Q1 Reflections: Growth, Grief & a New Chapter
- Amy Brown
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Q1 was quite a rollercoaster—as life so often is.
I experienced deep personal loss, saying goodbye to multiple family members, including two grandparents. The grief came in waves, and there were days when it felt nearly impossible to show up. I took a big step back from Instagram, and honestly, I’m still finding my rhythm again.
But amidst the heaviness, something incredible happened in my business:
I had the most successful quarter I’ve ever had.
Maybe it was the energy of a new year.
Maybe it was so many of you finally ready to dive into Pinterest with intention.
Maybe it was the launch of my baby Pinterest management offer (which so many of you jumped on—thank you!).
Or maybe it was all of that combined with a deeper alignment I didn’t even realize I was stepping into.
One of the biggest shifts that supported me was joining Likeminded Charleston, a community for female founders here in town. Having a space to connect, grow, and be reminded that I’m not in this alone has made a huge difference.
Back in January, we had a session with the incredible Ash Cebulka called My New Chapter—and wow. It was exactly what I needed. I walked away with so much clarity:
What I want my new offers to look like
How I can serve my clients even more fully
And maybe most importantly… how much I need to take care of myself
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’m carrying with me into this next season?
I spent far too long caring what other people think.
It showed up in quiet ways—in how I showed up online, how I shaped my offers, how I second-guessed myself even when I knew something felt right. And I’m done with that.
That session with Ash cracked something open in me. I finally gave myself permission to stop waiting for external validation. To stop molding myself to other people’s expectations. To lead from a place of alignment, not approval.
It’s still a work in progress, but I’m choosing to let that version of me go.
The one who watered herself down.
The one who held back.
The one who kept her ideas quiet for fear of being too much.
She’s not coming into Q2 with me.
Another standout moment from Q1 was attending Mary Gallagher’s workshop on Money Mindset—and talk about timing.
I walked away with so many lightbulb moments about how our thoughts around money—many of which are rooted in childhood—can deeply influence the decisions we make as business owners today.
As women building big things, we’re constantly making decisions that shape the future of our businesses and lives. Financial ones especially. And it’s not just about strategy—it’s about alignment.
Mary’s session reminded me that our money mindset isn’t just about spreadsheets and profit margins. It’s about how we feel when we spend, invest, or save. And how important it is that our financial choices support the life we’re building.
And lucky for me, Mary and I are totally aligned in the belief that “expanding the garden” is always a good idea. 🌱😉
What Didn’t Go So Well in Q1
While there was so much to celebrate, Q1 wasn’t without its challenges.
I totally fell off the wagon with my steps goal—and daily movement in general. My walking pad? It gathered dust. Grief is hard.
But I’m happy to say that Q2 is already off to a brighter start. One of the absolute highlights of Q1 was welcoming baby Bea into our lives—our adorable new pup! She’s been keeping me busy and getting me back into the swing of daily walks. I’m so grateful we got her. Truly, the cutest little soul.
Another major bright spot? My garden.
We added a new fence, built a raised bed, and finally started planting for the season. I can’t wait to spend more time out there and watch the magic of those seeds slowly come to life.
And speaking of seeds… growing a garden is a lot like growing your presence on Pinterest.
You prep the flower bed.
You bring in the right soil.
You wait for the right time. And then—you plant.
And after all of that? You wait some more. You water. You give it sunshine. You trust the process.
Pinterest works the same way. You prep your profile—your bio, your Boards—like the soil and the bed. Then you start posting Pins (your seeds) with the right Pinterest keywords (the sunshine and water). And then… you wait. Because Pinterest growth isn’t instant. It’s slow. Intentional. Rooted.
But once those roots do take off? The bloom is stunning.
So if you’re feeling like things are slow—stay the course. Trust the process. Pinterest, much like gardening, is a joy when you let it be. And honestly? It’s the most positive platform we have. The content is uplifting, and the creators genuinely want to contribute something good to the world.
Marketing your business doesn’t have to come at the cost of your mental health.
It can be soft, joyful, and sustainable.
Just like sitting in your garden, barefoot and grateful.
If Q1 taught me anything, it’s that growth and grief can coexist. That you can build a thriving business even when your heart feels heavy. That rest and reflection are just as important as momentum and strategy. And that letting yourself be fully you — unfiltered, unperforming, unapologetic — is the most powerful move you can make in both life and business.
Here’s to planting seeds in faith, showing up as we are, and tending to our dreams with patience and purpose.
You’re doing better than you think. And the blooms? They’re coming. 🌸
