It’s been one whole year since that nervous moment of the registry folks telling me that Unspun Communications, at least in name, was mine.

Owning my own business used to be a utterance—a hex of sorts—but a happy place in my mind. When I first imagined getting into communications as a career, I thought getting into companies to help them sort out what’s working and what could work better might be fun. Step in; step out. But life happened and I found myself pursuing different opportunities.

One of those opportunities was leading digital communications for the Government of Alberta, a mostly pushing the rock uphill every day sort of endeavour to create what could be a better experience for people in the province. And it happened with the work of a lot of good people and the faith of those who loaned me resources, encouragement, and sometimes both. All the while, I muttered the idea that one day, I would take this team and build an agency that could bring bold visions into practice.

And more life happened. So much more life that I eventually found myself asking if not now—if not taking that step to provide the service I’d want to receive from a thinking partner—then when?

It’s been a year.

I had not once been starstruck about the freedom of working on my own; I listened to what friends who had embarked on their own entrepreneurial journeys before me had said. I also listened to people whose advice fell on me like anvils from the sky. Well-meaning people, mind you, whose advice works well for extroverts. Not for me. I am terrible at networking, cold calling, and inserting myself into conversations. These are the modes that seem to be de rigeur for getting noticed. Trying to fit into this would come across as inauthentic, and that’s not me either. But those doubts, they pulled hard at me. Could I be out on my own without succumbing to some different version of me to start and sustain my business? Who was I trying to fool? Of this, there was no doubt at all: who I am and how I operate has not made this easier. But who said any of this would be easy?

I am good at listening. At paying attention. At being present. At offering sound advice. And maybe these qualities show a different capacity for helping people (clients, even) to see me for what I can bring to them: something unexpected. That’s what I’ve always really wanted to do.

It’s been a year—professionally and personally. At the end of it, or maybe, at the beginning of this new year, I know I have steeped in trials. The one small success? Being here still to celebrate. And actually celebrating.