Sharing Gratitude
As I sit down to write this, we are at the end of a holiday weekend post-Thanksgiving in the States. Our last until the end of the year, when I (and most other businesses) will shut down my office for the last week of the year.
As is expected with the theme of the season, it’s a time when I become particularly introspective and really think about all of the things that I’m grateful for in my life. Originally, I was going to write this newsletter about gratitude in marketing, and how it can increase your audience’s affinity with your brand and naturally share your authenticity.
That is all still true, but as I sit here, I instead feel called to share the things I’m grateful for as I work through my third year in business. I can’t believe it has already been three years, but at the same time, I can’t believe it’s only been three years.
So, with that in mind, here are some things I’ve been grateful for:
My family: This is a cliche and easy one to start with. But it’s a cliche because it holds true for so many. Whether it be my parents helping me through the day-to-day ups and downs of running a business, or my extended family who are always there to celebrate my wins and support me when I feel down. My cousins (who are like siblings) continuously help me feel confident and proud of my work whether it's coaching me through a financial decision or reading EVERY draft of this newsletter to help me be a better writer. My aunts and uncle are always there with a warm word of encouragement. All this to say, I’m a lucky lady.
Bravo moving its programming to Peacock: You didn’t think all of this would be totally serious, did you? I’m a Bravo obsessive and watch almost all of its major franchises. They are not prestige TV, but they are the best way to turn my mind off and amazing background noise to keep me company. Their move to Peacock has meant that I get everything easily and ad-free. Bless up.
Loyal clients and mentors: So many of my clients have worked with me for a long time, and if they haven’t, I’m lucky that I feel so comfortable with them that it almost feels like we have. But through it all, I’ve been incredibly lucky to gain a few who are true friends and mentors. Plus, some long-term mentors in my career continue to believe in and support me. This means the world as I continue to learn and grow my skills with people who are not only brilliant in business but genuinely good people.
Calendly integrating with more than one calendar: As I work with more people, I somehow seem to keep growing my separate email accounts and calendars. Thank goodness for Calendly integrating with multiple, otherwise, I’d never keep it straight, no matter how naturally organized I am.
My female business buddies: It takes a village to run a small business. This saying is usually used about kids, and while I’ve said before running a business is nowhere near the same, this truism works for both. Thank goodness for the amazing ladies (and a few gents) whom I’ve met and grown closer to. They are invaluable when it comes to sharing woes or bouncing new ideas off each other. Plus, you know they are there to hype you up when you need it.
My friends: They are the best friendly ears and distractions, putting up with my texts when they are in the middle of their workday and I’m already done with mine, hitting matinees with me because we are the only two people free at that time of day and the tickets are half-off, and humoring all of my food adventures whether it be trying out a new restaurant or recipe on them. They are the best sports through it all.
All of you: When I started this I thought I would be lucky if I had ten readers and all of them were family and close friends. Instead, I’ve grown a small but mighty readership of just over 50 of you. There aren’t many of you, but you are all there reading these biweekly, and I’ve heard from so many of you about one email or another. To you most of all, I say thank you. I would’ve been happy with two people. But I’m so honored there are more. Thanks for reading my silly emails about TikToks and my not-so-silly emails about how hard it can be to be a business owner. It means the world to me.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes it's better to share your gratitude and learn from those around you than try to make it instructive. Don’t forget to tell the people in your life how thankful you are to have them in it.
