The Sticky Note Effect

There's an interesting thing that happens when you run a business — you get this itch, this feeling that pulls you to go in a different direction that’s impossible to ignore.

At least that's what happened to us.

Over the last several years, we've kept our business model the same since starting Skye High. Don't get me wrong - during that time, we've changed so much of our process and our systems (among other things), but fundamentally we've been a service-oriented business - always providing a service to our clients, specifically custom brand and web design/development for the kick-ass, influential people you know and love. 😍

It can feel all consuming just getting through the day-to-day, and we weren't actively setting aside time to brainstorm new ideas that could move the needle and push our company in new directions. It felt as though we were constantly trying to catch up.

However, things started shifting.

It started late last year when we mapped out our goals as a visioning exercise for 2024. We stood there in our shared office, literally posting giant sticky notes on the wall, chatting about our goals and vision for Skye High. Since then, it just kept evolving and spurring new ideas.

Maybe these impossible to miss florescent pick sticky notes finally gave us the momentum we needed to make some big changes, but whatever the reason, things started happening.

Change #1. We finally followed through with our podcast.

It's so easy to say you want to do something, and for years I'd been nagging Yoni to help get our podcast started. But then we'd de-prioritize it yet again and move onto something new or continued focusing our growing client list. So what finally changed? We made a plan and held ourselves accountable. We put dates on the calendar to sync up about episodes. We emailed potential interviewees. We had our developer create the page on our website to house future episodes. We recorded, edited and edited again…Yoni's still editing. Moral of the story: we stopped talking and started doing. Oh, and btw, launching Wed, March 13th! 🎉

Change #2. We focused on one goal: GROW. Our list, following, and engagement.

We decided this is the year to grow – socially. Social media was the first piece. Deciding to hire a social media manager to use the platform strategically and effectively and in ways that will add to our list. That was a HUGE learning and ultimately led us to a place we feel excited about.

Change #3. We got serious about hiring the right roles.

Don't get me wrong - all our hires have been huge assets to Skye High, but what was game-changing for us personally was deciding to focus our hiring efforts around 2 roles that would alleviate a lot of Yoni and my time and energy. Senior Web Designer and Project Manager. Again - HUGE.

Change #4. Thinking bigger.

Lastly, it was the slow realization that we were ready for a bigger shift. We finally closed the template shop, but that wasn’t enough. While we love working closely with our clients to help bring their brands to the next level, it was time to expand. Add another arm to our business and venture into new lands: creating and selling digital content. Such as…

• Masterclasses
• Courses
• Membership Community
  …and who knows what else?!

The truth is that throughout the years of running our business, we’ve learned a LOT. Whether it’s on creating a successful business with your partner and doing it effectively, while honoring your values and boundaries, or how to run a business that can also financially support your family.

Since we officially joined forces 3+ years ago, we've been able to take Skye High to the next level, and now we're excited to share our learnings and advice with others who may be struggling to grow, scale, book clients, make enough money, etc.

Why am I telling you this?

Maybe I'm looking for some validation (are we doing the right thing??) but honestly, I'm really just curious -

Have YOU felt that itch?

Have you changed your business model in a drastic way?

If so, how'd it go for you?

At the end of the day, I believe in trusting my instincts (while still being strategic and thorough).

Maybe it'll be the best move for our business, and maybe it'll be the worst … but we'll never know if we don’t try.

So, that is what we'll do.