As entrepreneurs, I think we can all be so forward thinking at times that we don’t always pump the breaks, look in the rear view mirror, see how far we’ve come, and ensure we still like the direction we’re headed.

So, I’m kicking off a new series – “The Monthly Recap” – to be published on a monthly basis.

Since I value reflection, personal growth, and development, I figured, what better way to practice that than to pull back the veil a bit and share what’s happening around the CU office each month.

I hope it either encourages you to do the same, provides some insight, or inspires other areas of your own business!

Here’s what went on this May…

 

May 2019

Without a doubt, May was one for the books. It’s setting a pretty high standard for the monthly recaps to come, that’s for sure!

It’s no surprise that I went full-time, leaving the agency I worked for and loved, on May 13th.

I then launched the rebranded kvh. Creative to Copy Uncorked, which I couldn’t have asked for a better response to. I’m so thankful for the atmosphere of support, encouragement, and buy-in that left me feeling that much more confident in this brand and business.

I also had some projects wrap-up and new ones come through, so the transition from a full-time, salaried monthly income couldn’t have been smoother.

I mean…God is SO good, you guys. (More thoughts on abundance below.)

 

Latest Content & Offerings

The Shop

With the rebrand, came the launch of the “Shop” – selling digital products and ‘productized services’. I’m happy to say I had the first sales for each of the 3 products listed and feel good about creating additional digital product-based offerings. It will be a growing focus area of the business!

 

Blog

I posted the following blog posts:

• Behind the Scenes of the Rebrand
• Brand Messaging 101
• 34 Alternatives to the Word Unique
• Creating a Client Experience Part 3: Fulfillment

 

Not surprisingly, this one was the most popular!

 

Video

I’m also trudging through my fear / awkwardness / anxiousness about video and did a total of 3 #CUat5 Instagram Story videos. Each less than 5 minute video shared the week’s updates and a quick tip.

These will continue each Thursday at 5pm and can be found in our Story Highlights on Instagram!

I am the amateur of video amateurs, but I do have 3 pieces of advice so far:

1. Get a tripod and ring light like this one on Amazon.
2. DON’T look at yourself. Look at the camera. Or you’ll melt. (Kidding, of course, but seriously, it’s so much less distracting!)
3. Know what you’re going to say ahead of time and picture your ideal client as you talk.

 

Giveaway

I created the first Uncorked giveaway in collaboration with the ever-generous Tonic Site Shop.

Y’all showed up big and it was so much fun!

Emma Hicks of Camp Climb was the lucky winner and I’m so looking forward to seeing what she creates and working with her this summer for their Website Copy Review!

 

Around the CU Office

I’m working on a little bit of an office remodel, in an attempt to make our spare bedroom feel more like a true office. I want it to be somewhere I enjoy being since I’ll be spending so much time in it!

It’s taken for-e-ver to paint over the navy walls but it’s been worth it…IMO! I loved them, they just didn’t feel very “Copy Uncorked”.

Here’s where I’m at with it so far with a few more pieces to purchase / things to decorate! I’ll do a full recap of that when it’s done, too.

 

 

Client Work

On the client front, we launched Vintage Charm Event Design, which you can check out on the Portfolio page and in this post!

I also did the branding for my sister’s growing brand, The Mama PT. I couldn’t resist dabbling in the design for it!

We collaborated with a CU Design Pairing to create logos for Foulsham Corp and Stephanie Ward Makeup (who you’ll see more of when her brand launches sometime in June).

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of her new pricing PDF that goes with everything!

 

 

For next month, we secured some clients in the graphic design and home organizing industries, as well as ongoing work with some favorite past clients!

In these recaps, I’m going to stick to sharing mostly completed client work, so I’m not giving you the play by play or speaking too soon on anything!

 

Learning Moments

There really was so much to be thankful for this month. It’s months like these when you know, that you know – God is in the thick of it all with you and you’re simply following his lead.

Despite all of the positivity, there were a couple of things that momentarily got me down, but I chased those feelings away with a dose of the advice: STAY IN YOUR LANE.

There’s a quote I love by Charles Swindoll that says:

When God’s in it…it flows. When the flesh is in it…it’s forced. If He is in it, it’s remarkable how approval will be granted, how a growing interest will percolate, and how the timing will fall right into place. It will come together almost in spite of you.

That last line…it will come together…almost in spite of you…gets me every time.

Do you know how much peace that’s brought me over the years?

That this whole industry, every industry for that matter, is full of abundance and opportunity. We don’t have to play small or worry so much about what others are doing.

We don’t have to compete with one another but complement one another. The success of one your competitors actually validates the need for your products/services.

We just have to focus on what’s in front of us and deliver our products/services in a way that only we can do.

Then be truly, genuinely, fearlessly happy for others. Because caring too much about the competition is just an excuse to keep playing small.

I want to run a business that has blinders on in a sense – an unwillingness to look anywhere but what’s already right in front of me to capitalize on.

I want to create from a deep place of experience, honesty, hard work, and a dedication to helping others get to where they’re growing.

 

Know this:

What’s for you, won’t pass by you. No matter who does it first, last, or somewhere in between.

Own your story. Develop your skills. Put your gift to work.

(^Those are words for my own heart, too.)

Lastly, to end things on a fun note…

 

Things I’m Loving Lately

My friend Carly creates adorable little graphics like this one, and I love the idea. Mine won’t be as cute as her illustrations, but here are a few things I’m loving lately:

• This bottle of red wine
• This gold light fixture I bought for the office (pictured above)
• These plant-dyed Nikes (perfect for casual days working in & out of the house)
• Canva printing (the perfect solution for non-designers to whip up an on-brand design and have it printed, all within one program!)

 

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That’s a wrap on May! Here’s to a sun-soaked, rosé-filled June.