I dream big, and this year was no different. What started as a series of bold ideas became a yearlong journey of growth, missteps, pivots, and profound lessons. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, I’m a go-big-or-go-home person. ‘Let’s start small and work our way up.” These are words that have never left my mouth. Ever.
It’s the other way around for me. I want to see what is possible on the grand scale, like building a ship, and then, depending on how it goes, I may end up with a dingy instead. I can’t help myself–I want to see what is possible before I put any limits on it. This year, my two big ideas became my biggest lessons in 2024.
Here’s what this year taught me about dreams, collaboration, and knowing when to let go.
Dream Big, Then Adjust
Last year, I kicked off what I thought was an incredible idea: a project to photograph 100 female entrepreneurs and share their stories with the world. I called it Startup Stories. The concept was about storytelling through powerful images, amplifying voices, providing visibility, and celebrating women building businesses and breaking barriers.
In my head, it felt simple. I’d book 100 shoots, photograph these incredible women, and publish the stories. But the thing about big ideas is that they snowball. I started alone, trying to book sessions, but soon realized it wasn’t sustainable. Somewhere along the way—and I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment—I realized I needed help.
The Power (and Complexity) of Collaboration
The first pivot was finding collaborators. I connected with a magazine owner who agreed to publish the articles, a writer who would beautifully script these women’s stories, and even another photographer to share the workload. Suddenly, this small idea became an enormous beast, complete with contracts, logistics, and frequent calls to brainstorm.
I was thrust into managing more than expected: workflows, handoffs, coordination, and endless emails. I’ve led teams before, but leading within my business at this scale felt new. My muscles grew in project management, communication, and delegation.
Simultaneously, I pushed for visibility. I pitched to magazines, hoping to bring attention to the initiative. I spoke to anyone who would listen, learning to refine my pitch on the fly. I leaned into making this project work despite having zero expertise in several of the areas I was navigating.
I’d love to say it all clicked once we launched. After all the groundwork, effort, and adjustments, Startup Stories hit the ground running when we officially launched in December 2024. But instead, no one booked.
When Big Ideas Fall Flat
It was hard to understand. We had tweaked, adjusted, and refined. Everything was supposed to be ready. What went wrong?
In hindsight, the missing piece was marketing. Big ideas often die not because they’re bad but because getting people to care about them is a full-time job. And my full-time job was already running Angela Atelier.
We tried again after receiving feedback to shift the project into event-based shoots. I went again, organizing three events in Charlotte, Dallas, and NYC. But even with every effort, they didn’t book. And that, my friends, was the sign I needed to let it go.
Letting go of Startup Stories wasn’t easy. I had collaborators who believed in it (and me). I poured so much brainpower into its success that it hurt to release it. But deep down, I knew it was pulling me away from the core of my business. It taught me that sometimes, no matter how much effort you put forth, the universe sends you signs to move on. It was a bittersweet decision, but ultimately, it was freeing.
The Beauty in Failure
Of course, Startup Stories wasn’t my only bold idea this year. I also launched JOY Atelier, an empowering event designed to bring 100 women together in one room. It turns out I have a thing for 100—100 women, 100 bookings, 100 lessons. While I didn’t hit the hoped-for numbers, the experience opened my eyes to so much.
Collaborating with other business owners this year was entirely different from working in Corporate. It’s messier, more personal, and infinitely more rewarding. And while my projects didn’t succeed as planned, the women I collaborated with were so supportive and gracious that it made the challenges worth it.
The Biggest Lesson
This year wasn’t about 100 women or 100 bookings. It was about building muscles in spaces I’ve never worked in, such as project management, event coordination, pitching, and leading with vulnerability. And here’s the thing: I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I learned to trust my instincts, acknowledge my limits, and accept that big dreams don’t always materialize as you envision them. But that doesn’t mean they were failures. Every misstep gave me clarity about my next steps.
Moving Forward
So, as I wrap up 2024, I’m celebrating the lessons learned and the growth I gained. These projects didn’t turn out how I hoped, but they showed me what I’m capable of when I dare to go big. Most importantly, they reminded me of the power of knowing when to pivot and when to let go.
Here’s to dreaming big, failing gracefully, and building muscles that prepare us for whatever comes next.
