I really love looking back on the year. I'm particularly critical of myself and have really had to teach myself to celebrate the small victories and accomplishments in my life. I often forget just HOW MUCH I've accomplished or done! This past year was a HUGE year for growth, especially in terms of stepping out of my comfort zone and JUST DOING things.  Here's the highlights of the year, the good, bad and the ugly!





The Good

I'm very proud of myself for how many markets I attended my with vintage shop Gypsy Beard! Shutting my brick and mortar down was one of the hardest, yet most fulfilling things I did this year. (More on that later though!) We popped up shop over the course of 4 months at:

• Loot Vintage Market
• The Dallas Flea (Now FleaStyle)
• Deep Ellum Outdoor Market
• and Vintage Market Days 

Collaboration

2015 was a year that offered wonderful opportunities to collaborate with other amazing people, artists and businesses! Particularly when Gypsy Beard styled a shoot for Beauty Shop of Fort Worth Texas! I hope 2016 is full of even more fun adventures like this!

Confidence

Confidence, though not something exactly tangible, is something that I really gained this past year. Putting yourself out there in a business and social sense was something that really boosted my confidence. Being the face of a shop both in my town and at markets really taught me to be proud, because let's face it, it's made me feel like a badass to follow my dreams and take the risks that I have this past year.

Helping Others

I've found it very fulfilling this past year sharing my experiences with business, social media and design. It's allowed me to meet so many wonderful and passionate people here on the blog, social media and at markets. I really look forward to continuing to do so in the future.


Fitness & Happiness

Though I'm only a few months in, Fit & Happy Tuesday is a series I launched to set goals and track my progress in mental & physical health. So far so good! I've been eating much healthier (the holidays don't count right?) and making it a point to be more fit and nurture myself physically and spiritually. I've rid myself of emotional and physical baggage and learned to look at the world with more wonder.

Photo Adventures

I've been gaining more and more clients each year and it is something I've really loved having under my belt. Hopefully as I dive further into entrepreneurship in 2016, photography will be something I will continue to grow at.

This year I did quite a few bodouir shoots! Though I don't have much to show for this since the photos are private, they're were stunning! This was something new for me and I really think I'm hooked! I absolutely love empowering women and helping them to see how beautiful they are.

Edumacation

I went back to school this past semester in pursuit of my masters! It's been a nerve racking semester but it's over for now! It's always great to have things to add to my portfolio and to grow in my skills. I'll be back at it in the Spring!



The Bad

Sadly, Gypsy Beard Studio closed it's brick and mortar doors in May of 2015. It was so hard letting the amazing space go, but when a demographic just doesn't work for your business, you have to learn to let go. It doesn't matter how Instagram pretty the place is, you can't force people in your doors. It allowed me to hit the road with my shop and its been an amazing experience so far!
 

Rejection & Unprofessionalism

This past year my design business grew even more and I also had to deal with rejection in a way a never experienced. Though ultimately I grew and learned a lot about myself as a designer, it hurt like hell. My ego and confidence too a huge hit. When you put yourself out there as a creative, you have to learn to not take rejection personal. 

This same instance was also a big learning experience in dealing with unprofessionalism. I read some negative things about my business that really hurt. In the end though you learn that not everyone will act professional when a business relationship ends and to be the bigger person. Again, you have to remember not to take rejection or negativity personal, as hard as that may seem. I'm not saying this to be nasty, but simply to let other creatives know that they are not alone and not to let one bad experience ruin your dreams or put out your passion.

Inner Demons 

This year was rough for me spiritually & emotionally. I don't want to say that I've suffered from clinical depression, but it's quite possible. There's been weeks where all I've wanted to do is lay in bed. There have been days where I couldn't look in the mirror because I hate the person I saw and felt I was. This was part of my inspiration for launching my Fit & Happy Tuesday series. My emotional and physical health really suffered this past year due to my relationship with God, myself and personal relationships. I'm taking baby steps and hoping that 2016 will be a better year.

 Are you as pumped for 2016 as I am?! I literally cannot contain my excitement and am feeling pretty high on life right.