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Recession fears. Economic uncertainty. Tariffs. Interest rates. It's been a stressful year for small business owners, and you might be worried about what 2026 will bring.

But here's what I learned this week at a Small Business Week event with the Chief Economist from BDC: 2026 won't be as bad as you think.

Yes, we'll see slower growth. But growth nonetheless - not recession. And as a small business owner, you have way more control over your success than you realize.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the economic outlook for 2026 (both Canada and the US), what it actually means for small businesses, and most importantly - what you can do right now to ensure your business thrives regardless of what the economy does.

What we cover:

• The real economic outlook for 2026 (hint: it's not doom and gloom)
• Why consumer spending will continue and what that means for service-based businesses
• The areas you can actually control in your business: productivity, costs, customer experience, and sales
• Why AI might be your secret weapon for 2026
• The hard truth about sales: why YOU need to be doing it (and when you can finally delegate)
• The Million Dollar Baby lesson every business owner needs to hear

The Bottom Line:
You can't blame the economy for slow sales when you're doing nothing to bring clients in. People are still spending, but they're being more cautious. Your job is to show them why you're worth it.

Stop waiting. Start planning. Make 2026 your best year yet.

Ready to Plan Your Best 2026?

I'm hosting two complimentary Strategic Planning Events in November and December to help you create a clear, actionable plan for 2026. Spaces are limited.

Email me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com to secure your spot.

Want personalized help growing your business? Book a complimentary consultation at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/

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Entrepreneurs never lack ideas. The challenge? Actually implementing them.

If you're busy running your business day-to-day and struggling to turn your brilliant ideas into action, today's Maggie's Moment is for you.

I'm sharing three simple questions that will help you prioritize which ideas to implement first - and the one critical step that ensures they actually happen.

Stop collecting ideas. Start implementing the right ones.

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You've been listening to my podcast, hearing my voice, learning from my frameworks - but do you actually know who I am?

Recently, I was running an event with local entrepreneurs, and someone mentioned they'd heard about the Diamond Effect Podcast. It hit me: my podcast is being talked about in rooms I'm not in, which means more of you are listening... but you might not really know Maggie.

I'm naturally introverted. I love to teach and share value, but I don't often talk about myself. So today, I'm changing that.

This is a more relaxed, fun episode where I'm sharing 10 fun facts about me and 10 core beliefs and values that drive everything I do - personally and in my business.

What you'll discover in this episode:

10 Fun Facts - From the three languages I speak (with accents in all of them!) to my secret love of basketball, why I can seem intimidating at first, and the special significance of the number 23.

10 Core Beliefs and Values - The principles that guide everything I do, from respect and kindness to leadership, unlimited potential, love, and giving back. These aren't just nice ideas - they're the foundation of how I coach and how I live.

My Journey to Coaching - How I went from 13+ years in corporate leadership (sales, operations, service excellence, people leadership, and more) to burning out, leaving it all behind, and building a business helping service-based entrepreneurs scale sustainably.

Why This Episode Matters:

If you've been listening to the podcast but don't really know the woman behind the microphone, this episode is for you. Understanding my values and beliefs will help you understand why I coach the way I do - and whether we're the right fit to work together.

This is probably the most vulnerable episode I've ever recorded. I don't usually talk about myself like this. But I think it's time you got to know me beyond the business frameworks and strategies.

Why Episode 223?

The number 23 has special significance for me (you'll have to listen to find out why!), so this felt like the perfect episode to finally introduce myself properly.

I hope you enjoy this more personal side of the podcast. Let me know what you thought - email me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Legacy Makers TV episode featuring my background, corporate burnout, and how I started my business story. You can watch it here https://insidesuccess.tv/programs/legacymakerstvcommaggie-perotin?category_id=237591

Want to work together? Book a complimentary consultation at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/