The CEO’s Back to School Checklist
Photo by Jennifer DeBarros Photography
Reset Your Business For Fall
After the chaos and freedom of summer, September feels like a clean slate. Your clients are back from vacation. The emails start rolling in again. The kids are in school. And you? You’re ready to trade survival mode for strategy. This is your chance to hit refresh on your business with clarity, structure, and intention.
Use this attached CEO Back to School Checklist to audit what’s working, fix what’s not, and to prep for a profitable fall and holiday season. Here’s what to consider before you start:
SYSTEMS
What workflows are manual and stealing your time?
Have you backed up your digital files and cleaned up your folders?
Are your client onboarding systems running smoothly?
Could any automations (reminders, forms, canned emails) be added or updated? Are they still working?
QUICK WIN: Update your canned email responses and welcome workflows.
FINANCES
Are you tracking income and expenses clearly (ideally in a P&L report)?
What subscriptions or tools are no longer serving you?
Are you on track for your Q3 and Q4 revenue goals? Do you have revenue goals?
Do you need to adjust your pricing or payment terms?
QUICK WIN: Schedule a money hour on your calendar weekly. Non-negotiable.
OFFERS
What offers are profitable and energizing?
What needs to be retired, simplified, or bundled?
Are you clearly communicating your value on your website and proposals?
Could you add a quick-win offer for Q4?
QUICK WIN: Revisit your services page and update any outdated language.
WORKFLOWS
Are your workdays structured to support your best energy?
What can be batched, delegated, or eliminated?
Do you have enough white space for creativity and rest?
Are you planning around school breaks, holidays, or big events?
QUICK WIN: Block out time now for Q4 CEO days and personal breaks.
You don’t have to overhaul everything, right? This is all about getting intentional and honest so that you can show up for your business like the CEO you are.