In the spirit of Christmas, we took the opportunity with our advent window shout outs to highlight and celebrate some remarkable small businesses. These entrepreneurs caught our eye not for their massive social media following, but for their unwavering commitment to running their businesses with passion, expertise, and, crucially, honesty and integrity.
The objective wasn’t to spotlight businesses solely for personal gain or to boost our own profile. Instead, we wanted to recognise genuine businesses that we could personally vouch for—entrepreneurs who may not always sing their praises but deserve acknowledgment. These are dedicated individuals working hard to build and support their families through their ventures and who want to leave a lasting legacy.
Behind each business is a real person, not someone with a public facade vastly different from their true selves. These are honest, genuine, and thoroughly nice folks whom I both respect and admire.
Embarking on the journey of building a new business from scratch this past year has deepened our appreciation for the support of others. Even a small positive comment on social media can make a world of difference, reminding us that we are not alone in our endeavours.
One of the most significant takeaways from this year is realising that we have an army of good people standing behind us, supporting us in our business pursuits. Life and business have imparted valuable lessons, helping us discern who truly belongs at our table and, perhaps more crucially, who doesn’t.
For Debbie balancing her role as a mind coach in mental health alongside her work in the Beauty Industry, has come at a good time for those struggling in this uncertain economic climate. Helping other therapists and business owners on their journey to success and overcome that pesky “imposter syndrome” has been of real value. Helping new therapists or business owners grow in confidence is what we do best.
Amy has been extremely busy juggling a new baby this year giving birth to Theo in February with Isla only 16 months old. Taking a short break before getting back to her private clinic and client waiting list, and then as if she was not already balancing enough embarking on developing alongside Debbie her own Accredited training centre.
We have discovered for us, and for many other successful women running a business and juggling family, that not everyone will be thrilled to see someone else succeed, but negative comments often reflect the commenter’s limited understanding rather than being our concern.
Our blessings include forging strong relationships and collaborations with those who share our vision and values. A recent caption resonated with us (and made us laugh): “You can’t do epic shit with basic people.” It perfectly encapsulates why we now surround ourselves with the best—those who choose to uplift others, recognising that collaboration is empowerment.
In 2024, we look forward to the continued growth of our business, fuelled by the lessons learned in 2023. Our successes are not just measured in financial gains but in inspiring others, making a positive impact, and offering help and encouragement where needed.
As we approach the new year, here are some lessons we are carrying forward:
- Be an encourager; your words may make all the difference to someone.
- Pursue your dreams; if you don’t try, you’ll never know.
- Procrastination isn’t always the enemy; sometimes, you need time to work things out.
- You are capable of more than you think.
- Give back; there’s always something you can do.
- Be grateful for what you have.
- Don’t accept disrespect; you are valuable and deserve kindness.
- Learn to love yourself as you are; be your own cheerleader and best friend.
- Look for the good in everyone but trust your gut instinct.
- Find happiness in everyday moments; don’t postpone joy.
- Do the very best you can in everything you do.
As we step into 2024, let’s carry these lessons with us and continue to uplift one another. Here’s to a year filled with growth, collaboration, and the pursuit of epic endeavours. Cheers to what lies ahead!
