A Year of (Aldi) Champagne Moments – Reflections on My First Year in Business 🥂

As my little business tiptoes toward its very first birthday (1st July — mark your diaries, or feel free to pop a gift in the post! 😉), I find myself reflecting on the past 12 months with a glass of very reasonably priced Aldi Champagne in hand and a whole lot of gratitude in my heart.

After over 20 years in full-time employment, becoming self-employed felt like both a giant leap and a natural next step. It was something I’d daydreamed about for a long time — the freedom, the creativity, the ability to carve out something that was truly mine. It was scary, yes, but it also felt like the right kind of risk.

The biggest hurdle? Figuring out what I actually wanted to do. (Still not ruling out a career as a trapeze artist, to be honest.) And then — learning to say it out loud without stumbling over my words or downplaying myself. That took practice.

In the past year, I’ve met so many brilliant people. Most of them have been generous with their time, encouragement, and wisdom — and it’s reminded me just how powerful connection can be. I’ve said “yes” to just about every opportunity that’s come my way (within reason!), learned my way around a wild mix of apps and tools, and let my creativity stretch in directions I hadn’t even imagined.

I’ve embraced the joy of managing my own time — and the reality that no boss will ever be harder on me than I am on myself. I’ve made supporting others part of my mission, and learned to not take everything so personally (still a work in progress!).

Bit by bit, I feel like I’ve started to find my people — my tribe — and that’s been one of the biggest wins of all.

I’ve taken breaths when I’ve needed to. I’ve stayed true to myself. I’ve chosen honesty, even when it’s raised eyebrows. And I’ve stopped trying to meet expectations that were never mine to begin with. No more internal politics. No more boxes to squeeze into. This is my business — on my terms.

So, what’s next?

I’m not entirely sure (and I kind of like it that way). There are some exciting things on the horizon, but I’m keeping my feet on the ground. One day at a time. One decision at a time. One glass of Aldi fizz at a time.

Thanks for being part of this first chapter. Here’s to what’s next. 🥂