Looking Back at 2018: A Year in Review

Posted by Danielle Stewart on

Oh So Paper 2018 Year In Review

A great philosopher once said...

No lookin' back
Spaceships don't come equipped with rear view mirrors
They dip as quick as they can

- Andre 3000

Today however we are lookin' back on 2018.  I know a lot of people pick their word of the year at the beginning of the year but when I  look back on last year I would say the one word that describes 2018 for Oh So Paper would be: TRANSFORMATIVE.

Last year was a truly transformative year for Oh So Paper. 

I feel like I finally found my footing in 2018. 

2017 was more of a year of discovery and working out who we were while 2018 I was able to take what I discovered and use that to transform our company. 

Here are my 3 key business takeaways from 2018...

You Get What You Give

I'm in a ton of groups business groups, personal interest groups, lots and lots of groups. 

It never fails that these groups often bring out the people with the clouds over their heads. They come in and everyday it's about all the bad things happening and how nothing is working out for them.  

What I have noticed is that their negative energy is like mold.  It starts landing on others and before you know it you have a massive group thread of people all wallowing in their own self pity. 

I see this quite a bit in business groups.  In business it is totally unproductive.  I have NEVER seen a business turn things around by sitting day in and day out and just complaining. 

At the end of the day you get what you give.  Business is hard and not all days are good days but it's about how you handle those days. 

When business is slow I am brainstorming, working on new ideas, being proactive.   

There have been months where everything that could go wrong did go wrong.  I acknowledged it then I got to work to get things back in order. 

I was robbed 2 twice in 1 week. 

If I had allowed those hard times to stop me I would have not have had the year I had. 

Competition is a Good Thing

Competition is great for creativity and innovation. 

I have found that healthy competition makes me work even harder even if that competition is just me competing against myself. 

The beauty of lots of people in a particular industry is that you can clearly see what is missing or how you can put your spin on something that is already there. 

I think that people tend get scared when it comes to competition when they themselves have gotten too comfortable.  

An excellent illustration of this is Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.  Nicki had gotten comfortable in her position with no real competition so Cardi came in and disrupted her status quo.  We have all seen how that has played out. 

My advice never get too comfortable and don't let competition scare you let it make you better. 

You Can't Please Everybody

This is one of the hardest things to come to terms with as a small business owner. 

The reason this is so difficult is that when you make a decision you immediately know how everyone feels about it because as a small business owner you are very accessible to your customers and the general public that wants to also voice their opinions on your choices.   

Wanting to please everyone had me holding on to products that weren't selling for much longer than I should have held onto them.

However, in 2018 I gathered myself up and said "Danielle this is a business and you can't please everyone"

After I gave myself a good talking to I cut a number of our low performing products.  Some people had something to say but at the end of the day those decisions were right for us.  

← Older Post Newer Post →

Comments

  • Im new to the planner community. I started around August 2021. I have always loved journaling and stickers. But over the years I forgot. Somehow I found my way back and learned there are other people like me. Adulting and playing with cute stickers is therapeutic!
    I’ve ventured through several shops on Etsy, FB, IG, websites. Etc. And I’ve come to the conclusion Oh So Paper is my jam! Best quality stickers. Best dolls. Great color waves. Awesome themes. Great service. The whole shebang! Not too much. Not too little.
    Can’t wait to see what 2022 brings.

    LaTamera Woodley on
  • Hope you write a year end review for 2021. I’d love to read it. 😁

    LaTamera Woodley on
  • Thanks for sharing. The lessons you learned in your business apply to those of us working in other sectors. Complacency is the death knell to real productivity and clearly I need to shake things up. I really like your example of Cardi B and Nicki Manji. All the best.

    Nikkie on
  • All of the products are awesome! I’m so glad I discovered your products and I am always excited to see what you have in store for us next! You are truly appreciated.

    Tricia on
  • You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your perceptive and thoughts on how to approach business/goals. I’m always delighted with the items you create. I believe the months will be my ALL TIME FAVORITE!

    Catrina Bryant on
  • I love all that I received in my annual subscription boxes…keep striving sis for greater

    Mechelle L Hollan on
  • I didn’t come along until the end of 2020. I’m so happy that I found your site and have been a monthly subscriber ever since!!! Keep the inspiration flowing!!! It’s a gift!!! And it shows!

    Sherita Brooks on
  • I love your products. I love supporting women in business, especially Black women. Keep growing.

    Melinda Holland on
  • Luv your little minis 💜💜 wish i knew how to draw

    Dani on
  • Very inspiring blog and very innovating…..wish I had just an ounce of your creativity!🙌🏾

    Sharon on

Leave a comment

The Inspired Desk

RSS
Behind the Brand

What's New at Oh So Paper in 2022?

By Danielle Stewart

What's new at Oh So Paper? The short answer? Everything! If you read my post " Looking Back at 2021: A Year in Review "...

Read more
Behind the Brand

Looking Back at 2021: A Year in Review

By Danielle Stewart

***Photo by Nicola Styles on Unsplash   I haven't done a year in review since 2018 so this is well overdue. The last few years...

Read more