By: C. Michelle Bryant
As we prepare to pass the torch for our Commander in Chief and next President of the United States of America, get ready for the holidays, family gatherings and parties and begin to contemplate our goals, resolutions and dreams for the upcoming new year, I am filled with both hope and anxiety as I personally
dive head on into a year of unknowns. As I enter the second year of “Focus on Fabulous” magazine, I wonder what will become of the dream, the vision. It is not that I am afraid of the work, the time, the effort or even the lack of sleep and loads of disappointments that come from being an entrepreneur, but I’m more anxious about where we will be. How will we grow? Will our readers still be encouraged and inspired by our content? Will we still have readers? And yet, that is where the hope comes in to play.
Our first year was, to mi, a huge success. Filled with pride at our accomplishment, we began as a small 20-page publication and doubled that, as our anniversary issue was 40 pages. We enjoyed networking with friends, other businesses and found ways to collaborate and unite our efforts. In addition, we promoted others and showcased some amazing individuals through their talents, skills, gifts and stories. We gave back to the community in various ways and empowered not only women of all ages but men as well with several male writers, contributors and subscribers added to our repertoire. We gained notoriety as a woman-owned small business and became the first runner-up in the Mirelli Entrepreneur of the Year award event. We gained subscribers in 14 states and traveled the globe from Mexico to the Philippines and beyond. With all of that behind us in our first year, you may ask why the doubt.
Truthfully, how does one compete with such a successful year? That is where the anxiety comes in to play. And yet, despite the anxiety, we press forward having just completed this issue you are now reading and preparing for future issues. I personally have a peace, knowing that the world needs what we are offering. That “me-time” is not a luxury at all but a necessity, and we are proud to provide the perfect accessory to your “me-time” or early morning cup of coffee. We know that people do not toot their own horn enough, and the desire to be recognized simply for who we are as individuals is dire. We know that there is too much emphasis on the negative, the harsh, the daily grind, and we need to revel in the beauty that surrounds us each and every day. Perhaps that’s where dreamers come from. They are birthed from hope. They look anxiety in the face and take it on day by day covering it with hope and love and beauty until it is defeated. As we move forward as a country, as families, as individuals and as businesses, I personally hope you take some time this next year to enjoy the good, the beautiful and the fabulous and share it with others.
stay, fabulous, stay you!
“mi”