Check-In Time
Remember when we all agreed to hold one another accountable in 2022? Well, this is me trying to do my part and check in to see how you’re doing. How is your word of the year going? To be honest, 2022 has been filled with both highs and lows. But, I’ve done my best to be deliberate whenever possible. Last year, 2021, was a a good year (check out this cool highlight reel) and my hopes at the top of 2022 is that this year would be too. So far so good. Life is filled with ups and downs and twists and curves; some say the lows make the highs sweeter.
What Does It Mean To Be Deliberate?
Being deliberate means to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. This year, my goal has been to really think through every big decision to insure I’m committing to things I truly want to do. It’s very easy to get sidetracked by opportunities that sound great at first blush. We’re half way through the year and thus far, I’ve held true to my intention.
Big Box Partnership
One of my goals for 2022 was to partner with a national big box chain. I’m delighted to share that we partnered with Walmart this year and had a small exclusive set of notebooks in 200 stores across the country. It’s been surreal to see our notebooks in Walmart stores and to receive photos from friends and customers who found our displays in their cities as well.
Documentary Feature
While being featured in a documentary wasn’t necessarily on my list, I jumped when the opportunity presented itself. I started Effie’s Paper in my living room. Trust me, we’ve come a LONG way … the chance to memorialize our growth was a no-brainer. I was delighted to be selected by Buy From A Black Woman to be a part of such an amazing experience.
Speaking Engagements
I’ve learned a lot about running a business, scaling a business, marketing a business with no budget and managing a team to list a few of my so-called area of expertise. At the top of the year, I put out to the universe that I wanted to start doing speaking engagements so that by 2023 I’d be in a position to do paid speaking gigs. In March, I was invited to speak on a panel at Goldman Sach’s headquarters to the inaugural Black In Business cohort of their One Million Black Women initiative.
And guess what?!?! I have a paid speaking gig in September! More on that later.
So Far, So Good
While nothing is ever perfect, I am pleased with the decisions I’ve made this year. I try and only say yes to the opportunities that will benefit my business and bring me joy. From our exclusive notebooks we launched at Walmart in February to being a part of Buy From A Black Woman’s The Living Examples Documentary Series to our selection by Urbanspace to be a part of it’s Spring Maker’s Market in Bryant Park to our continued partnership with Goldman Sachs, it’s been an exciting year thus far. Fingers crossed, there will be a few more fun things to share before the year is over!
How To Choose A Word Of The Year
- Choose 1 to 5 words that really speak to how you want your year to feel. Nouns, verbs, anything works – just words that feel good to you.
- Review them all and narrow it down to the one that you know in your heart you need more of.
- That’s it. I would love to hear the word you come up with!
Let’s be honest, as long as it’s still 2022, you have time to choose your word! It’s never too late for you to try and be more intentional. So this is me sticking to my word and checking in with you all. Have you been sticking to your word? Did it end up changing? Let me know!
Stylishly Yours,
Kalyn
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please see my disclosures for more information. Thank you so much for your support!
