Hey friend!
2024 was one for the books! It was full of excitement, challenges, and life-changing moments.
Join me as I reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons I learned along the way.
The Ups & Downs of...
I kicked off 2024 with so much excitement and hype. I had just launched Lunar Lens Studios, complete with a fresh logo and a new name. I thought this was it. This was going to be the year my business soared, the year I’d finally provide for my family in the way I dreamed. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go that way at all.
The new brand brought as much confusion as clarity. The truth is, logos, colors, and posts don’t mean much without structure or a plan. And when I say structure, I’m not just talking about business processes—although that’s important, too. I’m talking about internal structure.
Starting and running a business will expose every insecurity, fear, and unresolved issue you’ve buried deep down. One of the first things I heard when I started out was, “Your business will only grow as much as you do.” Back then, that fired me up because I had all this energy and excitement. I thought, “Let’s go—I’m about to go far!” But in reality, pursuing this dream brought out some hard truths about myself.
In 2024, I had to face my fears, insecurities, and self-doubt head-on. Some weeks, all I could manage was going to my 9-to-5—working for someone else’s dream while mine felt stuck on the back burner. And when you know you’re not doing what you’re called to do, that weighs heavy.
That little voice in your head? It’s relentless. It whispers things like:
"You can’t do this."
"You’re just going to embarrass yourself."
"No one even likes you—why would they trust you?"
Living with that day in and day out makes it hard to see your own value. And the hardest part? Some people see those cracks and exploit them instead of building you up.
Business Downs
But it wasn’t all bad! I hit a huge milestone: my first $1,000 month. It might not seem like much, but to me, it was God’s way of showing me that this dream is still possible. I just need to keep going, keep learning, and trust His timing.
Another high point was getting published in two articles, which you can check out [here]. Shout out to whoever anonymously referred me to Voyage! Your kindness means the world.
And the biggest win? Finding my niche. I decided to focus on brand photography, which lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It’s not that I don’t love photographing all kinds of things, but narrowing my focus helped me define my style and streamline my business.
Business Ups
2024 was tough financially. Even though I started the year with a job as a lead photographer, the studio’s season ended just before the year began. Finding work was a struggle, and I was holding onto a dream I wasn’t fully acting on, weighed down by limiting beliefs.
I eventually started a new job as a counselor for an after-school program. On one hand, it was fulfilling because I love working with kids—teaching was a dream of mine before I pivoted to business. But on the other hand, the pay wasn’t enough for “grown man responsibilities.”
I was also living with my ex and her mom. I’m so grateful for their support, but as a man, not being able to provide for my partner the way I wanted weighed heavily on me. Then, in July—just a day before my birthday—my ex and I found out we were going to be parents.
I was thrilled man! Scared because the things I just mentioned.. but I was thrilled to become a Dad. We later learned she was miscarrying. I know I am a man, and I did not have to personally go through it... but man... watching someone you love go through that kind of pain is shattering. It’s a helplessness I wouldn’t wish on anyone - man or woman.
Remember how I said starting a business will expose you? Well on top of that, this was the cherry on the cake, a very nasty cake... my feelings of unworthiness intensified. I began to feel unworthy of everything and anything good in my life. That led to, what we'll call soul-searching, and ultimately to the end of my relationship.
Then on top of that, my car kicked the bucket right after the break up! A brotha couldn't catch a break y'all...
Personal Downs
But there were bright spots, too. I got to be the best man at my friend’s wedding and photograph another good friend’s wedding at a beautiful, untraditional outdoor venue. Sitting around campfires with loved ones reminded me how important connection and joy are.
And when times got really hard for me, my family showed up like I never thought they would. To say I am grateful for them, even though they kind of drive me up a wall - 🫶🏾 - it would be an understatement.
Personal Ups
Lessons learned
Through everything I went through this year—losses, setbacks, and heartache—I learned that God’s presence is constant, even when life feels overwhelming. There were times when I wanted to give up on everything, but in those moments, His voice would break through, reminding me of His love and pushing me forward when I felt too weak to take another step.
I realized that building a relationship with God is more than just praying when things go wrong or thanking Him when they go right. It’s about trusting Him even when you don’t understand the plan. In my hardest moments, I found comfort in surrendering my struggles to Him and knowing He’s working all things for good—even when I can’t see it yet.
Faith First
One of the most powerful lessons I learned this year is the importance of balance in giving. I’ve always been the type to go above and beyond for others, often at my own expense. But over time, I realized how draining that can be when it’s not reciprocated.
There’s a video of a homeless man being asked how he ended up on the streets. His response stuck with me:
"I gave the shirt off my back too many times, and when I needed a sleeve, they wouldn’t give it."
That hit home for me. It’s not about keeping score or expecting people to owe you, but there has to be a balance. Constantly pouring into others without refilling your own cup leaves you depleted. And when you finally need help, it’s heartbreaking to realize that some people you’ve helped won’t even show up for you.
This year, I learned that being of service is a beautiful thing, but it needs boundaries. You can’t be your best self for others if you’re running on empty. Choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary to continue showing up for the people who truly matter.
Balance in Giving (this is for the people pleasers)
Here’s the thing: You don’t know what you don’t know... until you know. You know?
For most of 2024, I struggled with feelings of unworthiness. When my business didn’t meet my expectations, I beat myself up for every failure and setback. But what I’ve come to realize is that those so-called failures were just stepping stones. They were teaching me what I didn’t know so I could learn and grow.
I’m not where I want to be yet, but that doesn’t mean I never will be. Only because I am not a six figga… man, now, doesn’t mean I won’t be. I don’t know a single person in my life who makes that in a year. I don’t know a lot of people who make that in 4 years - if I knew Chris brown maybe he could tell me how to make that in 2 days 🥁. Success isn’t about where you start; it’s about how you keep going, even when the path is unclear, and define it for yourself.
Failure isn’t the end—it’s a teacher. And the more I embrace that, the more I see that my setbacks are part of a bigger plan. I have my vision, but I’m learning to surrender the rest to God, trusting Him to guide me forward.
Grace & Growth
Turning Lessons Into Growth in 2025
So, what’s next? It’s 2025—a fresh year, but I’m not walking into it with the typical “new year, new me” mindset. Truth is, I’m still the same person I was at 11:59 PM on December 31, 2024. What’s different now is my perspective.
Last year taught me so much about resilience, faith, and self-discovery. I’ve realized that the power to change doesn’t come from a new calendar year—it comes from the decisions I make every single day. I can choose to carry the habits and patterns that led to depression, anxiety, and brokenness. Or I can choose to take those lessons, reshape them, and move forward with intention.
This year, my theme is FOCUS. It’s not just about setting goals—it’s about being intentional with my time, energy, and faith. Here’s what I’m focusing on in 2025:
- Focus on my relationship with God. Building a strong foundation in faith is my top priority. I want my life and actions to reflect His love so others can experience it, too.
- Focus on showing up for my family. Whether it’s through quality time, words of encouragement, or simply being present, I want to strengthen the relationships that mean the most to me.
- Focus on pursuing and growing my business. I’ve learned so much about what it takes to build a sustainable business, and now it’s time to put that knowledge into action. This year is all about consistency and growth.
- Focus on exploring more of this beautiful world. Life is short, and I want to embrace new experiences, travel to new places, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
- Focus on building new relationships and nurturing old ones. Community is everything. I want to invest in connections that inspire growth, both personally and professionally.
- Focus on becoming a better man. Whether it’s as a son, a friend, or an entrepreneur, I want to show up as the best version of myself in every role I play.
2025 feels like a blank canvas, full of possibilities. I’m excited to see where focus and faith will take me this year, and I’m praying you feel the same sense of opportunity. Let’s make this year one to remember, not because of what happens to us, but because of what we choose to create with it. What is your theme/focus for this year?
Peace,
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