Adapting to Change: How These 3 Business Leaders Stay Ahead in the New Year

Every new year comes with change. But these days, it feels like some changes are happening faster than ever, from economic headwinds to AI.

As we step into 2025, we sat down with three business leaders in the Firmspace community to learn how they navigate change, set meaningful goals, and stay ahead of the curve. Here's what they had to say.

Kevin Imes Balances R&R With Flexibility, Celebration, and Learning

Kevin Imes, founder and CEO of ReelGOLF, has spent the last few years trying to reach a new generation of golfers in a post COVID world. "From 2021 forward, we saw a 20 percent increase in golfer play and the demand for courses increasing due to limited availability." He's also noticed a shift in course ownership. Although families and proprietors own some 90 percent of the 17,000 courses in the US, many are being purchased by large owner-operators (such as Troon and KemperSports). 

To navigate this evolving industry landscape, Kevin is focused on building strategic partnerships. “For ReelGOLF, we have aligned with larger industry names to increase awareness and elevate our brand image. We have partnered with Bosch and BetMGM, while launching ReelGOLF at Pebble Beach, Payne’s Valley, and soon various courses in Scotland."

These partnerships should be advantageous in 2025. As Kevin shares, "Both the larger owner-operators and family-owned businesses respect these brands, which drives credibility into ReelGOLF and reduces friction and time to market for a new technology such as ReelGOLF.”

To prepare for the new year, Kevin plans on taking a reflective and restorative approach. “I generally take time off in January, journal, and set personal and professional goals. In years past, I would find a beach or a mountain to clear my thoughts and reflect on the past year, while creating a new fabric that is achieved through mental and physical wellness, spirituality, and positive forecasting. This year, I will likely be in Scotland working on several courses during the month of January. I might avoid the beach but will certainly appreciate the ocean.”

This R&R time should give Kevin the energy he needs to make good on his 2025 ambitions. He's already celebrating a January 1 launch at Pebble Beach, and he wants to expand ReelGOLF to over 50 courses in the US and internationally. “We are also looking to build out the first, multi-course daily competition played by amateur golfers across three courses.” 

His advice to other startup leaders entering uncharted territory? “In the start-up environment, you have to be very flexible with your thinking, celebrate your victories, and recover from failure as quickly as possible while learning from mistakes."  

ReelGOLF experienced a few in 2024. Lightning struck two of the company's cameras, a raccoon unplugged an on-course server, and an AI-enabled camera started tracking leaves instead of golf balls. But Kevin will be the first to tell you: "Learning from those challenges is what makes creating new technologies so much fun."

Tip: Find time to reflect and reset in January, whether it’s a beach, a journal, or simply a quiet moment. Use those insights to craft goals rooted in both personal and professional aspirations.

Rashida Forbes Sees What's Coming and Gets Ahead of It

Paralegal Rashida Forbes sees tech as one of the biggest change drivers in her field. But she's also noticed a huge mindset shift among legal professionals: many think change has been a long time coming. "People, specifically paralegals, are tired of the same old stuffy, mundane ways of the legal industry. We are tired of being confined to the status quo. We want more – and we want to be able to do more."

In 2025, Rashida wants to be at the spear tip of the push to propel the legal industry forward. That's why she tells her team at RF Legal Support to embrace a forward-thinking mentality: "You have to look towards the future, see what’s coming, and get ahead of it." In practice, that means positioning the company to "create the technological systems that will help freelance paralegals advance their careers while helping attorneys stay organized and have complete visibility to their files."

To clarify her path forward, Rashida sets annual goals with a tried-and-true approach. "It’s so easy for us to forget how far we have come. So first, I reflect on my accomplishments in the current year. Then I write down everything I want to do next year – not type, but physically write down on paper, with the title being ‘Your Goals for [insert year].' Whether it’s big or small, I write it all down."

Why does this method work so well for her? "I feel like the moment I write things down is the moment I hold myself accountable. Once it’s out of mind and on paper, it’s no longer a thought. It's now an action item.”

When Rashida envisions success in 2025, it looks a lot like freedom. “It’s having systems and amazing team members in place that can effectively maneuver and drive the business in the correct direction without hiccups. It’s the ability to take days off without fear of not getting things done. It’s remaining grateful, no matter the outcome, and taking time to reflect on achievements. It’s being healthy and happy. As you can see, success has many different looks for me.” 

Rashida's advice for 2025? “Be open to change and adaptable. I think people assume everything stays the same and that nothing will change, so they get complacent. They fear change instead of embracing it. But we are in a time of rapid change. And the best thing you can do is hold on tight, loosen up, and prepare for the ride.”

Tip: Reflect on your wins for the year before setting goals. Writing things down by hand gives you clarity, accountability, and a sense of purpose as you tackle the year ahead.

Scott Garrison Says the Best Time to Start Something is Yesterday

Scott Garrison, a digital marketing veteran, expected AI to force tectonic shifts in his industry. But curiously, the technology is changing less about how he works – and a lot more about the pipeline of work available. "We've seen a lot of small businesses and small business startups crop up. Large shifts in their respective industries – often due to AI – is creating more demand for new creative, web design, brand identity, and digital marketing in general."

In 2025, he's preparing to continuously adapt to AI and improve everyday processes so he can stay one step ahead of growing demand. Most of that work started last month – especially goal setting. “I start the process in early December and launch in mid-December rather than the first of the year. The simple reason why? So I can get a head start compared to everyone else who is starting on January 2 (if not when they return to the office, depending on their goals).”

For Scott, success this year will take many forms. On the business side, he plans to launch a long-awaited startup and increase revenue. But he's also excited to achieve some personal goals: more family trips and an extra commitment to wellness.

Scott's go-getter advice for thriving amid change? “If you are going to start, you need to start yesterday.”

Tip: Be proactive about your annual planning. As you go throughout the year, take note of key trends impacting your business – and start making small adjustments early. It’s easier to adapt to change when you’re ahead of the curve.

Hit the Ground Running in 2025

Whether you want to be proactive like Scott, visionary like Rashida, or reflective like Kevin, these strategies can inspire any professional looking to set impactful goals and navigate change in 2025.

And if you need to change tack, it helps to be surrounded by a community of proworkers like the leaders we've profiled here. They can be a helpful sounding board while you're making an espresso or grabbing a beer on tap. And when you're ready to execute on your vision, you can stay focused in an environment built for deep work.

Sound enticing? You can find all of that and more at Firmspace. Book a tour at a location near you – and get ready to hit the ground running this year.