The holiday season pushes every business owner to their limits, with longer hours, higher expectations, and the constant race to meet demand. Yet beneath all the hustle lies an incredible opportunity: the chance to strengthen your business and reinforce your role in your community.
You didn’t start your business just to sell products; you built it to create impact, support families, and strengthen your local economy. During the holidays, that purpose matters even more. When customers choose you, they’re investing in their own community. As a local entrepreneur, you’re a cornerstone of that community, creating jobs, supporting local vendors and nonprofits, and generating a ripple effect of shared prosperity.
That’s the heart of a solidarity economy: one built on relationships, equity, and mutual uplift. And right now, you have the chance to both celebrate your values and increase your holiday revenue.
Smart Holiday Sales Tips to Boost Revenue This Season
Whether you’re a service provider, retailer, maker, or consultant, the holidays are the perfect time to implement creative strategies that drive sales while deepening customer loyalty.
1. Bundle Products or Services: Customers love convenience and value, and bundles offer both. Create themed packages that simplify gift-giving and increase your average sale.
Examples:
- “Local Maker Gift Basket” in partnership with another small business
- “Parent Relief Package” giftable childcare hours
- “Winter Wellness Package”: individual consultation + herbal products + follow-up session
Bundling helps customers see the bigger picture and boosts your per-transaction revenue.
2. Offer Gift Certificates (Digital + Physical): Gift certificates are one of the easiest ways to generate revenue now while building your client base for the new year.
- Promote them as “last-minute gifts”
- Consider small bonus incentives (ex: Buy $100, get an extra $10)
- Offer beautifully designed digital Gift Cards targeted to online customers
Gift cards bring in new customers who may become long-term clients.
3. Take Deposits Now for Bigger Spring Jobs
If you provide seasonal or project-based services such as landscaping, renovations, coaching packages, workshops, or photography, pre-booking for spring is a powerful cash-flow tool.
Examples:
- “Reserve your spring project with a 20% holiday deposit”
- “Book now for priority scheduling in March–April”
- “Lock in this year’s pricing before January 1st”
Holiday shoppers love planning ahead, and you benefit from predictable revenue.
4. Get Featured in Local Holiday Gift Guides
Visibility sells and organizations across Massachusetts publish holiday guides that spotlight local businesses. Check with your bank, local Chamber of Commerce, regional business associations, community organizations, shopping districts, and even local media outlets to see if they’re creating holiday gift guides or seasonal business spotlights. These groups often look for local entrepreneurs to feature, giving your business valuable visibility during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Check out these Holiday Gift Guides:
- BECMA 25 Days of Black-Owned Shopping for Christmas
- City of Boston Small Business Saturday Highlights
- Feel Good Shop Local – Shop the Best of Western Massachusetts
- Lawyers for Civil Rights | BizGrow Gift Guide
- Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Guide to Women-Powered Businesses
5. Take a Moment to Reflect and Appreciate All You’ve Done
As the year comes to a close, take time to appreciate the impact you’ve created. Every employee you’ve supported, every local vendor you’ve partnered with, every customer who chose you, you’re strengthening the foundation of your community.
This holiday season, remember:
Your business matters.
Your values matter.
Your leadership matters.
Happy Holidays,
Samalid Hogan
Director of Business Support Services
Accelerate Your Impact: Massachusetts Small Business Coaching Program
At BII, we believe financial capital alone isn’t enough to build a thriving business. That’s where business coaching and technical assistance (TA) comes in. TA is the behind-the-scenes support that helps small businesses and cooperatives grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.
At BII, our free 1-on-1 business coaching services provided in English and Spanish include:
- Capital readiness: Understanding what kind of funding fits your goals
- Financial projections: Building the roadmap to a stable future
- Resource navigation: Finding tools, experts, and programs that support your goals
- Access to contracts: Growing your revenue through new partnerships
This program is ideal for businesses ready to scale, create good jobs, and lead with purpose. Learn more.
GreenEdge Accelerator – Accepting Applicants!
GreenEdge Accelerator is a statewide program designed to help small businesses strengthen their operations, gain critical certifications, and access contract opportunities in clean energy sectors like building retrofits, solar installations, and EV infrastructure. Plus, you can earn while you grow–participants who complete the GreenEdge Accelerator receive a $2,000 stipend at the end of the program!
With rolling admissions, businesses can apply anytime for year-round coaching. The next 8-week class session begins Spring 2026, but participants are accepted at any time for ongoing program support. Apply today!
Looking for public grants, programs and business resources? Check out our regularly updated list of resources, or reach out to the local organizations listed on our website. This month, we’re highlighting:
- Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) provides full legal representation in Immigration Court for income eligible immigrants. If you are working with immigrants who need legal assistance you can direct them to call the MACI Intake Line at (508) 505-4588. Individuals that call the line will go through a 15–20-minute intake process. The hotline has access to a language line to assist individuals with limited English proficiency. After the intake is done, the Massachusetts Immigrant Refugee Advocacy Coalition (“MIRA”) Intake coordinator will refer eligible individuals to an available legal service provider for potential representation. Representation is FREE under this program to income eligible immigrants. Immigrants will receive full representation in immigration court. Detained clients can ask for intake starting on December 8, 2025, and non-detained clients can call the intake number currently on M-F, 9-5 or Tues, 12-7.
- The MBTA invites bids for 11 high-visibility retail locations. These spaces offer exposure to thousands of daily riders and a chance to place your business in the heart of Greater Boston’s transit network. Bid deadline is January 16, 2026. (Downtown Crossing, Ashmont, Davis, Porter, State, Sullivan Square, Ruggles, Franklin Depot, Sharon Depot, Arlington Heights Busway, Chatham Row (136 State St))
Upcoming events in the community:
- December 9, 5:00 PM | Sphere and Living Local: 413 Entrepreneur Spotlight
- December 4, 10:00AM | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Support: Growth Strategies
- December 11, 7:00PM | Startup Valley: Investor Connect: Pitch & Network Night Boston
- December 15, 4:00PM | Roxbury Main Streets: Small Business Technical Assistance Workshop
Where will BII be speaking, partnering, or hosting? Follow us on Luma to see what’s coming up!