Reflecting on my 43rd year while I enter my 44th year!
I am super grateful for what 43 has brought me and am looking forward to an even more amazing 44th year! My birthday is June 10th and here is a pic from last year when I turned 43 and some of my highlights from my 43rd year.
43 started out with a double rainbow at my apartment on my birthday!
43 gave me an opportunity to teach virtual corporate events, private classes, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, kids summer camps, and more connections with students all over the world.
August brought my 3rd Annieversary and my feature in Parade Magazine as one of the top cooking classes. My business quickly grew and my audience reach did too.
43 allowed me to teach students in Hawaii, Canada, Germany, The Phillipines, Puerto Rico, India and students in Delaware, Massachusetts, Idaho, New York, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Utah, The UK, Virginia, North and South Carolina, the list goes on and on.
43 gave me many opportunities to expand my class topics (I even brought back cakes lol that I had taken a 3 year break from) that students were eager and willing to learn and enjoyed learning from the comfort of their own kitchens.
43 brought be closer than ever to my students by being on a computer, it was a blessing to be able to be able to have one on one conversations with each students, help them as they needed it and find ways to better explain how to bake from home on a computer successfully.
43 was a year that challenged me in tons of ways, mentally, physically and emotionally and I had to overcome some medical issues including Covid, and some other personal medical issues that thankfully turned out to be treatable and everything seems to be back on track.
43 was the year I had Covid 2 weeks before Christmas and beat it, but also took a huge financial loss for my holiday orders that all had to be cancelled.
43 was the year I went back to therapy because running a business alone, living alone and being isolated in a pandemic is not good for anyone mentally.
43 was the year I was featured in the West Shore sun newspaper (August 2020, , Cleveland Magazine (October 2020 issue),
43 was the year my pretzel salted caramel cheesecake was featured as Ohio’s best dessert as chosen by YELP.
43 was the year I was featured on my friend’s blog (Authentically CLE, Jen Garner on July 1, 2020) and on several students blogs (Cleveland Daily bite - July 1, 2020).
43 was the year I was on New Day Cleveland (September 2020, April 2021), Channel 3 news (November 2020), Spectrum TV.
43 taught me to value my time more and to be patient as I continue to navigate this business on my own and to be proud of how much I have accomplished on my own.
43 brought me closer to some people and strengthened some of my relationships more than I could have imagined.
43 brought me more “Karens” than I ever thought I would meet who definitely challenged me, but nevertheless, I have kept on doing things my way.
43 brought tears, joy, stress, surprises, creativity, confidence, laughs, fear, uncertainty, confusion, anxiety, sleepless nights.
43 brought new relationships, laughter, love, strength, compassion and appreciation for what I have in my life and who I have in my life.
43 gave me my 4th niece of 7 total nieces and nephews who happened to be born on my dad’s birthday and is a blessing to all of us.
I am leaving 43 having taught 398 classes to date since February 5, 2018 to thousands and thousands of students who continue to embrace me, challenge me, teach me, support me and be patient and excited to spend time with me, and cheer me on every step of the way.
43 brought me more desserts that I ever could have dreamed of and I have enjoyed every single one of them!
I am truly grateful and excited for 44 and cannot wait to bring all my ideas for this business to life and keep on growing!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. I cannot do this without you and your support. I look forward to seeing you soon in a class. Never hesitate to reach out!
xoxo
Annie