5 Mistakes SMB Owners Make That Ruin Summer Break Before It Even Starts

Don’t be caught out by these five silly season stress traps.

For most Kiwis, summer is a time for beaches, baches and barbecues. But for small business owners, the so-called ‘break’ can push them closer to breaking point. Instead of taking a holiday, they work through.

Here are five common mistakes to avoid if you want to start 2026 fresh, not frazzled.

1. It’s December again? Leaving holiday planning to the last minute

Every year, the summer rush catches many busy small businesses off guard. Invoice payment times can stretch out over December and January, creating a cashflow headache for businesses waiting to pay wages or suppliers. It pays to have a contingency that extends well into the new year. Business.govt.nz says to keep invoice terms clear and don’t be shy about sending reminders. Fellow business owners shouldn’t relieve their own stress by adding to yours. 

For staffing logistics, plan early. Confirm your team’s leave and pay entitlements, and issue any closedown notices at least 14 days in advance. Sort rosters, client deadlines, and payroll before mid-December. Squeezing in prep time now can save a lot of angst later.

2. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to holiday closures and trading hours, but many businesses fail to tell customers and suppliers when they’re taking a break. This can lead to frustrated clients or supply delays once everyone’s back on deck in January.

According to the team at Employment Hero, you can never give customers and clients too much information. The advice is to be upfront. Update your website contact page, Google Business listing, voicemail and social media bios with your holiday hours. It also pays to send a short, friendly message to customers or suppliers in early December: “We’re recharging from 23 December to 6 January. Looking forward to doing business again in 2026.” Clear communication keeps relationships positive and helps everyone plan accordingly.”

3. Skipping automation and delegation

Many small businesses still rely on manual processes but December is when that hands-on approach can become unmanageable.

Automating tasks like payroll, invoicing, and social posts means the business keeps ticking while you’re offline. Tools like Employment Hero can manage pay runs, KiwiSaver contributions and leave approvals automatically.

For tasks that can’t be automated, delegate. Give a trusted team member the opportunity to step up and handle urgent issues. If your business can’t survive without you, that’s worthy of reflection.

4. Workers are not robots 

It’s not just owners who feel the December squeeze – staff need a break too. Burnout and absenteeism tend to rise toward the end of the year, especially in hospitality, retail, and trades.

A report by IMD concluded rest was a wise investment for workers and leaders like, and the benefits flowed through to the business. “We found that employees who attained psychological detachment from work because of leader support for recovery were more likely to report lower levels of emotional exhaustion. This can enhance employee engagement, job performance, and loyalty, implying reduced turnover and recruitment costs.”

5. Taking a “half-holiday”

A quick check of the inbox from the beach might feel harmless, but it stops you from truly switching off. The mental health benefits of taking a break are well-documented. Employers can practice what they preach and avoid creating a culture of overwork.

Set clear rules before you go about who’s covering what, and when it’s okay to contact you. Turn off notifications and thank yourself later.

A decent summer break doesn’t happen by chance. It takes careful planning. Despite the soft economy, savvy employers will see holidays not as a luxury but an investment in wellbeing that will pay off in 2026.