A Recession May Be Rolling In—Are You Ready to Hold Your Gro

Let’s talk straight: the economy shrank by 0.3% last quarter—the first dip in three years. That may not sound huge, but it’s a signal. Consumers are tapping the brakes on spending, and your clients? They’re quietly asking themselves, “Where can I cut costs?”

If you're like most small business owners, you're not sitting on a mountain of cash reserves waiting to ride this thing out. So, the question becomes:
How do you keep revenue coming in and avoid getting caught in the undertow?

Here’s what I’m seeing work—and what you can start thinking about today:

 1. Stop Selling Features. Start Selling Outcomes.

Your customers don’t wake up thinking, “I’d love to buy a fractional CFO today.”
They wake up thinking, “I’m worried about cash flow,” or “I don’t want to get blindsided by taxes again.”

So don’t lead with technical specs or feature lists. Lead with the problem you solve and the relief you provide. In a recession, people don’t stop spending—they just become more selective. Make sure your value is crystal clear.

 2. Offer a “Value Meal” Version of Your Services

Restaurants figured this out decades ago. When money’s tight, people still eat out—they just pick the combo meal instead of the filet.

You can do the same in your business. What’s your version of a down-sell?
It’s not your Cadillac offer—but it still solves a real problem.

For example:
An estate attorney might tier their services like this:

3. Upsells & Cross-Sells: Like a Croissant with Your Coffee

Think of this as a helpful nudge—not a push. If someone’s already working with you, what else might they need now that helps them protect, improve, or streamline their business?

Example: My client Jim—a sharp attorney—re-engaged dormant clients by offering a low-cost compliance audit. That simple check-in led to fresh work and new retainers. That’s a win-win.

Upsells and cross-sells aren’t just about squeezing more money out of clients—they’re about delivering more value at the exact right time.

Don’t Wait Until You Feel the Pinch

If the slowdown hasn’t hit your doorstep yet, that’s a gift. Use it.
Now’s the time to rework your offers, sharpen your messaging, and strengthen client relationships.

If you want to brainstorm how to tailor these ideas to your business, shoot me a DM. I’m happy to hop on a short, zero-pressure call to help you see what’s possible.