In this episode of Estheticians in Business, Allyson gets real about the “December Dip” — that weird mix of slow books, high emotions, holiday chaos, and “should I burn it all down and start a candle business” vibes.

If you have felt behind, discouraged, or convinced that a slow December means you are bad at business, this one is for you. Allyson walks you through why December is emotionally loud, what it is actually revealing about your systems, and how to use it as a turning point instead of a reason to spiral.

She also shares how being sick for over a week exposed her own gaps and why structure, systems, and real planning matter more than motivation going into 2026.

1. Why you might “suck” at retail (and how to fix it)

• Why clients need you to be the expert, not the cashier

• The real reason you are not selling retail: lack of education and lack of communication, not lack of interest

• A reminder that you do not control your clients’ wallets, you only control the level of support and education you give

2. What the December Dip actually is

• Why December feels heavier and more emotional than other months

• Kids home, travel, family events, hosting, gift buying, financial stress, and self care completely forgotten

3. How December exposes what already needed attention

• No promo plan for holidays or New Year? December exposes it

• Inconsistent marketing throughout the year? December exposes it

• Relying on last minute bookings? December exposes it

• Weak systems for cancellations, retention, and follow up? December exposes it

• How Allyson’s own systems were tested when she got really sick and could not show up as usual

4. Three tangible steps to reset before January

Step 1: Do a December Debrief, not a December Breakdown

• Look at the entire year, not just this month

• Questions to ask:

  • What actually went well?

  • What worked? What did not?

  • What felt good and what drained you?

  • Where did clients come from?

  • Where did money actually come from?

• Your brain remembers the pain, your numbers remember the truth

Step 2: Set your January foundation

• Treat January as a rebirth month, not a random reset

• Things to have in place before January:

  • A clear revenue target

  • One simple January offer or incentive, not seventeen competing promos

  • A rebooking script you use consistently at checkout

  • A realistic visibility rhythm you can maintain

  • A weekly CEO hour to plan, review, and get grounded

• Why you do not rise to the level of motivation, you rise to the level of structure

Step 3: Stop dragging December energy into 2026

• December energy: frantic, fear based, reactive, chaotic

• 2026 energy: peaceful, intentional, structured, confident

• You cannot bring panic energy into a new year and expect different results

• Why now is the time to adjust your systems, not “someday when it calms down”

5. Structuring your business like a CEO

• Using rhythms and routines instead of reacting to notifications and emergencies

• How structure in your business feels like structure in the gym: progress comes from a plan, not random effort

• The compound effect of visibility, rebooking, and tracking

6. You are not behind, and you are not alone

• Every esthetician has had “I have no clients this month, what do I do” moments

• Slow months teach you more than busy months ever will

• You did not go to business school, and that is okay, you can still build a strong, strategic solo business

🔗 Resources and Offers Mentioned

• Booked Solid Bundle Framework
  Allyson’s signature course bundle that walks you through marketing, confidence, sales, pricing, and running your solo business without losing your mind.

  Business Plan Brain Dump
  A guided tool for new or resetting estheticians who need to get everything out of their brain and into a simple, clear plan for their business.

  • Estheticians in Business Facebook Group
    Allyson’s free community where she goes live every Friday and shares trainings, support, and encouragement.

  • Connect with Allyson on Instagram
    DM questions or just say hi: @estheticiansinbusiness