Photo (c) Jon Viscot; City of West Hollywood via Flickr.com
Halloween is coming, and that always makes me nostalgic for back in the days when I lived in LA, and got ready for one of the biggest, baddest events of the year—the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. If you’ve ever been to LA in the fall, you know this is no ordinary night out. More than half a million people flood a one-mile stretch of West Hollywood. If you want to be part of it, you need to plan ahead. Way ahead. In fact, attending the Carnaval is a pretty great way to dive into the same strategic planning lessons you’ll need in business.
Because, just like in business, this is not an event you can just show up to on a whim. The key to success is preparation. Here’s how WeHo’s biggest event can teach you to set goals, get creative, and power through roadblocks—all with a solid plan.
Set a Clear Goal
First things first, you have to know what you want. Just like planning a business strategy, if you don’t know your endgame, you might wind up in the wrong place.
Do you want to stand out, hang with the cool kids, marvel at the costumes, or, in adult parlance, hook up?
Wandering aimlessly may lead to a few oohs and ahhs, but it won’t guarantee you’ll hit the best bars or see the most creative costumes. Your time is limited, and you don’t want to waste it hanging out in the wrong circles.
Whether it’s a great night out or starting a business venture, planning starts with clarity. Know your goal.
Read more: Goal setting for Gen X entrepreneurs.
Create a Plan
What’s the biggest thing that keeps people from getting to the Carnaval? LA traffic. You can’t just hop in the car and go, or you’ll spend your night staring at brake lights. Without a solid transportation plan, you’ll either be caught in gridlock or paying through the nose for Uber’s MEGA surge rates.
In business, it’s the same. Once you know your goal, you should start with a step-by-step strategy to reach your goal. What milestones will you meet along the way? How will you handle potential detours? Or surge pricing? A well-crafted plan is your best tool for avoiding unnecessary headaches and getting to your goal faster and with less stress.
Stand Out
The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is all about the costumes; the best ones make a statement. This is not the place to blend. No Casper the Friendly Ghost sheets with eyeholes here—unless. maybe, the eyeholes you’re cutting expose a little booh-tay!
The same goes for your business. If you’re going to show up, make sure you stand out. Take the time and effort to create something memorable, unique, and bold.
Anticipate Roadblocks
Even with the best-laid plans, things can still go sideways. Whether it’s unexpected rain, a driver getting lost, or the famed LA street closures, roadblocks are inevitable. The same goes for business.
Entrepreneurs who anticipate challenges are better prepared when things don’t go exactly as expected. Have a backup plan—whether it’s a glitter-studded but functional umbrella or a contingency for a market shift in business. Be ready to pivot when necessary, and don’t let minor setbacks keep you from moving forward.
Find Your People
If you go, hang out with people who get you. The Carnaval attracts all kinds—bears, bulls, and anyone embracing their fabulosity; there are even a whole lot of straights-but-not-narrows. The only folks who aren’t welcome are the ones who don’t embrace the fun. But you’ll have a lot less fun if you’re aiming to get to place A but hanging with crowd B.
It’s the same in business—you need to find your audience; build your network. If you need help navigating the Carnaval, there are millions of former attendees on social media sharing tips. The same goes for your business journey. Find the people who understand your vision and challenge you to be better.
GEN X junction
Finding your people is what communities like Gen X Junction are all about. Creating a success plan your success plan while spending time with people who get you and support you on your journey.
Commit to the Plan
There’s nothing worse than doing all the prep work for an amazing night out, and then ending up munching popcorn and watching it all unfold on TV. Just like Carnaval, business success requires commitment. At some point, it’s going to feel too hard. Uber’s too expensive, your costume feels off, or your friends start bailing. But the difference between entrepreneurs and hobbyists is this: entrepreneurs stick with it, even when it’s tough. Commit fully, and push past the thoughts that tell you it is too hard or too scary.
Planning Does Not Kill Creativity
Contrary to popular belief, strategic planning does NOT stifle creativity—it frees it. Having a plan means you’re not wasting mental energy on logistics. Instead, with a solid plan, you can focus on what really matters. Whether it’s owning Carnaval in a jaw-dropping costume or crafting an unforgettable business strategy, a solid plan allows you to be bold, creative, and daring.
Whether it’s owning Carnaval in a jaw-dropping costume or crafting an unforgettable business strategy, a solid plan empowers you to be bold, creative, and daring.
Pivots Are Not Fails
Unless you let them be
Once you get to the Carnaval, you might find that things don’t go exactly as planned. Maybe someone else is rocking the same well-designed Caper costume, or perhaps the bar you wanted to hit is oversold and blockaded by the fire marshal. But celebrate the small wins—you did the hard part; you made it to the event! The same goes for business: even if things don’t unfold perfectly, learn to pivot. Every success is still a success. Don’t let the labels “big” or “small” limit your momentum.
The Bottom Line
Preparation is Key
The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is an epic experience—especially when you’re prepared. It serves as a reminder that success, whether in life or business, doesn’t just happen. It comes from understanding your goals, careful planning, execution, and the courage to stay the course.
No one celebrates the person with the perfect costume who stayed home because getting there was too hard.
Success belongs to those who prepare, push through obstacles, and see things through to the end. So whether it’s a wild night at the Carnaval or your next big business idea—have a goal, create a strategy, find your people, and commit. Your path to success is only strengthened by the preparation you put in.
Strategic Planning Lessons Checklist
- Set a goal
- Create a plan
- Stand out
- Anticipate roadblocks
- Find your people
- Push past the fear
- Planning does not kill creativity
- Pivots are not fails
- Preparation is key