2025: Growth in All Its Forms

As we close out 2025, I’ve been thinking a lot about what growth really looks like.

Not the highlight-reel version.
Not the perfectly packaged wins.
But the real, lived-in kind of progress that happens when you keep showing up — sometimes boldly, sometimes quietly — and stay true to what matters most.

This year, Women for Women (W4W) members showed us that growth doesn’t come in just one form.

For some, it looked like choosing vulnerability — putting their authentic selves out into the world even when it felt scary or uncomfortable. And, discovering that honesty, again and again, creates connection, clarity, and opportunity.

For others, growth came through momentum and visibility: first-time exhibitions, extended shows, national recognition, licensing agreements, business growth, and stepping into rooms that once felt out of reach.

And for many, the most meaningful growth was quieter — but no less powerful.

It looked like letting go.
Releasing FOMO.
Stepping back instead of pushing forward.
Choosing rest, family, creativity, and alignment over burnout.
Saying no to what wasn’t the right fit and trusting that fewer, better opportunities would follow.

Again and again, the same truth surfaced: progress doesn’t always come from taking the next step. Sometimes it comes from the pause.

Voices from the Year

Throughout the year, members put words to what that growth looked like for them:

“Continuing to be vulnerable and put my authentic self out into the world is still the scariest thing — but it pays off every time. It’s a reminder to reconnect with why I’m doing this in the first place.”
— Alice

“Joining Women for Women expanded my brand’s visibility, but more importantly, it connected me with truly empowered women across so many industries.”
— Mary

“This was the first time I was able to show my work for an extended period. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
— Leigh

“Sometimes success came from what I didn’t do — stepping away, reconnecting with family and friends, and finding my confidence again.”
— Kathleen

“Doing shows with W4W gave me the courage to apply for bigger opportunities I never would have tried before.”
— Sarah

“Letting go of FOMO was a win. Not every show is the right fit — and that clarity changed everything.”
— Carolyn

Each reflection different.
Each one valid.
Each one pointing to the same truth: growth is personal — but encouragement makes it possible.

What made these moments even more powerful was how often community played a role.
Doing shows together led to confidence.
Shared conversations led to courage.
Seeing someone else take a leap made it feel possible to try.

This is the heartbeat of Women for Women.

Not competition.
Not comparison.
But connection.

A place where growth is honored in all its forms — loud and quiet, fast and slow. Where every win counts. Where your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to belong.

As we enter 2026 remember:

You don’t need to do it all.
You don’t need to chase every opportunity.
You don’t need to measure your success against anyone else’s timeline.

Growth is happening — even when it’s subtle, even when it’s slow, even when it looks different than you expected.

What you’re building matters.
And it matters even more when you’re building it in community.

Here’s to 2025. And to all that’s still ahead.

Just for Fun 🎶

As a final celebration, I had some fun exploring AI and turned it into a song that pretty much sums it all up.
🎶 Listen here.

If this reflection resonated, I also want to share a book that many Women for Members have been reading lately: Practical Productivity by our friend Monisha Longacre. I loved it because it reframes productivity in a way that feels realistic and kind — less hustle, more intention. It’s a great reminder that growth doesn’t have to be frantic to be meaningful.