2016 was a YEAR that was the beginning of a pivot...not only was the venue I was managing thriving, but my business Drops Of Honey Designs had doubled it's sales & was growing. It was 'my year' as one would say, but it came at a cost. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I ended that year in urgent care with severe dehydration, my body covered in an insane rash I thought was just some sort of food allergy only to discover that I had developed an autoimmune disease called Eczema & my doctor was advising I change my lifestyle, reduce my stress levels and eliminate dairy + gluten from my diet. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ All of it was a result of long nights drinking too much caffeine & not sufficient water, not taking care of me properly, and taking on too much and NOT OUTSOURCING enough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And I've heard this story repeat from other wedding venue owners...feeling like they've got too much on their plate & not enough time to do it all OR this lie believing that they're the 'only one' that can do it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Well, I am here to say that even though the long nights did pay off (temporarily) overworking yourself & trying to balance it all will only serve you & your clients for a VERY brief time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And I am now constantly reminded of this every time I have a 'flair' with my eczema which can be seen on my chest in this photo every time I choose to indulge in a charcuterie board + wine because I love it too dang much to give it up completely. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is why I created service offerings that are structured for the new wedding venue owners + the seasoned ones, to help meet you at the several stages of growth...and to be your sidekick + pal to chat about when things get rough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photos by my pal @graciebyrdjones at @signorvineyards