2025 Business Reflection: Lessons & Building Differently in 2026

This 2025 business reflection is about a year that stretched me in ways I didn’t see coming—through motherhood, rebuilding my business, and redefining who I thought I had to be to make things work.

As I head into 2026, I’m no longer chasing more.
Instead, I’m choosing better—for my business, my family, and the life I’m building.

This post is part reflection, part reset, and part looking ahead. I’m sharing what 2025 actually looked like behind the scenes, the lessons it forced me to learn, and how it’s shaping what comes next for Monarch Design Co. and The Self Made Life Podcast.

Welcome to 2026 (and Real Life)

If you’re new here, I’m Ashley—a brand and web designer, creative director, and mom of two building a business in real-life seasons, not perfect ones. I have two under two, and life is very full.

At the beginning of January, I finally sat down to reflect on what 2025 truly required of me. It wasn’t a year of pushing harder or scaling at all costs. Instead, it was a year of shedding what no longer fit.

Fittingly, 2025 was the Year of the Snake—a year associated with release and growth. As we step into 2026, the Year of the Horse, everything feels faster, clearer, and more grounded. I’m ready for it.

A 2025 Business Reflection: What This Year Really Looked Like

In 2025, I welcomed our second baby in March. I navigated postpartum anxiety and depression that hit harder than I expected. At the same time, I became the sole income provider for my family for half the year.

Because of those realities, my maternity leave was short—about three weeks. Shortly after, I brought my newborn to a networking event, not because it was glamorous, but because it was necessary.

Was it hard? Absolutely.
Was it my strongest year on paper? No.
Still, all things considered, it was a year that taught me resilience in ways nothing else could.

Looking back, this season exposed what wasn’t sustainable. Two back-to-back maternity leaves showed me exactly where my business model cracked. Add tax hiccups, a slower summer, limited childcare, and simply not enough hours in the day—and something had to change.

Learning to Build With Support (At Home and in Business)

One of the biggest shifts in 2025 came when we brought in more support at home.

We hired a nanny twice a week, and that decision changed everything. It gave me protected time to work, helped us stay on top of daily life, and removed a massive amount of mental load.

At the same time, we leaned into grocery delivery and meal prep support. These weren’t indulgences—they were strategic decisions that protected my energy and time.

The biggest lesson here was simple: support isn’t a luxury.
It’s infrastructure.

The Lessons I’m Carrying Forward From 2025

1. Systems only need to work, not be perfect

For years, I chased the “ideal” setup. In contrast, 2025 taught me to simplify. I stripped back my systems, kept what worked, and let go of unnecessary complexity.

2. Being booked doesn’t always mean being profitable

This year, I stopped reacting to slow months and started looking at my business in quarters. Revenue without breathing room comes at a cost, and I’m no longer willing to pay it.

3. Boundaries protect delivery

Support doesn’t mean access 24/7. As a result, I now schedule emails, protect work hours, and show up more clearly for clients—without burning out.

4. Identity shifts are allowed

I’m not the same designer I was in 2018—or even last year. Growth means stepping into new versions of yourself, and for me, that meant leaning into leadership and direction.

Refreshing Monarch Design Co. (and Why It Started With a Mug)

At the end of 2025, I refreshed Monarch Design Co.’s branding. Surprisingly, it started with a simple Yeti mug.

I love gifting personalized mugs to branding clients, and I wanted one for myself during busy mornings and school drop-offs. That moment turned into a full brand reflection—going through the same process I guide my clients through.

As a result, Monarch’s updated branding reflects who I am now, not who I was trying to keep up with. I’ll be rolling that refresh out throughout 2026.

👉 Learn more about our Services here

Why I Joined Scale with Confidence

As I looked toward 2026, I joined Scale with Confidence, a program led by Jen from Hello June Creative.

This wasn’t about fixing something broken. Instead, it was about refining what already works and setting my business up for long-term sustainability.

Jen’s micro agency model resonated deeply, especially as a mom building a business in a full season of life. I wanted cleaner offers, predictable delivery, better margins, and a structure that supports motherhood rather than competing with it.

Shifting Into a Micro Agency Model

In 2026, Monarch Design Co. is officially shifting into a micro agency model.

That doesn’t mean bigger.
It means better supported.

I’m stepping fully into the creative director role—leading vision, strategy, and client experience—while working with trusted designers and specialists to execute. This shift ensures I’m no longer the bottleneck and allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality results without overextension.

What’s Changing in 2026 (and What’s Staying)

Here’s what’s staying:

• Strategy-led branding and website design
• High-touch, thoughtful client experience
• Deep care for client outcomes

This is changing:

• Fewer scattered offers
• Clear flagship paths
• More structured timelines
• Less reactive work

We’re moving away from frequent VIP days and into focused intensives—two weeks for branding, two weeks for websites—so clients gain momentum without drawn-out timelines.

Goals for 2026: Business and Life

Business goals:

• Fewer projects with stronger margins
• A steady pipeline without panic
• A trusted, supported team
• Being known for direction, not just design

Life goals:

• More present evenings
• Less mental load
• Rest without guilt

I’m also making space for creativity outside of work—knitting, baking sourdough, and slowing down in ways I haven’t allowed myself to in years. Most importantly, I want my kids to see a mom who’s proud of her work and available to her life.

If You’re in a Transition Season Too

If what used to work doesn’t fit anymore, hear this clearly:

You’re not behind.
You’re becoming more intentional.

Sometimes growth doesn’t look loud. Instead, it looks steady, supported, and sustainable. That’s the energy I’m carrying into 2026—and I’m really glad you’re here for it.

Want to Listen Instead?

This reflection comes from a solo episode of The Self Made Life Podcast. If this resonated, share it with a friend who’s building something meaningful in a full life—or follow along as I continue building differently in 2026.