2017 Year in Review
Well, THIS blog post is up a little later than I wanted it to be. You’ll have to forgive me, friends! I’ve been really sick this week and more out of it than normal. You know when you have a cold and you feel like you’re in a daze? So much so that you can’t complete regular sentences without sounding like you’ve had a few too many drinks? That’s been me all week long! It’s a really unusual thing for me, so I’ve just been taking some time off to recover. Besides, I wouldn’t want to write a blog post that was completely incoherent!
This is the first time I’ve ever been able to write a year in review blog post because last year at this time, I didn’t even have a website! Before that, I NEVER blogged at all, so this is a really exciting post for me! First of all, let me start off by saying that this year was the most incredible year for my business yet. I exceeded every goal I set for myself this year, and I will admit that I’m very surprised (my husband, not so much). To summarize the year, here is a list of goals I set for myself that I was able to check off:
√Finish the Website – Check!
I got my website up and running this past January and I have been really happy with how it turned out! The template was from Hello You Designs and the images were from the SC Stockshop, but I put everything together myself. It was a difficult process, but once I switched to the right hosting company, it was smooth sailing form there!
√Gain more clients – Check!
I ended 2016 with 7 clients with the hope that I’d be able to bring on more. This year I worked with 15 photographers around the country! I am so grateful for each and every one of them. They are the reason I have a roof over my head, a career that I love, and a purpose in this crazy life!
√Double My Income (again) – Check!
I honestly still can’t believe it. Never in a million years did I think I could double my income again. Zach did, but I thought there was no way. Luckily, I was wrong!
√Blog More Consistently – Check!
I was able to blog once a week almost every single week this year! Okay, maybe not this ENTIRE year, but since May when I set this goal for myself. Hey – that’s pretty good for me!
√Double My Instagram Followers – Check!
Man is Instagram hard, but I was able to double my followers this past year with a lot of hard work! Not only was it a goal to gain more followers, but I also made a goal of sharing images almost daily (which is hilarious because as I write this, I have only shared once this entire week…oops). It’s really wonderful to see a lot of hard work pay off!
Speaking of Instagram, here’s my Best of 9 Instagram posts & summary of 2017! I love that Riley made 2 of the them — that pup has my heart <3
Normally, I’d shy away from talking about my business like this, but the truth is that I’m really thrilled with how my business did in 2017. I worked really hard, and I’m really proud of the work I did this year. I think all business owners should be proud of the work they do, don’t you? Running a business is HARD! There are always things that work, and things that don’t, and every year I learn something new about my business. This year, I learned how to balance work and personal time much better. I feel less stressed, more rested, and as a result I’m more productive during work hours.
2018 Goals
There are still many goals to hit, but I’m starting to realize that with hard work and determination, goals that seem impossible CAN be achievable! So let’s talk about some goals I’m setting for 2018. So here are a few of the tops things on my list:
•Launch My Coaching and Mentoring Programs
This one is actually coming SOON!! So check back and keep an eye out for this one!
•Work on and grow my email list
Okay, this one I’ve been neglecting a bit. I started an email list, which was a pretty big deal for me, but I really haven’t used it yet. One of my goals is not only to grow it, but to make sure I’m sending really great content to subscribers.
•Attend a Conference
I haven’t been to a conference since I started my business, so this is a big one! I’m already signed up the Make It Happen conference in March, and I cannot wait!! Conferences are a great way to meet new people and connect with creatives.
Let’s Talk Stats | 2017 Year In Review
So now that I’ve shared some of my goals, I want to go over some stats. Ready? Here we go!
Guys…WHAT?! 137,380 images this year?! (Also, can you believe it turned out to be such an even number??). It’s certainly a long way from the girl from Portland who quit her job, moved across the country, and started her business from scratch. I certainly never believed I would make it to this point, which is why I’m celebrating this year and all I accomplished. Did I make 6-figures? No…I didn’t (not yet anyway ;D), but I’m still incredibly thankful for all this year has brought. I’ve learned so much in 2017, and I cannot wait to see what 2018 holds.
AND I must say that all of this has only been possible because of the support I’ve received from my sweet husband. Ya’ll — I seriously have no idea if I’d be sitting here typing out this blog post right now if it wasn’t for that man. He has never once complained about the late nights, the dinners he’s had to make, and the stresses that come with being a business owner. He is the absolute best, and I am SO thankful that God put this man in my life.
–Side note, as I’m typing this, I caught him smiling over at me because I was apparently doing something cute, which seriously just melts my heart. He’s the sweetest <3 —
Happy New Year!
So that’s it! I’m off until the New Year! I hope you enjoy your holiday parties, stay safe, and get ready to head into the office on Tuesday with goals for 2018. Maybe your 2017 isn’t ending on a high note, but I promise it can be better! Businesses are full of ups and downs, and every year is not going to be amazing. Just keep your head held high, brush it off, and come back with more motivation than ever before!
Congrats Emily. We are so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished!! You go boss lady!
It sounds like your 2017 was amazing! I hope you are just as successful with tour 2018 goals— I’m sure you will be!
Happy new year to you too. I always love seeing peoples year in review it always inspires me to do even better this year. Can’t wait to see some of your coaching and mentoring info, You accomplished a lot this year so I would love to learn from you
what an incredible year you’ve had!! I also find social media so draining !! I hope 2018 brings you more likes and incredible opportunities.
wow, congrats! sounds like you are just crushing goals left and right! here’s to continued success in the new year 🙂
I am so happy that you were able to meet your 2017 goals! And how great that you pushing yourself to achieve more in 2018! Wish you a very successful year!
Emily, this is an incredible list of accomplishments last year and you’ve set a great set of goals for this year. I hope you crush them all early on, and get to set a whole new list! You go girl!
Bam. Everyone needs a good photo editor. I do not know what I would do without mine. Kudos to a banner year! I wish you even more success in 2018.
Looks like you had a great 2017 and off to a great 2018! Cheers to a successful and fabulous 2018!
I think your pup Riley deserved the spotlight on all 9 photos 😉 Such a cute blog post! I hope you have another amazing year ♡
Oh girl, I feel you on being sick and trying to work. I am there right now. (and it sucks). But dang! You hit a ton of goals in 2017 and I bet you will hit them this year too! Way to go! Can’t wait to see what amazing work you create in 2018!
Well you totally inspired me to vamp up my goals for this year. Such great accomplishments! I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store for you.
[…] you read my 2017 Year in Review post from last December, you’ll know that I had a few goals that I really wanted to check off […]
[…] I decided that 2018 was the year I was going to attend another conference. If you saw my “2017 Year in Review” post back in January, then you know it was one of my top priorities. It had been 3 years […]