In this last week before we start the 10 Weeks to Close series, I’m sharing some of the trend research I’ve been doing in the past couple of months to support 2026 strategic planning. 

Trend 1: AI

Is it a trend, a revolution…a bubble? A giant waste of natural resources to make adorable babies act out popular television shows? (That’s right, I chose Jersey Shore. If we’re going slop, we’re going full, intergenerational slop.) 

We don’t know yet, although two more types of AI have emerged -- agentic and character. Agentic is assigning AI a goal-driven set of steps or tasks and perhaps even the financial authority to complete it, if it finds an adequate solution. Character is the literal adoption of an AI-driven personality as your boyfriend, or friend, as I learned from the Friend necklace billboard outside our local middle school. 

How much should you be using AI? I’d say not as your boyfriend, but more people every day call me using that term. I understand the current state of things as “best practices.” If you want an 80% solution based on things that have already been done, ask generative AI. You can make a solid, generic business plan or budget. If you’re trying to innovate, it’s hard to expect that of the median results of past data. At the same time, your small business is probably using more AI tools than larger ones. And AI “workslop” is actually harming large company productivity. 

Things I would consider now:

• How do you show up in ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity searches (Answer Engine Optimization)? How does that affect your lead generation? 

• If you have teams, do you need policies and even handbook statements about how other people (employees or consultants) are allowed to introduce AI results and tools into your work and processes?

• How much are you exposed financially to Spidermen-pointing circular investing among Nvidia, OpenAI, AMD, Intel, and other related companies? 

Trend 2: YouTube

In June, YouTube passed all traditional media channels for most eyeballs. Your favorite podcast is now weirdly available to watch like a show, which radically boosts discoverability. Streaming is 44% of all viewing, and 50% of that happens on YouTube. If you live in a house with Gen Alpha, you aren’t surprised (and you also can astutely execute 6 7). The new leader of semi-scripted content is MrBeast, who has single-handedly changed the economics of both entertainment and central North Carolina. You are free to not like it, but his team produces a Super Bowl’s worth of views per video.

Things I would consider now:

• Do you have a YouTube channel? (Here’s mine)

• You’re making video content, but is it getting distribution and attention where your customer is looking? 

Trend 3: Community and experiences 

Social media usage is starting to fall, in part because we’ve entered the uncanny valley of AI, where we don’t trust things that seem almost too real, and also because people are realizing that real-life experiences matter. When asked what they would do with $1 million in marketing money now, half of CMOs and founders said real-world gatherings, offices, and experiences. 

The Art of Gathering remains a bestseller. In my neighborhood, there’s a six-week waitlist for people to sit together and read books. That is, to gather quietly in public, eat a snack, and read the book you brought. Virtual gatherings and speaking, while great for access, continue to fall in demand. 

Things I would consider now:

• What role does bringing people together play in your strategy and life? 

• What do you value and need from community? How are you making space and time to lead and participate?

• Should in-person gatherings be part of your revenue or marketing plan next year? (And am I invited?)

Trend 4: Moderate, profitable growth 

Friends, I’m not going to say I was there first, but I did scream in my bathroom at 7 AM and text several people when I saw this report of Mark Cuban admitting that Shark Tank is bad for most founders. On the heels of this CNBC report that US solopreneurs now generate $1.7 billion per year and the head of Anthropic crowing about the inevitable future solopreneur unicorn, it’s official: smaller, more nimble companies that solve real problems and have repeat paying customers ARE A THING. Not a lifestyle fallback. An on-purpose strategy. (Yes, I do feel validated after ten years of taking tech side eye.) 

An emerging trend in the venture world is seedstrapping -- taking a single seed funding round and stretching it into as much revenue and customer acquisition as possible, sometimes with the goal of not taking any additional funding. Established, boring businesses continue to thrive as Gen Z looks for steady cash flow over tech jobs that can be disrupted. I ♥️cash flow.

Things I would consider now: 

• What’s the right business structure for you now -- restructuring, staying where you are, growth, scale, or hyperscale? 

• Do you have a good understanding of your company’s cash flow and how to improve it?

• Do you understand the role your business plays in your overall financial goals? Is it time to invest in your financial literacy and support?

That’s what’s been bopping around in my head all day, always to the tune of K-Pop Demon Hunters. Even Bad Bunny agrees. What trends are you tracking this fall?

Amidst my trendspotting is always the undercurrent of how US policy is affecting me and my clients. We’re about to get ding-dong-ditched with the flaming bag of porch poop that is 2026 health insurance open enrollment. 

If you’re under 65, the One Big Beautiful Bill is reshaping the individual and small business health insurance market, driving up costs and pushing insurers out of the exchanges. This goes far beyond the end of ACA subsidies. This year’s significant health insurance changes will impact your costs, coverage, and access. 

The choices you make as a business owner this November will directly affect your finances, and determine what care you and your team can actually access.

After two dozen research calls on behalf of my clients, there’s no way I’m gatekeeping in this climate. On October 28 at 12 PM PT, I’m hosting a free webinar with expert guests who will review your options. Register here. 

Whether you’re buying your own plan this fall, or intend to offer coverage to a team, this free webinar will give you the knowledge and tools to protect your bottom line and your team’s access to care:

• Understand the new rules, and learn how the end of ACA subsidies impacts you and your team.

• See what’s beyond Healthcare.gov, so you can explore alternatives if the marketplace doesn’t fit your needs.

• Get strategies to save money by comparing options, using pre-tax programs, and taking advantage of right-size premiums.

• Learn to plan with confidence by avoiding costly mistakes with plan terms, key dates, and enrollment requirements.

• Plus a Q&A with the experts, giving you the chance to talk about your specific circumstances with a small group of insurance specialists.

Register here to join me on October 28 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET. 

I’m announcing this first to you, but this event is open. We won’t run out of space -- we’ve got up to 500 seats on the live Zoom webinar and an overflow feed.

Cruise the Miracle Mile. Cycling continues to grow steadily in the US. Statista’s latest research shows steady sales growth, more interest in e-bikes, and social interest in group touring in support of building relationships. Before the snow flies, get out for a fall ride on one of your local trails. 

Analyze this. If spreadsheets aren’t your thing, what if I told you that they’re now a spectator sport? The World Championship of Spreadsheets has become a legit competitive scene, where esports pros solve complex games using Microsoft Excel. Still time to brush up on your formula trash talk and get to Vegas for December’s finals. 

Everybody watches. Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is tonight, featuring 4-time MVP A’ja Wilson. 

Babies are cute. The environmental damage was already done. I leave you with Claire Huxtable schooling Elvin anywhere anyplace anytime, e-vah, a scene that is burned into my childhood memory. Legend.