2015 Year in Review

“True confidence is born of experiencing your hard work and seeing your hard work pay off.” Lorri Myers, Author & Entrepreneur

Looking back on 2015, I feel a true sense of accomplishment and a satisfaction looking back on my work and my contributions to various organizations. Why?  Because of hard work, consistency and setting the bar high when it comes to the level of quality work I provide my customers. And as the quote above relays, hard work pays off.  Also, I could not have done it without so many great friends, partners, active community leaders and my team at Startup Production.

A Look Back

2015 SBA AWARD. The year started off with a bang, getting a call from the Richmond EKU Small Business Development Center that I had been nominated and selected as the Small Business Administration’s Kentucky Home-Based Business Advocate of the Year. I cannot fully express my surprise and gratitude for the award, and was so proud to receive it as I have a passion for supporting and growing small businesses, including home-based businesses. Several of my blog posts over the year have concentrated on the unique challenges and special rewards of running a business out of your home. And my visit to the Capitol building in Frankfort was an exciting day!

Again in 2015, I was honored to participate in various local organizations that I feel support our community’s growth.

 

DOWNTOWN RICHMOND.  In 2015, as a member of the DRA board, I was able to chair two events for the Downtown Richmond Association, our last year of Family Fun & Fitness events as well as a new event, Jammin on Main. Both events offer a free opportunity for healthy, musical and fun activities for the whole family, and at the same time promoting our Downtown and our Downtown businesses. On March 11, myself along with five others received Recognition awards for our support of the Downtown Richmond Farmers Market and Downtown Richmond Association.

COMMERCE LEX BOAB. I was honored to participate as Commerce Lexington’s BOAB facilitator, which is an excellent opportunity for small business owners to share their resources and receive assistance on running their business in a safe, confidential environment. I love my BOAB Blue group and continue to be encouraged and inspired by my group members.

EKU CEDET.  The Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CEDET), located in Eastern Kentucky University’s Business and Technology Center, invited me to present an Effective Web Presence and Internet Marketing workshop to answer frequently asked questions. The free class that was open to the public was held on June 3, 2015 at the Irvinton House in Richmond KY.

WOMEN’S NETWORKING GROUP*. For the non-profit group, I again served as Communications Chair but also as Sponsorship Chair as we introduced our new sponsorship program in January 2015, as well as becoming a platinum sponsor. We had a stellar year with my help, with the highest membership since the group began, helping organize and market our monthly meetings as well as half a dozen special events throughout the year. I chaired our 6th annual Chocolate Soiree in 2015 with special guest, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. It was a great night with our highest attendance and a great showing of support from the group and the community. I was also able to help organize our first Fight Like a Babe Breast Cancer Awareness event in October that featured four breast cancer awareness non-profits: Power of Pink, Paint the Town Pink, Pink Door Contest and Hope’s Scarves. I also initiated the effort to get the group involved in the 2016 Women’s Build with Habitat for Humanity Madison Clark Counties. I helped organize many of the fundraisers in the early part of 2016, and contributed over $800 towards the goal of raising $20,000.

MACED FASTTRAC®. I was able to again participate in MACED’s FastTrac entrepreneurial 16 week class where I was a Business Coach and a presenter to the two classes, New Ventures (for startups) and Growth Ventures (for existing businesses). I was able to present my workshop, “Effective Internet Marketing” to both classes, which led to great discussions with the students and great feedback after.
NON-PROFIT SPONSORSHIP. Sponsorships are an effective marketing tool as well as positive branding opportunity for any business, so I was a proud sponsor of Business Babes Society, Women Leading Kentucky and Downtown Richmond Association. As a continued member of three Chambers of Commerce (Lexington, Richmond & Berea), I was able to sit on the Economic Development Committees of Berea and Richmond Chambers, attend many of their events, and was the Sponsor of the Berea Chamber Breakfast Meeting in October and a Berea Spoonbread Sponsor.

And I have slso worked hard this year to promote and grow Startup Production by serving my clients web and graphic design and internet marketing needs, as well as marketing my business through several avenues.

LEXINGTON KY OFFICE OPENS. Another exciting development in 2015, was my opening of an office in Lexington KY. As many of my clients are in Lexington KY and I am often there for meetings and training sessions, it only made sense to rent space there as well. My office location is in downtown Lexington at 710 East Main Street, and is a great space to work productively or meet with clients.
GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK. As always, Startup Production is very active in celebrating Global Entreprenuership Week each year, so 2015 was no exception. The week of November 23-28th was jammed packed with special activities that bring awareness to entrepreneurs needs and accomplishments in each community. One of the most exciting events was being invited as a judge for the Commerce Lexington & SBDC’s Launchpad Lex Competition where 12 businesses pitched their idea and four winners were chosen. (See more of GEW activities.)
STARTUP PRODUCTION PROJECTS. I was privileged to work with 58 different small businesses last year providing SEO and internet marketing, consulting & training, as well as web design, web maintenance, graphic design, social media services, blogging, content writing services, logo design, database programming and email marketing. Fourteen sites went live last year, with 5 more about to be published. We created 5 new logos and worked on dozens of print ads, fliers, brochures, business cards, postcards, advertising graphics and a product card.

REFERRALS, SOCIAL MEDIA & SEO.  Many of my new clients still come from referrals but more are finding me through Google and search engine results, which is a huge success as I’ve worked very hard on my SEO and page ranking in 2015, thus I am seeing first page placement in most targeted keywords. I’ve also found prospects and new clients via social media through consistent, engaging and informative posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Also, my blog has close to 400 subscribers and over 9000 views, as well as many referrals due to consistent blogging each month.

I am looking forward to 2016, I have set some goals and ideas on how to continue to grow and promote my business, as well as participate in some exciting community events.  I will discuss that in a future blog.

Thank you to all who have made 2016 great with friends, colleagues, mentors, clients and contractors that have inspired me, made me laugh, supported my business, provided positive feedback and offered encouraging advice. And I hope I can continue to support and inspire you as well.

2016 Photo Gallery

 

*As of May 2016, I no longer serve on the Business Babes Board, nor do I promote the group in a marketing or communications role as the Communications Chair or the Sponsorship Chair. I am a prepaid member as of 2020.  I am proud of the work I accomplished for the group from 2012 to 2016 in that role.