ONE idea that will breathe LIFE into your business again

A few months ago, we were honored to be a part of Donny Zavala‘s Oregon Coast workshop. For all the attendees, we created a dinner inspired by the dawn by the sea. “Dawn is the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise”. Although this was created for dinner and not for sunrise, I was moved that this dinner was going to set the tone for the beginning of their workshop and business journey. A journey of learning, challenges, growth and transformation. Thus, I called it “Dawn By The Sea”.

During the workshop I gave the students my all. It was not until after the workshop that I realized it was my time to give my all back to my business. So I did one crazy thing that a growing business shouldn’t do, and I took a few weeks off to do a mini-audit of my business. So I apologize for the silence! But trust me, it was purposeful and intentional and all for you. I blocked off days to revisit the health of my business, financially and internally. I used the time to work on new projects, ideas, products, or changes that I needed to make the end the year strong, and prep 2018 to be even stronger.

You know that proverb, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn”? Well, June was my darkest hour, and July is my dawn. June was NOT sad in any way, but my darkest hour was the decision to silence my social media for only one month, to stop the brain chatter and challenged myself to focus. It’s easy for us entrepreneurs to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of running our business. What’s not easy is to force ourselves to step away and look at our business from a distance. The maintenance is important, but taking care of your business health is just as important. It was the best and the most healthiest thing I could have done for my health, sanity, personal life, and business. To check in, to do an assessment of what’s working and what’s not working, to be rejuvenate, to be refreshed and to look for any missed opportunities for growth and additional revenue.

In the next few weeks and months, new things are going to be rolling out and I’m excited to share with you. I used to be so shy about sharing my journey with you, but from now on, I’m going to be blogging a little bit more of the behind the scenes and progress of what we’re working on. My purpose is that if we share the personal side of Utterly Engaged, maybe it will help you too. Are you excited as I am? I know I am!

Tell me, what are you doing this month (even it’s for just for a few days) to revisit your mission, your why, your goals, your vision and/or your plans for the rest of 2017? And the beginning of 2018?

PHOTOGRAPHY &  WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR  Donny Zavala Photography | CREATIVE DIRECTOR & STYLIST Utterly Engaged  |  CINEMATOGRAPHY  Outlive Creative   |  SPEAKER  &  WORKSHOP  SPONSOR Photovision Prints | FLORAL DESIGNER & STYLIST Selva Floral Design | PAPER GOODS & CALLIGRAPHY Kelsey Malie Calligraphy  | LINEN La Tavola Fine Linen  |   RENTALS & DINNERWARE  Something Borrowed PDX  |  CUSTOM BINDERY & ALBUMS  Priscilla Foster Handmade | FILM SPONSOR Fujifilm Professional Film | TABLE RUNNER tono & co. | CERAMICS & VASES Meadow Design