Reflections on 2024 from a Small Business Owner
2024 was a transformative year, both professionally and personally. It was the year of “brat summer,” Wicked fever, and more influencer partnerships as our world continues to be shaped by the creative and viral moments we share together online. As we start another year, it’s important to reflect on the big moments of 2024 and also take a moment to consider how the wins and failures of the last year can lead to better change in 2025.
Here are some reflections on 2024 from a small business owner, marketing professional, and human being navigating the modern corporate world. I wish you a very Happy New Year, and much health, happiness, and success in the year to come.
Trust your gut
At the end of the day, your gut knows what’s best for you. It’s been said that your first instinct is usually right. A big lesson I learned in 2024 that applies to both professional and personal life is to simply trust your gut. If you’re onboarding new clients and have a funny feeling about one of them, trust your gut. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of a business decision, trust your gut. If you’re in the middle of a tough situation and don’t know what’s right, trust your gut. Your gut knows what’s best for you. Don’t fight it – it’s usually right.
Believe people when they show you who they are the first time
Whether you’re dealing with a difficult business partner or a manipulative colleague, 2024 has taught me that it’s key to believe people when they show you who they are the first time. We’re all human and we all make mistakes, but when someone does something to undermine your success or hurt you, it’s probably not just a fluke and is likely to happen again if you’re not careful. Believe people when they’re good, but also believe people when they’re not.
Choose your hard
2024 has shown me that life, in a nutshell, is hard. Growth is hard, but so is being stagnant. Success is hard, but so is failure. Fighting for your happiness is hard, but so is being miserable. In 2025, we’re choosing our hard. Life throws each of us unexpected curveballs and challenges that oftentimes feel impossible to deal with. Any goal we set will come with obstacles and difficult days, but it’s your ability to fight through the hard times that sets you apart from the pack. So this year, choose your hard. Choose which hard is worth fighting for.
Stay true to your values
Don’t sacrifice your values for short-term success. Even when it’s the unpopular opinion, stay true to what you believe in. When you put out your own values and passions into the world and stick with them, the right people will find you. Authenticity is one of the most important brand qualities in modern marketing, and many consumers are quick to spot fake “try-hards.” Staying true to yourself and what you believe in will bring you the success you deserve and help you build a community around your mission.
Self-care is key
As a small business owner, I often have to remind myself to slow down and take a breath. We’re not meant to hustle 24/7, and doing so can be extremely detrimental to our health, creativity, and growth. Use 2025 as a new opportunity to care for yourself, whether by moving your body more, eating healthier foods, or giving yourself the space for quiet reflection. Prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing for a recharged battery that’ll help you better tackle projects in the new year.
Consistency > Motivation
Consistency is always more reliable than motivation. Chances are, you won’t wake up every day 100% ready and excited to cross off items on your to-do list – that’s called being human. It’s important to keep showing up on days when you don’t feel like it, especially when you don’t feel like it, to experience growth and leap over the competition. If you want to see real results, showing up is the most important thing you can do. Show up for yourself and for your business and watch the results compound by the end of 2025.
Conclusion
A new year is here, but before we go on to obsess over setting goals or changing our entire lives over the course of a few months, I want you to take a moment and reflect on what lessons you learned in 2024, and how you can apply those for a better, more intentional, and more successful 2025. I know the many ups and downs business ownership can bring, but I also know that trusting your gut, prioritizing your values, and taking care of yourself is the surest way to achieve success in this industry.
So from one small business owner to another, cheers to you, and cheers to a wonderful 2025.
