A Thankful Year in Review: Looking Forward to a New Decade

As my business partner mentioned in an earlier entry, we've reached a significant milestone, our one year business anniversary.  A year ago, both of us were contemplating going back to work.  For us that meant back to jobs which we performed in the past; communication and advertising, or business planning and spreadsheets.  But the state of the economy steered us in another direction.  When we did not hear back from prospective employers, or perhaps when we realized those past jobs might not be quite what we really wanted, we decided to take the plunge into something totally new and climb a steep learning curve.  We decided to create a blog and tackle the formation of an LLC (Limited Liability Company) in photography. 

The road to blogging and photography was infused with the goal to do two things:  write about our lives as women, moms, and wives in this high tech area, and create a business which had at it's core the mechanism to give back to our community.  So thus was born, Parent Grapevine and Picture This! Fundraising. 

I am extremely proud as I sit here with my laptop upon my kitchen island, writing about this past year.  I've forged an incredible friendship with my business partner who balances out my nerdy side.  My children have enjoyed the relationship with my partners' children, almost like having cousins come over to hang out, laugh and create videos with that supplement our blogging.  By osmosis, they are seeing their moms create a business and write about our lives.  Two of my children have taken to writing, including a few blog entries, and my eldest even created a blog of her own.  She has even been asked to help review products and feature them on the Wat-Ahh blog, a kids' water product using natural spring water in four different types, infused with natural ingredients.    The kids even made a few commercials, all written, directed and edited by our children.  And in addition to our personal blog, we also write for a national blog, www.svmoms.com - and my partner has even had a nationally syndicated article! It's been a great experience.

Our photography business has been a wonderful journey.  We've both taken photos for quite a while on our own, and my partner has taken photography classes pre-digital, through the older process of developing photos in a dark room.  We've researched camera technology, purchased all sorts of photography gear, and learned about aperture, f-stops, depth-of-field, white balance, ISO, and strobes.  We've taken classes on digital technology and have taken over 1000 professional headshots to date. Through our mommy network and self-marketing, we've secured a number of clients and have been asked by a reputable studio about our interest in actively pursuing sports photography with them. 

A year ago, we were just two moms with a dream.  And I do say "moms" first, because that was at the core of our existence.  But through my adventure with my business partner, I've learned to be a stronger woman by taking a chance at something totally new and making it our own.  I've learned to be a better wife, because I have discovered something that makes me a better and happier person for my husband.  I've let my creativity loose and realize how much I love it.  I've watched how my partner balances her life and am constantly amazed by it.

The other day I received a call from a former friend and colleague.  In November 2008 I sent my resume to her when I was ready to pursue going back to work.  At that time, the economy dried up so many jobs and there wasn't anything for me to plunge  my teeth into.  A year later she remembered my email with a copy of my resume.  Lo and behold she presented a unique opportunity where I had the qualifications they were looking for.  The job was with a great company including great pay and benefits.  But without a nanosecond of hesitation, I knew my answer.  I had to turn it down and she knew why.  She could tell I was in the midst of one of the best periods of my life and career, pursuing something that I built from the ground up with my business partner.  It was a pivotal moment to realize how important this is to me. While our pay doesn't yet compare to what I've made in the past, the rewards are far greater.  And I believe we'll get to the point where our pay is astronomical.  That may turn into reality because in this past year, both of us have discovered the power of our dreams and that they are without bounds.   We are living our lives by example for our children.  We are excited in the pursuit of happiness through the limitless vision of our dreams. Life is definitely what you make it.

A hearty thanks to our wonderfully supportive friends! A toast to this past year, and cheers to our coming decade!