October 2025 – Monthly Recap

The Grind Doesn’t Stop
October brought no shortage of work — 32 events, to be exact — making it the second-busiest month of the year behind May. Revenue came in around $26.5K, short of the $37K goal, but still a respectable showing for a month that felt like one long blur.

No excuses this time. I just fell short of the target. But the good news? I’m finally starting to feel like I understand the rhythm of this business. There’s less panic and more predictability. My main guy was available nearly full-time after leaving his other job, which made operations smoother and less stressful than usual.

The warehouse finally started looking like a functioning workspace again — a quiet win that’s been a long time coming.

Behind the Numbers
The financial picture this month came with a few surprises. On the positive side, net income landed at about $6K, giving us a healthy 23% margin — proof that we can stay profitable even when goals slip out of reach.

But some numbers deserve a closer look:

• Overhead jumped to about 38%, and I can’t quite pinpoint why yet. Nothing major changed, so it’s on my list to investigate.

• Fuel and vehicle costs spiked to $2,470, but that includes insurance hitting this month — removing that makes things look much more in line.

• Labor stayed stable, and efficiency remained strong overall.

• Inventory purchases ran about 16% of revenue, a necessary reinvestment as we prep for next year.

There’s also the new QuickBooks + Goodshuffle integration, which will change how I forecast and track margins moving forward. I’m still sorting out the early data quirks, but once it’s dialed in, it should make analysis and decision-making much cleaner.

Operations & Lessons
While the numbers tell part of the story, the daily grind tells the rest. My main guy’s consistent availability has made installs faster, setups smoother, and life a little easier. It’s also forced me to think more like a coach and less like a firefighter — a shift I’ve been working toward all year.

On the flip side, I dropped the ball on email marketing and outreach. October’s busyness completely derailed that progress, and it’s something I need to pick back up before the year ends.

The pattern is clear: when operations hum, marketing takes a backseat — and that can’t be the case if we’re aiming for consistent growth.

Looking Ahead
November’s outlook? Let’s call it cautiously realistic.

The goal is $13K, which would double last year’s performance for the same month. But bookings are light — only six confirmed jobs remaining so far — and the winter slowdown is already peeking over the horizon.

I’ll admit, I’m a little uneasy. The numbers are strong, but the uncertainty of the season never gets easier. My A-player may also be heading toward a new job opportunity, which adds another variable to an already changing landscape. Still, this is part of the cycle — seasons shift, people move, and the business has to keep evolving.

For now, the focus is on staying prepared, staying grounded, and staying ready for whatever comes next.

Until next time
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