As 2024 comes to an end, I find myself looking back on what has undoubtedly been one of the most pivotal years for Sharp Thinking Marketing and for me personally. Growth has always been at the heart of my marketing consultancy journey—both in business and professionally—and while it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, the rewards have been immeasurable. Here are some of the biggest highlights and lessons learned from this year of progress.
Finding my voice through public speaking
For years, public speaking was a mountain I never thought I’d climb. It felt insurmountable. However, 2024 became the year I decided to face that fear head-on. Building on my initial steps last year, this year I threw myself into the challenge and delivered presentations at several high-profile events. A standout moment was speaking in the historical council chambers before their refurbishment—it was truly a scene to remember.
These experiences have been both nerve-wracking and exhilarating, but more than anything, they opened my eyes to new opportunities I hadn’t imagined before. Sharing my expertise and demystifying my passion to inspire others has been incredibly rewarding, and I have to credit Vanessa Jones at The Confidence Space for helping me push through my fears. Growth really does happen on the other side of fear.
Expanding horizons in new industries
This year, I’ve had the relished the challenge of working in new sectors, including SaaS, financial services as well as in the creative industry and Sharp Thinking has worked with seven new clients. I love nothing more than learning about new industries, doing research and as a result becoming a better marketer.
Recognition at The Small Awards
The summer brought an honour I’ll forever treasure—being named a finalist at The Small Awards for best supply chain champion. Competing with thousands of brilliant small businesses and attending the ceremony in London was a moment that left me brimming with pride and reflection. It wasn’t just about the recognition but about how far I’ve come since starting Sharp Thinking seven years ago. For someone who didn’t work for five years prior to launching my business, standing there was a reminder to never stop believing in the power of reinvention and perseverance.
Breaking into new industries
This year pushed me out of familiar territory, and I relished the challenge of working across new industries, including SaaS, financial services, and the creative sector. Sharp Thinking onboarded seven incredible clients in these fields, and the process of learning about their industries has been immensely fulfilling. Diving deep into research and understanding the unique demands of new sectors has sharpened my own marketing abilities—a win-win all around!
New collaborations and exciting connections
Strength lies in partnerships, and one of my proudest achievements this year has been building collaborative relationships with like-minded businesses. A major highlight was partnering with The TN Card, which has been a wonderful experience on both a professional and personal level. Exploring ideas and creating value together has played a key role in defining this year’s successes, and I’m so grateful for the people who believe in Sharp Thinking and back the business wholeheartedly.
The sprint of summer
Momentum picked up speed this summer when I secured five new contracts—all in the same whirlwind week! The work was challenging yet rewarding, encompassing marketing audits, sales and marketing strategy, content creation and sales forecasting delivered in just three months. This was no solo effort; I’m incredibly grateful to the brilliant freelancers who joined me and ensured everything was completed to such a high standard, even while balancing family life during the school holidays.
Building Sharp Thinking from the inside out
This year was also about practising what I preach. I finally launched my very own newsletter, The Sharp End. Designed to provide actionable insights and marketing tips, this project was something I’d wanted to bring to life for years. Seeing such positive responses and watching my audience put my advice into action has been incredibly rewarding.
Additionally, I revamped my solopreneur bootcamp into a more accessible four-week format, making it easier for small business owners to master essential marketing skills without sacrificing precious time. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and I can’t wait to see how far these motivated entrepreneurs go in 2025!
Lessons learned
Of course, no year is without its challenges, and 2024 was no exception. Managing growth while maintaining the highest level service pushed me to my limits at times. But it’s in these moments that I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and trusting others to share the load.
Outsourcing has been a game-changer this year. By letting trusted professionals handle more of the operational aspects of the business, I was able to focus on core client projects—something I plan to continue refining in the years ahead.
Looking ahead to 2025
2024 was all about taking on challenges, building relationships, and creating opportunities. Now, I’m stepping into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. Projects are already in the pipeline, and I’m ready to hit the ground running.
Thank you for being part of this incredible chapter. Here’s to another year of growth, collaborations, and shared success. If you’d like to join me in 2025—whether by subscribing to The Sharp End, participating in my bootcamp, or exploring how we might work together—please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Here’s to even more Sharp Thinking in the year ahead! Read more from the blog including B2B marketing trends 2025 and 10 common marketing mistakes and how to avoid them.
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