Where Does the Time Go?

It feels like it has been forever since I have had a moment to sit and reflect on business, even as I type this, I am counting down to the next meeting, and thinking of all the things on my list for the day, and the week, and the month. 

Over the last two months, I have been extra busy managing the Creston Valley Farmers' Market, and writing for I Love Creston magazine. Both of these felt and continue to feel like natural extensions of the work I have already been doing through AM Event Coordination, and have been filling my spare moments. While learning the ropes of those new endeavors, I worked to balance my work and personal life, as we unexpectedly had to say goodbye to one of our two dogs, and then only a few weeks later, I faced the one year anniversary of my dad's death. As always, this amazing community rallied around myself and my family, sending love, hugs and warm thoughts. I anticipated I would need some time to grieve and be gentle with myself leading up to that awful anniversary, and being able to distract my mind with the Farmers' Market and the magazine made things a little easier. 

I am really excited to share the news of another new venture. Last week I officially took on the role of Self-Employment Program Counselor with Community Futures. This role feels like another natural place for me to land, as it seems all I talk about is business, self-employment and entrepreneurship. I am so thankful to be given this opportunity, especially because the Self-Employment Program inspired, pushed and assisted me as I navigated the early days of starting AM Event Coordination. I only hope that I can be half as helpful in this role, as the role was helpful for me. 

With all these new and exciting challenges in my world, I have been asked what comes next for AM Event Coordination. This is a question I have asked myself over and over for a few months now. After my dad died, I had planned to take a break, but that break never really came. I found myself working hard at my business as a way to manage my grief, and after almost a year, was pretty exhausted, but the work is a part of what kept me sane. After an incredibly busy summer, I was able to step back and think about which events filled my heart with the most joy, and that answer came to me pretty quickly - weddings, fundraisers for causes close to my own heart - the happy events. And so I have started working to choose which events I take on based on the amount of joy they bring me. I have worked to remind myself that I cannot say yes to everything, and that I don't have to say yes to everything. I know how lucky I am to find myself in this place where I am able to pick and choose which events I want to participate in, and am thankful every day that I am in such a luxurious place. 

And speaking of thankful, I received an email yesterday I was not expecting, letting me know that AM Event Coordination has been selected as one of the best in the Kootenay Business Magazine's 2019 Best of Business awards! We are so excited to accept the Bronze award for Wedding Services/Supplies in East Kootenay! I hadn't even realized we were nominated, so it feels like an extra honour. And the timing is a good reminder not to lose my momentum, although with three events this week alone, I think I've still got it.