Let’s Talk About 2024!

It’s the beginning of a new year, and 2024 is bringing some big shifts for me. In this blog, I’m reminiscing with you on the last three years have looked and what’s coming up. I’m scaling back my business and I’m telling you why. And, we’re changing things up here on the blog! I’ll tell you what to expect.

First, check out a recap of the last three years

My husband and I got married on New Year’s Eve, so this time of year is extra special to me.

In January 2021, we moved to Missouri as newlyweds. The year brought a lot of new experiences—some good, some not so good. It was a challenging year that taught us about communication, teamwork, and relying on each other. In the summer, I started a corporate retail job to help us meet some big financial goals.

Then in January 2022, we entered our second year of marriage with our new puppy named Pickles.

That year, I quit my job and started a virtual assistance business. It was a huge, positive shift for my personal life and our marriage. 

Although working for a big corporation was helpful for us financially, it was a very worldly work environment. I only had three nights a week with my husband. I was so socially drained that I wasn’t mentally available to connect with my church family. Starting a business from home let me put my faith and my family first and that shift was transformative for my mental and spiritual health.  

We started 2023 with the trip of our dreams to Hawaii. It was the perfect way to reconnect with my husband and I went on to work my first full year self-employed. I worked with nine clients and met my income goal for the year by March. I was so proud of my growing business.

Everything changed in 2023

Initially, I was all in with my virtual assistance business. I had lots of ideas about how to expand with multiple digital products and passive income streams. I have pieces of several projects that I started, but I pressed pause on all big expansions because God sent us the sweetest little boy in the fall. He changed everything. I took off the entirety of November and December of ‘23 to savor his arrival. 

God has done so much good for us

I think it’s interesting, looking back at the last three January’s, to notice how drastically different each one has been. I’ve been rapidly moving through different seasons and each season, God has worked for good.

God worked for our financial good during the time I spent in retail. We were able to rely on a consistent income, pay a huge amount on my student loans, and build an emergency fund during our first year of marriage.

And transitioning into self-employment was crucial for me emotionally. Although working outside of my home was financially healthy for a time, eventually the emotional burden outweighed the financial value. Taking a financial “loss” became a spiritual gain.

When I decided to quit my job, I admitted to God that I didn’t know how He was going to work things out for me, I just knew He would. God not only met our financial needs, but God also used this season to renew my weariness.

Self-employment has been a source of joy and pride. I have the most amazing clients who value me as a person and service provider. We have mutual respect and appreciation for each other, and playing even the smallest roles in these ladies’ businesses has brought me so much satisfaction. 

2023 was the season of putting my nose to the grind. I completed several big projects, like email funnels, free guides, and an entire course curriculum. That grind season really solidified my business’ foundation, and now, in the beginning of 2024, I’m moving into another new season. This is the season of scaling back and stepping into my new role as mother.

So here is what I am thinking heading into the new year

A friend recently told me, “Your kids grow whether you are present with them or not.” Her words really struck a chord with me. Hearing her words made me realize that transitioning from a job outside the home to a job inside the home was a good start, but it’s only a start. 

Simply having a virtual assistance business in my house isn’t the end goal. Although working from home supports my ability to be a stay at home mom, working full-time hours does not facilitate the energy or time I need to be primary caregiver of my child. That’s why I know it’s time to make some changes to my work life again. That is what’s going to make 2024 so different. It’s time to transition from being a full time entrepreneur to a part time entrepreneur.

My greatest sense of purpose is fulfilled through serving God, honoring my husband, and now caring for this child. To think that I could be a full-time homemaker and caregiver to a small child and be a full-time virtual assistant would be highly unrealistic. I have to choose to allocate the majority of my time to one or the other; therefore, something has to be sacrificed. For me, it’s a no-brainer. I would much rather sacrifice hours worked and income before sacrificing caring for my child.

So here’s what this looks like in practice during 2024.

Limiting myself to four or less clients instead of nine.

I know if I want to work less hours, then obviously I need to work for less clients. And I think in the long run this is actually going to be much better for my clients. Serving less people will help me be more effective. My brain will be pulled in less directions and my creativity will be less scattered. I’ll be able to work more concentrated on a few projects, which I really believe will make the end results much better.

Choosing specific days and times for work.

If I’m going to make caring for my child the first priority, then I know I have to adjust my work schedule around him, and not caring for him around my work schedule. That’s going to be a big change because in the past, I’ve been available five days a week, anytime during normal morning to evening hours. But now I know I’m going to have to create specific time blocks in between feedings and diaper changes and naps so that I know my son’s care isn’t neglected.

I’ve been so richly blessed with wonderful clients who value faith and family. Being treated like a real person by my clients is what makes this new schedule possible. They trust me. I feel confident that being more meticulous with my time will help me be a better service provider.

Coordinating with my husband so that we can be a parenting team.

Despite taking less clients this year, I know I can’t do it all on my own. God looked ahead and provided me a spouse whom He knew would be a supportive and engaged father. My husband is willing to help tend to our son’s needs. And he’s constantly stepping up in areas around the house in order to take care of me. We’re still learning how to align our schedules and I’m sure this year will teach us a lot.

So what does this mean for our time together?

Maybe working less as an entrepreneur sounds backwards to you. I’ll admit, at first, I envisioned my income dramatically increasing year after year as my business grew. But now, that’s not nearly as important to me as caring for my family, tending to my home, and giving glory to God in all I do. And when I focus on those important priorities, a stagnant or even a smaller income in 2024 doesn’t phase me at all. God took care of me in the past, He certainly has in the present, and I know He will in the future. 

With these big changes in my personal and my work life, I want to take this blog in a different direction. So far, I’ve mostly focused on sharing business advice and my entrepreneurial experiences. While I’m confident I have valuable wisdom to share on the topic of business, I believe I can serve you better by focusing on those most important things: family, faith, and home life. I’d like to share with you the lessons I learn as a woman of God, wife, and mother. I want to talk with you about the ups and downs of young adulthood. And of course, because it’s still a part of my life, you’ll see some business sprinkled here and there throughout the blog. If this sounds like a change you look forward to, leave a comment to let me know. Your feedback helps me tremendously as I write. 

A final thought for moving into 2024

As you look at your next 12 months, I hope you are encouraged to put your time and energy into the areas that are most important for you. Don’t get caught up in the idea that because you’re an entrepreneur, you must increase your workload and earn more income just because the calendar changed. If you are a Christian, then you understand that we aren’t on this earth to hoard money, but instead we value the treasures we lay up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). 

So what do you think 2024 will look like for you? Will it look like a big growth season? Or do you think you’ll be pulling things back? Are you looking to experience personal growth, business growth, or both? I’m really curious to know what you’re planning for this year, or what blessings you hope God will bring you. 

Leave a comment on this post telling me about your 2024 dreams, or send me a DM on Instagram. And then be sure to check out some other blog posts right here. I hope to hear from you soon.  I’ll see you next time we gather in the garden.