Fall Startup Hits Different When You're Prepared | Percy Barr
Percy Barr leads seven entrepreneurs in an honest round-table on summer slowdowns, seasonal cash flow, and why the best fall seasons are always built in spring.
Host: Percy Barr
East Trade Winds Mastermind S3E034 — Percy Barr leads seven entrepreneurs on seasonal planning, summer cashflow, and building a strong fall pipeline.
GROWTH CATEGORY: Leadership & Ops
Most businesses don't lose the fall in September.
They lose it in June — when the planning stops and the summer takes over.
Percy Barr brought seven entrepreneurs into one room to talk honestly about what that costs, and what to do instead.
Watch the full conversation here:
WHO THIS IS FOR
SMB owners / Solopreneurs / Coaches / Service-based entrepreneurs managing seasonal revenue
Key Lessons
Think in seasons, not months. Wayne Pratt made this point early and it stuck. Months feel manageable but they keep you reactive. Seasons give you real planning distance. Wayne is already building for fall — and he expects it to be his best one yet. The shift from monthly to seasonal thinking changes what you prioritise and when.
The 60–90 day window is non-negotiable. Carl Richards has watched September launches become April ones — simply because someone waited too long to begin. His podcast production agency starts client projects in late May and June for fall launches. The same rule applies to events, rebrands, campaigns, and hiring. Waiting until you're back from the cottage isn't a plan. It's a delay wearing a plan's clothing.
Forward visioning turns slow seasons into opportunity seasons. Tony Gyenis runs his life and business one to two years ahead. Not to predict — to be ready. He told a story about picking up warehouse rollers at an auction for a hundred dollars, months before he had a job that needed them. When the job arrived, he was the only one equipped for it. That's what forward visioning looks like in practice — not prediction, but preparation meeting opportunity.
Practical Steps
- Audit your fall pipeline today. List every launch, event, or campaign you want live by October. Count back 90 days. If that date has passed, you're already behind — and now is the time to course-correct, not September.
- Re-engage three dormant clients this week. Percy's reframe was simple: call a past client, mention something new, offer a no-cost touchpoint. Plant the seed before the slowdown. You'll have a reason to follow up when they return.
- Block two planning days in June. Not for delivery. For strategy. Wayne thinks in seasons. Tony lives two years ahead. JoJo keeps moving. None of them found time for planning — they made it.
About the Contributors
Percy Barr helps business owners navigate key transitions — moving operations online, integrating AI, and building tech-supported growth systems. He is the host and facilitator of East Trade Winds. canadagrowthnetwork.com | LinkedIn
Wayne Pratt is a life and business coach who helps professionals break through roadblocks, clarify goals, and take actionable steps forward. freshlybrewedcoaching.com | LinkedIn
Tony Gyenis helps people bring peace and positive energy into their spaces through Feng Shui and sound tuning — and brings that same forward-thinking energy to business. lovehigherself.com | LinkedIn
Noemi Beres helps entrepreneurs get featured on the right podcasts to reach more people and grow their business. podcastconnections.co | LinkedIn
JoJo LaRiccia helps businesses craft professionally designed video sales pitches that showcase their unique story and services. laricciamedia.com | LinkedIn
Carl Richards helps businesses create professional podcasts from concept to launch, and coaches clients on public speaking and communication clarity. podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com | LinkedIn
Bernie Franzgrote — B2B Connector & Podcast Host Bernie is the host of the Knack 4 Business podcast, facilitator of East Trade Winds, and founder of Canada Growth Network. Through Kreativ Insight Consultants Inc., he specialises in strategic referrals, ecosystem building, and connecting the right people at the right time. Kreativ Insight Consultants | East Trade Winds | Knack 4 Business
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FAQ
Why do so many entrepreneurs lose revenue in the fall? Most don't plan for it in spring. The pipeline thins in July and August — and by the time September arrives, there's nothing warm to close. The fix isn't hustle. It's earlier planning and a proactive re-engagement strategy built before the slowdown begins.
How far ahead should a small business really plan? The minimum is 60–90 days for any launch or campaign. Tony Gyenis and Wayne Pratt both operate one to two years ahead — not to predict the future, but to stay positioned for it. Even a single planning day per season changes the trajectory of a business.
Is summer actually a bad time for business development? Not if you use it right. Carl Richards finds summer productive for project work. Percy Barr sees it as prime planting season — re-engaging clients, building materials, preparing for fall. The entrepreneurs who struggle are the ones waiting for it to be over. The ones who thrive are already in motion.
