Navigating a Small Creative Business: Reflections and Goals for 2026

Reflecting on 2025, I'm pretty happy with what I achieved. I began to really get into my groove as a creative business owner. I figured out some things that worked for me, but I also realized there's still a lot to learn, and I'm pumped to see where this journey takes me! As I head into 2026, I'm feeling optimistic and ready to build on what I've started.

Kicking off this year's blog, I want to share my word for the year: Develop! With my business goals in mind, I want to build on the habits and lessons I learned last year which helped with both my jewelry and my business. But "develop" resonates with me personally too, which makes it even more meaningful. For me, "develop" means "to build, grow, or improve over time." What I love about "develop" compared to similar words is that it’s all about something that's still changing and evolving, not something that’s already finished.

Besides my word of the year, I'm redefining my blog as "navigating a small creative business..." Even though that's basically what I focused on last year, I like having it spelled out. I like that both "creative" and "business" are now in the title. I sometimes get too caught up in either the creative side or the business side, but I know it's crucial to strike a balance between the two. It's something I struggled with last year (and before), so I think it's important to highlight it now as we kick off the new year and keep it front and center.

Just a quick note... sometimes I find it tough to put myself out there as a small creative business owner. I often wonder if I'm creative enough or if my business is too small to matter. One of my goals for 2026 is to build more confidence in my role as a creative business owner, no matter the size. I'd love for you to follow along on my journey! Happy 2026!