Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith. I was 21, a senior in college, and armed with a love for creativity and community. I had no idea then that a decade later, I’d be here—celebrating ten incredible years of Fashionably Frank Marketing.

This journey has been everything: exhilarating, challenging, deeply introspective, and full of growth. From those early days of juggling internships and first clients, to the confidence of building a team, to the resilience of navigating health challenges and rediscovering my boundaries, every year has shaped the business you see today.

As I step into the next chapter, I’m grateful for every lesson, every client, every challenge, and every win. Here’s to the next decade of creativity, growth, and showing up as our authentic selves.

Celebrating a Decade of Fashionably Frank Marketing

2015: The Leap of Faith

In 2015, Fashionably Frank Marketing was born out of a mix of youthful courage and a dash of uncertainty. At the start of my final year at The Evergreen State College, I took the plunge into the entrepreneurial world right after completing my first marketing internship at the Hands On Children's Museum here in Olympia, Washington. Shortly after, I started my second internship at Experience Olympia & Beyond, our local Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB).

That year was all about laying the groundwork, learning from mentors like Jillian and Jennifer, and discovering that small businesses were in desperate need of digital marketing. I learned the ropes of professional communication (and PR), the value of community connections, and the thrill of landing my first few clients, including a skilled pruner of Japanese maples who remains a web design client to this day.

It was a year filled with firsts and a whole lot of figuring things out on the fly. The digital marketing landscape was still relatively new, and I was navigating a world where not everyone even realized they needed a social media manager. But those early days taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the courage to start before you feel ready.

My initial branding this year was crafted by a friend who was extremely talented with her hand-calligraphed and watercolor art, and pulled rich gold and aqua tones (“Tiffany blue-inspired”, to be exact). This was before I really honed in on color psychology and I wanted something that would set me apart from every other girl who had a cliche, pretty pink brand. I used this branding for my personal lifestyle blog as well as my business.

2016: Building Confidence and Expanding Horizons

2016 was a year of growth and newfound confidence. My internship supervisor advocated for me to be hired on as communications department support at the Hands On Children’s Museum because she valued me that much, and I quickly found myself balancing that role with a stint as an interim social media coordinator for Experience Olympia & Beyond. It was a time of stretching my skills, learning the ropes of larger-scale projects, and discovering frameworks like Donald Miller’s StoryBrand that opened my eyes to the world of branding beyond just social media.

This year was also about expanding my horizons and realizing that I could offer more than just social content—I could dive into email marketing, blogging, website design, and even holistic branding with the help of a graphic design partner - additional elements I had also been self-teaching over the last decade and was fully obsessed with! It was a year of discovering that my business could be more multifaceted, and I started to build the confidence that maybe, just maybe, I could make a real impact in the local business community.

2017: Stepping Into My Own and Building Community

In 2017, I truly began to step into my own as a business owner. The year kicked off with my first official branding photoshoot around Olympia, capturing the essence of my brand and officially launching my reenvisioned website. I co-founded the Oly Girl Boss Collective with my friend Olivia, creating a welcoming networking space for local women entrepreneurs.

Midway through the year, I faced a pivotal moment when a well-known media company I worked with offered me a choice: either fold my clients into their operations or continue on my own - without them. I trusted my gut and chose independence, a decision that solidified my commitment to running my business on my own terms. This choice not only reinforced my confidence but also taught me the value of staying true to my vision. It was a year of community-building, forming deeper connections, and realizing that my voice had a place in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

2018: Embracing Community and Collaboration

In 2018, I took a bold step by opening my first office space at Stable Studios in downtown Olympia. I shared this creative space with two incredible new friends—Stephanie and Sydney—and together we created a hub of creativity and collaboration. Hosting events like a spot during ArtsWalk and our Oly Girl Boss Collective gathering, we fostered a space where local entrepreneurs could connect and grow.

This year was also about embracing the confidence that came from choosing my own path. I learned to stand my ground, value collaboration over competition, and build a business that reflected my authentic vision. It was a transformative year where I fully embraced my role as a business owner and laid the foundation for the next phase of growth.

2019: Growth, Interns, and New Challenges

In 2019, I moved into a new office space on the westside of Olympia and brought on my first intern, Lauren. She quickly became not just a team member, but a close friend. This was the year I also transitioned from doing everything myself to building a small, dedicated team of subcontractors. It was a year of balancing personal challenges with professional milestones, and realizing that I could (mostly) trust others to help carry the load.

This year also brought new challenges and opportunities. I learned to navigate the dynamics of leading a team, mentoring interns, and expanding my offerings in a way that felt authentic to me. It was a year of stretching my comfort zone and embracing the growth that comes with trusting others and expanding my horizons.

2020: Navigating a Global Shift and Finding Resilience

2020 was a year like no other. As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself navigating a landscape that tested every small business owner. Ironically, it became my best revenue year yet, as businesses quickly realized the importance of digital marketing and social media specifically. I partnered even more closely with my local collaborator Jennifer Crain, copywriter from Pearl & Ink, and we found creative ways to support our clients through the uncertainty.

This year was all about resilience and adaptability. I learned to pivot, to educate clients on the power of an online presence, and to show up even when everything felt uncertain. Despite the challenges, it was a year that reinforced the importance of community, support, and the ability to adapt in the face of global change.

During this year of reinvention and reflection, I took the opportunity to deep dive into redoing my branding with my close friend Kayla, a previous graphic design partner and now dear friend of mine. Kayla completely reimagined FFM and I couldn’t thank her enough - I am still IN LOVE with my brand 5+ years later! All of the details (and much improved color palette) truly convey everything I stand for and want my audience to feel when they see my visual branding, even down to the little icon details like the snapping finger manifesting the heart. Pure perfection!

2021: Finding Stability and Setting Boundaries

In 2021, stability became the theme. After the whirlwind of the previous year, I focused on creating a steadier rhythm, nurturing the clients I loved working with, and recognizing the importance of setting healthy boundaries. It was a year of refinement, stepping back from taking on interns, and realizing that I wanted to focus on the core of my business.

I found comfort in the stability of working with a dedicated team and ensuring that my business was built on mutual respect and collaboration. It was a year of refining my processes, enjoying a more balanced pace, and preparing for the next phase of growth with a stronger foundation.

2022: A Year of Personal Challenges and Growth

2022 was a deeply introspective year, marked by both personal challenges and moments of growth. A sudden health scare with vestibular hypofunction forced me to slow down, focus on recovery, and lean on the support of an incredible physical therapist. It was a year that reminded me of the importance of health, self-care, and the resilience needed to navigate unexpected obstacles.

Despite the challenges, 2022 also brought moments of joy, like getting engaged. It was a year of balancing the highs and lows, learning to set boundaries, and preparing myself for a stronger future. It was a reminder that sometimes, slowing down is necessary for long-term growth.

2023: A Transformative Milestone Year

2023 was a transformative year in every sense. I got married in October, and the experience of planning a wedding taught me invaluable lessons about working with other businesses as a client myself. I learned to appreciate what I admired in other vendors and further solidified how I wanted to show up for my own clients - I later detailed my discoveries about what planning my wedding taught me about small business in a blog post. Losing a major long-term client at the end of 2022 pushed me to refine my client relationships and prioritize alignment and communication.

It was a year of stepping fully into the next level of business ownership, refining my processes, and setting the stage for the next decade. I felt like I had truly graduated into a more mature, confident version of myself as a business owner, imposter syndrome fading away with the previous chapter.

2024-2025: Breaking Through Limits and Embracing New Horizons

2024 started with a slow winter but quickly turned into a year of pushing past old limits. I challenged my own fears, stepped out of my comfort zone, and landed my first city government contract by the winter. By 2025, I had embraced even bigger opportunities, including working with clients who require much more traveling than I have been accustomed to (and many I-5 driving trips, which I previously tried to avoid at all costs! I’m not a freeway girlie.). It became my best year yet, full of growth, new horizons, and the realization that when I push myself, I really can conquer anything.

It’s the dawn of a new chapter, and I’m ready for whatever comes next. I’ve matured as a business owner, and each year has shaped me into the person I am today. Here’s to the next decade!

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you’ve been here since year one or you’ve just joined the adventure. I can’t wait to see what we create together in the years to come.

Here’s to the next chapter! :)