Running a business in Crawley or the wider West Sussex area is exciting. There’s a growing community of independent shops, service providers, freelancers, and start-ups all carving out their niche.

But growth doesn’t happen by accident. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in business a while, having clear financial goals is one of the most powerful things you can do to move your business forward with purpose.

At Curve Accountancy, we work with ambitious small business owners across Crawley to set realistic, actionable financial goals that aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet but a roadmap to building something that lasts.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

• Why financial goal setting matters
• How to set short-term, mid-term and long-term goals
• Real-world examples from local industries
• Tools to help you stay on track
  

Why Bother Setting Financial Goals?

Financial goals give your business direction. Without them, it’s easy to stay busy but stagnant, working long hours but never quite knowing if you’re making progress.

Clear financial goals help you:

• Plan your cash flow
• Decide where to invest your time and money
• Avoid overspending or undercharging
• Feel more confident when making decisions
  

And they’re not just for big businesses. 

In fact, goal setting is even more essential for small and local businesses, where every pound counts.

Start With Your Vision

Before diving into numbers, think about what you’re trying to build. Is it a solo business that supports your lifestyle? A growing team? A shop on Crawley High Street? A national brand?

Once you’re clear on the bigger picture, you can begin setting measurable financial goals that support that vision.

Three Types of Financial Goals to Set

1. Short-Term Goals (0–12 months)

These are your immediate priorities. Things that move the needle in the here and now.

Examples:

• Hit £5,000 in monthly recurring revenue
• Build a 3-month emergency buffer for quieter periods
• Increase your average customer spend by 15%
• Save enough to outsource bookkeeping to an accountant (like us!)
  

2. Mid-Term Goals (1–3 years)

These help bridge your day-to-day with your long-term vision.

Examples:

• Hire your first employee or virtual assistant
• Lease a workspace in Crawley town centre
• Launch a new product or service line
• Clear a business loan or reduce credit card reliance
  

3. Long-Term Goals (3+ years)

These are more strategic, and often linked to personal freedom or business legacy.

Examples:

• Reach £250,000 annual turnover
• Sell your business, or make it run without you
• Buy commercial property
• Take summers off without worrying about cash flow
  

What Makes a Financial Goal Good?

Use the SMART framework as a guide:

• Specific – What exactly are you aiming for?
• Measurable – Can you track progress?
• Achievable – Is it realistic based on your numbers?
• Relevant – Does it support your business strategy?
• Time-bound – When will it happen?
  

Real-World Examples from West Sussex Business Owners

Let’s bring this to life with a few scenarios:

Case 1: Crawley-Based E-commerce Business

Jasmine runs a handmade skincare brand from her home studio. Her short-term goal is to replace her part-time salary by increasing online sales. She sets a goal to hit £3,000/month in sales within 6 months.

We help her:

• Forecast her product margins
• Set a break-even point
• Plan marketing spend using historical data
  

Case 2: Local Tradesman in Horsham

Mark’s been a self-employed electrician for 5 years. His mid-term goal is to hire an apprentice and expand his service radius across West Sussex.

We:

• Help calculate affordability and wages
• Set aside budget for training and insurance
• Plan a buffer for slower months
  

Case 3: Beauty Salon in Crawley

Ellie owns a growing salon and wants to open a second location in the next 3 years. She needs help mapping out the financial roadmap.

We:

• Review her current profitability
• Estimate setup costs
• Create a 36-month projection with milestones
  

How Often Should You Review Your Financial Goals?

We recommend doing a full review every quarter. This allows you to adjust based on:

• Seasonal trends (especially relevant for local businesses)
• Cash flow changes
• External factors like inflation or business rates
  

At Curve, we do this with many of our clients in Crawley during quarterly check-ins. So you're always making decisions with up-to-date numbers.

Tools to Help You Track Your Progress

You don’t need a degree in finance to stay on top of your goals. 

Here are a few tools we recommend:

• Xero or QuickBooks – For tracking revenue, profit and expenses
• Float – Great for cash flow forecasting
• Google Sheets – Easy to customise and track goal progress
• Your accountant (that’s us!) – For strategy, reality checks, and accountability
  

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about growing your small business in Crawley or, anywhere in West Sussex, financial goals aren’t a luxury. They’re a necessity.

Whether you want to increase your income, build a sustainable team, or plan your exit strategy, the earlier you start working towards clear financial targets, the better your chances of achieving them.

At Curve Accountancy, we specialise in helping business owners not just react to the numbers but use them as a tool to grow with confidence.