01/01/2026
2025: The year that tested every limit I had and my reflections and lessons along the way.
1. Hard years don’t mean wrong paths. Tariffs, price increases, and constant recalculating didn’t break the business — they challenged us to make every penny count.
2. Margins matter, but people matter more. New suppliers helped bring costs down, and building those relationships carried us through.
3. Adaptability is a muscle. Market shifts don’t ask permission — they ask if you’re willing to pivot without losing your values.
4. You don’t have to do it all alone. Building community and asking for help is a strategy not a weakness.
5. Wins don’t always look big at first. Sometimes they look like one “yes” email, one order notification, one door opening.
6. Retail placement is earned, not owed. Getting into Central Market after 2 years reminded us that being persistence pays off.
7. Momentum can come from one moment. One influencer post led to a flood of online orders — proof that visibility compounds.
8. Your “why” gets clearer under pressure. When things get hard, you remember why you started in the first place.
9. Teaching your kids by example is a privilege. Having my son attend a trade show was a reminder that this journey is bigger than just profits.
10. You can be exhausted and grateful at the same time. These feelings coexist — especially for founders.
11. Consistency beats perfection. Showing up, even imperfectly, keeps the brand alive.
12. If you’re still standing, you’re still building. And that alone is something to be proud of.
Happy New Years Eve, here’s to 2026 🎆
