Ladder is taking a break for the holidays at the end of this week, and as I closeout the year, I feel that it’s important to pause for a moment and reflect on all the great things that have happened. Both the ones I hoped for and the ones I never imagined or expected at all.
I set out to help others do good and make important work known, and gratefully have exceeded the number of organizations I hoped to impact this year. There really is no greater gift than the confirmation that people need and want the services you are offering and the creativity and skills you possess. Plus, getting paid to write still feels like a dream come true sometimes! Below are a few highlights and favorite moments of 2018, the first year, but not quite yet a full year, of being in business:
1. Launching my own brand into the world on February 1, 2018.
2. Learning that other creative entrepreneurs do exist in Annapolis, and getting to work with some awesome ladies at Sarah Jane & Co and Here & Now Creative Co. (Coincidence that they both have ampersands and end in Co)
3. Advising on mission, vision, values, brand voice and brand strategy at the Halcyon Incubator and working with some inspiring entrepreneurs like Conserve with Us, Entrada, Weird Enough Productions and EnrichHER.
4. Working on brand Voice, new packaging and website copy with Trisha’s Almond Toffee. (Where btw lady boss owner, Brooke Russ, managed to launch new packaging and a new website while also having a second child and moving to a new state.)
5. Writing the mission, vision and values for the Natasha Hastings Foundation and attending the inaugural gala in NYC. Work that aligned so perfectly with my professional experience and personal mission.
6. Joining forces with the team at Due East Partners, an absolute brain trust of women who’ve dedicated their lives and work to philanthropy and social change.
7. Returning to Atlanta to work the AJC Peachtree Road Race (with a team I admire, for a brand I helped rebrand years ago, and also the first place I ever ventured into writing brand voice and values)
8. Co-working on Mondays with friend, former colleague and fellow entrepreneur, Kelly of Going Concern Advisory. Mondays became the work day I looked forward to most!
9. Having the flexibility and time to volunteer with an organization that is important to me, coaching a local elementary school Girls on the Run program.
10. Kicking off on new work with another incredible female Olympic athlete who has a vision that I can’t wait to see come to life in 2019.