The Year That Felt Like Ten

.... and the Lessons I’ll Never Forget

This year absolutely feels like 10 years in one.

It has been one of the most unbelievably, incredibly unusual years that I can remember having in a long time - a year that has tested every ounce of my resilience, focus, and faith. It’s been filled with challenges that at times felt insurmountable, moments of doubt, and long nights spent trying to solve problems I never imagined I’d face.

I have truly been in the trenches all year - handling everything from production issues and supply chain setbacks to financing, freight, and compliance across multiple markets. Navigating these business waters has been anything but smooth. There were production delays that threw off carefully planned timelines, financial pressures that forced tough decisions, and logistical headaches that came with expanding internationally - each country bringing its own maze of compliance, import duties, and distribution hurdles. There were moments when partnerships that once seemed promising fell apart overnight, and others when people I trusted turned out not to have the same vision, integrity, or commitment that I do.

And yet… amidst it all, there were moments of deep gratitude and growth. We successfully established operations in the United States, are preparing to open in the UK, and are launching across the EU - each market demanding months of patience, paperwork, and persistence. And there’s more on the horizon - exciting opportunities that once felt like far-off dreams are now beginning to take shape.

This year has also shown me, with crystal clarity, who truly believes in me and this brand. I’ve learned who stands beside me when things are tough, and who quietly disappears when they no longer see immediate benefit. It’s been a year of shedding and revealing - of doors closing just before new ones opened.

Despite the sleepless nights, despite the obstacles, I’m ending this year stronger, clearer, and even more determined. I’ve grown not only as a business owner but as a woman - one learning to balance faith with realism, leadership with vulnerability, and drive with grace.

Because when you’re building something from the ground up - something that comes from your soul - you realize that the hard years are the ones that build your foundation. And this year has done exactly that.

Oxo,

Layla-Joy