For Happy, 2025 was a year of considered growth. We opened our sister office in Burnley, expanded our work with clients across Lancashire and beyond, and reached a milestone we’re incredibly proud of: 20 years in business.

None of this happened overnight. It’s the result of long-term relationships, strategic decision-making and a clear sense of direction. And it’s reinforced something we see time and again with the businesses we work alongside: growth doesn’t always arrive with dramatic change, it often presents when a business matures.

Before jumping into plans, predictions and promises for 2026, we are taking moment to pause. We think January feels like the right time for businesses to reflect on what this year could look like. Here we share some of the questions we think can help.

The questions worth asking your business as it is today

Most businesses don’t look the same as they did even a few years ago. We’re seeing services become more refined, products develop, audiences broaden, and ambitions grow, as business leaders focus more on growth and gaining clarity on what that means for their future as a business. Yet marketing, branding and positioning aren’t always revisited at the same pace.

We are encouraging businesses to explore these 6 questions as you think about aligning your marketing to how the business presents today.

• How clearly defined are your business objectives, and how well is your marketing aligned to them?
• Do you have a clear marketing strategy and plan, or are activities usually reactive?
• Who is responsible for leading and delivering your marketing and do they have dedicated marketing time?
• Are you confident you’re targeting the right audiences, with a clear understanding of your positioning within the market?
• Are you using the most effective channels to reach those audiences?
• Do your campaigns and content consistently reflect the quality and ambition of the business today?

These conversations often form the foundation of a strong strategic marketing plan, one that’s shaped by where a business is now, not where it used to be.

Growth doesn’t mean starting from scratch

A common misconception we see is that progress requires reinvention. In reality, many businesses grow by staying true to their core, while refining how they show up. The branding remains recognisable. The values stay intact. The positioning becomes clearer and more assured.

What usually changes is the expression of the brand. Messaging changes to better reflect strategic services and expertise, content adapts to speak to the target audience, campaigns align with long-term business goals, and the brand identity is refreshed to feel consistent across every touchpoint

The fundamentals still matter (even as the landscape changes)

Marketing will continue to evolve. Platforms shift, behaviours change and expectations move on. But the principles of effective marketing remain timeless. It’s still about understanding your audience, knowing what makes you different, communicating with clarity, building trust and showing up consistently.

When these fundamentals are in place, everything else works harder. Branding carries more meaning. Content marketing becomes more effective. Campaign activity feels connected. And your strategic marketing plan becomes a clear and understandable plan to follow.

That’s why we developed our Marketing for Growth Model, RISUS™: a proven methodology designed for organisations scaling to, and through, eight figures. Practical, structured and built to keep marketing aligned with the reality of growth.

Looking ahead to 2026

Entering 2026, we believe now is a good time to reflect and ask yourself some of our questions. What are your business goals? How are you presenting yourself on different platforms? And how clear and structured is your marketing plan?

Much of our work at Happy starts with exactly that, reflection and thoughts. We help businesses make sense of where they are, where they’re heading, and how their marketing can support that journey in a way that feels natural and sustainable. If you would like to explore some options for your business chat to one of the Happies today.