A ROUGH YEAR WITH MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

As I take a little extra time in bed this morning, time I usually reserve for panic thinking, I am instead focusing today on how much there is for me to be thankful for. But I want to be honest, this year has been rough, and when I say rough, I mean rooouuugghh!!

Usually, when things are tough, I go quiet and inward. I don’t let on that things are hard. However, after the amazing response I received for my October share on my ‘pink washing thoughts’, and how many people it resonated with, it made me realize I don’t just have customers, I am lucky enough to have a community. I know that if I am going through something, then so are a lot of other people, and it brings comfort to know  that we are not alone!

This has been the hardest year my business has encountered. Manufacturing issues, supply issues, slowing sales due to the economy, delays with product launches, and the constant need to keep up with the changing analytics of Google and social media. Being self funded means it’s hard to keep up with the big boys and gals. There are so many things I can't afford to do to 'pay to play'

Many times I have wondered, ‘what am I still doing here?’ Is the universe telling me this is not what I should be doing? Will I ever be able to compete with the larger brands? (news flash, the universe is not paying attention to me, it has bigger fish to fry)

I decided to open up to other founders about my issues, and sure enough, I was not alone. We are all dealing with these things, and the fact that we are still standing is pretty amazing. Many businesses have not made it, but we are still here. The support within our green beauty community is amazing. We are grouping together to come up with ways to join forces, support each other, band together, make sure that we survive together. This solidifies why I love my job so much.

I am still here for a reason, and that reason is YOU. 

I also am extremely grateful for our community members. There is not a week that goes by that I don’t hear from someone who has discovered us and feels the need to tell us what our products mean to them. Women who have been diagnosed with cancer, or a friend who is going through it, women with rosacea or irritated skin, people who have been on a year long search for deodorant, women (and men) over 40 who want to look their best, or people who just love supporting a small business. These emails, calls and letters are what keep me not only going, but determined and excited to keep this company going!! I walk on air for days after these exchanges. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The world is hard right now and we are all going through it. I want us all to remember that we are all in this together. We should check on each other and make sure people know we love them. Let them know it’s okay to share that they are struggling. We all walk around pretending that we are good and that is hard, let’s let our hair down and take a breath.

As I step outside of my small world and look at the world around us, I realize I have so so much to be thankful for. I have my health, my family is safe and sound, I have food on my table, a roof over my head, good friends, and an amazing community I’ve created. I am grateful that I am experiencing hard times, as I know it will help me appreciate the good times even more and there will be good times again, for all of us!! I am lucky that this is the first hard year I've had after a nice run of good years. I am grateful I am still standing despite what has tried to knock me down. 

I am also grateful in my life for music, poetry, time by the water, special friends that are family, animals, and stupid tv. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day today. Take a moment to think about what you've overcome this year, what tried to take you down but only made you stronger. 

With much love and gratitude. 

Cynthia