Dear Friends,
As I reflect on this past year of business, I’m finding it difficult to separate the memory of this year in my business’s life from the year in my personal life; this is mostly because I take what I do very seriously, and as most small business owners know, owning a business tends to effect every bit of your life.
Organizationally, this year has been one for our history books! In 2024 we worked for 71 different companies and had our largest gross income of any year since starting the business. Of all our clients this year, 31 of them were brand new accounts to Studio 13, and half of our new accounts were from referrals. When we talk about how your
referrals are the lifeblood of this business, we really mean it! As a team, we’ve traveled to 7 different states around the country, and as of this post, have captured nearly 850 headshots between our studio and on location. We’ve added to our growing team of professionals, on set and behind the scenes, and added services (check out our drone videography gallery) to our repertoire to better serve clients in the Indy area. By all metrics this has been a great year for Studio 13.
But the other nagging reason I can’t separate business and personal life this year is because of one nasty little word: cancer.
My breast cancer diagnosis in the beginning of 2024 was caught early during my routine mammogram, which makes me one of the lucky ones. Through surgery and 5 rounds of radiation, I was able to “ring the bell” and eventually be declared cancer free! Cancer has plagued the lives of several people I love and care about, and now that I have personally been through it, I can look back and see how it has changed me and my business. I have always appreciated my team, clients, vendors, family and friends, but walking this path has deepened my sense of gratitude for the wonderful people who surround me. My team kept the business running smoothly when I couldn’t find the strength to sit at my desk and my friends and family kept my spirit going when my body was not up to the task.
This support I felt during this hardship has renewed my goal to find joy and happiness in each day; it has filled me up with love so I can give my love away to others freely. I’m not sure there is any scientific proof that positivity fights cancer – but surely it can’t hurt to try! I’ve determined to sprinkle positivity and love throughout my life like it’s glitter!
So, I’d like to thank you – friends, clients, family, everyone who has crossed my path –for being a part of such an amazing year.
Looking forward to what adventures 2025 has to offer!
P.S. If you’re a woman over the age of 40, make sure you talk to your doctor about getting your regular mammogram!
