5 Things That Made 2023 My Most Fulfilling Year in Business

I started off 2023 with a *pretty devastating* loss to my business, and without a single idea of how I would replace the work. It was not pretty, and I did not make up all the work — but I did better than the January ‘23 version of me ever thought possible. 

This month, I’ve been reflecting on the steps I took to make it through 2023, so here are 5 things that made this past year my most difficult but most fulfilling year yet as a business owner, including some major gratitude to all the amazing women that supported me and made it possible. 

🌟I zeroed in on a niche and am so proud to say I rep the most powerful, badass female founders!!! It is an enormous privilege to be the person to tell your stories because I am inspired by you every single day: Latched Mama, Her Workplace, Kaiber.AI, Springrose. I even traveled to Richmond, VA for the first time to meet @thelatchedmama IRL!!!

🌟After 4 years in business, I finally got my website up and running - but only because one of my oldest friends, Michele Cicatello, swooped in and helped me when I really needed it. She is responsible for all my branding and made my website look professional. Her incredible talent and eye for beautiful things has now naturally expanded to vintage curation and I am in awe of her every. single. day. Hire her for your design needs and shop @thecuriocollectress!!! 

🌟Inspired by @donebyangela, I finally joined a Mastermind and no, I will not shut up about it!!! I found community, mentorship, and FRIENDS through @ignitestudio and @maurawalters. I cannot recommend this enough. Seriously. If you have questions about what a Mastermind is or how to find one, it would bring me so much joy to tell you all about it.

🌟A friend convinced me to get out of my WFH cocoon and go to a networking pop-up with her last spring and I loved it so much, I’m now an all-access member @herworkplace. Going there makes me feel like a real, professional New York lady again (she’s in there, beneath the WFH goblin) and I always leave with at least one new connection. January ‘23 me cannot believe January ‘24 me is doing this. 

🌟 Finally, one of the most surprising yet redeeming truths about entrepreneurship is how people really show up for you. This year I leaned into my network and let people help me - something that is really hard for me. Whether you referred me business, provided a testimonial for my website, sat on Zoom with me for an accountability working session, or offered me a listening ear during one of my monthly “I have to get a job” panicked frenzies - you were a bright spot in a tough year. Thank you, you know who you are!!! (especially if your name is Erika, Leah, Lauren, Caitlin, Barbara, Casey, or Lindsay)

Here's to more panicked frenzies and ladies supporting ladies in 2024!! 🥂💕