Well, fam, it’s officially been five magical years since ANBE Designs was born. Cue the crystal confetti! This milestone feels like the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and, let’s be real, have a tiny dance party in honor of how far we’ve come. So today, I’m spilling the tea on five big lessons I’ve learned on this wild, wonderful ride—lessons that I hope inspire you to chase your own dreams, too.
1. Don’t Wait for It to Be Perfect—Just Start
Listen, perfection is a myth. If I’d waited until everything was "just right," ANBE Designs would still be a daydream scribbled in the margins of my planner. Spoiler alert: Nothing is ever perfect. The lighting for that product photo? Probably off. That first website? A mess. But you know what? I showed up anyway. Starting is where the magic happens—the rest can be polished along the way.
2. Everything Can Be Figured Out
Confession: Even with years of experience running a jewelry brand (shoutout to Holy Noley…IYKYK), I still found myself facing new challenges with ANBE Designs. Running my own website? Tricky. Building a social media presence? A whole new world. But here’s the thing: every problem is just a puzzle waiting to be solved. YouTube tutorials, late-night Googling, and trial-and-error have been my besties. Turns out, you don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to be willing to look for them.
3. Your Style Will Change—Embrace It
When I look back at my first designs, it’s like peeking at old yearbook photos. Cringe-worthy? Maybe a little. But those pieces were a snapshot of who I was then, and I’m grateful for them. Your art, your taste, your whole vibe—it’s supposed to evolve. Growth isn’t just okay; it’s the goal. Let your creative spirit wander and see where it takes you.
4. You Can Always Come Back to Your Business and Art
Life happens. Burnout, personal stuff, unexpected detours—sometimes you have to step away. Creating two whole ass humans and shifting to mom mode? Yeah, that’ll do it. And that’s okay. What I’ve learned is that creativity is like an old friend: even if you take a break, it’s always there when you’re ready to return. Your art isn’t going anywhere, and neither is the community you’ve built. Take the time you need, and come back when it feels right.
5. If You’re Not Having Fun, You’re Doing It Wrong
This one’s major for me. ANBE Designs is my heart, and if I’m not feeling the joy, something needs to shift. Whether it’s turning on a playlist that slaps while I work or rethinking a project that’s draining me, I’ve learned to prioritize fun. Because at the end of the day, what’s the point of creating something beautiful if the process doesn’t light you up?
These five years have definitely been a rollercoaster - so many ups and downs but so much fun! To everyone who’s been along for the ride—whether you’ve been here since day one or just joined the ANBE fam—thank you. You’ve made this journey more magical than I could have imagined.
Here’s to the next five years of dreaming big, making messy first drafts, and creating with our whole hearts. Cheers to all of us—because, trust me, the best is yet to come.