Summer is officially here, and wow—June came in hot and busy! I hope the first month of summer brought productivity, new ideas, and a little sunshine your way, too. Earlier this month, I shared how I’m scaling Annie Sharae Creations and what that transition could look like. Now that June is winding down, it's time for my favorite part of the month, reflecting on all the business adventures that came my way. Let’s dive in!
Points of Reflection
This month brought some really exciting milestones. First up: my client’s personalized fitness journal is officially in production! This project has been in the works for a while, and it feels incredibly rewarding to see it nearing completion. I can’t wait to share the finished product soon!
On the topic of clients, I secured a pretty big win this month, supplying notebooks to a procurement office in one of Arizona’s largest cities. It was a relatively small project, but a major confidence boost. Just like I mentioned in last month’s post, saying “yes” can open doors to opportunities you never imagined.
I also connected with a few other small business owners, sharing samples of custom work for potential future collaborations. Reflecting on how busy June has been makes me feel incredibly inspired to keep showing up as an entrepreneur. Annie Sharae Creations has been two years in the making, and I’m just now starting to see the kind of growth I only dreamed of at the start.
And even with all the client work, I made time for creativity! This month I launched a brand-new notebook collection inspired by the desert landscape. While I’m shifting focus from individual consumers to other businesses, it was refreshing to create something purely inspired by my surroundings and add a few new designs to the shop.
Opportunities for Growth
As exciting and productive as this month was, it also highlighted some areas where I want to grow.
Timely Communication
While I pride myself on being responsive and organized, I realized that not everyone works the same way. This month, I faced delays on a potential project due to slow email responses. It was a good reminder that setting clear expectations early on is key. Going forward, I’ll be scheduling a “Project Details” call or in-person meeting before diving into any deliverables, just like I did with my fitness journal client. It’s a small shift, but one that helps set the tone for successful collaboration.
Time = Money
Being a newer business, I’ve sometimes undervalued the time I spend preparing project mockups and proposals. This month, I created two full sets of mockups for potential clients, without charging upfront. While I currently include design fees in the final project cost, I’ve come to realize this approach may not be sustainable long term. I’ll be revisiting my pricing model to make sure my time, skills, and creativity are reflected appropriately.
Looking Ahead
June was full of lessons, creativity, and growth. I learned more about the procurement process, connected with potential clients through my business fellowship, and landed a city project—major wins all around!
As I move into July, I’m looking forward to even more client work and continued growth. I’m also in the middle of redesigning the Annie Sharae Creations website and hope to have it ready to launch by the end of next month.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Until next month, keep reflecting and growing 💛