Time to reflect on a busy year? It's funny I feel like we have been running for a few years already but actually this is only our second Christmas, and only the first with our new branding. If I did one thing right for the business this year it was investing time and money into my rebrand. I really wasn't happy taking things to the next level with the look I had created using paint shop and some A4 label sheets! It got me started but wouldn't get me past the - 'just a nice little hobby' phase. I found a Graphic Designer via LinkedIn Pro-finder (highly recommend), I largely chose her because she charged by the hour, had experience in product branding and we where the same age (although I didn't know that at the time) - more that we had a similar motivation/drive/enthusiasm for our day jobs. It started with a Skype call, then a brain dump on email - all about my philosophy, what message I wanted to convey, what I liked and didn't like etc. Anyway, it took at least 2 months going back and forth to finalise the core branding. Everything had to come second to my day job so often i'd be responding late at night or at weekends. I now really appreciate the commitment and self-motivation required to start something new.  You have to take a huge leap of faith in yourself, and often by yourself. But if you won't, who will? I'm going to post a few more retro thoughts for 2018 soon, selfishly it's helping me to take stock and look forwards! OAO, Kim (aka KimmyB!) -x-

Dec 20, 2018