Lessons from the 2025 Mummers Parade
Every year, on January 1st, I make it a tradition to watch the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia. The colorful costumes, the lively music, and the spirit of celebration bring back so many memories of growing up in the area. But since moving from Philadelphia to Dallas, Texas, finding the parade on TV has become a challenge. It’s not as simple as flipping on the local channel anymore—I have to adapt, search, and sometimes get creative just to keep the tradition alive.
Yesterday, my mom and I watched the Parade at her house. Talking about things we liked, seeing this years performances was so exciting. Yes I had a favorite, but they all were so good in so many ways.
And isn’t that just like starting or growing a business? When you step into a new environment—whether it’s a new city, a new market, or even a new mindset—you can’t expect everything to work the same way it did before. You have to adapt, pivot, and sometimes even create a whole new plan.
Adapting to a New Environment: Lessons for Business
Here are three key lessons I took from my Mummers Parade experience that apply directly to moving forward in business:
1. Embrace Change, Don’t Resist It
Change is uncomfortable, but it’s also where growth happens. Whether you’re adjusting to a new platform, a new audience, or a new market, the quicker you embrace change, the quicker you’ll find success. Every year they create a new routine, watching the String bands perform and hearing how much time they put into a new routine each year that lasts only minutes.
2. Get Resourceful
I couldn’t just rely on traditional TV to watch the parade—I had to dig deeper, explore streaming options, and ask others for tips. In business, sometimes your old strategies won’t work anymore, and you’ll need to get creative with your resources. The world of marketing is always changing. There are certain things that will always be foundational, just like the traditions of the parade itself. But to see the parade you must get creative, especially when you live in Dallas Texas.
3. Keep the Goal in Sight
For me, the goal was simple: watch the Mummers Parade. In business, your goal might be to increase sales, grow your audience, or launch a new product. Keep your eye on the end result, and let that guide your decisions. Hearing so many of the captians yesterday say they did it for the fans. While the awards and trophies are great you got to have what matters in focus.
Moving Forward Together
The Mummers Parade reminded me that even when things don’t look like they used to, the goal remains the same. You adapt, you adjust, and you keep moving forward. I will face this year with the same idea of that those Mummers did. Plan all year just for that one little goal.
If you’re navigating change in your business journey, know that you’re not alone. Every step forward, no matter how small, counts. We faced a very rough 2024, and decided it will not be the end. So I took a dive back into some of my old materials. Learning to do the basics and get started again. Want to follow this journey? Join our weekly newsletter and watch my journey through 2025 as I rebuild after a tough year.
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Here’s to a year of adapting, growing, and moving forward—just like the Mummers strutting down Broad Street.
Tim Gillette
