“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

I literally can’t believe this year is over. It was just the beginning of the year, then I blinked. lol So much happened in what seems to be such a short time, like getting engaged, starting a new job, and moving to a new home. Within all these major life changes, I’ve managed to squeeze in some accomplishments, and epic fails, for personal goals I set this year. So, I wanted to take this time to reflect on what they were and how to move forward into 2017. Feel free to follow along and give yourself a review to prep for the new year as well!

 

I’m breaking this down into 3 sections, here are the 3 questions that I’m going to answer in my Annual Review:

• What was accomplished this year?
• What didn’t go so well this year?
• What am I working towards or new goals for 2017?

So, without further due…

 

– What was accomplished this year?

Pumps and Pouts, LLC. When I decided to rebrand my blog, for the 2nd time lol, I really wanted to build a brand. Yes, I still wanted my blog to personal and share things that I love and my life experiences, but I also needed to start thinking about what I am representing as a brand, and remaining true to that brand. I also had other goals that I wanted to set myself up for when I was ready to create product lines for my brand, and later expanding it into other entrepreneurial avenues. But since the relaunch in April, things have been sailing smoothly and my views are building back up.

eCommerce. I did it! I finally opened a little online store. It’s not a lot on it, but its the items I would want sell. I started off with 3 small shops combined into one, but I have scaled down since its grand opening, which I will explain later.

Instagram. I somehow managed to rack up 10,000 followers and can’t believe it. I can’t believe ppl actually like my content that much! (Excuse me discrediting myself, bad habit of mine) I managed to even sneak in a couple of brand repost. My most memorable and fave social media moment is when I briefly went viral from a Tarte Cosmetics Brand repost. Like, I couldn’t believe that a brand that size even saw the photo!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEg9AWCvpHs/

New Job. I started a new job in September! Along with all of my blogging brand changes, I’ve had a couple of industry changes as well. As some of you may know, I went to school for fashion design at Savannah College of Art and Design. I later went to intern and work for a favorite #GIRLBOSS of mine, Sarah Blakely, at SPANX. Once my contract ended there, I went to work at an awesome financial planning firm, oXYgen Financial, as a financial advisor assistant. Now I work at one of the largest distributor companies in the southeast, called Southeast Paper Group. So far, it has been a very rewarding experience. I’ve learned a lot and am looking forward to growing with the company.

Youtube. I started creating tutorials last year and I’ve gotten a lot better than when I first started. It’s definitely something I want to continue and do more of. Will get into more of the details in a few.

 

– What didn’t go so well this year?

eCommerce. So circling back on the online store…EPIC FAIL! And I’m ok with that, and here’s why. First, I started off with 3 small shops in 1: The P+P Shoppe, Atunlo, and Currently Crafted. I think I bit off more than I could chew. I should have started small and then worked my way up to the other branches. I would love to bring the other 2 concepts back at another time, but for now, I am going to focus on the The P+P Shoppe and perfecting it. Secondly, I barely did any marketing for it! I think I ran one Facebook ad from year to date. How did I expect to make a sale without putting the leg work! Stores don’t just upon and start selling immediately, you know.

Self-Photography. As a self-taught photographer, which I don’t think I can honestly call myself a photographer, I kind of suck! lol Ok, I’m not that horrible. But for me to be running a one-man show, I’m not doing to bad! It is something I definitely want to work on because I want to create the best visual content that I can.

Youtube. Sometimes I really let my nerves get the best of me or I judge myself way too hard. I’ve recorded a good amount of tutorials this year, but didn’t post them all. I didn’t like them, I didn’t feel comfortable posting them, or I had camera issues to the point the footage couldn’t go up. I have a Sony A-5100, it’s a mirrorless lens camera. I love working with it, but it also has one annoying flaw. If it overheats, it will cut off. And it doesn’t really give you a good notice that it is cutting off midway through you filming. So, a lot of footage didn’t get filmed due to that little issue. However, I’m learning how to work with this and just film multiple shots rather than having to buy a whole new camera, which can get pricey.

 

– What am I working towards or new goals for 2017?

As a content creator. Creating better content, and more useful content at that! I don’t want own a useless blog, there are probably thousands of those. I want my viewers to feel informed or inspired! Though blogging is fun for me, I also want to feel like it is helpful and interesting in some shape or form. So next year I really want to tackle all my avenues, social media, blogging, youtube, etc. I want to take a photography class so I can really know what I’m doing and proper photo editing. I also think that it is time for me to stop being superwoman and invest in a photographer from time to time. As far as tapping into the social media influencer market, I am looking forward to working with more amazing brands that I’m passionate about. Also, expect to see some new faces this year from guest bloggers!

As a person. I always joke that I am a never-ending work in progress. lol I am a perfectionist, a control freak (I can’t believe I just admitted it), I have terrible anxiety, and have the worst time management skills ever. I know these aren’t all an easy fix, but I’d like turn my flaws into something I can work with instead of trying to work against. I am really hard on myself about everything, and really need to learn how to constructively critique myself so I can assess it and make the changes. I also want to start getting feedback from my viewers. You are ultimately reading the content, so I want to know what you love the most and what I should stop posting on.

Time management. I PROMISE TO ACTUALLY MAKE A BLOG SCHEDULE THIS YEAR. Bottom line! I can’t keep stressing myself out because I don’t have a post prepared or content ready. Also, being consistent. As far as my anxiety goes, it’s not going anywhere so I just have to keep it under control and not let it get to me or scare me into not accomplishing the things that I want due to fear. Lastly, actually taking care of my body. I eat horribly and I don’t work out, to be honest I don’t like to work out. I really want to give yoga a try, relax my mind and keep in shape. I want to start cooking more and eating out less as well.

As an entrepreneur. I want to be successful in what ever I decide to dabble in. So, I will continue to work had and never give up! I won’t be afraid to fail a few times. Do my research, and learn from my mistakes and others. As a blogger, I would love to start a segment on blogging tips for those who’d want to give it a try. As a retailer, I want to continue with my small eCommerce shop and hopefully start generating some sales! All of my smaller goals will hopefully one day lead me to my long-term goal of being a fashion designer and owning my own cosmetics line. Only time will tell, and a lot of hard work of course!

 

Well, I’m sorry for that rather lengthy review, but it was very insightful. And quite therapeutic if you ask me. I am looking forward to 2017! I want to make it a successful year! How was 2016 for you? What are your goals for next year? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Tags: 2016, 2016 year end review, 2017, editor's note, goals, New Year, year end review