Our 2021 Year in Review: One Year Full-Time and Thriving!

Thrive Design Co Year-End Review for 2021

Wow, where do I even start? 2021 was an absolute whirlwind for Thrive Design Co., and the crazy part is— I didn’t even realize until yesterday that this month officially marks ONE year of being in business full-time. One year ago, after 8 months of watching my business explode in the best way, I took the leap, put in my notice at the 9 to 5, and never looked back. Hands down, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

It’s been a year of massive growth, both professionally and personally. We’re talking bigger projects, dreamier clients, and a whole lot of lessons learned along the way. So, let’s dive into some of the major highlights from Thrive Design Co.’s first year full-time:

2021 By the Numbers

• 15 incredible clients joined the Thrive Design Co. tribe

• 5 new custom websites launched (yep, we were busy!)

• 3 fresh brand identities designed and ready to stand-out

• 20+ SEO clients who trusted us to level up their online visibility

• Biggest Project: New website for Sheila Mraz Photography— seriously loved working on this!

• Biggest Impact: Redesigning the website for Starnes Cove Baptist Church here in West Asheville, a local project that meant the world to me.

2021’s Biggest Wins

• Left my full-time job in January to go all in with Thrive Design Co. and live the branding/web design dream (best decision ever!).

• By mid-year, I was actually paying myself a salary— something I wasn’t sure would happen so soon.

• Worked with 15 amazing new clients and continued collaborations with some OGs from 2020. The best part? Many of them returned for fresh projects!

• Rebranded from Thrive Digital Marketing AVL to Thrive Design Co.— hello, new name, new vibe, new website!

• Raised my prices to match the effort and value I bring to my clients’ businesses (and guess what? More dream clients started rolling in).

• Became a proud Wix Partner and Squarespace Circle Member.

• Got certified in Google Analytics and SEO (thanks, HubSpot!).

• Took courses in Google My Business and branding— because I’m all about that continuous growth and making sure I'm providing the best for my clients!

• Partnered with other creatives on some super fun projects.

• Took actual time off around the holidays for the first time in my adult working life (because at every other job, trying to get Christmas off felt like a lottery win).

2021’s Lessons and Challenges

• Finding that ever-elusive work-life balance— let’s just say, it’s a work in progress.

• The first part of the year? Let’s be real, I wasn’t as streamlined as I wanted to be. That’s changed, and I'm learning, and growing, and that's all that matters, thank goodness.

• Struggling to get into a consistent daily routine that balanced productivity and self-care (we’re getting there, though!)

• Learning to be more assertive with clients when needed— I’m definitely not a pushover anymore!

• Finally, building the confidence to really sell the benefits of my services. Imposter syndrome, who?

2022: Big Dreams and Bold Moves

2021 was incredible, but I’m just getting started! 2022 is going to be next-level for Thrive Design Co. I’ve got big goals, new ideas, and I’m ready to make this the best year yet.

• Launch an SEO Course: So many small business owners are DIY-ing their websites but missing out on the huge benefits of SEO. I’m toying with the idea of creating an affordable, detailed SEO course to help more businesses get discovered online— because what’s the point of a great website if no one sees it?

• Continuing Education: I’m committed to being the best I can be for my clients. More design courses are on the horizon, and I’m ready to experiment with some new platforms, expanding my knowledge so I can offer even more value.

• Book More Dream Clients: This year, it’s all about building a portfolio around my ideal clients—primarily service-based businesses, but hey, I might dive back into eCommerce, too. It’s all about going where the inspiration takes me, especially in food, restaurants, and coffee shop industries. Can’t wait to see what 2022 brings.

• Offer New Services: I’m adding some exciting new offerings to my service menu this year, including free website evaluations. I’ll dissect your site and break down what’s working (and what’s not), and you’ll have the option to DIY the fixes or let me step in and handle it.

• Share More of My Work: I’ve realized I’ve been keeping all these beautiful projects tucked away. Not this year! I’ll be sharing way more of what I’ve been working on because let’s be real—people need to know what I can do, haha.

• Face-to-Face Meetings: Getting back to face-to-face meetings has been a game-changer. It’s so good to connect in person, talk shop, and share a laugh over coffee or a cocktail. That human connection is something we lost during the pandemic, and it feels amazing to bring it back. I’m excited to meet more clients in person this year!

2021 was a dream, and I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who’s been a part of this journey—my clients, mentors, supporters, and fellow creatives. You’ve all helped me grow, learn, and evolve this year, and I’m beyond excited to see what 2022 has in store. Buckle up, it’s going to be one for the books— and I’m so glad you’re coming along for the ride!