Happy New Year! 2014 in Review...

With 2014 gone, I'm very pleased to welcome in 2015. Last year was a real rollercoaster of a year for me, there was really no down time and it was either massive highs or massive lows leaving me feeling a bit emotionally and physically wrung out come Christmas, especially after following what was one of the best years of my life in 2013. I spent the festive period disconnecting, resting, sleeping, grieving and just generally repairing myself, making myself stronger ready for next year.

2014 will be the year I remember as the year I...

* Took my product range from around 400 products to over 700 at last count, expanding into toys, bakeware, stationery and more

* Grew my company by almost 500% once again, I had thought this year would be quieter, apparently not! I don't think I'm programmed for quiet and laid back somehow...

* Launched lots of new product ranges including the World of Imagination, Charm Street Cuties and Dollybelles - you'll be seeing more of all of these this year!

* Won an award for my first ever toy just weeks after it's launch, it was also shortlisted for another prestigious award in association with John Lewis and was featured in the notonthehighstreet Christmas catalogue.

 

* Won a Spirit of Small Business Award acknowledging how far my business has come in just four years (I still can't quite believe it!) and appeared in a national newspaper

* Was appointed to the Board of Directors for CHA UK

* Launched our YouTube channel with a tour of Hurley HQ

* Did my first ever public speaking engagement at the CHA UK One Big Show (shortly followed by my second and third!)
* Exhibited at our first Trade Show - Top Drawer London and booked again for this year - yay!

* Had this quote sent to me by SO many people that it seemed to be everywhere I looked, it definitely kept me strong through some tough times.

* On a personal note, we lost my Dad, suddenly, unexpectedly, heartbreakingly, my Dad's loss overshadowed the whole year for me, with no time to grieve I was back on TV just a few days later (as he would have wanted) I coped the only way I know how, by throwing myself into my work, something where I feel in control, and keeping the faith.

 

* Spent all of my free time creating, drawing, writing, making, the results of which you'll see over the course of the next year or two...
* Collaborated with some fantastic companies including Freckled Fawn, DCWV, Filofax...

and Collectif London (who I'm continuing to be an ambassador for this year - yay!)

* Agreed and signed the biggest deal of my life in a Minnie Mouse onesie... (although I've already mentioned this a little bit, there will more about that next year too *wink*)

* Booked my first trip to the CHA Mega Show (next week - eeeeek!) and another public speaking engagement as I do my Creative Blogging seminar that I first done at the One Big Show, at the Mega Show for a bigger audience (there is still time to book here if you're attending!)

* Rediscovered my love of this geeky Harry Potter Game (I taught B to play so I'd have an opponent!) got some time to play with Lego (yay!) and snuggle this little snuggle buggle (I can't leave Fuzzybutt out of my round up as she spends every day by my side!)

Last year I chose a 'One Little Word' which was Sparkle, if I'm honest I'm not sure I managed it, I certainly didn't feel very sparkly at the end of it. This year I'm not sure I have a word, I do however have a plan (a big one!), goals and a direction, I've managed to change my life completely in the last four years and I've not finished yet! So for the year ahead, rather than a word, I'll be living by this...

Whenever you try to achieve something, there will always be doubters, haters, people who try and knock you back down (usually because they are scared you might actually do it, or because they are too unmotivated or scared to follow their own dreams - it's easier to criticise or laugh at someone else's!) I'd like to thank each and every one of them, their doubt, their laughter, their horrible  comments have all kept me going during the darkest of times and I'm very proud to be proving them wrong, while they focus on what I'm doing, I'm focusing on my dreams. (Please feel free to right click and save this quote as your desktop as a reminder to keep going for your dreams in 2015!)

Of course none of this would be possible without B (and Fuzzybutt!), my family, friends and team who keep me sane(ish), make me tea, wipe my tears and celebrate our successes and all of you for your support reading this blog, leaving me messages and comments here and on social media, visiting my website, buying my products and accompanying me on this journey, I love each and every one of you *mwah!* now lets put the kettle on and see what the year ahead has in store... 

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Freebie Friday! Documented365 December Journaling Cards

This week's Freebie Friday is a Documented365 December Journaling Card Set!

You can download this weeks freebie over on my website right here

I'd love to see what you do with yours - leave me your blog links in the comments if you'd like to share :o) 

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Sarah Hurley at Etsy House!

Today, I'm very excited and pleased to share, that for this weekend only you will be able to buy a selection of my products at the Etsy House pop up shop in Covent Garden, London! Pop along to check out all of the gorgeous products from a selection of Etsy sellers

You can read more about Etsy House here on their website - if you go, I'd love to see some pics and hear all about it, we are going to try and pop along if we can, I'd love to see my products there!

Thank you for dropping by today and sharing in my excitement!
Sarah x

Documented December!

It's that time of year again and Team Hurley are kicking off Documented December over on the Sarah Hurley365 blog! 

I used my Documented December kit with the Gold album (that was a tricky decision and it came right down to the last minute before I decided to go for gold!) Here is a little look at my intro page...

I've kept it very simple, spray painting the wooden number in the kit gold (what on earth did I do before I discovered gold spray paint???) and using it on my favourite paper in the kit with a little embellishment - I loved using the stamp and stitch stamps to add the stars!
I'll be showing you more of my album in a few days...

We'd love you to follow along with us and I look forward to seeing your projects - don't forget to hashtag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #documenteddecember and / or #sarahhurley so we can have a look and like and comment on your projects!

Thank you for dropping by today
Sarah x

Kalixa Spirit of Small Business Award - Last Chance to Vote!

You may remember a couple of weeks ago I announced that I had won the Kalixa Spirit of Small Business Award (yay!) now I need your help in the final stage, there are just a few hours to go to register your vote for the overall winner and a life changing prize. Although I'm super grateful to have come this far I would be over the moon and jumping for joy to win the final round.

Please, please, please take just second to register your vote, it's just one click! You can click here to register your vote now.

Thank you all so so much for your support, it really means so much - it's hard to believe it was just 4 years ago I was unemployed and down to my last £40 and decided to take a chance, that chance has paid off many many times and now I can give back by employing and mentoring others alongside continuing to grow my business - go for your dreams! :o)

Thank you for dropping by today and thank you to everyone who has voted, it truly means the world to me

Sarah x

One Buck Wednesday at Snap Click Supply!

Today is One Buck Wednesday over at Snap Click Supply! and this week you can snap up (see what I did there??) my 'Say Cheese' Paper Pack for just $1 and the matching elements for just $1.49 as well as lots of other bargainous goodies...

 

Click here to take a look!

Thank you for dropping by today

Sarah x

Freebie Friday! Tinseltown Christmas Journal

This week's Freebie Friday is a Tinseltown Journal Kit - perfect for making your own little 6 x " Christmas album!

You can download this weeks freebie over on my website right here

If I can be a little bit cheeky this week too please - the votes close soon for the business awards I've been shortlisted for - your vote could make all the difference! There are no forms to fill out or anything (unless you don't have Facebook) just one click - please! Just click here to vote for me - thank you!!

I'd love to see what you do with yours - leave me your blog links in the comments if you'd like to share :o)

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

Celebrating Milestones

Today I realised that in the last few days, with so much going on here at Hurley HQ, we had been so busy that we missed two very important milestones!!

Firstly, a few days ago marked four years since I launched my business with my first two products and just £40 left in the bank, I was absolutely terrified but had nothing left to lose, how much has changed since then!

Secondly, yesterday was the one year anniversary of Lisa's first day at Hurley HQ! As she is off on holiday and not here to celebrate with cake, I've eaten her chocolate marshmallows with my afternoon cuppa instead! ;o)

Thank you for dropping by today!
Sarah x

Sonny Angel Big Reveal & Giveaway!

Today I've been asked to take part in the Sonny Angel Big Reveal to celebrate ten years of Sonny Angel! They have teamed up with Laduree (yum) to create this cute patisserie collection of collectable dolls and this is your chance to win one...

A number of bloggers were all sent a Sonny Angel doll that we opened this morning at 11am in a live #bigreveal over on Twitter. I got mine last week so it was really difficult to resist the temptation of opening him!! These is the full range of what I could have had - there were 2 I really REALLY wanted...

 Luckily, I got one of them!!

Isn't he cute??

a couple of close ups...

 

Now you can win your very own Sonny Angel Doll! To enter just leave a comment below - you have until Sunday 26th at midnight GMT - we will draw a winner next week (please note that due to the rules of the PR company running the competition I will only be able to select a UK winner) If you simply can't wait to see if you're a winner you can get hold of Sonny Angel dolls at Kind Toys.

You can see more Sonny Angel Big Reveal posts from the other bloggers over on Twitter using the hashtag #bigreveal

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

I Couldn't Care Less! and Here's Why...

I'm guessing you've probably read the title of this post and though, "huh??? is she having a meltdown?" erm... no, no I'm not, but what I have had, over the past few weeks / months / years, is clarity and today I want to share why in the hope it may help some of you reach your clarity too!

So, the story starts a few weeks ago (though probably before that - this is really the last straw moment) I was at a business function and I had the opportunity to meet another business person who I had admired for some time. As I chatted to this person the realisation hit me that I actually didn't like them and I certainly didn't admire them any more, the way they spoke to me made me feel smaller and smaller and smaller until on the way home I actually felt so rotten I could cry.

Once I'd got past feeling upset, I started to get angry, how dare they speak to me like that and make me feel that way! B pointed out to me that maybe this person felt threatened, insecure, so tried to make me feel that way in return - you'll often find the people that try to hurt you or make you feel small are actually feeling insecure themselves and use this as a way to make themselves feel better - it doesn't work.

It was really, right at that moment, that I realised, I couldn't care less. I didn't care if that person liked me or not, if they thought I had done a good job or not, if they understood what I had achieved or not, it didn't matter, because I was happy with all of that, if they don't get it, thats their loss. My achievements speak for themselves. I'm happy.

At the beginning of my business, though I didn't realise it at the time, I was actually in a very strong place, because I had nothing, therefore I had nothing to lose - it's a powerful thing. A year or so in, I lost my power, I started to want people to like me instead of focusing on my business goals - I thought I could never get my product range started without a manufacturer / distributor backing me (I did!) or that if a certain company didn't like me I was doomed to fail (not the case!) I found myself backing down in meetings, accepting things I didn't really want to happen, because I wanted the approval of other people. I wanted to make the haters like me, make people stop underestimating me and take me seriously - I wish I could go back and give myself a good shake quite honestly! Instead of focusing on that, I should have been focusing on my goals and where my business was headed.

So, almost four years on, the last year or two with absolutely the right focus on what I want to achieve and with sheer hard work and determination, my business has grown amazingly beyond what I dreamed! I get to work with those people who actually looked at what I could do and what I had achieved and what I was capable of doing, those people who believed in me, listened to me, took me seriously (they're awesome!) my business is still growing month on month and all I'll say for the future is watch this space!!

I still get people underestimate me - but now I use that to motivate me and the right ones believe in me, the right ones see what Ive achieved and know if I say I'm going to do something, it's best to get prepared because that's exactly what's going to happen! I don't need the approval of anyone else except my team, my customers / readers / viewers and my clients and they are all 100% behind me (that includes you by the way, you rock!) and the best thing is, since I decided I couldn't care less, since I let go of all of that stuff, better doors have opened, more of the right people have come my way, more of the good stuff thats right for me is happening and it feels wonderful, because it's not forced, I'm not fighting for it (I'm working damn hard for it, but not fighting, theres a difference!)

So, my lesson from this, which I hope you'll take away, is never let anyone else make you feel small, be proud of what you've achieved ALWAYS - some people go faster, some people go slower, some people are aiming for different things, thats OK. Just because someone has a bigger business / car / house etc... than you doesn't mean they are more successful - if you're doing exactly what you want, when you want with you who you want and ticking off the things on your goal list, you're just as successful, maybe even more so! Success is different for everyone. If you work hard and keep going in the direction of your dreams then great things can happen and if anyone underestimates you, don't let them make you feel small, smile to yourself, think 'I couldn't care less!' and move forward with grace and dignity and  show them how it's done!

Thank you for dropping by today
Sarah x

p.s. don't forget to vote for me in the Spirit of Small Business Awards, click here to vote - every single vote counts and makes a difference, THANK YOU!!

p.p.s please feel free to download the quote above to use as your screensaver / wallpaper etc... we all need some daily motivation!

Freebie Friday! Halloween Treat Bag

This week's Freebie Friday is a Halloween Treat Bag SVG Die Cutting File! Line the bags with coloured or patterned paper to make the spooky words really stand out!

You can download this weeks freebie over on my website right here

I'd love to see what you do with yours - leave me your blog links in the comments if you'd like to share :o)

Thank you for dropping by today!

Sarah x

p.s. don't forget to vote for me in the Spirit of Small Business Awards, click here to vote - every single vote counts and makes a difference, THANK YOU!!

Sarah Hurley Wins Kalixa Spirit of Small Business Award!

So today I can share some BIG news with you, I'm so excited to announce that a couple of weeks ago I was told I had won the Kalixa Pro Spirit of Small Business Award as the best sole trader! I popped off to London last week to collect my lovely award...

and today, there is a big feature in the Daily Mirror on all of the award winners...

Including me!!

So this is where I'd be SUPER grateful for your help - all of the 12 category finalists now go forward to a public vote to win the overall outstanding Small Business of the Year award and a massive £10,000 prize! I can't tell you how much this would mean to me - it seems bizarre that less than 4 years ago I had just £40 and an idea, a dream, that I could create things that would make people happy, make them want to create things too, that I could make award winning toys that children love and that help them to learn and use their imagination, that I could write stories and books, appear on TV and inspire people to craft and discover things that they are good at. I never imagined I would have over 600 products at this point, sold in lots of lovely places around the world, that I would be on the board of directors for CHA UK helping to build the industry and help other people like me who wanted to make something happen for themselves, that I would be able to employ people (I couldn't even find myself a job back then!!) and mentor other small businesses and watch them flourish and grow and yet just 4 years later here I am! I'm totally thrilled to win this one as it's the first award for me personally (others I've won have been for my products - which of course I love too!!) so I hope you'll spare just a minute to click here and vote for me!

Thank you all so SO much!

Lots of Love

Sarah x