Year 1 in Business: Building a Strong Foundation

Wow… Year 1 in business! Reflecting on this journey, I can see how it’s shaped my skills, relationships, and vision for Year 2 goals. What started as a leap of faith turned into growth, challenges, and beautiful surprises. I met incredible clients who trusted me with their visions, collaborated with creatives who sparked new ideas, and built connections that reminded me why I chose this path. There were late nights of learning, trial and error, and moments of doubt, but there were also breakthroughs, small victories, and the undeniable joy of seeing passion come to life. Most of all, I’m thankful to God for guiding me through it all. Year 1 laid a foundation I never could have planned, and though the road ahead is still long, I know this is only the beginning. It’s worth it, doing what I am passionate about and discovering new talents and desires.

Year 2 Goals: Leveling Up and Growing

Year 2 is about taking those lessons and leveling up. Think of it like a video game, you’ve survived the beginner stage, tripped over a few obstacles, maybe lost a life or two, but hey, you figured out the cheat codes. That’s me right now. I can feel the breakthrough just beneath the surface, like waiting for water to boil when you swear it’s taking forever, but you know it’s coming. Dedication has quietly morphed into passion, and passion now fuels confidence. I’m no longer second-guessing every detail; I know what matters most, and I know how to get there without spinning my wheels.

This year, I’m ready to push boundaries, play with ideas, and experiment until my signature style doesn’t just whisper, it shouts. Year 2 isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing it with intention, with elegance, and maybe even a little boldness. I want people to look back and say, “Oh yeah, that’s when she found her stride.” And yes, I know unexpected challenges will pop up because when do they not? But now I see them less as roadblocks and more as plot twists. After all, what’s a good story without a few surprise turns?

Lessons and Advice from Year 1 in Business

Here’s my advice to you. Always, always celebrate the small wins, they’re the building blocks to the big milestones. Too often, we brush past them in the rush of “what’s next,” but those little victories matter. They are the proof that progress is happening, even on the days when it feels slow. The last thing you want is to live life on autopilot, unable to recall what you’ve accomplished because you were too busy chasing the next thing. Pause. Reflect. Celebrate. Because how can you truly grow without acknowledging the trials and triumphs that shaped you?

Trust the foundation you built in Year 1. It may not be perfect, but it’s solid and it will carry you through every next step. Remember: God makes no mistakes. Every lesson, every connection, every detour has a purpose. As long as you keep Him first in your business, you’ll succeed in ways beyond what you could plan or imagine.

And let me tell you, relationships are everything in this business. I can’t stress this enough. Connections open doors that talent alone sometimes cannot. Looking back, I’m still in disbelief at the collaborations, the conversations, the alignments that came out of nowhere and felt divinely timed. Each one further confirmed I’m on the right path.

Finally, stay aligned with your goals, but don’t lock yourself in so tightly that you miss out on surprises. Opportunity often shows up disguised, and sometimes the door you weren’t even planning to knock on leads to your biggest breakthrough. Don’t dismiss ideas just because they’re different or outside of your “plan.” Running a business is not about having it all figured out; it’s about figuring it out along the way. And trust me, even those massive corporations we look up to? They’re still figuring it out, too.

So give yourself grace, stay flexible, and keep moving forward. The highs will get higher, the lows will make you stronger, and before you know it, you’ll look back and realize you’ve soared to new heights you once only dreamed about.

Closing / Call to Action

Here’s to Year 2: more growth, more connection, and more moments that make all the hard work worth it. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you. Let’s make it even more unforgettable!

Do you want your next event and your everyday spaces to feel seamless in style? I’m now offering combined interior + event planning packages. Or, if you’re just curious, reach out and let’s chat about our interior design and event planning services to bring your vision to life.

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes peeks, mood board mashups, how-to’s and much more coming very soon.

xoxo,

Gabrielle Simone <3