One Last Look Back Before We Take on 2025!

Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Challenges

This year, I felt a calling to explore new passions and directions. Following that pull wasn’t easy—it meant stepping away from what felt familiar and comfortable. But in doing so, I realized that growth often requires us to evolve into a different version of ourselves, one ready to embrace challenges and navigate the unknown. It’s a journey without a clear map, but one that brings clarity through action and self-discovery.

I’ve learned that you have to trade time for one thing or another because, in my perfect world, I could do it all—but I simply cannot. We have to learn how to intentionally give our time and energy to the things we truly care about. As a creative, deep down to my core, I feel a necessity to do—but not at the expense of my integrity or how I feel about the project and its details. I used to just go with the flow, but for the first time in my life, I find myself asking more questions: Why am I doing this?

Coming from a background in barbering, I’ve always been driven by the hustle. For years, it was about taking one more client, working a little longer, and pushing myself harder. But eventually, that kind of grind leads to burnout. You start to crave something more—a new challenge, a deeper sense of purpose. And when you take that leap, it often feels like walking a path without a map.

For me, this meant learning to balance cutting hair with content creation, production shoots, ideation and execution for brands, personal projects, and daily editing. It’s not as simple as just doing it all—it’s about figuring out how they can work together in parallel. It’s about understanding which parts of each ignite your passion and why they matter. Creatively, I need variety. I get bored so easily sticking to just one thing. I don’t want to give anything up, but I want to find a new balance, I guess you could say.

This year also taught me that every stage of growth demands something different. Whether it’s cutting hair, creating content, or representing a brand, each requires its own level of focus, energy, and strategy. And that’s true even on social media—what works on Instagram doesn’t necessarily work on TikTok or YouTube. Each platform has its own rhythm and expectations, and the key is learning how to adapt without losing what makes you you.

Being a creative today is harder than ever. The competition is intense, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. I’ll admit, I’ve felt it too—the weight of thinking the space is “too saturated” or wondering if there’s still room for me. But here’s the truth: nobody sees the world the same way you do.

The beauty of being a creative is that everything you’ve experienced, every skill you’ve learned, filters through your unique perspective. It’s this perspective that makes your work resonate. Whether it’s teaching, serving clients, or creating something entirely new, your vision has the power to connect with people in ways you might not even realize. And once you develop that skill, it’s hard to replace.

I’ve discovered this in my own journey working with people of different skill sets. Some have the skills, but you don’t work well with them personality-wise. Others have a great personality but lack the skill. The combination of energy and skill in a workspace has become more obvious to me—it’s both difficult to build and even harder to find.

What I’ve learned—and am still learning—is that this process is about connection. It’s about attracting the right people while letting go of what no longer fits. Sometimes growth requires new environments, fresh conversations, or even an entirely different mindset. The one thing I know for sure is that staying stagnant isn’t an option.

Through each experience, you always learn something new. Even as people pass through our lives and no longer resonate with us, there’s usually something they can teach us—and something we can learn.

I want to remain excited about what I’m doing. This year, as chaotic as it’s been, reminded me to slow down, recalibrate, and focus on building something meaningful. There’s a huge opportunity now for creators to carve new lanes—to work with major brands while growing personal projects that push us beyond just ourselves.

If there’s one takeaway from this year, it’s this: growth isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about staying curious, embracing the uncomfortable, and finding joy in the process of building something uniquely yours. Let go of the feeling that you’re in a rat race. The position that’s meant for you will be created by you when you’re ready. The space will open up.

I believe in “trust the process,” as long as you’re constantly moving in that energy. We can think about it all we want, but without the work, it doesn’t exist. In motion, the universe conspires to work for you—and I’ve seen that happen time and time again in my life. When we’re in flow with creating, things just happen. It’s a wild thing to even try to understand.

So when in doubt, just work—especially on something new you’ve been curious about. Little progress still adds up to a lot over time.

I was dreading this final newsletter and wasn’t sure what to talk about, but this is the truth: you just have to go and move forward. Don’t let up. Your dreams are waiting for you.

Here’s what’s coming next:

I’m working on a new education channel that will offer a barbering guide, content creation tools, social media strategies, and the return of mentorship sessions. I’ve been building a new website all year—and honestly, I can’t believe how challenging it’s been.

On top of that, I’m dropping new products with STMNT Grooming and will soon announce another exciting brand partnership I’ve just signed!

As tough as this year has been, let’s not let up on the next one. It’s just a few days away—let’s get it!

Thank you for tuning in this past year. This newsletter was a new venture for me, and I hope I’ve been able to share some lessons that helped you navigate your journey. Thank you for reading, and here’s to whats ahead! 🥂

Have a safe and wonderful New Years!

Sof!