There’s something about a new year that makes us take stock. It’s a clean start, although completely arbitrary. The school year starts in August or September; a fiscal year can start whenever; the Chinese New Year is in mid-January; the Jewish year starts in September or October; the Muslim calendar is based on a lunar calendar that is out of sync with the standard calendar used around the world.
It is far easier if everyone does have one calendar they can all refer to, of course. There’s something about the night of December 31 turning into January 1. It’s a time to reflect and think about what we want to do and accomplish in the upcoming 12 months.
Quitting smoking, exercising more, and eating healthier are always at the top of many lists. But those aren’t the type of resolutions that are most useful for small businesses and startups.
So I turned to many WeWork members and others to find out what their resolutions were for the upcoming year. Maybe we can all learn a bit from what each other is looking for?
Lisa Thide, Blurb Appeal, WeWork Commons
The New York-based Blurb Appeal provides marketing, graphic design, and copywriting services for the interior design, architecture, real estate, hospitality, fitness, and wellness industries.
I took a risk and opted to leave my steady, full-time job to pursue my dream of starting my own business in August 2015, so the end of 2015 has been all about survival. A major goal of mine for 2016 is to turn this new freelance lifestyle into a more sustainable way of life. I’m all about creating new relationships, working on exciting new projects, and learning more about how to effectively manage and grow my business!
Michael P. Owens, Influence Group, WeWork FiDi
Based in New York, the Influence Group produces invite-only leadership forums.
My resolution for 2016 is to make myself less available and focus my time only on the work that matters. We just passed the two-year mark as a company and have some considerable growth goals for the next year that will require me and my team to maximize better use of our time. I plan to take advantage of other New York City WeWork locations next year to achieve this.
Craig Landale, Menswear Style, WeWork Aldgate Tower
Menswear Style, based in London, is a digital magazine focusing on men’s fashion, lifestyle, and grooming.
My resolution for my business is to improve the quality of articles by employing better journalists. I believe this will increase my traffic and reader loyalty. We’re currently at 130k monthly visitors, and I’d like to see this hit 150k monthly over the next six months.
Erwin Lee, Hubnest, WeWork Bryant Park
Hubnest is a creative web development company that specializes in web design and custom coding. It’s based in New York.
My company’s resolution for 2016 is to hire several key people for a role I plan to develop that is a blend of new business development executive and creative director. My personal entrepreneurial resolution is to endeavor into the retail space with tech that will change the way consumers try on clothes at retail locations.
Julie Fajgenbaum, Tweed Wolf, WeWork SoHo West
New York’s Tweed Wolf is a do-it-for-you photo album service, turning digital photo libraries into bespoke, hardcover albums.
My resolution: scale! We launched in 2015, and 2016 is all about growth—growing our customer base and product line.
K.V. Khai, ESTEAM-Girls, WeWork South Station
Boston’s ESTEAM-Girls is a STEM-based toy company specializing in dolls, games, and challenges for 6- to 12-year-old girls.
An idea (ESTEAM-Girls) that has been percolating in my being for about 10 years will finally be launched. My resolution: improve the business plan, create the website, acquire and hire partners and colleagues who have the skills that I lack, make final touches to the board of technical and creative advisors.