2024 was a pivotal year for Tucked & Threaded and honestly, for my family. So many things have just IMPROVED and that just didn't happen overnight and without a lot of prayers, trust in God, and patience....along with a lot of work. My husband has really and truly been such a better husband this year and I'd like to think I've been a better wife. I think that in marriage, it's always normal to have ups and downs....rough days, rough months, maybe rough years. We have had some rough times and that is all due to just normal life things, traveling, exhaustion, events, three kids, multiple businesses being run amongst us, an elderly dog, me being a very anxious, determined, always working person, he's an early riser, I'm a night owl...the list goes on. But let me say that when you are both on the same page, you feel like one of those GIFS of someone throwing on their sunglasses and riding in a convertible with the windows down. Y'all don't even know the things that we endure being overworked and underpaid. 2024 was my year to really begin changing that. We have worked so hard to be there for each other, communicate better, be in church more, spend quality time together without phones, and I have tried harder to separate business from home life more (not a pro at this and probably never ever will be). It was a goal to work on my home life this year to gain more peace. Slower times. But y'all.....along with that mindset and those goals, I think we also saved my business this year.
It's almost the end of 2024 and it's number-crunching time. And thanks to our wonderful support system and the community surrounding us, I am so happy to not see things in the red this year!!!! We aren't too far from the red, so let me not get too cocky. But I'm so PROUD of this!!! I'm determined to maintain a business, but I'm also determined to keep my family together, keep our sanity, and not focus on the wrong things. Bro. James said in church today that we cannot idolize anything other than the glory of Jesus and that's going to be incorporated more into my mindset. I love my business, but I never want to put that before Jesus or my family. I pray 2025 is even more of a process of putting my priorities in place. I pray that people will lean more into shopping small + locally as it’s truly sad how many businesses won’t see 2025. I work nonstop and can barely stay afloat. There won’t be many more years like this for me either if something doesn’t change. I’m here to encourage a little switch in people’s mindsets, shopping habits, and understanding quality over getting the cheapest product or service. Advocating for small businesses and their owners is truly such a fun part of my job and my ministry. I am fulfilled by serving our customers, retail partners, and fellow business owners.
This blog post was not planned or thought out before I typed this. This is me speaking from my heart as I always do. This is me being transparent with you. This is me showing the wins and the losses. This is the truth behind a brand trying to grow in an economy that is very unpredictable. This is me teaching myself so many things that it seems like I'm lightyears behind some people. This is me trying to share what I've learned with others to save y'all the headache and time. This is me truly loving what I get to do to be on a schedule that I love that allows me to be at school plays, doctor appointments with my Mom, vet appointments with my Roxy girl, and check my kids out of school when they are sick and need their Mama.
If you're here, then you know me. You know my heart. You know my mission is to grow a business that I am proud of that can provide for my family and show my children the result of following your passion, your heart, your gut, and God's plan.
We are about to begin our tenth year in business. This would not be happening without my husband who puts up with so much, my family, our parents helping us alllll the time (emphasis on all), our growing, amazing team, our fabulous loyal customers who keep returning and telling their friends about us, fellow business owner friends because I sure suck them dry with my thoughts, everyone attending events, and all the sweet, encouraging words. Most of you have been with us through some of life's biggest moments and have seen it all with us and you’ve let me in on some of your biggest moments, & sometimes even doing so while rocking your T+T. Thank you. Thank you for giving us a chance and allowing us to do life with y'all along for the ride. I never take this for granted and I also know we have so much GOODNESS ahead for us. So I hope you stick around. I hope you'll turn those notifications on. I hope you'll open our emails. Share our posts. And please, always come see us in person when you can...that's my favorite. That's my heart. Community is everything.
2025 is around the corner and full of magical moments that I know will propel our family and our business forward in the way God intends. I'm hopeful, excited, and grateful. We wouldn't be here without you!!
Cheers to the new year!!
xoxo,
Crystal
