As the year wraps up, I’ve been thinking about the moments that stood out. Not just the work completed, but the experiences that made the year feel full and meaningful.
I continued to really enjoy being involved in BNI this year. The relationships, consistency, and support that come from that community continue to matter more to me every year I’m part of it.
In April, I attended a conference in Tempe, and had a genuinely great time. It was a nice mix of learning, connecting, and stepping out of my usual routine. It’s always a good reminder of how valuable it is to get out of your own bubble now and then.
One of the highlights of the year was taking two short trips with my friend Ann Marie Gill of Cascade Valley Designs. We co-worked, talked shop, and spent time just being humans together. Both trips were simple, grounding, and far more meaningful than I expected them to be.
I also attended WordCamp US in Portland, and it was a great reunion with friends. The energy, the people, the conversations. It was just a great time. The hotel we stayed at was fantastic, which never hurts, and the whole experience reminded me why I love this community so much.
On the less glamorous side of the year: QuickBooks. Or more accurately, my absolute nightmare of setting up tax systems and trying to make everything behave the way it’s supposed to. That experience alone deserves its own recap. Huge gratitude to my accountant, who gave me permission to stay put in the systems that already work for me instead of forcing a change that wasn’t serving anyone. That support mattered more than they probably realize.
When I look back at 2025, there was some really great travel, a lot of frustration with the state of Washington implementing a sales tax for my business, and in some ways I really overworked. I’ve taken some time off for the holidays, and it’s been the most needed time off in my life.
In 2026, I’m hoping to strike a bit more balance in my work schedule. As always, I’m very grateful for all my clients and friends in the industry, and I hope 2026 is good to all of us.
