It’s 2025. This is the point of the year where I usually write an inspirational blog post, maybe line out some goals and events in the coming year, and share gratitude for all of you who interact and make purchases from me.
Reflecting on 2024
First, the gratitude is there. Without my customers, fans, and followers, I would not have made it through 2024. The truth of this is more real than I want to discuss here, but if you follow along on my journey, please know that I truly appreciate you very much.
I did not hit all of my goals in 2024. Sales growth for the year was ok. If growth wasn’t significantly outpaced by inflation, this might be a more inspiring post.
My Facebook page followers are nearly double the start of last year. The Willett Creek Agate Community and Marketplace has seen positive growth in membership and interaction.
The Willett Creek Agate YouTube channel is growing as well. It will be a much bigger focus in 2025.
I have also set up profiles on Bluesky. The lack of scammers and bots is a plus. Authentic follower growth is significantly better than other platforms. Find Willett Creek Agate on Bluesky.
One item on my 2024 goals list was to be cutting and polishing rocks. This did not happen. I’m trying very hard to get there very soon. I make money selling rough and trade material, but the reality is if I want to scale this even a little, I need to have worked material for sale.
As we move into 2025, I’m finding it difficult to be hopeful for the new year. With a little luck, maybe my disability claim will be finalized in a few months. Resolution in my favor would ease the pressure I face every day.
2025 Will Be Challenging at Best
2025 will be a challenging year to run a small business. Tariffs, AI, and social discord will be difficult challenges for many business owners.
We have a president elect promising day one 200% tariffs on foreign products. This, if it happens will wreak havoc and cause hyperinflation in our economy. While the rocks and minerals I sell are all sourced in the US and not directly affected by tariffs, I will have to raise prices to survive. Matching 200% tariffs, will price rosebud agate at about $18/pound. It is not sustainable. My prices won’t be that high, but they may have to go up.
AI and fake accounts are already a huge problem for business owners trying to leverage social media to market their products and services. Now Mark Zuckerberg, and META have announced that they are unleashing an army of AI generated “users” to fuel growth on the Facebook and Instagram platforms. Unless these AI generated users are buying rocks, they can f**k off as far as I’m concerned.
As I write this, it’s only the second of January, and already the news is insane. A terrorist attack in New Orleans. A car bombing in Las Vegas. Several mass shootings.
We have one party that lost the last election because they advocated for the status quo. The party that won, is only interested in tearing it all down and oppressing “others.” Both feeding their corruption. Meanwhile, roads are bad, rents are high, healthy food is unaffordable. Incomprehensible.
The Struggle is Real, So I Take One Day at a Time
At fifty, my life is not anywhere that I might have envisioned in my youth. I’m not dissatisfied with it entirely, but the daily struggle with chronic pain, mental health, and finances is soul tiring.
As a Buddhist, my practice is to remain in the moment through meditation, breathing exercises, and centering exercises. The Fourth Noble Truth teaches that suffering is caused by our attachments. It is very easy to become attached to our emotions, things, and desires.
Pain is a powerful focus for attachment. Physical pain can be treated to some extent but not always completely. However our feelings about it can be very powerful. And we can become attached to intense emotions around it. Pile all of life’s other pressures, and mental health issues, and it’s a full time job to stay centered.
2025 Projects and Events
I’ll continue selling rough rosebud agate and all of the other cool rocks and minerals I come across. I’m close to at least having a polisher set up. I’m working on some collaborations to get more cut material including rosebud agate.
Rockhounding tours will continue per usual by appointment. I want to bring back Rosebud Agate Festival in some form. And YouTube is going to be a primary focus for me in 2025 as well. Stay tuned.
I’m thinking about finding some gem and mineral shows within a days drive if I can swing it.
I’m working on website and small business projects for clients. Those always come first, then I’m hoping I can launch other personal projects later this year. If you find yourself in need of personal web design or small business support, please visit Homestead Digital Media Services to discuss your needs.
I’ve rambled and wandered a bit in this post. Probably a bit more real than some of you want from an agate website. I write about my struggles to show that it is ok to struggle. I keep putting one foot forward in front of the other everyday. Going forward, most of this type of content will be at my personal blog heathenplanet.com. I’m nearly done with a site revamp and have some content lined up to drop soon. I’ll be writing about life, bus life, politics, and much more.
My Mantra again this year is ~Self Care ~Purpose ~Creation ~Gratitude. It is my sincere hope that this a better year. Not just for me, but for everyone. Thank you for following along.
The best way to support this site is to visit the shop and make a purchase. And if you’ve read this far, please use checkout code BETTERYEAR25 to save on rocks and minerals throughout the shop until January 31.