Super Cheesy
Dec 21, 2022
It certainly feels like the 2022 year hasn’t had a whole lot of sunshine… both literally and figuratively speaking! It’s been tough this year to pause and reflect on the last 365 days, to look ahead to the next 365, and to (hopefully) pull together some hope and inspiration for those that read this.
I don’t share this often because it is super cheesy, and maybe a little bit “much”. But let’s be honest, I am sometimes a bit cheesy and always a bit “much”, so why not… Our vision here at Sudburys is to change the world. (Told you it was a bit much.) My team sometimes think I’m a little crazy, but we truly believe (and see) that the work that we do changes businesses and changes lives.
This can be as simple as demystifying accounting, via dashboards that make numbers actually meaningful, or supporting a business in achieving epic growth. Sometimes it’s as simple as listening. And frequently, it’s challenging the status quo. You might not know, but for every little success our clients have, we are right there beside you, fiercely celebrating that success with you.
This year we have seen amazing achievements: best sales months ever, business owners taking 2 weeks holiday, custom built premises, 30% revenue growth, new babies, selling businesses, buying businesses… the list goes on!
Business owners have had a bit of a bad rap over the last few years, and this is likely to continue as we all gear up to face the economic uncertainty and challenges that lie ahead and working through the often hard but necessary decisions. Business owners can be tarred as greedy, uncaring grinches, and while this may be true for some, it is not true for the majority.
I believe that being a business owner is one of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities that exists. It involves many a sleepless night, late finishes and early starts. It involves constant care and concern for your people, their health and wellbeing, and team culture. Now there is the added challenge and opportunity of post-pandemic working, and younger generations entering the workforce with new ways of working and new expectations of employers. There is cashflow, economic factors, marketing, sales strategies, funding partners, growth or consolidation strategies, big ideas, little ideas, pivoting, adapting!
And often, there is failure.
All of these things (and more) mean that a business owner never rests. Their mind never stops.
It takes grit, drive, determination, focus, empathy, care, vision, challenge, thought leadership, strong values, and above all…… it takes resilience.
The coming year has new challenges and opportunities. It will mean doubling down, getting clear about what needs to be done, and getting it done. No excuses.
I want to take a moment to raise a metaphorical glass to business owners out there, and to those that we have the privilege to work alongside every day. The last 365 days have brought lows, but they have also brought highs, we count it an honour to support you through those lows, and to celebrate with you in the highs.
Despite this year not having a heck of a lot of sunshine, there have been plenty of reasons to celebrate. These moments of brightness are the reason that our Sudburys team get out of bed every morning.
If I can offer one piece of advice for this holiday season – focus on building your own personal resilience.
Despite all the challenge that business brings – I think it’s pretty great.
From us to you – Merry Christmas, happy holidays.
Let’s change the world in 2023.
