2025 Recap: A Year of Growth, Gratitude & Heart

As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.

When I started Salt & Lavender Clothing, I never imagined how much heart, learning, and community would come along with it. This year especially felt like one of growth — not just for the business, but for me personally as a small business owner, mom and creative. So here’s a little look back at what 2025 meant for Salt & Lavender Clothing.

Where the Year Began

At the start of 2025, Salt & Lavender Clothing was still very much growing and evolving (and it still is). I was learning how to balance running an online boutique, showing up at pop-ups around Dublin, Powell, and the greater Columbus area, and juggling real life in between.

One of my biggest goals going into this year was getting out into the community more — meeting customers face-to-face, showing up at local events, and truly putting Salt & Lavender Clothing out there. 

Looking back now, I’m proud to say… I think I did that.

By the Numbers: 2025 at Salt & Lavender Clothing

This year brought milestones I’m incredibly proud of.

Nearly 191% increase in orders in 2025, showing just how much this little business has grown.
Over 570 SLC pieces found their forever homes this year.
Salt & Lavender Clothing was trusted by hundreds of customers, including over 200 clients who made their first-ever purchase with SLC and more than 50 repeat clients who chose to shop with us again and again.

These numbers mean so much to me because behind every order is a real person choosing to shop small and support my business.

What You Loved Most

One thing became very clear in 2025 — our tops became a true powerhouse. You showed so much love for our denim, skirts, and outerwear too, and it was incredibly fun to watch certain pieces really take off.

I also loved seeing you embrace more color — from richer tones to unexpected shades that added a little personality to everyday outfits.

Every item was chosen with intention, staying true to the Salt & Lavender Clothing philosophy: cute, casual, and comfortable pieces made for everyday life.

Lessons I Learned Along the Way

2025 taught me a lot — and not all of it was easy.

This year reminded me that you truly can’t please everyone, and that learning to be okay with that is part of growing as a business owner. Not every style will be for everyone, not every decision will make everyone happy, and that’s okay. What matters most is staying aligned with the brand and values I’m working hard to build.

I was also reminded that staying true to your brand matters far more than chasing every trend. It’s easy to feel pressure to constantly pivot or stock what everyone else is selling, but the moments that felt most successful this year were the ones where I trusted my instincts and chose pieces that felt right for Salt & Lavender Clothing — pieces that fit real life.

Boundaries were another big lesson. Setting and sticking to them isn’t always comfortable, but it’s necessary to keep a small business sustainable. Whether it was inventory decisions, policies, or learning when to say no, those boundaries protect my ability to grow the business and my personal mental health. 

Above all, this year reinforced just how important community truly is. From clients who showed up at pop-ups, to repeat shoppers, to fellow small business owners who offered encouragement and support — this community made the hard days easier and the wins even sweeter.

Running a small business is a constant learning process, and 2025 showed me that progress doesn’t always have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s found in consistency, quiet growth, and continuing to show up even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.

So Much Gratitude

I truly could not write this without saying thank you.

To every client who placed an order, stopped by a pop-up event, sent a kind message, left a review, or recommended Salt & Lavender Clothing to a friend — you have no idea how much that support means to me.

To the local event hosts, fellow small business owners, and creatives who welcomed me into this community, thank you for making this journey feel supportive and inspiring.

And to my family, who supports the late nights, early mornings, and a home often full of inventory — I couldn’t do this without you.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As I look toward 2026, I’m feeling excited, grateful, and inspired.

I’m looking forward to continuing to curate pieces that are cute, casual, comfortable, and easy to wear; showing up even more in the community; continuing to play with color while staying true to the SLC aesthetic; and growing the brand in a way that still feels personal and intentional.

Most of all, I’m excited to keep building this community — a community of women who appreciate thoughtfully chosen pieces and value connection just as much as what they wear. A community rooted in real life, where getting dressed feels easy, comfortable, and true to who you are.

This has never been about chasing trends or overcomplicating style. It’s about showing up, sharing moments, and creating something that feels personal — whether that’s through an online order, a conversation at a pop-up event, or a message shared along the way. One order, one event, and one conversation at a time, I’m excited to continue growing Salt & Lavender Clothing in a way that feels genuine, welcoming, and aligned with the heart behind the brand.

From the Bottom of My Heart

Thank you for being here. Thank you for shopping small. Thank you for believing in Salt & Lavender Clothing. 💜

With gratitude,
Jessica