I can’t even believe how quickly 2016 came and went. There was so much goodness packed into 12 months and so many lessons learned. One of my favorite things about wrapping up a year is looking back on the different things that made it a success, and the places where some work is needed. It’s a learning process that allows us to grow.

As a small business owner, I started 2016 with big goals. Some of which The Peach soared past with flying colors. Others, we still are 65% away from with no hopes of reaching them this year. And that is ok! Not reaching all of my goals shows me where The Peach needs improvement, where we need to grow!

There is just something special about a new year. Developing fresh goals, clean starts and (my favorite) new design trends. On the heels of Pantone announcing the 2017 Color of the Year - Greenery - more articles about the trends in design have popped up. These offer us insight as to the direction of the business and give us ideas about what consumers are looking for in the coming year. Some of the coming trends are sure to be a hit (and others a flop).

Featuring guest blogger Carmen Rogge. To help determine compatibility, I like to ask these 5 questions, or at least find the answers within and FAQ or contract! A good client + graphic designer fit has little to do with price, which can sometimes vary greatly! So, while your boot strapped, entrepreneurial-self might be pulled towards budget friendly; let’s think about the big picture and the end goals!

The holidays are hectic and when you toss in the added bonus of being a small biz owner, life can just seem plain overwhelming.

Am I the only one? Christmas parties, school performances, gifts to wrap and last minute grocery trips… and that is just on the personal side of life! Last minute business deals, new clients who need Christmas promotional items and marketing guidance, year end accounting and new year planning… hello business life.  When these two worlds collide, Christmas turns to chaos and the true reason for the season gets tossed out like yesterday’s news.