resources. By integrating AI into our content process, we’re improving clarity, consistency, and efficiency—ensuring every guide, article, and handout reflects accurate, up-to-date information. This initiative demonstrates how responsible AI use can empower small business owners to organize knowledge, save time, and make better decisions with confidence.