FoMO or JoMO? Give your business decisions (and yourself) a chance to breathe

Anna Stubbs • October 16, 2023

In reviews of buyer trends and marketing reports, the term FoMO often pops up. It stands for the fear of missing out. It’s the feeling that, whatever you’re doing, you’re missing out on something happening somewhere else, a product or experience you just must have.


In your marketing campaigns, it’s your friend. Let customers and prospects know they’re in danger of missing out if they ignore this wonderful opportunity, service, product, discount, or promotion.


But don’t let it drive your day. FoMO leads people to want to be connected at all times in case they let an opportunity slip. It can prompt snap decisions when you might be better off thinking it through. You can end up feeling like your day is at the mercy of whatever notification pings next.


To reset to your own goals and priorities, JoMO - the joy of missing out - may help.


Take a breath. Are you really missing out if you’re not connected every minute every day? Do you need to fence off some time just for your business and/or just for you and your family?


Start by turning your phone off or to silent. In the office, give yourself a couple of precious hours to work things through, devote some true thinking time to your business. At home, practice saying no to a few invitations. Try that new recipe. Plant those herbs. Or take to the hills, get some air, and really breathe.

Should your strategy be defensive or growth-focused?

By Anna Stubbs • December 3, 2025
The latest edition of the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Small Business Index had some unexpected results when it comes to growth expectations of UK small businesses. 27% of businesses said they expected their business to shrink, close or sell up over the next year. This outweighed the 25% who predicted their business would expand over the same period. It’s the first time in the history of the SBI that expectations of contraction have outnumbered those of growth. And it underlines a growing trend.

Why it's smart to accept payments online

By Anna Stubbs • December 3, 2025
One of the best things about online shopping is instant, hassle-free payment. Enter your details, click, and you’re done. If your customers can make an instant online payment, they’re likely to pay you more quickly – and they’ll appreciate the simplicity too. The details Online payment methods include credit and debit cards, ACH (Automated Clearing House) services like Paypal, and repeat payments through direct debit. Payments are managed by merchant service providers – specialist companies that process transactions on your behalf. Some focus on credit and debit cards, while others stick to ACH or direct debit. Choose a provider that can integrate with your accounting software, and you can add a super-simple payment button to future invoices. The costs While your merchant service provider shouldn’t charge any set-up fees, they will charge transaction fees. These range from 2-4% of the invoice for debit or credit cards, and under $2 a transaction for direct debit. These fees are an added expense, so they need to be included in your profit calculation – smart accounting software will do this automatically. Because credit and debit fees can add up, many businesses don’t offer online payment for invoices over a certain amount. The benefits Businesses using online payments get paid faster. Of course, not every client will pay instantly just because they have the option, but it should speed up your average payment time.  A bonus benefit? Customers appreciate the ability to pay online, so offering it as an option can be a big point in your favour. Ready to reap the benefits of online payments? Get expert advice and set-up support from our accounting team.

5 challenges for small business - and how to beat them!

By Anna Stubbs • December 3, 2025
Starting, building and growing your own small business is a hugely rewarding experience for many entrepreneurs. But the road ahead isn't always smooth. There are common challenges that crop up and ongoing issues that need to be factored into your business plan, your strategy and your own personal thinking. So, what can you do to beat these challenges and make the journey as frictionless as possible?