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I’m Stretching!

Shannon Smith September 6, 2019 48 Comments

I’m Stretching!

One thing I’ve wanted to do for some time now is to focus on a specific set of graphic design services. I’m fairly well-known in my business networking circles for creating website specific (think headers, banners, ads, etc.) and social media graphics. I’m also known for website design using the WordPress platform. I find that lately, I feel unfocused and just taking what comes in, but I haven’t done much in the way of organizing my web home and making it easy for you to see what I do.

My friend Kelly hosts the Stretch Yourself Challenge every year. This is her 10th year doing so, and my 4th year participating. Every year, no matter my level of participation, I learn something new and get motivated. This year I’m using it to stretch outside of my comfort zone and shake things up in my graphic design business.

One thing I love about the Stretch Yourself Challenge is the community. I’ll be working with a group of amazing business owners in all stages of business and expertise to stretch beyond where we’re currently at. The support and friendly competition are great for gaining motivation and momentum. She also has several prizes I’m be working toward earning points for. Everybody can win something! I have my eyes on a couple of things specifically.

If you have a business, no matter what type of business it is, you should check it out. I’d love to have you join us and stretch with me.

Filed Under: Business

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Comments

  1. Stephanie Watson says

    September 6, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    I cannot wait to see what you come up with by focusing on something you really have the passion to do! I can already see the excitement in you just in the beginning days of this challenge. I cannot wait to see what happens!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 6, 2019 at 9:51 pm

      Thank you! I am definitely excited.

      Reply
  2. Melissa Brown says

    September 6, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    Looking forward to your ‘reveal’ about your challenge(s) and how you’re stretching. It’s gonna be awesome for us all to get outside our comfort zones.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:31 am

      Thanks, Melissa! My next post was a big hint. Haha.

      Reply
  3. Teresa Miller says

    September 6, 2019 at 11:07 pm

    Love your picture for this post! It’s SOOO perfect for the topic. I love to see creative entrepreneurs find their true passion and really FOCUS on that. Good luck with the challenge. I expect to see great things!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:32 am

      Thank you, Teresa! The picture I used last time was a giraffe stretching to eat from a tree. This one is much more in my feelings from how this year’s challenge makes me feel.

      We got this!

      Reply
  4. Tish Lee says

    September 7, 2019 at 12:54 am

    Excellent choice of image for this post – fits it so perfectly! And I’m so excited to have you shake things up and to be stretching out of your comfort zone. It’s time to shine lady 🙂 You got this!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Thank you, Tish! I think so, too. Definitely out of my comfort zone. But I think it was time. Woohoo!

      Reply
  5. Kristin Lohmeyer says

    September 7, 2019 at 7:23 am

    Sometimes it’s necessary to shake things up a bit to see where it takes us – We are all cheering you on!! Good luck with the rest of the challenge!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:42 am

      Shaking things up is scary! Thank you for the cheers! We got this!

      Reply
  6. Rosie Battista says

    September 7, 2019 at 8:08 am

    I love your graphic and now you’ve made me curious about what you ! Can’t wait for your reveal.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:42 am

      Thanks, Rosie! The next post was a big hint. Hopefully, I’ll have the next bit of info this weekend. Just need to finish a few tweaks. Eek!

      Reply
  7. Meredith Eisenberg says

    September 7, 2019 at 8:41 am

    Nice meeting a fellow challenger – I completely understand how sometimes you can feel “stuck” in your business – a challenge is a great way to shake things up and get out of the “blahs”, Good luck this month!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 11:44 am

      Nice to meet you, too, Meredith!

      Definitely feeling stuck, but I know a lot of it is my own doing. I’ve been playing it safe. It’s time to step out of the comfort zone even if I throw up while I’m doing it.

      Reply
  8. Kelly says

    September 7, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    Having known you for so long Shannon, I KNOW what a stretch it is for you to even say YES to the challenge. I’m tickled pink watching you take action and accept the invitation to try new things. You are shining lady!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 1:27 pm

      I told Val I may have to just keep a bucket next to me to throw up when the anxiety gets to be too much, but I’m doing this thing! Ha!

      Thank YOU, Kelly, for never giving up on me. <3

      Reply
  9. Tara says

    September 7, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    Shannon — congratulations on this being your 4th year to be in the Stretch Yourself Challenge. I especially love the graphic that you used to illustrate your post. That says it all! 🙂 Wish you the best as you tackle another challenge this year!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 3:04 pm

      Thank you, Tara! I’m excited to see what I can accomplish this month.

      Reply
  10. Benecia Ponder says

    September 7, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    I am enjoying stretching with you this year! I am looking forward to see the amazing work you are doing!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you! It’s nice to meet you. I love that this challenge brings new like-minded people into my world.

      Reply
  11. Joyce Dias says

    September 7, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    Like your choice of image so beautifully suggests one little Stretch is all it sometimes takes to make the leap towards everything you desire!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      Thank you, Joyce! I’m finally ready to leap!

      Reply
  12. Kat Sturtz says

    September 7, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    Good for you … and good for all of us … for choosing to deliberately stretch our business-selves. See ya at the finish line!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 6:57 pm

      See you there! I’m grateful to have an amazing community to stretch with.

      Reply
  13. Jennifer says

    September 7, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    This is the epitome of the SYC – you have a comfortable spot, you know how to rock your graphics BUT you are still taking a chance to push out further this month. Way to stretch Shannon! Good things are ahead, even if the leap seems scary.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 7, 2019 at 10:47 pm

      Thank you, Jennifer! Definitely scary but leaping anyway. Keep stretching!

      Reply
  14. Sabrina says

    September 8, 2019 at 5:32 am

    Well done on taking this challenge to redefine your business focus!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 3:27 pm

      Thanks! Let’s stretch!

      Reply
  15. Brook Packard says

    September 8, 2019 at 9:37 am

    Eagerly looking forward to what you’re working on, Shannon! Happy for the companionship in the Stretch Yourself Challenge. The supportive energy is palpable!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Exciting stuff! We’re stretching!

      Reply
  16. Rena Tucker says

    September 8, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    This is exciting, Shannon! I, too, have a passion for design and I look forward to seeing how you shake things up in your design business during the Stretch Yourself Challenge!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      30+ years! Started in high school. Not what I thought I was going to be when I grew up but here I am.

      Reply
  17. Lynn Leusch says

    September 8, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    So glad to hear that you are taking on the Stretch Yourself Challenge to grow your business.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  18. Karin Crompton says

    September 8, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    I can totally relate to the idea of just taking what comes in, but needing to instead make something more happen. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:09 pm

      Yes! I’ve been stuck way too long. It’s time to grow.

      Reply
  19. Julie Van De Wyngaerde says

    September 8, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    Wow, four years of participating. That’s awesome! My first year of stretching myself, but definitely not my last. Cheering you on!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      It’s addictive! They weren’t consecutive, and I had some major missing out feelings going on in between years.

      Reply
  20. Samantha Angel says

    September 8, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    It makes me so happy that you’re putting yourself out there. I know how hard it feels. But, girl you have such talent to share with the world! Yay you!

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  21. Kim says

    September 8, 2019 at 9:15 pm

    I often times get stuck and its often over the little things. That is another reason why this challenge is important. I read your other post about linked in. Way to stretch.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      Yes! I tend to overcomplicate certain things. I’m learning to let go, though.

      LinkedIn is new territory and scary! I posted and then stressed about somebody actually contacting me. Haha.

      Reply
  22. Carol Bremner says

    September 8, 2019 at 9:26 pm

    I love that photo you have with this post. It really captures how scary it can be to stretch out of your comfort zone and yet how beautiful.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 9:29 pm

      Yes! Perfect description!

      Reply
  23. Ruth Bowers says

    September 8, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Looking forward to seeing how you shake things up for your biz.

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 8, 2019 at 10:40 pm

      Shaking, stretching, and shining!

      Reply
  24. Renee Cohn Jones says

    September 9, 2019 at 1:53 am

    I love the picture in the banner – what a great visual for the Stretch Challenge! Can’t wait to see what you create as you shake things up!! Glad to be in the Stretch community with you 🙂

    Reply
    • Shannon Smith says

      September 9, 2019 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks, Renee! Stretching and shaking! We got this!

      Reply

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