A Fresh Start for a Bright New Year
Jo Rawald • December 31, 2024
Embracing 2025 with Grace and Purpose
As the clock strikes midnight and we step into a brand-new year, social media will likely flood with highlight reels of accomplishments. We’ll see posts about promotions, revenue milestones, and personal achievements. But before you let comparison steal your joy, let me remind you of something important. It is okay if the biggest thing you accomplished in 2024 was simply getting through it.
Sometimes, survival is success. Some years are about planting seeds, weathering storms, and just keeping your head above water. And if that was your 2024, I applaud you. You showed resilience. You persevered. And now, 2025 is yours to shape into something extraordinary.
Reflecting on the Year That Was
Before we dive headfirst into planning and goal-setting for 2025, let’s take a moment to honor 2024 for what it was. Whether it was a year of triumphs, challenges, or simply treading water, every experience brought you to where you are today.
And that matters.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
• What were the moments I am proud of, no matter how small?
• What did I learn about myself and my business?
• How did I grow, even if it was in ways I did not expect?
Reflection is not about dwelling on what went wrong or what could have been better. It’s about finding gratitude and lessons in the journey. Even the most difficult years can teach us something valuable.
It’s Okay to Have "Just Made It"
In a world that celebrates hustle and highlights, it can feel like you’re falling behind if you don’t have a long list of wins to share. But let me tell you this -There is nothing wrong with a year of survival. There is nothing wrong with taking the time to rest, recharge, or simply stay afloat.
Your worth is not
tied to how much you accomplished or how many goals you checked off your list. Some years are meant to be quiet. Some years are about laying a foundation. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is give yourself grace and keep going.
Turning the Page to 2025
The beauty of a new year is the promise it holds. No matter what 2024 looked like, 2025 is a blank canvas waiting for you to fill it with possibility. This doesn’t mean you have to set massive resolutions or overhaul your entire life. It means taking small, intentional steps toward the future you want to create.
Here are a few ways to approach the new year with clarity and purpose:
1. Set Intentions Instead of Resolutions -
Resolutions can often feel rigid and overwhelming. Instead, set intentions that align with how you want to feel and grow. For example, instead of resolving to double your income, set the intention to approach your business with focus and passion.
2. Celebrate the Small Wins -
Progress is progress, no matter how small. Celebrate every step forward, whether it is launching a new product, gaining one new client, or simply sticking to your schedule for a week.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot -
Goals can evolve, and that’s okay. If something isn’t working or no longer aligns with your vision, allow yourself to change course. Flexibility is a strength, not a weakness.
4. Prioritize Your Well-Being -
Your business thrives when you do. Make self-care a priority in 2025.
Whether it’s setting boundaries, taking weekends off, or investing in personal growth, taking care of yourself isn’t just beneficial. It is essential.
5. Reconnect with Your Why -
Why did you start your business? What impact do you want to make? Reconnecting with your purpose can reignite your passion and give you the motivation to keep moving forward.
Rising Through Resilience
Let me share something with you. Not every year has been a year of big wins for me. In fact, there have been years when simply showing up felt like the biggest victory. I remember not one, but several years when personal challenges made it nearly impossible to focus on work. For God’s sakes, one year, I had to relearn how to walk and talk all over again! There have been numerous times in my life where my goals felt out of reach, and my energy was running on empty.
Instead of pushing myself to achieve more, I chose to focus on what I could control. I took small steps. I celebrated the tiny victories. And most importantly, I gave myself grace. By the end of those years, I realized something powerful. Even in the hardest seasons, there is growth happening beneath the surface.
This year was one of the hardest for one of my best friends. She poured everything she had into supporting the people who mattered most to her. She worked tirelessly to ensure her son had the wedding and honeymoon of his dreams. She made countless trips to be there for her mom, who is battling cancer and lives several hours away. She stood by her husband after he suffered a massive heart attack, spending weeks in the hospital and enduring major heart surgery. And as if that wasn’t enough, her two homes were in the direct path of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
For my dear friend who I know is reading this—you made it through 2024 with such grace and strength. It was a tough year, but you’ve been handling it with class and resilience.
Those years of challenge, whether mine or hers, became the foundation for incredible breakthroughs that came later. They taught me that every season serves a purpose, even if it doesn’t look the way we expected. And as we step into 2025, I want you to carry that lesson with you. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.
Why 2025 Can Be Your Best Year Yet
The start of a new year is not just about setting goals. It’s about mindset. It’s about believing that you are capable of creating the life and business you dream of. It’s about letting go of comparison and focusing on your own journey.
Here is why 2025 has the potential to be your best year ever:
• You have the wisdom and experience of 2024 to guide you.
• You have a blank slate to define success on your own terms.
• You have the resilience to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.
• Most importantly, you have the power to take small, consistent actions that add up to big results.
This year is yours for the taking.
Whether you want to grow your business, deepen your connections, or simply create more balance in your life, it all starts with believing in yourself.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, increase your profits, and truly live the American Dream of being a successful business owner, let’s connect. I offer a free 20-minute discovery Zoom where we can chat about your goals and create a customized plan to help you thrive.
Schedule your free discovery call today and let’s get started. You have what it takes to achieve incredible success, and I am here to help you every step of the way.
Stepping Boldly Into the New Year
As you ring in the new year, remember this. It’s okay to look back on 2024 with a mix of emotions. It’s okay if the biggest thing you accomplished was simply getting through it. What matters most is that you’re here, ready to embrace the possibilities of 2025.
So, take a deep breath. Give yourself a pat on the back for everything you’ve overcome. And then step boldly into the new year with hope, purpose, and the confidence that your best days are still ahead. You got this!
I went to a networking event yesterday at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors. Tropical-chic to the max. You know the kind of place - upscale casual, strong cocktails, mandatory valet. Now usually, I’m all about valet. But not yesterday. I wasn’t there to sip martinis or hang around all night. I could only stay for 20-minutes. That means - I was on a serious 20-minute mission: say hi, shake hands, peace out. Then, get back in my car to jump on a Zoom meeting! I certainly wasn’t about to drop $20 just to park my car for 20 minutes. No way! I pulled into the valet area, looked the guy dead in the eye, and said, “I’ll be in and out faster than your last relationship. Can I just park it right here?” And bless his heart - he said yes. Honestly, that should’ve been my win for the night. But then I met Sean Gac-Guerrier. Sean’s the Marketing Director at Excel Title, Inc. We started talking about dogs - and **cue the angels singing. We clicked instantly. Not two strangers meeting, more like two childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in a decade! Sean showed me a photo of his dog, Dottie. I pulled out pics of my girl, Adelaide. Then he pulled out a photo of Dottie that stopped me in my tracks. Sean had a photo of what Dottie would look like as a human. Not a cartoon. Not a filter. I’m talking AI-generated, fully humanized, real-world, cardigan-wearing, intelligent-and-intimidating Dottie. I was mesmerized! It was as if Pixar and the FBI teamed up to design her. I looked at Adelaide’s pic… then looked back at Sean… and blurted out, “I need to humanize my dog!!” And I did. I went home, found the exact AI prompt, uploaded Adelaide’s photo, answered a few fun questions about her personality, and style - then… BOOM. Human Adelaide was born. Tall, lean, cozy-chic, with that unmistakable “don’t-mess-with-me-but-I’ll-still-hug-you” vibe. She looked like she ran Homeland Security and still had time for tacos and espresso martinis on a rooftop. Honestly? I stared at the image for like five minutes. Because it wasn’t just about making something cute. It was about seeing something familiar - something you know - come to life in a new way. Here’s the AI Prompt if you want to try it yourself:
Your business is not a side dish. It’s the main course—and it deserves to be treated like one. In this no-BS blog, I’m calling out “leftover” business strategies that leave women entrepreneurs stuck, stressed, and scaling in all the wrong ways. Discover how to build a business that’s bold, sustainable, and built to outlast trends using my BAMBOO Framework.
Too many women are stuck in the hustle—working nonstop, solving the same problems, and barely seeing the return.
You didn’t start your business to burn out. You started it to break free.
If you’re ready to ditch the stress and build a business that actually pays you back, this is your moment.
Join me LIVE in South Florida at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves—where I’ll show you how to scale smart, simplify your systems, and make way more money doing less.
🍷 Dinner, wine, and your profit breakthrough: www.jorawald.com/Brains-Brilliance-and-Bold-Moves
If your business feels like a tornado of to-do lists, dropped balls, and duct-taped systems… it’s not just exhausting—it’s expensive.
Chaos costs you time, clarity, and cold hard cash.
This blog is your wake-up call:
🛠️ Simplify your operations
💸 Stop bleeding profit
📈 Build a business that works for you
Read it. Apply it. Start making smart money moves →
👉 https://siteeditor.thryv.com/home/site/c8e9f361/blog/if-your-business-feels-like-a-hot-mess-its-costing-you-money#preview
You’re not charging too much. You’re not “bad at sales.”
You’re just leaving money on the table—and this blog breaks down exactly how to stop.
If you’re underpricing, over-delivering, or relying on guesswork to grow… you’re leaking profit.
Let’s fix that.
I’m giving you the tools to:
💰 Price like a pro
📊 Package for profit
🎯 Sell with strategy
Read it, bookmark it, share it with your business BFFs →
👉 www.jorawald.com/youre-leaving-money-on-the-table-lets-fix-that
The right clients are watching—but do they actually know what you do?
If your messaging is vague, cute, or confusing, you’re basically invisible.
This blog is your wake-up call to get crystal clear, magnetic, and straight-up undeniable.
You’ll learn how to:
🧲 Attract the right people (without chasing)
📢 Clarify your offer
👑 Show up as the go-to expert in your space
Because your next client isn’t on the fence—they’re just unsure if you are the answer. Fix that here →
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-right-clients-should-be-coming-to-you-theyre-watching-but-do-they-know-what-you-do
One Zoom call. That’s all it took to blow up how I coach—and rebuild it into something way more powerful.
If you’re overcomplicating your client process, trying to “do it all,” or feel like coaching is starting to drain you… this blog is your game-changer.
Inside, I break down:
🔥 The shift that simplified everything
🎯 How I get faster results (without burning out)
💡 What most coaches get totally wrong
If you’re a coach or service provider who’s doing the most and getting the least—read this NOW.
👉 www.jorawald.com/this-one-zoom-call-changed-how-i-coached-forever
If your business isn’t making money… it’s not a business. It’s an expensive, exhausting hobby.
This blog is for the women out here grinding, posting, perfecting—but still not profiting.
It’s time to change that.
Inside, I cover:
💰 Why profit has to come first
🛠️ What to fix if your sales are flat
🎯 How to stop playing business and start running one
This one’s a tough-love truth bomb—with the strategy to back it up.
👉 www.jorawald.com/if-your-business-isnt-making-money-you-have-an-exhausting-hobby
They’re dyeing rivers green for attention—and you’re still “hoping” someone sees your post?
Nope. Not in this business.
Visibility isn’t optional. If you're not making waves, you're not getting paid.
This blog dives into why playing small is costing you BIG and how to show up like a brand that actually wants to win.
Inside, I break down:
🌊 Visibility vs. volume
🎯 Making moves that matter
💡 Building brand authority (without gimmicks)
Your audience is watching—what are you showing them?
👉 www.jorawald.com/they-re-dyeing-rivers-green-what-are-you-doing
Sometimes the best business lessons don’t come from a boardroom—they show up at the dog park.
This blog unpacks a real-life moment with my pup that exposed something big:
Too many women entrepreneurs are overthinking, under-trusting, and second-guessing their own power.
Here’s what I realized (and what you need to hear):
🐾 Your instincts are an asset
🧠 Overanalyzing kills momentum
👑 Leadership starts with self-trust
Don’t miss this one—it’s a mindset reset wrapped in fur.
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-lesson-i-didnt-expect-at-the-dog-park