Good Bye, 2016. Hello, 2017.
I can't believe it's been nearly 1 YEAR since I bought the domain for this little site. What I originally visioned as a simple lifestyle blog has grown into something simply amazing. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be 25 and running my own business. To those of you reading this right now, I want you to know how unbelievably grateful I am that you are reading this. That you have supported Bourbon & Honey from its simple beginnings as a blog and now through its inception as a business.
If you have been keeping up with what's going on around here (or if you have subscribed to B&H), you probably would have come across the letter I wrote to myself. This post essentially sums up my entire year. So I don't want to use valuable words on recapping the lessons learned in 2016. I want to use this first post of 2017 to look forward and set goals for the next 12 months.
The Best of 2016
But first, I want to look back on the year's content and celebrate these posts. Here are the top nine posts you guys loved the most this year. (Why nine? I wanted to.)
- Dear Twenty-Five
- Feature Friday: Five Dollar Friday
- Your Six Point Blog Checklist
- Holiday Recipe Round Up
- Behind the Name: The Origin of Bourbon & Honey
- The Best Coffee Shops in Calgary to Study
- Good Bye, August. Hello, September.
- Lemon Zucchini Cake & Earl Gret Buttercream
- Urban Exposure: What Makes Calgary Move
To be honest, the most loved posts this last year were the ones about community and authenticity. From my local favs to Feature Friday, the content over 2016 has been fuelled by these two things, and I promise to continue to produce content that resonates and is valuable.
Hello, 2017
I am one of those people who writes down her goals each year. From health and wellness to professional to financial, I determine what I want to have accomplished by the end of the year. And this year is no different, except that it is. See, 2016 was a year of exceptional change and growth. Now I have a business. So, now my focus has shifted. And as my focus shifts, so do my priorities and goals. So I wanted to take a moment and share a few of my goals with you guys. (Mostly to keep me accountable!)
Develop the resources section of my blog.
The aim: to have a selection of downloadable social media and marketing resources available for business owners and personal brands.
The work: creating a list of resources, doing the research, developing the content and promoting the resources.
The challenge: manage the time to get it all done and reducing the overwhelm of the project.
Start a podcast.
The aim: to provide little snippets of simple and beautiful in everyday life.
The work: get the necessary equipment, develop the content.
The challenge: find the time to produce exceptional content.
Grow my business.
The aim: to acquire enough business to maintain my lifestyle.
The work: consistently provide value and expert service to my clients, acquire referrals, pursue collaborations.
The challenge: be patient with growth (it'll happen).
Hire someone by the end of the year.
The aim: to be able to grow the business even faster.
The work: acquire enough business to need help.
The challenge: growing the business to afford an employee.
Start a proper self-care routine.
The aim: to take better care of my body, mind and soul.
The work: consciously make small choices that benefit my health over what's comfortable, get more involved with my community, travel somewhere at least once per quarter, and spend more time with Jesus.
The challenge: understanding that health is connected to everything: business, finance, relationships and make health a priority.
What are your goals for 2017?
