As the year comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on both wins and, perhaps more importantly, losses.
By losses, we actually mean lessons. To quote every grandma ever: “You only truly lose if you fail to reflect and learn from the things that didn’t go as planned.” Or something like that.
At The Relish Jar, we celebrated many wins this year. Let’s take a look at them:
Wins
- Client Successes
Every time we helped our clients reach or surpass their goals, it felt like the ultimate win. Each opportunity to deepen connections with clients—both new and long-standing—sharpened our skills and allowed us to watch our clients soar. - Team Growth
Beyond literal growth (welcome, Julian!), it’s always rewarding to see us grow as a business and as a team. Watching each other level up as creatives inspires us all to stay nimble and ready to learn. - Internal Efficiency
As a newer business, getting established has been an exciting journey. This year, we fine-tuned our processes and procedures to ensure we’re operating at peak productivity without sacrificing the creative edge our customers expect. - Strengthening Relationships
Many of our clients have been with us for years, and we count every additional year with them as a win. Building long-term relationships allows us to deepen our understanding of who they are—both as people and as brands.
Lessons
- Missed Goals
Not every idea can be a home run (if only!). A campaign or two fell short of our expectations, but we made sure to dive deep and figure out why. These moments are valuable opportunities to grow and ensure we don’t repeat the same mistakes. - Client Struggles
Unfortunately, not every client is a perfect fit. While it’s never easy to tell a prospective customer that it’s not going to work out, it’s a necessary lesson in setting boundaries. We don’t want to waste anyone’s time, and we know it’s better to be honest if another agency could better meet their needs. - Adaptation Hurdles
Marketing trends come and go, and this year was no exception. With AI rapidly transforming the industry, staying ahead of trends was no small feat. For the most part, we succeeded—and the process kept us adaptable and present. - Budget Constraints
Oh, how we wish every campaign had a limitless budget! But alas, in these inflated times, budgets are a constant challenge. That said, constraints are a great catalyst for creativity. They forced us to think outside the box and deliver results regardless of the limits.
Looking back on 2024, it’s clear that this year was a mix of triumphs and teachable moments. Our wins remind us why we love what we do, and our lessons push us to keep improving. Each challenge faced helped us grow stronger as a team and more attuned to the needs of our clients.
As we step into 2025, we’re bringing with us all the insights, skills, and creativity we gained this year. To our clients, thank you for trusting us with your vision. To our team, thank you for your hard work and commitment. And to the challenges of the future—bring it on.