The holiday season is one of the biggest growth windows of the year — but not every business feels it the same way. At ByzFunder, we’ve funded over a billion dollars across thousands of small businesses, and we’ve seen clear patterns: the owners who prepare early and plan around their industry cycles always come out ahead.
Here’s how to make sure your business is ready — plus what’s working best right now across the industries we fund most.
Retail & E-Commerce: Buy Early, Sell Fast
The holiday surge starts long before December. Inventory delays, shipping backlogs, and supplier minimums can cut into profits fast.
Advice:
- Order your top-selling SKUs by early November to avoid price spikes.
- Use social media or email to offer “early access” deals to existing customers — it helps you forecast demand before you overspend.
- If you’re short on cash to stock up, short-term working capital can bridge that gap — fast funding gives you leverage to buy inventory while others wait.
Restaurants & Hospitality: Prep for Foot Traffic and Gift Cards
Holiday events, catering, and travel all drive spikes in bookings and orders.
Advice:
- Cross-train your team early so you’re not scrambling to hire in December.
- Gift card promotions (“Spend $50, get $10 free”) boost both cash flow and repeat business.
- Use slow afternoons to prep marketing content — your menu specials, catering offers, and hours of operation should already be live on Google and Instagram.
Construction, Contracting & Trades: Finish Strong, Prep for Q1
While most retail is winding up, contractors and service trades are wrapping up year-end projects — and smart ones are already planning for January bids.
Advice:
- Catch up on receivables now to start Q1 clean.
- Renew equipment leases or trucks before year-end while Section 179 deductions still apply.
- Consider using a ByzFlex line to handle upfront material or labor costs — so you can take on new work without waiting on old invoices.
Logistics & Transportation: Capacity = Cash
Demand spikes from holiday deliveries can stress fleets and drivers.
Advice:
- Use funding to cover temporary drivers, fuel, and maintenance — don’t let cash flow bottlenecks ground you.
- Negotiate quick-pay discounts with shippers for faster turnover.
- Review routes and prioritize your most profitable lanes; even small optimizations matter during peak season.
Healthcare & Personal Services: The Year-End Push
Dental, medical, and wellness offices often see a December surge as customers use up benefits.
Advice:
- Extend hours or add weekend slots to capture last-minute demand.
- Promote flexible payment options for out-of-pocket procedures.
- Renew your equipment or marketing budget now — Q1 often starts slower in this sector.
Professional Services & Tax Prep: Get Ahead of January
Accountants, payroll firms, and financial services hit their stride right after the holidays.
Advice:
- Start marketing your early-bird tax prep offers in December, not January.
- Hire or pre-train seasonal help now.
- Use short-term funding to cover hiring and ad spend so you can capture demand when tax season starts.
Plan. Fund. Execute.
Every business has its own rhythm — but they all share one truth: preparation wins. Whether you’re stocking shelves, hiring staff, or upgrading equipment, cash flow shouldn’t slow you down.
At ByzFunder, we make it Fast. Simple. Secure.
Flexible funding up to $500K, same-day approval, and no hidden fees — so you can focus on what matters most: finishing the year strong.
