2015, it's been a slice! 2016 - it's go time!

Here we are, another year is gone by. Time to reflect on our year, set new goals and make some serious changes. 

2015 was a wild ride for me. 2015 presented many challenges which turned to amazing opportunities but as we enter a new year, I want 2016 to be bigger, better and more bad-ass than ever.

Here’s a quick re-cap of 2015, some of these many of you might not even know, so I will share how it all went down:

-Started out working in a contract position that led me to meet some amazing people

-Got hired on with an employer that has been in my sights for years now and the timing just made sense for us to join forces. It has been nothing but amazing and because of the flexibility she gives me, it has allowed me to give her more of my time to help her as well. We are a great team who continue to strive together for success in life and business.  

-Successfully launched my business – which was terrifying yet incredible at the same time. (I registered my business in Oct 2014 but didn't do anything about it until 2015)

-Successfully launched my first ever (solo) press conference – Lynn Johnston exhibit at the Art Gallery.

• This was a defining moment for me. It confirmed that a) I can do anything b) there are a lot of amazing people out there who believe in you that you may not even realize

-That led to another opportunity – successfully launching the Manitoulin Brewing Company

• Another moment that I am extremely proud of. Met amazing people, worked my ass off to get things done and proved again to myself that I can do anything.

-I travelled to New York for the first time ever. I never thought this would be a possibility for me so soon, but hard work and determination made this happen. If you’ve never been, go. Wear your runners and walk EVERYWHERE.

-One of my goals has been to do PR for the film industry. Earlier this year, I volunteered to work on a music video just to get some experience and meet some new people – not really knowing where it would lead me.  Months later – I received calls from two separate film producers out of Toronto wanting to work with me at some capacity. I also ended up writing a two page spread on the producers from that video and getting them front page on a local newspaper. Being on set, making an impression and meeting people lead me to these opportunities. 

- I travelled to Toronto more times this year (work-related) than I ever have. All thanks to opportunities presented and people in my life. I look forward to more trips in 2016!

-Being able to write more has been a goal of mine. Now writing monthly articles for a local magazine, and almost being part of launching another magazine has given me the chance to improve my writing. Again, meeting people, conducting interviews has been absolutely incredible. Excited to see who I can write about in 2016!

-I received a grant from the Regional Business Centre after completing business training, writing a complete business and financial plan, and pitching my company to a panel of business executives. The moment I found out – I had no words. Another confirmation that I can do anything If I truly wanted it.

-Recently started working with a great company who enforces entrepreneurship into their mandate. I've been able to create a schedule that suits my availability which provides me more flexibility and enables me to more productive. 

After my layoff last year, I decided that I needed to do me. I couldn't sit around building someone else's dreams while mine were falling at the waist side. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people encourages growth for one another. If you want to be successful, hang out with successful people. If you want to grow, surround yourself with people you can learn from. 

 So what do I want for 2016?

-Good Health - continue to work on my fitness. Work out 5 times a week & eat foods to fuel my body.When I am in good health and feel good, I have more confidence and in-turn am more badass at whatever I do. 

-Wealth - this is a no-brainer. We all want to make more money. But I don't want to just make money to live. I want to make money to create a life. 2015 was difficult financially and I do not want another year (another month!) of it. 

-Happiness - combining the above will obviously create happiness but it's just about that. It's about doing what I want everyday. At the end of the day, I have to live with the decisions I've made so they need to benefit me at some capacity, right? Happiness in many forms and everyone can define it differently. To me, creating a life by design is my happiness and surrounding myself with people who I can learn from, grow with and teach. 

2015 was a great year for the first year for my business, but it was only the beginning. 2016 is already to set up for new opportunities (you'll hear about it soon!). When I created Northern Ontario PR, I didn't just want to do it half-ass or quiet. I spend much of my time creating noise for other businesses, I want this for myself.

Bigger, better and louder! Come on 2016, I'm coming for ya!

-Michelle