Betsy Reznicek’s Post

5 years ago I made a decision that has changed my life. Starting your own business is an intimidating experience, will it or won’t it work? So many unknowns! I set myself a 5 year plan, it wasn’t complicated but it was a challenge, and I’m happy to say that I achieved that plan! Have a read of my latest blog to find out more… #happybirthday #anniversary #bringingcolourtoyourbusiness

Is your September in full flow? Everyone is busy at the moment. 100 days until 2025 and all that… Heads down in the next milestone… During a post-Glasto trip to Cornwall, Mr McD had me running through Padstow to get to the next beauty spot. True story. What on earth were we doing?! I burst out laughing and he resolved to chill out. This is your (and my) reminder to SLOW DOWN. Sometimes we have more energy and want to capitalise on it but sometimes you should take a moment to celebrate where you are. I start each of our Monday Team Meetings with last week’s successes. If I hadn’t done it this week, I would have missed the opportunity to celebrate: ⭐️A team member passing probation ⭐️A much enjoyed client meeting ⭐️Getting on top of client reviews ⭐️Successfully working through tricky onboarding issues ⭐️Acheiving a project milestone Are you missing something to celebrate by running through Padstow? Picture from the infamous trip. We were in St Ives by this point and he’d finally relaxed the itinerary!

Ever notice how the little things can make a big difference? As a CEO, I’ve learned that celebrating small wins is just as important as recognizing the big milestones. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take a moment to appreciate the progress we make every day. ✨ When we onboarded our very first client, I knew we had to celebrate. I treated the team to a special lunch because it wasn’t just a win for the business; it was a collective victory that reflected everyone’s hard work and dedication. ✌ Here’s why I think celebrating those small victories is crucial: - Boosts Morale: Acknowledging the little things lifts everyone's spirits. Whether it’s completing a project or hitting a sales target, those moments of recognition can light up the team’s motivation. - Builds Momentum: Small wins create a ripple effect. They remind us that we’re on the right path and encourage us to keep pushing forward. Every step counts! - Strengthens Team Bonds: Celebrating together fosters camaraderie. It’s a great way to build a positive culture where everyone feels valued and connected. - Encourages Reflection: Taking the time to celebrate allows us to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and what we’ve learned along the way. It’s a moment to appreciate our journey, not just the destination. They matter more than you think! Let’s keep the momentum going and celebrate every step of our journey together! 😊🙌

This is my dad, Bart Oates, Esq. - a poor kid from Georgia who grew up to become a 3x Super Bowl Champion. His journey taught me this invaluable lesson: You can't do everything, but you can do anything. My dad wasn't great at all sports (ex: not a great shot in bball--he will disagree--but good luck under the rim), but man, if you wanted someone to throw a football upside down backwards between your legs, he was literally the best in the world! And that concept of leaving your mark in this world by doing one thing deep really stood out to me. It's easy to get caught up in competing priorities and think we can do it all. We're tempted to think, "I can do this, I can do that, I can do this", but the truth is, true success comes from solving a very specific problem and dedicating ourselves to that mission. Early on at Ovation, we tried to be everything for everyone--a mistake I'm seeing some newcomers falling into--and saw mediocre results. But let me tell you, the day Ovation took off was when we decided that we would laser in on being the very best solution for a specific problem. In our case, this meant becoming the best guest feedback platform for restaurants in the world. So remember, you can't do everything, but you can do anything.

Just like a company has a board of directors to guide its journey, I've created my own personal board - a group of people who care about you, have your best interests at heart but will also give you some tough love when you need it. They're my go-to for insights, encouragement, and a healthy dose of reality checks. My accountability partners are my sister, a former client, and a former co-worker. Plan regular check-ins with each person on your board. Whether you do it monthly, quarterly or annually, schedule this time to go over your vision for the future and the steps you’re taking to achieve it. Having an accountability partner is an effective way to stay focused and on track because you know somebody is checking up on you.

Here’s some useful information!

I attended a brilliant Enterprise Nation networking event yesterday; a massive shout out to Dan Martin for organising in person events and St George's Bristol for hosting - I know there are so many benefits to the digital world, but I still really love being able to meet and connect with people face to face! It was so nice to see some familiar faces and meet some new people; it was amazing to see the huge range of businesses just in one room and so inspiring to hear people speak so passionately about them. (*Slap on the wrist* - must not start another business.....yet 😇 ) We also talked a lot about the challenges people are facing, from burn out to future plans to the struggles following COVID. Business is rarely all sunshine and rainbows, and I think it is great for everyone to feel like they're not alone and share ideas on how they cope with things. This seems like the perfect time to say that Bristol City Council and West of England Growth Hub has a huge variety of support available for SME's; from mentoring and coaching to grants for R&D, help with exporting to support with your marketing plan! Whatever challenge you are facing, get in touch to find out more about what we can offer. 👐 #bristol #westofengland #growthhub #bristolcitycouncil #businesssupport #youarenotalone #SMEs #smallbusiness #enterprisenation #RandD #grants #bristolgrants #bristolbusinesssupport #BrisBES BrisBES

The Importance of Celebrating Small Wins We tend to focus on the big goals, but it’s the small wins along the way that keep us motivated. Celebrating those small victories — whether it’s completing a project, hitting a milestone, or improving a process — gives your team the encouragement they need to keep going. Take time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the progress you’re making, even if it feels small. Progress is progress, no matter the size. And if you’re looking for support in managing your projects or systems, Propel can help you track and celebrate those wins efficiently. What’s a recent small win you’re celebrating?

If you want to feel better about your progress, start identifying what winning looks like for you at the start of each week. It's an exercise the team at Thrive practices regularly and encourages our members to do the same. The win should be specific and measurable, so there's no question if you achieved it or not. Winning for me this week looks like getting every new member placed into a Thrive chapter within 72 hours of joining. 🔥 What does winning look like for you?

Take a moment… In hustle and bustle of planning events, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush and forget to take a step back. Recently, after wrapping up a big event, I made it a point to pause and appreciate all the hard work that went into it. We all know the grind. Endless emails, and the last-minute changes that can throw everything off. But it’s important to recognize the effort and teamwork that make these events successful. Taking a moment to reflect isn’t just about celebrating wins. It’s also about recognizing the challenges we faced and the lessons learned along the way. Those moments of stress often lead to growth and better strategies for the future. So, let’s remember to celebrate not just the outcomes but the journey we take to get there. A little appreciation can go a long way in keeping our spirits high and our motivation strong. Here’s to all the hard work we put in Lizo Sphiwe Zulu Mabonwa Mfundo Vitshima. Let’s keep supporting each other!