My wins, challenges, and lessons learned over the last year

What was the biggest challenge you faced professionally this year?

Oh hands down it was hiring my first employee…full-time at that!. This hire symbolized getting my ducks in a row. It forced me to embody the CEO mindset and role, not just the title. For the first time, I was in charge of someone’s career! That’s wild.

Growing a company and making new hires really exposes your vulnerabilities. This was a whole new world for me. I had to recognize that I will make mistakes (as you do the first time you do anything). I discovered that opening up and showing those vulnerabilities built trust and allowed me and my new hire to learn about each other.

Growing a team is challenging for sure, but so worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What was the biggest challenge you faced personally this year?

I was (and still am) feeling the impact of the pandemic on my personal relationships. Some friendships that existed over a decade, fell apart. New friendships grew stronger and more solid. I was resistant at first… But then I realized that a friendship takes two people to make it work. 

I learned to let go of the relationships that were impacting me negatively. I’m sure you feel me when I say, you know a friendship is real if it made it through a global pandemic. 

What was the biggest win for you professionally?

My biggest win (and most challenging feat) was launching my flagship offer: VIP Days. This is a 1-day high-ticket transformative offer where I put together a full-on tax strategy plan for successful entrepreneurs. With my VIP Days, the average tax savings achieved was a whopping $75,000. This service is valuable and I get to see clients go through visible transformations… It is the most meaningful work.

 (Does this business model seem like something you want in the new year? You can see what my VIP Day looks like here. Reply to this email with any questions or advice about VIP days, I’m happy to help!)  

To build my VIP day, I went through so many mindset shifts. I was constantly learning and reorganizing. I had to get comfortable saying no to tax prep requests away so that I could have the energy to put toward this offer. I had to push through the fear of leaving money on the table.

VIP days allow me to provide the highest value to clients, in a way that is aligned with my work style and personality (what more could you ask for??). 

My runner-up for the biggest win this year was stepping out and stepping up in these internet streets. Ya girl ripped off the bandaid and pushed her public speaking skills to the mainstream. I participated in 10 speaking engagements this year! I started showing up for my audience on Instagram and yall loved me!! Putting myself out there used to seem so scary and now it’s part of my weekly routine. Remember: Progress is made when you get out of your comfort zone. 

What was your biggest win personally? 

The pandemic was incredibly difficult on me mentally and physically. During the summer of 2020 I felt very in my head and gained over 25lbs. My biggest win is coming out of this slump better than ever both mentally and physically. 

How? I did this by actively implementing tips I learned about feeling like an imposter. Much of my imposter syndrome was because I was stretching myself thin. I was saying yes to things that dimmed my joy. BOUNDARIES were the solution. This will forever be a learning process. Sticking to your boundaries regardless how they are received by others is the hardest thing I’ve had to do, but worth more than gold. Also, I recommitted to hitting the weights a few times a week.  Everybody, especially women, should lift weights.  It’s magical how strength training empowers the mind into believing anything is possible; it sheds any fears and doubts and encourages you to rise to the occasion. 

What business goals do you have for 2022? 

My mind is on the money… VIP Days. I want to help as many entrepreneurs as possible with a Tax Strategy Plan VIP Day. This means I’ll have to grow a solid, dedicated, high-performing team. I want to truly embody the CEO role by focusing on high-level strategic work and my team will hold it down with execution and implementation. 

I also want to do more speaking engagements. Virtual summits and live workshops allow me to connect with people on a personal level so I’ll be getting into those more I can show them who I am and what I love to do without fancy graphics or eye-catching posts… Just me talking about the things I love doing. 

What personal goals do you have for 2022? 

Finding L-O-V-E. I’m done using my business and the pandemic as an excuse, I’ve done the work on myself. Now, it’s time to get out there and find someone who can keep up lol!

I also intend on traveling more. By travel, I mean getting back on a plane. It’s been so long! here we going ya’ll?? 

Finally, I want to add more spontaneity into my life. I am a planner through and through. As an INTJ, Human Design Projector, Virgo sun AND Virgo rising… Planning is in my DNA. I want to say yes to last-minute plans without anxiety. We’ll see how this one goes… 

So I’ll leave you with this… Each year we are growing and evolving. Reflection helps us check in with ourselves. Here is my homework to you: Take the time to answer these same questions yourself. Be honest and be vulnerable. Write the answers in your notebook or keep them on your phone. Recognize the work you have done over the last year and set your intentions for another year of success. You got this. We got this.