It’s been a banner year for Me & eCommerce Badassery, despite everything that has gone on in the world around us. And today I’m sharing the highs and the lows.
Plus, I’m giving you a glimpse into what I have planned for 2021 and a way for YOU to have it say in what that looks like.
Well, it’s Thanksgiving week in 2020… and instead of an episode focused on strategies and how-tos, today I’m going to do a bit of a life/business update for you.
When I started this podcast, I knew I wanted to launch with 3 episodes so you’d have something to binge from the start. When I was deciding what topics to cover first, I went back and forth on whether or not I should include an episode introducing you to me by giving a bit of my backstory and why I started eCommerce Badassery.
I ended up doing it, thinking that no one would bother listening… but to date it’s actually one of my most downloaded episodes.
With all the change that’s happened this year and what I’ve got in the pipeline for 2021, I thought it would be a good time to recap and reflect on all the things with you.
eCommerce Badassery went from side hustle to full-time
We’ve all had a tough year, but I have to actually say thank you to the pandemic and the lockdown. Honestly, if it wasn’t for that I don’t know if I’d be full-time in eCommerce Badassery right now.
I was running the business as a side hustle for a long time, and it was starting to get to the point where I couldn’t grow any more while I had a job. At the same time, I wasn’t sure if I could grow enough and was too afraid to quit.
When we went into lockdown and started working from home for the day job, I ended up getting all this extra time back. Not because I was any less busy with work — I was actually busier because we were running short handed — but I no longer had to drive to and from the office. It was easier to take eCommerce Badassery calls during my lunch hour and because I didn’t really have to look like a normal human being, I didn’t have to spend as much time blow drying my hair and putting makeup on!
That little bit of extra time gave me the opportunity to build more momentum in my business and ultimately take the leap from my day job and go full-time.
Actually quitting was still scary
As shitty as this year has been, there are still a lot of good things that came out of it.
That’s not to say I was any less afraid of making the leap. When a good friend of mine lost her husband to a brain tumor in his early 40s… I thought to myself, what the fuck am I waiting for? And that was the final straw. I walked into the kitchen and said to my husband, I think I’m ready to quit and he said ok.
He was ready for me to quit long ago. And we had planned for this. Saved up so we had a financial cushion during the transition. I kept thinking, when this happens, then I’ll quit. And then it was the next something and the next something.
The craziest thing of all was when I finally mustered up the courage to tell my boss, he said he’d been mentally preparing for this moment for about a year because he knew I’d outgrow them and go on to do big things. He thought I was making the right decision. I was legit in tears. Talk about validation.
The lesson here friends is we’re never really ready. There’s never a perfect time. And sometimes we just need to take the big leap.
Quarantine weight loss and no more office-induced unhappiness
Another big win in 2020 was losing 30 pounds. How I managed to do that in quarantine, I’m not really sure, haha. Honestly, it’s because I did a program with mostly prepackaged food, so I didn’t have to think about it too much. The minute I’m left to my own devices and it’s a free-for-all.
The crazy thing is, while my clothes told me that I had gained a lot of weight, it wasn’t until I lost it and looked back at videos and client calls where I really realize it.
Here’s the thing, it’s not about the weight. We’re all beautiful no matter our size… but it was the heaviest I had ever been and it was really just a symptom of how unhappy I was.
I think back to so many days at the office legit eating a snickers bar every single day, sometimes two if the vending machine dropped an extra one. And most nights having snacks too. It was literally just snacks on snacks on snacks!
When I started to busting out of the pants that were two sizes up from my norm I finally said enough was enough and started to make the change.
Detoxing from sugar was no fun for sure, but I felt so much better. It wasn’t just about fitting back into my clothes, though that was absolutely amazing, but I had so much more mental clarity, so much more energy and was just happier all around.
I’m pretty sure not having to be in the office contributed to that happiness too.
More political conversations than ever before
Oh, and I probably talked more about politics this year than I have in all my other years combined. Some of that is certainly due to age, but we all know it’s really because this was one of the most politically charged years we have experienced in our lifetime. There were a lot of times when I had to turn it off and say I don’t want to talk about this anymore.
Protecting my energy so I could continue to show up and serve you was so important. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, I’m sure it was draining for all. But, like so much else in 2020, there is good news. People are having conversations they weren’t having before. Not always civil, but conversations nonetheless. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Working with clients was the real highlight
With all that said though, you know what the real highlight of my year was? All the clients I’ve served, the amazing people I’ve met, and the connections I’ve made. I may not have left my house much this year, and I might be a smidge stir crazy now, but I certainly don’t feel isolated.
The relationships I’ve created while immersed in the online space have been awesome and I’m so grateful for each and every one of those relationships and each and every one of you.
Seriously, when I hear the feedback about the podcast, I just keep thinking damn… I shouldn’t have started it sooner! But that’s always the way, isn’t it? It’s rare you hear someone say, oh I’m so happy I waited so long to do this thing.
Brand new group container coming in 2021
So, 2021 is right around the corner and now it’s time to figure out what’s next for eCommerce Badassery. I want to be able to serve more of you. And the only way to do that with my current business model is to build an agency, and that’s definitely not what I want. So, it’s time to introduce something new!
And that, my friend, is going to be a group container. And I’m so fucking excited about it.
I’ve already got some ideas of what it’s going to look like, but like everything I do, I’m doing it for you. So before I hash out all the gritty details I want to hear from you. I set up a survey to get your feedback, it should only take you about 4 minutes to complete, go here to fill it out. I’d so appreciate it.
The only two things I know for sure are that it’s going to be a blend of group coaching/membership and a mastermind. That was what my gut was telling me to do and the survey results I’ve received so far confirm that.
There will be two groups based on the level of business you’re at, to make sure the feedback you’re getting from your peers is based on similar experience.
More guests and more fun on the eCommerce Badassery Podcast
In addition to the group experience, I’ll be bringing on more guests to the podcast next year, including both subject matter experts and other eCommerce Badasses just like you.
I’m excited to dig deeper into concepts and strategies with amazing minds in the eCommerce space, and to share stories and strategies from other entrepreneurs who are building their online stores. Do you want to be one of those podcast guests? DM me on Instagram and let me know! I’d love to hear more about your story and the value you can bring to all the eCommerce Badassery listeners!
Don’t forget to tune in each week throughout December because we’re going to be covering some super important topics. They’re all going to be short and sweet mini-episodes so it won’t take you away from your business, but they’re a must listen! And if you’re not already using or implementing everything we’re going to talk about, the new year is the perfect time to start.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a kick-ass Black Friday Weekend eCommerce friend, I’ll see you on the flipside.
