This year was nothing like I expected it to be. In some ways it was great but in reality, it was pretty brutal. It beat us down but 2025 is here to build us back up again!
I always like to do a recap to look back on so here it is…
Personal Highlights
We Moved House! 🏡
We started 2024 homeless and hopeless. After a full year, the seller of our now home finally let us in April 2024. Phoebe had a year to plan so we got straight to it knocking down walls, and redoing the kitchen!
I Changed Jobs 💼
Last January, I was super low and my job role wasn’t helping. In May, I transitioned out of day-to-day client services into a growth role with DHD. This brought more freedom and I also went down to 4 days a week to have more time for Hotties and other projects. Fridays Off = Game Changer.
Fell In Love With Fitness again 🏊🏻🏃🏻🚴🏻♂️
After a rocky time, in August I finally got back on the fitness wagon. I was forced into it after signing up to a sprint triathlon. I ramped up training for 4 weeks and completed a sprint duathlon & triathlon in quick succession. After these feats it all went to pot but I picked up swimming and now swim weekly!
Travel ✈️
Lanza/Itay 🇪🇸🇮🇹
We escaped the cold in February and jetted for a wild week starting with 4 days in sunny Lanzarote before heading straight to Milan for a slightly too adventurous ski trip in the Italian mountains.
London For Abe & Marie’s Wedding 🇬🇧
I stepped up for best man duties for a best friend’s wedding in Shoreditch – it was magical
2 Weeks In Montenegro & Croatia 🇲🇪🇭🇷
A much needed escape from our reality and time with Phoebe. This trip was timely & healing.
France, Lake Annecy For Phil’s 30th 🇫🇷
Sophisticated stag vibes in the nicest villa I’ll ever stay in on Lake Annecy with the lads. I would move here in a heartbeat.
London & Lisbon For Work 🇬🇧🇵🇹
I ended the year’s travel with work trips with DHD to London & Lisbon in quick succession. Both were flat to the mat but we might some great people along the way!
Business Highlights 👔
Hotties Chocolate (My small batch hot chocolate biz) 🍫
Despite having less time than ever and the cost of cocoa rising like crazy, Hotties managed to have a decent year at Hotties!
- Sales grew ever so slightly
Market sales were up 15%. Online sales grew by 9%. Overall sales grew 20%.
- Coffee Shop accounts increased
The Hotties name, 3 years in is starting to hold some weight and as a result, we gained more wholesale coffee shop accounts.
- Fewer but better markets/events!
I was more selective with my markets and it paid off. Less but better!
Conclusion
It was great to see sales growing even with my limited time, however, due to the massive rise in costs, Hotties made less this year even with a 20% increase in sales!
Best Investments 📈
- Antique Writing Box from 1887. A beautiful gift from my wife Phoebe which I write on daily.
- Crypto & S&P 500. Legit investments that moved the needle.
- Hoka Hiking Boots. Feel I can walk over anything.
- Standing Desk. Makes me feel healthier daily.
- Swimming Earplugs. So simple yet effective.
- 2 pairs of Uniqlo Trousers from Vinted. £8 each!
The Bad Stuff 👎🏻
Look every year there is so much to be thankful for. I tend to try and reflect on the good over the bad but this year there were a few big lows which changed us forever. The house situation mixed with a hard time at work was hard to get through but we finally made it out this bad spell in May.
In June, just as things were looking up we got hit with a sudden loss in the family that has altered our life’s forever. It is something you never expect and when it happens any pain or hardship you faced previously seemly like nothing at all.
Healing will happen slowly but we know God will guide us through it in 2025!
Hopes & Dreams For 2025 💭
On a more upbeat note I always try and come up with some hopes & dreams for the year to come!
In 2025 I want to:
- Write more
- Publish more
- Exercise more
- Eat better
- Travel more
- Adventure on weekend
- See more friends on weeknights
- Start a new biz or two
- Spend more time with God
- Consume less
- & many more
But the biggest mindset or goal this year is to Take Bigger Swings 🏏
I have played it to save for to long. Time seems to be moving fast than ever and I don’t want fear to stop me trying more and taking some bigger risks!
I’m going to be 29 this year which is practically 30th. Let’s see what I can get up to before then!
Thanks for reading
-Reuben
Reuben McFeeters 