2022 Reflection

We are coming to the end of another year, and what a year it has been. There has been so much change for us both personally and in the business this year, so I thought it would be fitting to share a little recap. Do you take time to reflect on the year past? I’ve sometimes found it really helpful to use The Year Compass. Give it a try if you are looking for something to help guide you through this change of season.

January

We got the keys to our fantastic new studio space in December 2021, and got busy laying new wood flooring, setting up storage and shelves and building our fantastic standing packing desk. This first month of being in the studio was a whirlwind. It also became our biggest month of growth for the Calligraphy Box. Check out some of our studio set up videos on our highlights reel on Instagram.

February

Much change happened personally for us this month as Mo left his full-time job and travelled to Zambia for ten weeks to be with family. I also built our beautiful internal wooden wall in the studio to hide all of our messy storage!

March

Jaden and Lauren were busy in the studio packing up Calligraphy Boxes while I wrapped up the remaining rescheduled wedding invitation designs that were postponed during covid. This was such a crazy month.

April

Mo came back from Zambia and joined The Calligraphy Box full time. We were in desperate need of some more help extra help and it was brilliant to have him join our small team at the studio. Quill was especially happy getting to spend his days at the studio with all of us. We also did our first envelope exchange with Calligraphy Box subscribers all around the world!

May

We had a month of focusing on our processes and improving our business policies and practices. This is often not the most exciting, but essential for making sure that we create a welcoming and positive environment for our staff.

June

Mo and I took a jump across the pond and went to Sub Summit – a subscription box conference in Florida. It was a fantastic few days of learning and connecting with other businesses. We then took a couple of wonderful weeks off in Italy (though I was beginning to understand what morning sickness was!)

July

July was a slower month for us, taking a pause and making plans for The Calligraphy Box.

August

Jaden left us to explore new adventures in California, we have all missed her in the studio! Especially Quill! We also hit our target of sending out our 10,000th Calligraphy Box!

September

I finished the book! For about 18 months I had been working on writing a 13,000 word book in calligraphy for a client. I am still waiting to see the final result professional bound and completed.

October

We launched a new sequence to The Calligraphy Box which has improved the experience for our new beginners. This means that new subscribers will be taken through a sequence of six core boxes that will launch them into calligraphy. These include the best fundamental techniques, instruction and inspiration. The topics cover stroke movement and confidence, Copperplate lowercase letters and capitals, precision and consistency and connections and spacing. 

November

We welcomed Laura to the Calligraphy Box team, and announced to the world that we are expecting our first baby in 2023 – a boy!

December

December was a month of prepping for maternity leave. I was focused on making sure that our small team are confident to run everything while I take a couple of months off. I also spent time recording video lessons for our 2023 boxes so that everything will continue.

Looking back at what I have written above, it seems like such a crazy year. So much has changed and grown for our business. I can say from the bottom of my heart that I am so grateful to you for joining us on this journey. I give God thanks for everything that has happened and am so excited to become a mum in 2023. My heart is very full after taking a week off over Christmas and my tummy is growing large! Not just because of the Christmas pudding!

I think my biggest take away from 2022 as I pause and reflect is the importance of family and friendships, health and time together. I hope you have had a blessed time over the holidays and that you have a Happy New Year as you say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in a new season of adventure.

Jenni