Every year, over a million people in this country start a small business of some sort. Statistics tell us that by the end of the first year at least 40 percent of them will be out of business. As I sit to write my closeout post for Rover-Time’s first year, I’m full of gratitude for this place I find myself in.

I started walking dogs part-time in 2009, and by 2011 I had a good side business boarding dogs and organizing trips to Montrose Dog Beach. I actually only did that because I needed to supplement my income from the low wages dog walking paid. Many know that Mark, my husband, began urging me to start up my own business after we married in October 2011, and when I accepted the challenge I took it pretty slowly. I create my page on Facebook on December 1, 2011 and launched my first website January 4, 2012. After that, I signed up a handful of new clients, put in my two-week notice with the other company, and began the self-employed life on March 5, 2012.

I remember that first day working for myself, servicing my own households with my own route of dogs, like it was yesterday. On that day, my car didn’t start. I frantically moved to Mark’s more reliable car and began my route, made up of four homes. I remember calling my mom on the way to the first client, full of nervous jitters and she reminded me how proud she was that I was trying this out, and that she knew I could be good at it.

My 2012 resolutions, put into the universe by way of Facebook at the start of the New Year, included seventeen line items. And my list of goals for Rover-Time, which I kept private, had thirteen line items. I reviewed these two lists today and I accomplished or completed five of my personal resolutions and eleven (almost twelve!) of Rover-Time’s goals.

For me, that’s a weird paragraph to sit with because I feel hugely grateful for Rover-Time, and the company is “me,” but I think it reinforces some personal priorities I probably shouldn’t continue to push-off. But then again, it has been a busy, and good, 41 weeks.

This last year certainly has been wonderful in so many ways. It has been full of hard work, great projects, new friends, and best of all; many amazing dogs. It’s been a challenging and insightful journey that has taught me that facing failure really does find you new success. And I am so encouraged by the success that I can’t wait to tackle the future.

As the year wraps up I look forward to assessing Rover-Time’s performance in its first year to better identify where changes need to be made. I look forward to continuing to build better and stronger relationships with my existing customers. And I can’t wait to meet the new people that hire Rover-Time.

The best place to begin is always with gratitude. Life is good. And I’m so happy to be sharing it with you. I wish you the happiest holiday season and great luck in the year to come.