When most people hear “fall shopping list,” they think boots, sweaters, and maybe that pumpkin-colored throw blanket that screams cozy. Me? My cart looks a little different. This season, I’m not stocking up on consumer goods, but I’m shopping for resources, partners, and collaborators who can help me grow my business.
It’s not the kind of list that shows up in glossy ads or Black Friday deals. It’s about identifying the support, expertise, and energy I need to move into the last quarter of the year strong, and to set myself up for an even better year ahead.
And like any great shopping trip, it’s all about priorities.
Why Delegation Belongs on the List
Let’s start with the obvious: I can’t do it all, and neither can you. Business owners love to say we “wear many hats,” but wearing all the hats quickly turns into wearing yourself out.
Delegation is not a luxury, it’s a growth strategy.
When I outsource tasks that aren’t my superpower, I gain time for mission-critical work: biz dev, client relationships, strategy, and vision. Those are the things only I can do. Everything else? It’s fair game for someone else to handle better, faster, and with far fewer sighs from me.
Think of delegation as the most essential fall accessory. It goes with everything, makes you look polished, and frees you from constantly tugging at loose threads.
So on my list this season? Bookkeeping help, tech support, and maybe someone who loves CRM apps enough to guide me in the right direction.
Power in Partnerships
The other category in my shopping cart this fall: networking partners.
Not just contacts. Not just a name in my inbox. Actual partners, people who align with my values, complement my skills, and bring something to the table that multiplies our efforts.
Going it alone is overrated. Yes, independence is noble, but growth often happens faster and stronger when you have a team (formal or informal) to lean on.
Networking partners can open doors you can’t open yourself. They can vouch for you, share resources, and brainstorm solutions you wouldn’t think of alone. And sometimes, they simply remind you that you’re not flying solo.
A single snowflake melts on its own. Put a bunch together? You’ve got a snowball, or if you’re ambitious, an avalanche. That’s the power of partnering up.
Group > Solo
One of my favorite fall finds isn’t something I can buy, it’s the dynamic energy of a group effort. Whether it’s teaming up with other business owners on a co-hosted event, pulling resources to sponsor something bigger than I could manage alone, or simply forming an accountability pod, I’ve learned that the group multiplier effect is real.
When one person shows up, you get one perspective, one skillset, one circle of influence. Add three or four more? Suddenly, you’ve expanded your reach exponentially. Your marketing is stronger, your ideas sharper, your visibility higher.
The math is simple: together > alone.
My Real Fall Shopping List
If you peeked into my “cart” this season, here’s what you’d see:
- Delegation wins: A virtual assistant, bookkeeping support, maybe a “techie” so I can focus on strategy.
- Strategic partners: Marketing allies, fellow writers, coaches, and other networking pros who can swap introductions and opportunities.
- Group collaborations: A mastermind, an accountability group, or even a co-marketing campaign that lets me expand my reach without doubling my hours.
- Personal sanity items: Because growth also requires rest, my cart will always include a dash of self-care like travel, family, and time in museums and at the theater.
The Takeaway
This fall, before you add another sweater to your closet, think about what you really need to carry you through the rest of the year. Chances are, it’s not more stuff, it’s more support.
Delegation gives you time back. Networking partners give you reach. Groups give you strength.
And those? They’ll never go out of style.
So yes, I have a fall shopping list. It’s not on Amazon or hanging on a rack. It’s made up of the people, processes, and partnerships that help me grow.
What’s on yours?
Pro tip: Treat this like your own seasonal refresh. Look at your workload, your goals, and your network. What can you hand off? Who can you team up with? Where can you multiply your efforts instead of just adding hours? That’s where the real bargains are hiding.