Another year has passed. As we end 2024, reflecting on the changes, happenings and challenges the year has brought, I just want to say thank you once again to everyone who has supported my small business this year.
What changes did 2024 bring to you? Were they good? Not so good? Whatever the outcome, tomorrow is another day and the start of a brand new year.
How was my 2024? It was full of changes, good times and good friends. I started the year as an engineering administrator and I’m ending the year as a Communication Support Worker doing something I absolutely love. When I passed my Level 2 British Sign Language in 2023, I never thought my journey would take me on to a whole new career.
Business wise I have had a slower year than usual but definitely still going strong. Seven years I have been in business now and I wouldn't change it for the world! I was a finalist for Retailer of the Year 2024. I didn't win, but it was nice to be recognised and my business was good enough to be seen as a finalist.
What Else Have I Been Up To?
The SBS Event in February was fabulous as always, catching up with friends, networking and having cocktails as usual. I will be back in 2025 and with cookies - vegan and non-vegan this time! I love being a part of the #SBSFamily and being able to meet up with some amazing friends.
Photo from SBS Event 2024 with Lee (LNR Models) and Sarah (Thistleflat Crafts), THE t-shirt and with Ian (LawnMasterNotts)
My new team of amazing colleagues in the Deaf Access team.
Ice Hockey is still a massive part of my life and we have travelled to Belfast, Cardiff and Manchester to watch our Nottingham Panthers. The big one was especially happy in Belfast as we stayed in the same hotel, so it was breakfast with the players every morning and a few drinks at night with them too. Obviously we have had some amazing home games to watch too.
A selection of our adventures for the ice hockey - Belfast, Cardiff and Manchester with the big one
A year after the loss of Adam Johnson, we were at the jersey retirement game which was both poignant and emotional. It was nice to see so many come to celebrate his life and also to see his family on our ice, as sad as it was to hear the words spoken by everyone. Then to watch Panthers win a 6-0 shutout felt like he was watching over us all.
This season I am an equipment sponsor for Otto Nieminen and we had our photo taken with him back in November. As you can see from the photo the big one was extremely pleased to be meeting him again! The sunshine boots still make an appearance at games!
Photo of me, the big one and Otto Nieminen
2024 also brought a new challenge - 366 days of doodles and what a challenge it has been! Doodling 366 different cartoon characters has been a feat of its own and although I had some days where I had to do a couple, I still managed to complete it! All the videos can be seen on my TikTok account or on Instagram - it’s been fun to do something different.
A small selection of some of my doodles from the year! I still can't believe I have drawn so many cartoon characters!
I have had plenty of road trips, cake and shopping dates and cocktails with my bestie, feels like we have been all over the country but we really haven’t! Finding new places has been a fun adventure.
Me and the bestie - COCK...tails as usual
Sadly we lost two of our beloved pets this year. Nymeria our rabbit and our old girl Ruby in November so our house is now a one dog household. It’s so strange not having her follow me everywhere I go and get excited when I get home from work.
Our Ruby
One of the highlights for us this year was getting to see the Northern Lights in person in our back yard - all the way in Derby! It was such an incredible experience that I couldn't keep going back out to watch them. They were much better through our phones but you could still see them with the naked eye - which was even more special.
So as the year draws to a close, I would like to thank all my customers for their amazing support in 2024, to my family for everything they do for us and to all my friends for the laughs and times I've had to have a rant.
I am ending 2024 in a much better place than ever, knowing I have a brilliant job, amazing family and the best people in my life. So to everyone, thank you, keep doing what you're doing, and if you don't like that, take a leap of faith and make things better for you!
Have the best 2025 everyone. Thank you again for all your support and for making a huge difference to my small business - keep supporting small in 2025! Lx
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