Honest Reflections from Our First Year in Business: The Highs & Lows
Cue the smash cake: Quotable Copy is ONE!
Like any proud parent, I can’t help but get a bit teary-eyed at the thought of my baby turning a year old.
They grow up so fast. 🥲
I shared a couple of highlights from our first official year of business on Instagram. But I need to be honest about the lowlights, too.
Here’s how this year really went for me and Quotable Copy.
Highlights from Our First Year in Business
It’s wild to think that only a year ago, I was launching this new brand into the digi-sphere. Thankfully, we didn’t combust.
In fact, it’s been a wildly successful mission so far.
Here are a few highlights from the past 365 days around the sun…
- We wrote creative, conversion-driven copy for 30 incredible clients — half of whom have already re-booked our services (we love a long-term relationship!).
- We grew our audience while narrowing our niche (serving mostly female founders of creative businesses, such as photographers, designers, artists, event planners, wellness providers, marketers, and educators).
- We partnered with some impossibly talented creators, including @cemberstudio, @daveyandkrista, @maddiepeschong, @erica.thetrademarklawyer, @kreate_photography, @chelseaallegra, @sunshineandsavasana, @courtneycreates_, @wonderfullymadegiftco, @junocreativestudio, and others.
Before you think, “Holy crap, that’s a lot for your first year in business!” — bear in mind that I’ve been a professional copywriter for 11+ years now. I’ve had a bit of a head start!
And when I look ahead to all I want Quotable Copy to accomplish… we’re just getting started.
Lowlights from Our First Year in Business
Now, all of that 👆 is just the highlight reel Reel.
Like parenthood, business ownership has its highs AND lows.
Growth spurts AND growing pains. Giggles, successes, and squeals AND crying, failures, and fears.
So, to balance the scales, here are a few lowlights from our first official year in business…
- I returned from maternity leave with just a few projects booked, unsure of how the rest of the year would go.
- We still don’t have a super steady stream of new leads, so I’m often wondering where our next work will come from.
- We haven’t done as much marketing as we probably should (creating and promoting lead magnets, being more active on social, running paid ads, etc.).
- Although I have a small team of people who help with various needs, Quotable Copy is mostly just me — which, as an introvert, I mostly love, but which sometimes feels lonely or confusing or small.
- I face a constant tension between wanting to grow the business and wanting to pull back and spend more time at home with my boys.
Can you relate to any of this?
I share these struggles with you because I want you to feel less alone in them. I want to feel less alone in them.
No one — no baby, no business — is perfect. Don’t let Instagram tell you otherwise.
Yet the growth spurts are 100% worth the growing pains. And the gummy smiles keep you going, looking forward to the stage that’s next.
That’s what I’m doing now: smiling back at my business-baby, and looking into the face of the future.
Take Our Year-End Survey & Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card
In this spirit of celebration, anticipation, and gratitude… I have a small favor to ask of you.
Would you pretty-please fill out our quick year-end survey? 🙏
[ Yes, I’d Love to Help! ]
I created this survey because I’m a firm believer that businesses should listen to their audiences. You know what you want and need better than I do!
I trust you to tell me the truth. Go ahead; I can take it.
(My husband might say differently, but I digress.)
The survey shouldn’t take more than a few minutes of your time. But I know even a few minutes are valuable.
That’s why you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card just by submitting the form.
And no, you don’t have to answer every question — just the required ones. (Plus your email, so I know how to reach you if you win!)
As I look back on our first official year in business, I’m just so excited about the future of Quotable Copy.
I don’t know what it holds, exactly, but I’m hoping you can help me figure that out.
And I hope you’ll stick around as we figure it out together.
Whatever “it” is. 🥂
