Today, as I am typing, the sun is shining. So far, it has been a very dark and wet December and a super foggy January. As we launch into 2025, one would expect me to start this article on a positive note. However, I consider myself a realist. That means naming things as they are. 

Don’t read into this statement as “I am being negative” or  “ I have depression”, as neither one of those scenarios are true. I am just in need of some sun, like all of us.

Even if this weather is not the best for our (or at least my) productivity, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect and set intentions. I dare to go further and say it invites us to look for inspiration. 

For the first time since I launched SPIN Ideas in 2017 - hooray to us as we just celebrated eight years of activity! - I found my purpose, and I intend to reflect this purpose in everything that I am planning for this year.   

Here is what I did in the first few weeks of January: I looked back at 2024, which, for me, was a year of going deep inside and discovering how I want to move forward with my business and personal life. 

I am very proud of everything I did under the SPIN Ideas and BASE ,brand. Looking back on the services I offered at the beginning of SPIN and now, the core is the same. However, the delivery and impact I can make has changed as I continually learn more and grow. I feel I discovered my purpose and realized I was not fully embracing some of my skills. For me that means I have more fun while working, and the overall impact is greater. But it also means that some of my clients don’t fit any longer, and I found that we had to go our separate ways. This can be hard and scary when you work for yourself and have a mortgage to pay, a household to keep and a dog that loves treats!

What is my biggest takeaway from 2024? DO LESS. 

Yes, less is more. This principle applies to everything in life. In business, focusing on just a handful of activities can help you do them better. Really focus on them, and watch as you achieve higher results. 

When we become entrepreneurs, we tend to copy what we used to do in larger companies that have several employees, considerably more financial resources, and values other than ours. And that model is impossible to follow, especially if you are a solo-preneur. 

It is unrealistic for you to do all the marketing activities, sales, administration, and delivery to the client, and the list continues as you do it in a big company. 

Trying to repeat the model larger companies follow will only lead to frustration, exhaustion, burn out, and, for some, resignation, leaving the dream of working for oneself behind. This became clear to me while running my Marketing Accelerators. With each cohort, I learned more and discovered more. Funny, in that the materials and delivery didn’t need to change, as the reason for which I created the Accelerator was this: understanding where solopreneurs and founders are and what they need. What changed was in me, helping me better mentor and guide solopreneurs on how to create a marketing strategy that is organic for them, that comes naturally for them to implement and not dread, to actually give them the space to be creative instead of copying something that everyone is doing and brings no results. 

Remember, as a solopreneur or even a small company, what you did in a big company or corporation will not work here. Stop trying to do it. Allow yourself to discover new ways of and bring “YOU” and your values into your company. 

As I said, the wintery cold and extra time indoors gave me the space to reflect and set intentions. 

My intention for 2025 is to PLAY MORE! 

What does that mean for me? Allowing myself to be creative and have more fun. And it actually goes hand in hand with the first part of my musing, because once I do less, I have more time, space and energy to work on the things that inspire me. 

Playing more can be translated into many of my activities. One is meeting more people in real life. So, for 2025, I decided to host more in-person events. The first one is on February 19th, and I hope you will join.

Another is to travel more; I can combine business with exploring new places, such as the Founders Growth Retreat. 

Another great way for me to play is the BASE Conference. Stay tuned for that, as I am cooking up something fun and intertwining learning and business networking. 

Lastly, I am giving myself space to recharge, be creative and play more. 

What is your biggest takeaway from 2024 and intention for 2025?