Looking Back, Moving Forward: 10 Game-Changing Business Insights From 2024

As we wrap up 2024, I find myself reflecting on a year of lessons, growth, and powerful shifts. These insights didn’t just shape my business; they shaped me as a mentor, strategist, and entrepreneur. Now, I’m sharing them with you — to spark new ideas, offer encouragement, and help you move into 2025 with clarity and confidence.

Here are 10 lessons from 2024 that I believe will support your growth as you step into a new year.

🪞- These are reflections for you to consider.
📍- These are prompts and action steps for you to apply each lesson.

LESSON #1: There’s an Energetic Exchange Happening All the Time

Pushing harder doesn’t always get you where you want to go. I learned that this year in a big way. After a couple of slow years in my business - where I was more focused on helping my family make the transition to living across the world in Israel - I was eager to get back to my work. I just wanted to dive back in and have clients lined up to work with me!

But that’s not how business works. There’s an energetic exchange happening all the time, and when you try to force results, it often backfires. It’s like trying to run up an escalator that’s going down: exhausting and ineffective.

The real magic happens when you find your energetic sweet spot. For me, that looked like leaning into strategies that felt authentic and sustainable, instead of chasing quick wins or doing what everyone else said I should do. When I stepped back and aligned my actions with the lifestyle I and my family desired, everything started to shift.

✨ The right clients began to show up.
✨ Opportunities I couldn’t have planned for started appearing.
✨ My energy became focused and clear — and that clarity was magnetic.

How can you find that balance?
🪞Start by tuning into what feels expansive and energizing versus what feels draining. When you’re in flow, your energy naturally attracts the right people and opportunities. It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing what feels aligned.

📍So, reflect on your energy. What feels expansive and aligned for you? Where are you pushing too hard, and what would happen if you let go?

LESSON #2: Consistency is King, err Queen😉

Consistency isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present.

After a difficult 2023 and that significant pause from my business, the question I asked myself was how did I want to reignite this business and what was that going to look like? Where should I start after not marketing my business for so long?

Ultimately, I made two small but powerful commitments: to send one newsletter a month and show up in Facebook Groups. That’s it. No complicated content strategies or elaborate plans—just one email and my presence where ideal clients hang out. It wasn’t much, but it was consistent. Over time, that small step became the foundation for bigger growth.

Think of it like planting seeds: some will sprout quickly, while others take time to grow. But if you keep planting and watering, eventually you’ll see the results.

🪞Here’s the thing: You don’t need more time or perfect conditions to start showing up consistently. You just need to start. Your audience doesn’t need you to be perfect; they just need you to be there.

📍Identify one small, consistent action you can commit to in the first quarter of 2025 — whether it’s posting once a week on social media, sending a monthly newsletter, or attending regular networking events. Focus on creating a habit, not perfection.

LESSON #3: Your Unique Expertise and Experience Truly Stand Out

What makes you different is exactly what makes you valuable.

This year, I leaned into what makes me unique, but it wasn’t always this way. I used to more quietly express the range of my experience and expertise, but then someone in a Facebook group shared this tip about marketing yourself: “If you have relevant credentials, mention them.”

Of course, this wasn’t exactly new advice. But it was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. And, what I’ve seen is that, the more I lean into what makes me so unique as a business mentor/coach, the more it resonated with my community and clients. By owning my strengths - the fact that I sold my first business at 30 years old, the depth of empathy I bring to my business relationships, the depth of my entrepreneurial experience, the mix of practical, actionable tools and strategies I offer mixed with mindset - I stopped trying to fit in and started standing out.

It’s easy to get caught up in comparison, to think you need to be more like someone else to succeed. But the truth is, your audience doesn’t need a copy of someone else. They need you. When you lean into your unique skills, experience, and perspective, you attract the right people who see the value in what only you can offer.

🪞Reflect on what sets you apart. What’s your unique combination of expertise, experiences, and values? Lean into it. That’s what will draw the right people to you.

📍What’s one way you can own your strengths more boldly in 2025? Write it down and commit to it.

LESSON #4: Focus on One Thing

Many times, in business, less really is more.

This year, I worked with several clients who struggled to focus on one thing—they were flooded with great ideas and wanted to activate them all; they believed the “marketing gurus” who preach that you have to have a profile on every social media platform; they were convinced that offering more products and services would cast a wider net of clients who wanted their services.

Here’s the thing: when you narrow your focus, you streamline your efforts, make your message crystal clear, and deepen the impact in the given area.

Focus doesn’t mean forever—it means for now. And when you lean into committing to your areas of focus, you’ll create momentum and see results faster. The temptation to do it all is real, but clarity and simplicity win every time.

🪞Choose one core priority to focus on in the first quarter of 2025. Whether it’s launching a new offer, mastering a marketing platform, or growing your email list, clarity creates momentum.

📍What’s the one thing you’re going to focus on in Q1 of 2025?

LESSON #5: An Imperfect Presence is Better Than Not Showing Up

I had a desire and goal for a while to start a podcast. When I finally launched CRESCENDO, it was messy — and it still is. But I’ve received incredible feedback from listeners, and the process has helped me develop my skills as a speaker and interviewer. Showing up, even imperfectly, opens doors.

Too often, we’re held back by the idea that things need to be perfect before we take action. But perfection isn’t relatable — and it isn’t necessary. The truth is, your audience doesn’t need perfect; they need you. When you show up authentically, you give others permission to do the same.

🪞Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready to take the next step. Launch the offer, write the post, share the story. The magic happens when you start.

📍What’s one thing you’ve been holding off on because it’s not “perfect”? How can you take one messy step forward today?

LESSON #6: Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Up for What You Believe In

This year brought challenges that tested my values and boundaries. October 7 and the rise in antisemitism were pivotal moments for me. I learned that being upfront about who I am, what I believe in, and the values I stand for is vital — even if it means some people choose to leave my orbit.

Being authentic isn’t just about showing your personality; it’s about standing firm in your values. When you do, you attract people who align with those values and build trust with your audience. And while some people may not agree, that’s okay — they’re not your people.

🪞Take time to identify the values that guide your work. How can you weave them into your messaging and actions in an authentic way?

📍What’s one value you want to stand firm on in 2025? How can you reflect that in your business?

LESSON #7: Each of Us Has a Role

Earlier in the war, I felt compelled to put my energy toward raising funds for supplies and efforts to support the front lines. Then I shifted to creating benefit concerts to raise money for organizations supporting critical needs here in Israel. These felt like roles I could and wanted to play at that time. As the weeks went on, my role evolved, and I began to question where “business mentorship” fit into this moment. While my friends’ kids were on the front lines, I was sitting cozy in an office empowering women to believe in themselves and leverage their gifts.

At first, I struggled with this. How could my work measure up to the bravery of those serving on the front lines? (Spoiler alert: It can’t.) But it also doesn’t mean that my own role lacks validity. Through my work, I help clients create impactful programs that make other people’s lives better; I help them make more money and do it in ways that feel sustainable; I help them increase their confidence.

All of this has its own significance.

When they put structure and language to their programs - essentially packaging their expertise into transformational programs - they do better work, help their clients in deeper ways, and expand their impact

When my clients make more money, they contribute to causes that matter to them (for me that’s been the Israeli economy this past 1+ year).

When my clients feel confident and competent, they move through their lives with greater levels of ease and joy — and that has a ripple effect within their families and communities.

If we all tried to run to the front lines, there would be nothing left to rebuild. Each of us has a unique role to fill, and when we claim our own corner, we strengthen the foundations of our communities and economies. This, too, is a form of service—and it’s one I’ve come to deeply value.

🪞Reflect on your role—in your business, your community, and your family. How can you show up fully in those roles in 2025?

📍What’s one way you can embrace your unique role in the new year?

LESSON #8: A Rough Patch in Business Isn’t a Cue to Give Up

When I moved to Israel, I hit a rough patch in my business. I went from being a recognizable brand and business coach in Denver to being the “new girl” in a completely different culture. No one here knew my name, my history, or what I was capable of. It was humbling—and hard. There were moments when the easier path felt like giving up. But I didn’t want to give up. I just had to get over the hump.

Every business hits rough patches. Whether it’s a shift in market conditions, a relocation, or a personal setback, these moments test your resolve. But they also pave the way for growth—if you’re willing to stay the course. It takes persistence and sometimes a fresh perspective to adapt and overcome. When do you, you experience the kind of growth and expansion that often follows the toughest times.

🪞When things feel hard, lean on your support network and revisit your “why.” Reflect on how far you’ve come and remind yourself of the impact you’re creating.

📍When things get tough in 2025, how will you remind yourself to keep going? What’s one support system or strategy you can put in place now?

LESSON #9: The Power of a Niche

In a world that feels crowded, finding your niche is like shining a spotlight on your unique strengths. This year, I saw firsthand how narrowing my focus made my message louder and more resonant — to that more targeted audience. By leaning into new language—positioning myself as a business mentor and strategist for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small business owners—I was able to create stronger connections and attract the right clients.

Your niche isn’t just about a demographic or industry. It’s about aligning your work with your values, standing up for what you believe in, and being specific about who you’re here to serve. The more specific you get, the easier it is for the right people to find you—and for your business to thrive.

🪞Define who you want to serve and how you can uniquely support them. Use your values and expertise as a guide to carve out your space in the market.

📍How can you refine your niche in 2025 to create stronger connections and bigger results?

LESSON #10: Invest in Your Brand Experience

It’s clear by now how starting over when I moved to Israel was a transformative and challenging experience. I went from being a recognizable brand with a solid reputation to a completely different market where REL Impact was unknown. I knew I had to rebuild from the ground up, and that meant investing in my brand experience like never before.

Your brand is more than your logo or tagline—it’s the experience people have when they interact with you. It’s how you show up, the energy you bring, and the ways you communicate with your clients and communities. This year, I put that belief to the test. I leaned into my personal brand by focusing on creating meaningful, memorable interactions. I worked to become someone that others trust and refer. I shared, sometimes vulnerably, about my business growth journey.

For me, part of my brand experience is overdelivering. Once someone becomes a client, I step into the role of their biggest cheerleader. I’m deeply invested in their growth and success, and I make sure they know it. Whether it’s providing extra resources, celebrating wins together, or offering encouragement during tough moments, my goal is to create a client experience that goes above and beyond.

When you invest in creating an exceptional brand experience, you’re building trust, loyalty, and a reputation that naturally draws people to you. It’s not just about what you deliver—it’s about how you deliver it and the relationships you build along the way.

🪞Reflect on your own brand experience. How do you show up for your clients or community? What can you do to make those interactions more meaningful, memorable, and aligned with your values?

📍What’s one way you can elevate your brand experience in 2025 to create stronger connections and lasting impact?

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As I look back on these 10 lessons from 2024, I see how each one has played a role in shaping both my business and my personal growth. But the truth is, they’re not just mine—they’re universal insights that can guide anyone stepping into a new year with hopes, dreams, and plans for success.

Which one of these insights resonates most with you? Share with me in the comments!

Maybe it’s the idea of leaning into your niche, finding your energetic sweet spot, or committing to showing up consistently, even when it’s messy.

Wherever you are in your journey, I’d love to hear your reflections and what you’re planning for 2025.

Let’s step into this new year with clarity, confidence, and purpose—because the best is yet to come and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way!✨