Reflections on 2016

Today, following a bout of horrible food poisoning, I sit here at my computer, hoping to come up with some wisdom to share with you upon moving toward the completion of 2016 and the beginning of 2017. This year means so much to me and it’s difficult to reflect on it. Why? Because I had no idea it would all go this well.

2016 is the year we started hiring full time employees.
I’ve read a whole lot about hiring the right people for your company – everything from how to interview to what you should expect to see out of people in their first week, month and 3 months. The best advice I’ve read or heard is about trusting your gut. Good team members are supposed to challenge you and make you think more deeply, but they are also supposed to empower you. Not dissimilar to dating, you’re looking for people you can stand to be around all day, every day; you’re looking for people who will help you work through challenges, not create more challenges. If something in your gut is telling you that this isn’t working and isn’t going to work, keep the interview short or let the person go. Be respectful, and remove the emotion from it. If this person is likely going to hurt your company more than help it, it’s better to part ways earlier.

The process of finding people who want to be a part of your vision - especially people who want to add to it, evolve with it and are willing to change as the company changes - is not easy. It is, however, fascinating. I’ve met a lot of people looking for careers and who were interested in becoming a part of this company. This in itself was very humbling. I feel that it is my privilege to own this company and be able to provide a livelihood to the people I employ both on a full-time and part-time basis.

2016 is the year our freelance and part-time team started becoming much stronger.
Our full-time/part-time/freelance model is what affords me the opportunity to employ people in any way that words for them. It gives people a chance be part a Schmoozer while we build and grow. It’s a very nice growth model for all parties - one that is sustainable and one that allows our clients to get the best of both worlds. The stability of a strong, strategic internal team and the creative powers of artists, designers and writers iis part of what makes Schmooz Media Ltd. successful. That and really awesome clients.

Our clients motivate me to continue building this just as much as my employees do. Their passion for their businesses (whatever the business is) is engaging and inspiring.

2016 is the year we opened our first offices.
We opened our first office in July 2016. I love having an office away from home, but it’s weird to manage an office space. We work within tight quarters, so if one person gets sick, we all get sick. Our lovely office dog Fozzie (my dog, who comes in twice a week) barks to make sure we are all safe from newcomers when the doorbell rings and when fire trucks drive down Yonge Street. There is so much more at play now and each day looks a lot more different than it did when I was working from home. Some days, we have multiple clients and freelancers coming in, one after the other, and sometimes it’s a quiet internal-team day, where we turn on a Spotify playlist, put our heads down and work.

One of the things I like the most about Schmooz Media having an office is the separation I have from home. It’s much easier for me to disconnect from work at the end of the day, and now I get to look forward to going home.

2016 is the year I got the worst food poisoning ever.
Tough stuff happens. Whether that’s getting sick, losing a big client or something else entirely, you need to prepared for the stuff. This is why it’s important that you’re comfortable with the way your company is growing. If slow and steady is more comfortable for you, recognize that and know your limitations. There is never a good time for these types of things to happen, but it is how you handle it that makes the difference. I don’t want the toughstuff to lead to Schmooz Media falling apart.

So today, after the toughstuff of this week, I’m setting my goals for 2017:

2017 will be a year where we continue hiring full time employees.
2017 will be a year where we continue building a strong full-time/part-time model.
2017 will be a year where I hang up more artwork in our office.
2017 will be a year where we plan knowing that there is tough stuff and continue enjoying all the great stuff!

Whatever it is that comes next, Schmooz is ready for the challenge! Bring it on 2017 - can't wait to see you all there on the other side.

Happiest of Holidays to you… and of course....

Happy Schmoozing!

Zoe Share
Founder
Chief Executive Schmoozer