December 2024
How is it almost Christmas?
Oops..
All good streaks come to an end, and the same can be said for my newsletter streak—I missed October and November!
Being busy is never an excuse, so let's just say that other high-value tasks bumped the newsletter to the bottom of the ol' to-do list.
Good news: while sitting in Boulder with a weekend to myself, I have capacity, and the newsletter is at the top of the list!
Now, to deliver the missed value...
Baby Update
Jenelle just entered the third trimester and we are getting SUPER excited (and terrified) to welcome our little dude. His official due date if 20 February, but if I were to make a bet, if would be closer to Valentines Day.
So far…
we have a name
baby showers are planned (thank you Mackenzie, Shelly, and Liz!)
the baptism is planned
Aside from those points, we are nowhere near ready!
What tips do you have for us? We’d love to hear your best advice for the first year with a new baby. Please share your tips HERE!
Bean’s Power Clean
We were stoked to launch of Jenelle’s new venture, Bean’s Power Clean, on November 4! Over the past several weeks, Jenelle has been fine-tuning operational processes, building an incredible team, and on December 4, we hosted a Christmas party and grand opening celebration with our friends and customers at our new facility in Garner.
In just the first month, the learning curve has been steep, but the team has hit its stride, serving customers who value quality, exceptional customer service, and the peace of mind that comes from working with a fully insured and bonded company. We use the latest techniques and equipment to deliver top-tier service throughout the greater Raleigh area.
One thing customers are raving about is the annual service plan! For a single annual fee, their property is kept looking its best with a series of scheduled service visits throughout the year.
Want to learn more about the service plan or explore our brand-new website? Visit us at BeansPowerClean.com!
What’s next?
Trade show season is on the horizon, and we’re investing in new equipment to better serve our commercial accounts. If you’re planning to attend the Raleigh Home Show, be sure to stop by and say hello!
What I Learned Recently
Business is hard. Doing the right thing is never the easy thing.
I am terrified to fail my son. This seems to be a common fear among parents.
Saying no isn’t just okay – it’s something you need to do.
Quote of the Month
I always carry a journal so I can write down the interesting things that people say (thanks for the idea, Gene!) Here is a gem from November:
“The only thing more contagious than the flu is a bad attitude.”
Reflection: Sometimes, life just sucks. Sometimes, you have to face unpleasant situations that you can’t avoid. What makes these tough moments even worse is having a bad attitude. While you may not have control over the circumstances, you absolutely have control over your attitude—and your attitude will ultimately shape how unpleasant those moments feel.
Last month, I was faced with making a decision that was right for the business but had a negative impact on many people I care about. Those conversations were awful, and honestly, in the context of those moments, no amount of positivity could have made the situation feel less painful. I did my best to be empathetic and to advocate for as much support as possible to cushion the impact, but sometimes, there simply isn’t much you can do to make it better.
However, as the rest of the team faced the repercussions of that decision, I was reminded that attitude truly does matter. The only way forward is through, and the best way to make it through is to paint a clear vision of where we’re headed and to lead by example. That’s how we rebuild momentum and maintain hope, even in tough times.
Maybe this is why I missed a few newsletters—it’s been a season of hard choices and reflection. But I’m back, ready to move forward, and committed to leading with optimism and purpose. Here's to pushing through the suck and building something better on the other side.
What I Read in 2024
Seven years and counting—I can hardly believe it! What started as a simple tradition has grown into one of my favorite reflections of the year. This year, I’m amazed to say I read 15 books! From nonfiction to great stories, each one brought its own lessons, ideas, and inspiration.
Here’s a compilation of everything I read in 2025, along with a few thoughts on what stood out, challenged me, and stayed with me long after I finished.
Enjoy!
Thank You.
I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you once again. I do my best to provide value each month, and if there's any way I can improve, please hit “reply” and share your thoughts. Feedback is a gift, and I always appreciate it.
If you know anyone else who might enjoy this content, feel free to forward this newsletter their way. Social links are below—you know the drill.
Until next month,
Adam