As your holiday business hustle comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about your Q1 business plan before you break for some much needed R&R. But don’t worry–it doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. At The DPS, we can help you come up with ideas to boost your business during the first months of the year, and then we’ll bring them to life, so you can rest easy through the end of 2024.

These are the projects you should be considering before you call it done for the year.

Valentine’s DayWhether through romantic gifting or self gifting, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to connect with customers looking for something extra special. Consider special-edition product kits and collections, combining your best-selling products into gift-ready formats (like Laneige’s Valentine’s Day Berries ‘N Choco Kisses Set), or merch that compliments your wellness products with an extra side of comfy. This is a chance to play with exciting new ideas that push the boundaries of your brand in a playful, feminine way–more than any other time of year. Go ahead, take a risk! We’ll back you up.

Business CollaborationsWith Q1 being a notoriously slow time of year, it sometimes takes something extra special to break through the consumer post-holiday burnout. But collaborations can do just that. Consider other brands or celebrities and influencers that align well with your mission and values, and tap them to create something exciting. Whether it’s a special edition product line, or a social media campaign activation, this can bring a new set of consumers straight to your business–and be a super fun push for your brand creatively. Take this MSCHF x Fenty Beauty Ketchup or Makeup activation. Hello, hype.

Spring BreakIn the modern marketplace, there’s never a wrong time to market towards travel and the vacation mindset. Even if your customers aren’t taking a spring break trip themselves, people love experiencing escapism when they purchase. Keeping this in mind, how can you make your spring collections more experiential? Vacation Inc. does a fantastic job of making sun-ready necessities feel like mini-vacations in and of themselves. And your brand can achieve the same results by tweaking small details like fragrance and packaging.

Black & Women’s History MonthsIf your brand values inclusion and diversity (which is a baseline expectation for younger consumers), you can’t miss making a moment of Black and Women’s History Months. But, it can’t be sales-driven, it must be authentic. So whether it’s tapping into Black experts in your product’s industry, or collaborating to create a product that’s innovative and in-demand for women, take a moment to really be intentional with what you do to celebrate.

Example: Glossier x USA Women’s Basketball Team

If you’d like to get started on an activation you’ve been thinking about, or need helping coming up with an innovative idea, just for your business, our team is here to help every step of the way. Reach out today to get it done in time for a Q1 launch.