I'm celebrating nine years in business this summer! It's kind of hard to believe I've been at this for the better part of a decade. The photo below was my first headshot, taken 10 years ago by my wife in front of our backyard locust tree. Thinking back to the first five to six years of business, there were times I didn't know when the next check would come in or what I would be doing in six months. I had so many moments in which I wondered how long I could keep at it. I'd scour job listings to see what else was out there (oh, the lure of a steady paycheck!). I worked a part time job when I needed to. Here's a post I wrote in 2016 that encapsulates the ups and downs. I'm sharing it again all these years later because I know it resonated with people.
It wasn't all hard. I had a lot of great projects, met and worked with incredible people, and celebrated milestones along the way. But it's clear to me there was a shift a few years ago, one for which I'm grateful. I began to feel more secure in managing a growing business. I'm hoping to continue on this trajectory.
What am I proud of?
It's important to take time to reflect and celebrate. As I look back on the past nine years, these are some of the things I'm proud of:
Writing Deciding on Trails is at the top of my "proud" list. I love that I was able to share my take on trail towns and that so many people are benefiting from the book. I started writing when I had a lull in consulting projects. I'd wake up just about every morning that January and sit down in front of index cards and years' worth of notes and resources spread across the table, trying to create a sense of order. A year later, the book was published and in the hands of people who are as invested in the idea of trail towns as I am.
Investing in my business is something that I'm proud of. My 2021 website overhaul was SO worth the time and effort (thank you, Shift Collaborative!). There have been other less exciting but still important steps: things like setting up my banking, insurance, and operating systems and becoming a Certified Women's Business Enterprise.
As proud as I am of getting my professional coaching certification and adding nature-based coaching to my services in 2014, I'm prouder of my decision to discontinue my coaching services a few years ago. I really enjoyed coaching, but it almost felt like I was running two separate businesses (coaching and consulting), giving neither one the energy it deserved. I phased out of one-on-one coaching in 2019 and don't believe it's any coincidence that my consulting business improved in the following years. I'm more focused and can still draw upon my coaching skills. Win-win!
When I hit the five year mark in 2018, I posted that I had 30 consulting clients in 15 states and provinces. Nine years in, I've worked with 51 clients in 17 states and provinces. Woo-hoo! More important to me are the number of returning clients. To me, that says everything about the quality of both my work and relationships. Thank you so much to those of you who keep coming back to Cycle Forward for projects and collaborations!
What's Next for Cycle Forward?
Many of you know that I've been working remotely in Nova Scotia this summer. While I've been loving this adventure (see my June post), I'm looking forward to returning home in September and getting started on some new projects. Among them is my Curiosity Series. On Wednesdays in October, I'll host intimate small group discussions that prompt people to consider and discuss one curious question each week. I'm so excited to offer this series! I once saw Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors, speak at a coaching conference. She talked about the connection between personal/professional disruption and innovation. Put simply, innovation can't occur without disruption. We have to disrupt ourselves, question our assumptions, and bring a sense of curiosity to our lives and work in order to innovate. The ability to adapt, innovate, and keep learning is important to me. If it is to you as well, consider joining me for the Curiosity Series. Learn more here.
I have some other things I'm excited about but am not ready to announce. Let's stay in touch through my newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram – not to mention phone and email...you know I'd love to catch up!
Congratulations Amy, wishing you many more years of success and at least one or two opportunities to work together again - Cheers to all the work you did for us to make Trent Severn Trail Towns a reality!!
Congratulations, Amy! Your journey is inspirational!