This post has been in the works since December, but as I reflect on the past year, I can't help but feel immense gratitude for all the amazing projects and collaborations I was able to be a part of.
Here are some of the highlights:
- I participated in several styled shoots
- My work was featured on the Ruffled wedding blog, on BRIDES.com, and in the Nebraska Wedding Day magazine multiple times
- I worked with more than a dozen brides for custom wedding invitations, signage, etc.
- I worked with lots custom clients for some really awesome projects
- I participated in my first bridal show (January) and my first pop-up shop (September)
- ...and I was able to create some fun pieces, just for me
I am so incredibly grateful to the brides who trusted me with items for their big day, and clients who came to me with amazing custom projects. It means so much that you chose to work with me!
I am so, so excited to see what 2018 brings, and I wanted to share my goals for the next 12 months with you! Goals tend to work better when you write them down and get them out into the world, am I right?! So, here goes!
Launch a semi-custom wedding invitation collection (February 2018)
My biggest goal for 2018 is to get my semi-custom wedding invitation collection launched. My collection will be focused on hand drawn florals and organic calligraphy, plus a few watercolor touches, and I am so obsessed with how they are turning out! The collection is set to launch at the end of this month, so make sure to get on my mailing list here if you would like be notified when the collection is available. I'll be doing an AMAZING giveaway during the launch, and if you are an engaged couple or if you know someone getting married this year or next that needs wedding invitations, make sure to share the giveaway info with them! I'll be offering HALF OFF your full orders of invitations, plus free envelope calligraphy and suite assembly! A great way to stay in the loop would also be to follow me on Instagram - you'll also get to see behind-the-scenes :)
Update Letter Lane logo/branding/website (April 2018)
I've been needing to give my logo and website a little face lift to better reflect my style, so I figured why not put it on the to-do list for 2018?! My style has changed so much since I first started my business, so I definitely want to get my logo and website updated ASAP!
Start blogging regularly again (ongoing)
I actually love to write, but always struggle with coming up with blog post ideas for Letter Lane. However, I've been creating a list of all my blog post ideas over the past few months, and I've got quite the accumulation that I'm ready to start working on! So, I'll be creating a content calendar and kicking my blogging butt into gear very soon :)
Meet more wedding vendors! (ongoing)
I am a very introverted person, so getting out there and meeting people in my industry is pretty difficult and nerve-wracking for me. However, I know how important it is to make yourself and your business visible in order to succeed (not to mention, who doesn't want to just make more friends??) So, I'll definitely be getting out from behind my computer and being more social with other wedding vendors. I love referring my brides to other vendors that can help them with whatever they're looking for for their big day (from florals to planning to a DJ to a cake decorator). So, if you're a wedding vendor and would love to chat, hit me up! I'd love to make a new wedding vendor friend :)
Finish setting up my project management system (Dubsado) + update questionnaires/forms/workflows (March 2018)
I've changed my project management system several times - I started with 17Hats, then switched to Honeybook, then switched to Dubsado, did a trial run of Tave, and now I'm back to Dubsado. My biggest issue is actually sitting down and getting everything set up within my account, like contract templates, invoice templates, workflows, etc. Dubsado really has so many amazing features, and I can't wait to get it fully set up for my business. If you're a small business and you're interested in a new project management system, go check out Dubsado here!
Do my bookkeeping at least once a month (ongoing)
I'll be honest, bookkeeping is not a strong suit for me. I absolutely loathe doing it, so I tend to put it off until tax time (which really, really sucks!). So, this year I am making a point to do my bookkeeping once a month so that it doesn't all pile up on me at the end of the year. Who's with me?!
Exercise more + eat better (ongoing)
This one is pretty standard, and I'm pretty sure it's on my goal list every year. However, I really want focus on being healthier this year. I'm very bad about not planning meals ahead, and when I have to choose at the last minute, I make really bad choices (think Taco Bell or ramen or ice cream). Lack of exercise is also a bad habit I need to break ASAP. I work my day job from 8-5 every weekday (sitting on my butt) then come home and do work for Letter Lane and sit on my butt some more. I'm going to be making a point to work out as soon as I get home from my day job, at least 3-4 times a week, and try to also stay active on the weekends. We just got a puppy, so this shouldn't be too difficult! :)
Anyone else struggle with this?? Feel free to share your tips on staying motivated to eat well and exercise more! I can use all the help I can get!
Spend less, save more (ongoing)
Another bad habit of mine is spending. I looooove buying art supplies and office supplies (hello, Amazon!), and I also love shopping for clothes and beauty products. I'm not sure why it happened, but right after I graduated college my spending skyrocketed (it should've been the opposite, but...). My husband and I just bought a house a few months ago, and that definitely scared me as we paid our down payment and I watched all my money disappear. So, my goal is focus on buying fewer things and appreciate the things I have. I'll just add more and more things to my Amazon wishlist for when I can afford them... ;)
There you have it! My 2018 goals. I have a few other smaller goals I'll also be working toward throughout the year, such as a floral print collection, a Summer/Fall product collection, and a holiday collection (lots of products to get working on!), so stay tuned for those in the coming months!
If you'd like to work together this year (whether it's for your wedding, your brand, a custom project, or you just want to meet up for coffee and chat), hit me up! I would love to hear from you :)