Reflect and Grow: July

Happy Friday!

I have never been happier to see a month come to a close. My goodness, this one was truly a rough one for more reasons than one, but thankfully, we made it through. This month was so chaotic that I even forgot to celebrate my three-year milestone on this journey.

But I don't want to start this post on such a sour note, so let's get into some of my biggest reflections from this month.

Reflecting on July

The biggest moment of excitement this month was delivering branded notebooks to my client, who runs a cute little bookstore in Tempe. Yesterday, he was able to add the notebooks to his store, and it was such an exciting moment to watch him open the box and flip through the pages with a smile.

Moments like that always remind me why I haven't given up on this journey. I don't think it's ever been about becoming a millionaire. Instead, it's about the feeling I get when I'm able to create a product that other people can share with their customers and their communities. Those are the moments that make all the hard work worth it.

In addition to delivering my client's first order, I've also been thinking about where my next project will come from. So much of this year has been focused on growing my social media following and navigating the constant pressure to show up online. But if I'm being honest with myself, I don't think that's the path that's meant to grow this business.

The client I just worked with came from discovering his bookstore on TikTok and simply sending an email to ask if he would be interested in branded notebooks. After he replied that he was, I made a trip to the store, and we talked through what would work best for his business. It may feel a little old-fashioned, but at the end of the day, that personal approach led to a genuine client relationship. That's a reminder I want to carry with me moving forward.

Growing into August

Looking ahead to August, it's hard to believe we're already entering the final stretch of the year. I feel like I've accomplished so much, yet I still have so many ideas and goals I want to pursue before the year comes to a close.

I think August will be a great opportunity to focus on finding new clients. Building relationships with more independent bookstores feels like a natural next step, and I'd also love to connect with smaller boutiques and local shops around the city that could benefit from custom-branded notebooks.

Conclusion

July was a wild month, filled with more personal challenges than I expected. Through it all, I'm grateful that this journey continues to give me a creative outlet and a space where I can create something meaningful for others.

I'm choosing to believe that August will bring fresh opportunities, new connections, and a little more peace than July did.

Thank you for reading along with me. I hope August brings you moments of growth, creativity, and joy. Wishing you a beautiful start to the new month, and I'll see you next month.

Xx,
Annie