Most businesses are busy. Very few are deliberately moving in the right direction.

In the first episode of 2026, we unpack what it actually means to plan with purpose. This isn't vague goal-setting or annual wish lists, but clear, commercially grounded planning that drives better decisions and supports sustainable growth.

We discuss why many business plans fail in practice, how you might spot bottlenecks and how purposeful planning helps founders focus on what's important, not just more activity.

That's not all, we have also created a free Business planning template you can use to help keep your goals defined as the year progresses.

As well as that, we have also made our own 'State of AI in 2026' report, designed to help you make informed decisions when deciding if a new software is worth the investment. 

Click the link to download them for free: https://linktr.ee/ToastAccountants

Each month, alongside a guest episode, we’ll be releasing an episode with members of the team here at Toast. This is where we’ll cover what’s going on in the Business sector, the trends we are noticing, and some down to earth chat about the ups and downs of business life.

In this episode, Michael and Steven take a step back to unpack what the latest Budget really means for business owners and how it should influence the decisions you’re making now and into 2026.

We also open up about life at Toast: what it’s been like launching this podcast, how the process has challenged us, and why we believe these conversations matter. We reflect on the lessons from 2025, what’s shaped the year, and how we’re thinking about planning ahead with clarity and intent.

In this episode, we sit down with Connor McKinney, Co-Owner of Storefront. Storefront is a lifestyle clothing brand based in Derry City, which started off as a humble facebook group in 2018. Since then the brand has had a meteoric rise, being worn by local celebrities like Shane Todd, Paul Hughes and most recently, Anthony Boyle.

We explore what it really takes to scale a brand responsibly and how he and his co-founders blocked out external noise to make the right decisions that have led them to opening their new flagship store on Castle Street in the Walled City. From building a loyal customer base to staying true to the brand as demand increases, this conversation is packed with insight for founders, operators, and anyone serious about sustainable success.

Whether you’re growing a start-up or refining an established business, Connor’s perspective offers a grounded, practical look at what sustainable scaling actually looks like; and why doing it right matters more than doing it fast. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can scale your Business the right way, you can book a call with us here: https://calendly.com/toastaccountants/toast-consultation

Subscribe to the podcast for more guest conversations and insights from the Toast Team.