Reflecting on a decade in business, this 2025 year-in-numbers recap shares insights, client work, lessons learned, and what’s ahead for 2026.
That’s a Wrap on 2025: A Decade In, The Year By The Numbers
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Solo(ish)
Reflections, tools, and truths for the self-employed life—because doing it solo doesn’t mean doing it alone.
Make a Start, Stop, Continue List to Bring Clarity to Your Brand and Marketing
When your brand or marketing starts to feel scattered, clarity matters more than new tactics. A Start, Stop, Continue list is a simple three-step tool to help you decide what to focus on, what to let go of, and what’s already working.
The Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Done? Going Solo
Going solo is one of the scariest things you’ll ever do—not because of failure, but because of freedom. I’ve done it twice: once by choice, and once by circumstance. Each time taught me something new about fear, resilience, and what it really means to bet on yourself.
Making Space for Creativity: The Case for 4-Day Weeks and Sabbaticals
Reducing the workweek to four days or incorporating regular sabbaticals isn’t just a corporate trend—it’s a game-changer for freelancers and solopreneurs, too. Backed by research showing maintained productivity and improved well-being, shorter schedules can lead to better focus, reduced burnout, and a more sustainable creative life.
Feed the Right Wolf: Staying Visible When Business Feels Quiet
When business feels quiet, it’s tempting to pull back. But staying visible — even in slow seasons — builds trust, brand equity, and future opportunities.
How to Ask for Referrals (Without Feeling Weird About It)
Getting referrals is about doing great work, asking clearly, and saying thank you. Be specific in your ask so people know exactly who to refer. Build trust through genuine relationships and consistent follow-through. The more intentional you are, the easier it is for others to help you grow.
Small Cuts, Big Impact: Shaping Your Business Like a Bonsai
Running a business is like shaping a bonsai—small, intentional adjustments lead to sustainable growth. Instead of drastic changes, refine offerings, pricing, positioning, and processes over time. Prune what no longer serves you and cultivate a business that thrives. #entrepreneurship
I Went for Pancakes and Left with a Lead
Even the most underwhelming networking events can lead to meaningful business opportunities. Consistent outreach, follow-up, and simply showing up—especially when it’s inconvenient or awkward—are essential parts of building a sustainable solo business.
Seeing the Bigger Picture: Why Opportunity Drives Long-Term Success
Not every business deal is about immediate profit—some opportunities create long-term value that leads to greater success. Taking on strategically valuable projects, even at a lower rate, can refine services, build strong relationships, and open new doors. Knowing when to pursue an opportunity and when to say no helps balance profitability with sustainable business growth.
Stop Overthinking It: How to Make Decisions Faster and Move Your Business Forward
Stop letting overthinking, analysis paralysis, FOBO, hold your business back. You can make faster, more confident choices that drive progress…if you let yourself.
Why Referrals Should Be Your Marketing Priority
Referral marketing isn’t just a strategy—it’s the backbone of sustainable growth. Referrals harness the most powerful form of advertising: personal recommendations. Turning satisfied customers into enthusiastic advocates can build trust, attract new clients, and create lasting loyalty without stretching your budget.
Serendipity and Spaghetti: The Networking Story You Didn’t Expect
Here’s a little tale about why you’re always networking, even when you’re just grabbing a plate of free food.
Interviewed by Featured.com: Building a Personal Brand While Employed
Andy Brenits was quoted in the article “Building a Personal Brand While Employed,” exploring building a personal brand on the job.
Recharge Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Importance of Downtime for Solopreneurs
Downtime for solopreneurs and small business owners is essential for boosting productivity, creativity, and work-life balance. Learn why taking breaks, whether through vacations or sabbaticals, is key to preventing burnout and ensuring long-term business success.
3 AI tools I use that aren’t ChatGPT
Cuts through the AI hype, with practical insights for service-based SMEs. From automating customer relationship management to refining your professional writing and optimizing your calendar, these AI tools streamline your tasks and enhance productivity.
From Unknown to Unforgettable: Creating a Strong Brand for Your Startup
Creating a brand from scratch can seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can establish a powerful and effective brand that sets your startup apart from the competition.
The Fundamentals of Developing a Strong Personal Brand
Managing your personal brand is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and effort to build and maintain one’s brand image. But doing so can significantly impact career success and professional relationships.
Stand Out from the Crowd: Why a Brand Advisor is Essential for Your Personal Brand
In this article, we explore seven reasons why you need a brand advisor for your personal brand. Learn how a brand advisor can help you define your brand, create a strategy, develop your voice, establish authority, increase visibility, maintain consistency, and save time and energy.
The Power of Monthly Resolutions: How to Achieve Your Goals in Smaller Steps
Setting monthly resolutions can be a powerful tool to help you stay motivated, focused, and on track to accomplish your annual goals.
Discovering What Consumers Expect In A Brand
Want to know what makes a great brand? We surveyed friends and colleagues to learn what consumers value in a brand. From consistency to originality, see what it takes to create a brand that stands out and resonates with your audience.
Six Steps To Get More Referrals From Your Network
During the week, people all over the world attend BNI meetings to get and give referrals. But as it turns out, few members tap into the full potential of their BNI chapter. There is a system for generating business referrals, and you have to be willing to do the hard work it takes to get them. Here are six step-by-step instructions for helping people to help you.
Win The Gold With Networking!
Going to a BNI meeting having not done any work behind the scenes is like an athlete going to the Olympics without training – neither is likely to win any medals.
How to Evaluate Your Business Contact Network
One of the most valuable and often ignored assets any business professional has is their network of personal contacts. If you keep an organized list of contacts, you’ll be able to effectively and efficiently build and deepen your relationships, ask for referrals, or simply keep in touch.
“Liking” is the powerful short-cut to “Trust.”
Most of us are familiar with the BNI expression 'people do...
The WHY of BNI Education
If anyone in the room owns a business with staff, you have likely experienced “leaky bucket” syndrome where we train our team only to find a few weeks later they’ve forgotten the training. We have to keep topping off the bucket!
What are CEU’s And How Do I Get Them?
BNI is notorious for acronyms, and one of my favorites is the...
Never Forget to Follow-up Ever Again.
A timely follow-up can mean the difference between closing a sale and hearing that they hired someone else before you got around to it. Use this hack to never forget to follow-up ever again.
You Invited a Visitor to Your BNI Meeting, Now What?
As you know, visitors are the lifeblood of BNI. Natural...
The ABC (and D) of Who to Invite to a Networking Meeting
A steady stream of visitors is necessary to keep a chapter...
Invite F.R.O.G.S – An Easy Way to Think About People to Invite to a BNI Meeting
When we look at the overall levels of member engagement in...
Be Specific: 5-Point Checklist For Networking Commercials
During business networking meetings, such as BNI or Chambers of...
Present Like a Pro
Are you stressed out about your upcoming featured presentation?...
3+3+3=9 Minutes
Here are some secrets for planning and preparing for your...
Specific is Terrific
Business professionals who want to do business by referral are...
GAINS profile
So often, BNI members are frustrated about not getting more...
Brand Marketing Is Like Planting Trees
Think about marketing as planting trees. The trees of brand marketing you plant today will guarantee business growth tomorrow. What you are communicating today is to help potential customers make the buy decision in the future when they need what you are offering.