So how was your year? Mine got off to a promising start and then sort of just went a little flat — and then, of course, ended up skidding to a screeching halt with this stupid busted wrist. That has definitely been a new and scary adventure in self-employment.

For starters, I had planned to get back into the competition ring this year. But somehow or other, I once again found myself unable to balance working for a living on real, live, paying victims with the time required to throw myself into competition mode at a level worthy of the cost of entering.

My favorite local newspaper went belly up this year, throwing off my preferred marketing platform and leaving me in a headspin without a back-up plan for local advertising. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do. Get ready, you’re sure to be reading a few marketing posts over the next few weeks while I try to solve this quandary and rebuild my clientele after an eight week hiatus from the injury.

I do see the economy coming back to life all around me. I’m excited about that and looking forward to hearing more of my colleagues telling stories of prosperity.

And since the world didn’t end, I’ll be working on some resolutions for 2013. I know I won’t be competing this year. In fact, it looks I’m going to have to take a break from tradeshows in general for the sake of the bank account while I get caught up with some medical bills and try to be a little more financially mature and work on putting those elusive three months’ worth of expenses into an account somewhere.

One thing’s for sure: I am starting the new year with a completely redecorated salon and a snazzy new pedicure room. I’m super excited to get back to work, and if I have to start over from almost scratch I’m ready!

So here’s looking forward to a prosperous and inspired new year for all of us.