
As 2021 comes to a close, I took some time to reflect back as we prepare for the new year. These final weeks of 2021 are a time of thankfulness, excitement, and even sadness.
2021 was not the year it was supposed to be. It was not an easy year or even a joyous year. If I had to describe 2021 in one word, it would be ”mountainous.” That one single word captures the height of the highs, the depth of the lows, and the incredibly difficult journey through it all.
IT ALL CHANGED IN A BLINK
Last year at this time, the excitement of a new year with new possibilities and opportunities was overflowing. As a management team, we were wrapping up our new positioning strategy and business model, and I was making headway on our new website. After years of research, we were just a few months away from launching. To say that 2021 was filled with ambitious plans is an understatement.
However, just one week into January, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And, because I was the lead on the new launch, my diagnoses quickly took the plans and, what felt like at that moment, crushed them. All the momentum that had been building for years disappeared. It was like we were flying a 1,000 mile an hour high and then came to a complete stop within seconds. Life just did a complete 180 with a two-minute phone call.
With Donovan by my side, our new year started with a multitude of doctor’s appointments and a rollercoaster of emotions. Having to face doctor’s appointments alone per COVID-19 policy, I was constantly faced with what I would now call “character-building” moments. It was a whirlwind – and that is an understatement.
From January to July, I had five biopsies, 6 rounds of chemo, and too many doctor’s appointments and needle pricks to count. All followed by two surgeries in August and November and even an emergency three-day hospital stay. While I had to do each one on my own due to COVID, I was surrounded by the most supportive team of doctors, family, and staff. Looking back, I could not be more grateful for the people I have in my life, professionally and personally.
From the time I was diagnosed, I was told to take it easy, take time off of work, rest and relax. But, as I settled into the idea that I had cancer and the realities of the journey ahead, I strangely became more and more excited about what lies ahead for 17hats.
I knew that Donovan and I had to find a way to persevere for our own mental health, but also for our employees and the 17hats community. I was determined to push through the pain, grief, and emotion and continue to lead by setting a positive example.
GAINING MOMENTUM
Once we all settled into the reality that 2021 would look different from other years, the momentum that was swept away started to build back. I became more and more grateful for the decisions made in 2019 and 2020. We had a small but mighty team with processes and procedures in place. These processes allowed me to recover as needed and for Donovan to be able to care for me as well.
Oddly enough, as business owners, when you step away, and the business keeps progressing without you, there is a feeling of accomplishment. Together with Rhesa (co-founder and CTO of 17hats) it was a moment of pride for the business we built.
In May, after years of research, we grandfathered in our existing members, and we launched our new plans and business model, which includes a new website, new positioning statement, new pricing structure, and a new upgrade/downgrade path for members. 17hats has traditionally been the all-in-one platform for businesses 3 years and older; however, with our new plans, we open ourselves up to capturing businesses just getting started and then continue to grow with them. To finally have the plans launched was definitely a high on the mountainous journey.
Directly after the plans launched, we announced our ambassador program. And, in August, we had our first monthly call with our 100+ new ambassadors. Since launch, we have had monthly calls, open office hours, additional learning opportunities, and sponsorships which have been so exciting to be a part of.
While 17hats has always been a technology, the vision is much, much greater. And, 2021, regardless of health issues, allowed us to make two giant steps forward in bringing that vision to reality.
Oh, and speaking of technologies, we released a variety of valuable features in 17hats. Starting with recurring billing, saved card data, and automatic payments for payment plans. These three huge features in one, allows our members to get paid even faster. Client Portal Project Filtering was also introduced so that members can turn off and on different projects in Client Portal. Client Portal Event Filtering soon followed. Project Tags and Default Project Name were added to Lead Capture Form settings. And, File Upload was added to Questionnaires. These member-facing features were on top of the numerous small improvements (such as a search bar in products and services and quick date select in reporting) and backend updates (such as security audits and updates for each integration). To see 17hats growing stronger and stronger is always exciting.
SETBACK OF EMOTIONS
As I stated in the beginning, it was a mountainous year. And November brought another low as we lost Donovan’s dad in a tragic car accident in Australia. Peter was 17hats’ biggest fan. He wore his 17hats shirts proudly and spoke about his son’s business to anyone willing to listen.
His own business journeys influenced Donovan’s entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. And his “go get ‘em attitude” helped keep Donovan motivated through it all. Peter played a major role in the creation of 17hats, and his bigger-than-life personality will definitely be missed for years to come.

REFLECTION ON THE PAST YEAR
I do believe everything in life happens for a reason, so as I sit here writing this, I let my mind wander as to why did the year play out as it did? That answer, I may never know, but I can say that with the journey this year, we grew.
Going through chemo and leading a team, I found that each accomplishment took so much more energy and hardship, which allowed me to find more appreciation in each step. While this year was a slower-paced year for technology builds (which I know is a continued topic of conversation in the Facebook Community), it was a year of much-needed business building and growth.
I am very proud of what our team has been able to complete, given the circumstances of 2021. How we were able to pull together, develop together, and take on new challenges that made us stronger.
As I look forward to the grand plans of 2022, I am excited as we are once again growing momentum for the future growth of the 17hats community and the growth and success of each 17hats member.