Quiet Chaos: Lessons in Resilience and Renewal
They say most businesses don’t survive the first three years. As I close out year three, I can see why. Here’s what 2024 taught me about failure, pivoting, and perseverance.
2024 was hard. It was my quietest year yet — the kind of quiet that makes you question everything. Ghosting, price rejections, waves of self-doubt, and a relentless echo chamber of negative self-talk became unwelcome regulars in my studio. It wasn’t pretty.
But the year gave me something else: clarity.
The rise of cheap design tools and an increasingly crowded freelance market has shifted how design is perceived. It’s made clients expect design to be fast, cheap, and instantaneous. But design isn’t just decoration — it’s a craft, built on thought, care, and individuality.
When clients chase lower prices, the value of the work — and the pride in it — is lost.
This year, I lost projects because I wouldn’t undercut my value, and when I did, I paid the price in resentment. Nobody wins in a race to the bottom.
Here’s what I’ve learned: good design isn’t for everyone — and that’s OK.
At the same time, I can’t ignore the financial reality this shift has created. The downturn in work this year made me question whether I want to continue doing this at all. If I’m not earning anything from it, is it just a hobby? How long do I hold on before I know if it’s worth it?
These questions forced me to confront some uncomfortable truths about my business, my craft, and what truly lights me up. And that’s where I found my answer.
The right clients — the ones who value craft, time, and individuality — are out there. And in 2025, I’m pivoting fully toward them.
Next year, I’m doubling down on what I love most: Brand by Hand. From bespoke brand identities to hand-painted signage and crafted woodcuts, I’m choosing craft over clicks and personality over pixels. It’s a direction that already feels like home, but it comes with challenges.
This shift means saying no more often than yes — because I’m focusing on people who see the value in thoughtful design and handmade craft. Clients who want their stories told boldly and authentically.
Rebuilding this vision will take time. To support this, I’ll be taking on extra work outside my studio (for the first time in over a decade) to sustain my family and business while I build this new foundation.
This isn’t a step back — it’s a step forward, toward a future built with intention and care.
2024 might have been my hardest year yet, but it’s also been a gift.
It reminded me that success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what truly matters. It’s shown me what I value most and the kind of work I want to put out into the world.
I’m stepping into 2025 with more clarity, courage, and purpose than ever before.
Are you a maker, breaker, dreamer, or doer looking for branding or signage that stops people in their tracks? Let’s craft something bold together. Your story deserves to be told.
