Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith: I started my own business. I wanted to create a business that would allow me to balance my career and my family while my children were young.
What started as a solution to a personal challenge quickly grew into something much bigger: BDC Strategy Group, a thriving PR and communications agency.
As the holiday season nears and 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past decade with gratitude and pride. This milestone year has brought challenges, but I’m confident in our future. Along the way, I’ve learned countless lessons about business, leadership, and resilience. We’ve shared these lessons over the past few months. Here’s a recap:
Year 1 (2014): There’s No Perfect Time to Start
Taking that first step was the hardest part. There is no perfect moment to start a business — just a need to take the leap. The lesson? The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
Year 2 (2015): Build a Strong Foundation
In the early days, I leaned heavily on legal and financial advisers to ensure that BDC was built on a stable foundation. Solid structures and sound advice set the stage for long-term success.
Year 3 (2016): Leverage Industry Resources
If you’re reading this today, there’s a good chance you and I met at an industry gathering or conference. I quickly learned the power of tapping into professional associations, local resources, and trade publications. They provided the connections and best practices that helped us grow and thrive.
Year 4 (2017): Commit to Lifelong Learning
The PR and communications field is constantly evolving. Staying informed is non-negotiable. Every year, I’ve sought opportunities to grow and adapt, ensuring BDC remains at the forefront of the industry.
Year 5 (2018): Quality Over Quantity
As a new business, it’s tempting to take on any project that comes your way. Eventually, I realized that success isn’t about working with everyone. It’s about working with the right people. Whether it’s clients or team members, quality partnerships are worth their weight in gold.
Year 6 (2019): Collaboration Over Competition
In an industry that can feel competitive, I discovered the power of collaboration. There’s room for everyone’s unique approach. More often than not, working together leads to the most rewarding results.
Year 7 (2020): Challenges Spark Innovation
2020 was a year like no other. You remember. You lived through it! I learned to view challenges as opportunities for creativity and growth. With resilience, even the toughest times can inspire incredible change.
Year 8 (2021): Substance Over Style (But Style Matters)
At BDC, we’ve always prioritized delivering real value to clients. Impressing clients and potential clients only goes so far. Only substance and results truly make an impact.
Year 9 (2022): The Power of “No”
One of the hardest lessons was learning to say “no” to projects that didn’t align with our vision. By doing so, we’ve created space for opportunities that have allowed us to excel and grow.
Year 10 (2023): Embrace Change
Over the past decade, the one constant has been change. I’ve learned to embrace it as a chance to reinvent, improve, and prepare for what’s next.
As I celebrate this milestone, my heart is full of gratitude — for our clients, our partners, and for everyone who has supported BDC Strategy Group along the way. Your trust and encouragement have made this journey possible.
I’m looking forward to the next 10 years of learning, growing, and achieving together!
