2024—what a year! As I sit down to reflect, I realise it’s been one of the most challenging years I’ve faced since becoming a business owner. I went from an “abundance mindset”—thinking, “Economic crisis? What economic crisis?”— to realising that some things, like cash flow, don’t always listen to pep talk and that some things are genuinely outside of my control.
Cash flow didn’t come as freely as in past years, a trend many other business owners have also felt. After countless hours of asking myself if I’m a bit mad to keep growing a business through global and economic upheavals, I’ve accepted that yes, maybe I am—but I’m also in it for the long haul.
Navigating Life, Business, and My Dad’s Ongoing Health Challenges
In March 2022, my dad received a life-altering diagnosis: a rare and aggressive cancer called Angiosarcoma. The prognosis was grim—just six months. Those are words no one wants to hear. But here we are, two and a half years later, and Dad is still with us, defying every expectation with his trademark grit and humour.
After surgery and intense rounds of radiotherapy, things seemed to stabilise—until we hit an unexpected setback. The treatment had been so aggressive that it destroyed the skin graft on his head, leaving nearly 70% of his skull exposed. Yet, he kept pushing forward. Then, in November 2023, the situation took another terrifying turn: the exposed skull had deteriorated, and an infection had reached his brain. Surgery wasn’t an option; removing the dead skull would have left his brain exposed and led to a rapid decline.
That was an overwhelming and truly frightening time. I was house-sitting in Wanaka when I got a call from his neurosurgeon, urging me to come home. They didn’t think he’d make it. But somehow, against all odds, he defied them yet again. I like to think that my firm pep talks had something to do with it—reminding him to “pull himself together” because we simply weren’t ready for him to give up. 😅
Watching his resilience firsthand was like witnessing a miracle. There were moments when he’d be gripping the hospital meal table, mumbling that he could do it, slowly willing himself to improve. To an outsider, it really did look like the end of the road—his speech slurred, his memory fading, faces unrecognisable. But to us, every small step forward was proof of his incredible strength. Each day we have with him now feels like an extra gift.
Through this journey, I’ve been his driver, his advocate, and his emotional anchor. I’ve acted as his affirmation coach, truth-teller, and, above all, his devoted daughter. It’s been challenging and heart-wrenching, but I wouldn’t trade a single moment.
Grateful for My Team
Navigating these personal challenges while managing my business would have been impossible without my incredible team—Bobbie and Tarlei. These two have been with me for over five years, and together we’ve weathered every storm imaginable. Fun fact: we’ve actually never met in person! But when we can, we grab a bottle of bubbles, hop on Zoom, and laugh until our faces hurt.
They’re truly my ride-or-dies, sticking with me through every high and low. It’s not always easy for them. When things get stressful, I can be blunt, and when I’m overwhelmed, I sometimes lose the words (or find too many of them!). But they stand by me, understanding my quirks, my passion, and my commitment. We laugh together, cry together, and always support each other. I genuinely couldn’t do what I do without them. We launched our done-for-you client services as a team, and we’ll see this journey through together.
Finding Home and Embracing Stillness
On another personal note, 2024 was a grounding year. After over two years on the road—traveling, visiting friends and family, housesitting—I finally made the decision on where to settle. Ironically, I ended up back where I started, in Mount Maunganui. Being a child of a career-driven father in the fire service, moving around was my norm. They say moving is one of the most stressful experiences, but for me, it’s comfortable. It’s building roots that feels foreign.
But, after a year in one spot, I can say it’s been nice to have a “home base.” For the first time, I feel at home, a feeling that’s new for me. Usually, after 12 months, I’m ready to shake things up. But here I am, grounded, and (surprisingly) happy about it. Who knows? Maybe I’ve finally found a place to belong.
Business, Burnout, and the Art of Saying “No”
One of my biggest lessons this year was realising how much burnout had quietly built up (something I sort help for in Therapy but refused to accept the place I was in). The “laptop lifestyle” sounds glamorous, and yes, it has its perks. But settling in one place forced me to see how drained I truly was. Reflecting on all those months spent planning new adventures—balancing client work with figuring out where I’d be staying next—it hit me: that pace was a recipe for exhaustion.
Being a “recovering people pleaser” hasn’t helped either. I’ve always wanted to help, to be available, to do it all. But that helpful attitude sometimes blurred my boundaries, chipping away at my energy and my mental clarity. Burnout was a wake-up call, reminding me that “no” is a boundary, a necessity, and a word that has become essential to my survival. I’m learning to embrace it, and it’s a change I’m carrying into 2025.
The Rollercoaster of Running a Business
Let’s talk about the rollercoaster that is being a CEO. Some days everything goes according to plan; the next, you’re putting out fires left and right. They say you get used to the ups and downs, but eight years in, I can tell you they still feel the same as they did on day one. Maybe you just learn to bounce back faster. Each setback still stings, but the lesson is to keep moving forward—no matter what.
Navigating the mental health side of business ownership has been another challenge. As someone who experiences anxiety, depression, and occasional bouts of PTSD, running a business isn’t always smooth sailing. I’ve had moments where I wanted to crawl into a hole and shut out the world, but running a business doesn’t allow for that kind of pause. It’s about finding ways to keep going even when your mind is fighting you—learning to breathe, to focus on the next step, and to keep learning through the struggle.
Lessons Learned (the Hard Way)
Reflecting on the last 12 months, I can see places where I didn’t pivot quickly enough, where I was too much like the Titanic, heading straight for the iceberg. But I’ve also learned valuable lessons along the way.
✨ Setting Boundaries and Taking Time: Taking time to stop, think, and set boundaries has become essential. I’ve realised that sometimes I take on too much responsibility, trying to help in ways that might not be mine to handle. Each time I face this, it’s a reminder to realign my boundaries.
💡 Staying Aligned with My Values: I’ve learned that it’s vital to work with people and in ways that resonate with my values. When I stray from that, it drains me mentally and energetically. I’ve had to remind myself of why I started my business in the first place—to stay true to myself and the kind of impact I want to make.
🚀 Putting My Business First: This year, I learned that I can’t put my clients’ business growth ahead of my own. Times may get busy, but if I’m not focused on my own business’s growth, I can’t sustain helping others. This lesson came at a high price, but it’s one I’m grateful to have learned.
👫 Leaning on My Support System: This year has reminded me of the incredible people I have in my corner. There were days I felt like giving up, but my friends and family held space for me to break down, and then they cheered me back up. Their support has been invaluable, and it’s a reminder of how fortunate I am to have people who believe in me.
💪 Building Resilience: I’ve learned I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. Looking back on the year, I see the resilience it took to keep moving forward, even when things got tough.
Here’s to Thriving in 2025
Looking back on 2024, I see the wrinkles, gray hairs and extra kilos it’s added, but I also see a lot of growth and resilience. I made it through, and I’m still here, ready to face whatever’s next. There’s so much left to do, but I feel more prepared than ever. Surviving this year has been an accomplishment in itself, and now it’s time to shift from survival mode to growth.
Here’s to thriving in 2025 and beyond.
I hope this blog resonates with you, whether you’re a fellow business owner, a family caregiver, or someone who’s been through a whirlwind year. If any of these lessons feel familiar, know you’re not alone, and there’s always a way forward.
Thanks for being part of my journey—let’s keep moving forward together.
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