🖤 January Reflection 🖤

[JUYBoutique20]

January is a reset — not just for goals, but for how we show up.  Black-owned businesses carry legacy, resilience, and vision.  This year, we won’t just build — we'll build with intention.

So, here's my question:

What’s one value, principle, or non-negotiable you’re anchoring your business in for 2026?  Whether it’s rest, integrity, community, faith, or excellence — name it.  Your clarity might be exactly what another business owner needs to hear right now.

Happy 2026!!!

[JUYBoutique20]

@isabelle can we tag some sellers to get this conversation started?

[isabelle]

Yes! Tagging group members: @Maurice8th @DMVBLINGQUEEN @Kelzblogs @MrBucketHat @sugascakery @Kia_Taylor @Tamyra_Paunchy @lenjobakes @Sassyowldesigns @Artislife @Toomerz @Harmony2c @givethbreathllc @ElizabethH @Trapp !

[JUYBoutique20]

Thanks so much!

[Trapp]

Integrity, responsibility, accountability and growth. These four, I believe, will get me my business to where I want it in 2026.

[JUYBoutique20]

I love it!  What's your action plan with using these principles?

[MrBucketHat]

I'm working on better client communication and stronger boundaries around pricing and and policy.

Also as a softer goal I'm trying to get more involved with my community.

[JUYBoutique20]

Great choices!  What were your boundaries regarding pricing & policy before?

[MrBucketHat]

50% deposits and handshake agreements. It was ok for a time but I can use the time I've dedicated to sorting those things out better these days.

Also rejecting anything that will have me working over night.

[JUYBoutique20]

For me I've done holds for customers with no deposit at all and weeks go by with no word.  This year I'm not doing any holds.  If you want the product, you're going to have to purchase it at that time. I can only imagine what you have to deal with because your items are custom.

[king-flw]

January as it stands is the basis for renewal, however, often time we don’t have the visions to understand renewal. This year I am changing my dynamic approach to business. I will not sacrifice my time for frivolous business that will not bring satisfaction for myself and client. Which means I am not giving myself away. I have been blessed over the years to continue to build and grow but this year is not the year of stagnation and working for nothing. I hope this encourages someone to see beyond the current project or job you’re working through and see the next and the preparation that is necessary to get there before it even arrives. Vision and direction for the year ahead sets the tone for the non-negotiable that can trap you in something that your business was not meant for. 
Be intentional about you! Go be great!

[JUYBoutique20]

Yessss @king-flw! One of my goals this year was for my no to be a complete sentence.  I'm saying no to anything that doesn't bring some form of value not only to my business but to my life as well. Thanks so much for encouraging us all to be intentional about ourselves in business and in life.

[lenjobakes]

I'm late to this party, but 2025 was a milestone year for me...but in the worst way. I was truly at the end of my rope in every area of my life. My mental health was suffering and as a result my physical health was suffering too.

After 6 months of doctors appointments and therapy sessions, I got the answers I didn't know I needed and with that the realization that I just really need to give myself some grace. 

I am so excited to approach this year just being kind to myself. I have done a lot to get to where I am right now and I haven't acknowledged that. But I am enough. I'm going to speak to myself how I would speak to someone else who has achieved what I have. I wouldn't be pointing out their every flaw or every missed opportunity. So I'm doing the same for me 🙂

Thanks for asking, @JUYBoutique20 !

[JUYBoutique20]

Thanks so much for sharing @lenjobakes. Giving yourself grace is a great way to start this new journey you're on.  We have to take care of not only this physical body, but I mental health and spiritual health as well.  Have a great 2026 full of blessings.