2024 WRAPPED UP

What a year 2024 has been! As we wrap things up, I like to pause and look back at everything that’s unfolded—so many things to celebrate, challenges to recognize, and unforgettable moments of connection. When I started the year, I had no idea what the future held for me; like you, I made plans and adapted as things changed. Yet even though it sometimes felt like a whirlwind of purpose, I am proud of our perseverance and the connections I prioritized.

Every step of the way, it was the people—my colleagues, clients, friends, and supporters—you—who made it all so meaningful.

Here’s to all we’ve accomplished and to making 2025 even brighter together. Take a walk down memory lane with me, and let's celebrate the highlights together!

The Triumphs That Shaped 2024

This year brought some incredible accomplishments, both for me and the community we’ve built:

• Foundations Courses: Sold Out! Most sessions hit capacity, and we even added six pro-bono spots to keep things accessible.
• Collaborative Spaces That Thrived: The Working Group and Dream to Action Group created real magic—they provided a place where people grew, made hard but conscious choices, and then took the actions to make it happen.
• Private Coaching Milestone: I finally logged over 500 hours of professional business coaching! This was a multi-year goal, and so grateful to be here! Supporting others as a PCC-level coach through ICF has been a joy, and I am so proud of my coachee's successes!
• New Beginnings with Beta Courses: We launched Frameworks for Digital Babywearing Support, tackling the growing demand for virtual babywearing support and education.
• Workshops Gone On-Demand: The Amazing Year Annual Review and Best Year Yet are now available on demand, making goal-setting with a new perspective easier than ever.
• Babywearing Voices: This serialized project celebrates the incredible ways babywearing support and education can enrich lives and communities—one story at a time.

Giving Back to the Community

My commitment to making an impact was at the heart of everything this year. Here’s more of how we gave back in 2024:

• Consulting with Heart: I dedicated over 100 hours to helping babywearing brands, nonprofits, and retailers—40 hours of this was pro bono the rest was all scaled work.
• Community Hour Love: Graduates from Foundations came together for four free, inspiring Community Hour sessions to keep the connections (and learning) alive.
• Empowering Caregivers: We sent out certificates to 43 individuals through the Newborn Babywearing Course—6 were pro-bono.
• Doing Our Part to Give Back: Our pro-bono work totaled 10% of our complete budget for the 12th year - thanks to you, we are able to give back so others can spread babywearing support and education to others in need.

Big Moves in the Business

We grew in all the best ways this year!

• First Subject Matter Expert: Welcome, Elise Hall! Elise is bringing her pelvic floor expertise into babywearing education. Game. Changer.
• Carry-On Collective Launch Soars: We expanded enrollment—twice! The energy in this new community is next-level inspiring. Get on the waitlist here.

Advocacy in Action

As board members of the International Baby Carrier & Infant Contact Consultant Foundation (IBCICC), Bianca and I worked with amazing colleagues worldwide to integrate infant-carrying and skin-to-skin practices. From supporting WHO initiatives to bridging cultures and traditions, it’s been rewarding work with a global impact.

Advancing Research

This year, I stayed committed to deepening our understanding of babywearing through two key research projects:

• Hip Development Study: Designed to contribute to the evidence base for babywearing and to explore if baby carrying impacts early infant hip development.
• NICU Research: Investigating if babywearing and skin-to-skin care might be synonymous for some NICU babies, expanding the caregiver options and transforming the early days of life.

Life’s Personal Plot Twists

2024 wasn’t without its challenges. My husband’s unexpected open heart valve surgery was a powerful reminder to prioritize health and love. At the same time, my 17-year-old is now in college! So grateful she is still at home. But it was still an emotional milestone (cue the tears), but it opened a new chapter for our family. Through it all, I leaned on the very principles I teach—community, resilience, and presence.

It’s been a year of significant milestones, lessons learned, and growth that only happens when you dive headfirst into what matters most.

Thank you for being part of this journey.