Reflecting on Four Years of 1704.
A letter to 1704 tribe...
This might be a long read, kindly read when you can spare a considerable amount of time…Thank you.❤
I promised a group of people that I would share an anniversary post on my blog today. But as the day began, a wave of emotions nearly stopped me from writing this. However, here I am, keeping my word and sharing a piece of my heart with you.
If you’re new here, welcome! Today marks the fourth anniversary of my brand. Beyond being a writer and taking on roles as a creative director in marketing and communications, I also own a baking brand. Yes, I’m a professional baker, just one of the many hats I wear.
I started baking long before I officially named my brand. The journey to choosing a name was deeply personal and spiritual. My brand, 1704 by Themmie, carries a story close to my heart. If you’re wondering why 1704, here’s a glimpse: it was a divine choice.
For months, I struggled to find a name that felt right. I initially settled on one, but I lacked peace about it. One fateful day, in the most random and unexpected moment, 1704 came to me. It aligned perfectly with my spirit and brought me so much peace that I knew God’s hand was in it. I’ll share the full story someday, but for now, consider this a glimpse into today’s celebration.
I mentioned earlier that I almost didn’t write to you today. That’s because telling the story of my brand inevitably involves opening up about my personal life, especially my health. So, what changed?
After finishing some baking this evening, I decided to read through my unread emails, and I came across AG’s newsletter. That email completely shifted the wave of unhappiness I had felt earlier in the day. He doesn’t know it, but his words renewed my strength and confidence.
Interestingly, I wrote a piece just few months ago about people living with my condition. It’s now the most-read article on my blog; by a huge margin. Funny enough, I never mentioned that I’m one of the people living with that condition on that particular piece. It has nearly double the number of reads I usually get. Life has its ironies, doesn’t it? Lol.
Reflecting on my brand’s journey, the first year was a season of intense learning and unlearning. I didn’t have many customers then, and I often baked cakes at very cheap rates. My pricing and costing strategies were far from accurate, and to top it off, I lost all the modest profit I made that year.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I started my business without any actual capital. Nobody gave me capital o.😂 Every step has been a lesson in building from scratch. Most of my profits went into purchasing equipment because in the baking industry, it’s always one piece of equipment after another.
It hasn’t been an easy journey, but each challenge has shaped 1704 into what it is today. And for that, I am grateful.
Let’s fast forward a bit. Eventually, I started getting things right, but I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted because my health was, and still is, a significant factor. Too many orders often mean stress, which inevitably leads to sickness and pains. Despite this, I’ve found ways to navigate through the challenges and manage to keep going.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned one undeniable truth: good health is the foundation of success. Unfortunately, I lack that solid foundation, but being the strong-willed person I am, as per omo lile wey no dey give up, I’ve continued to push forward. Sometimes that means taking multiple pills after every job or enduring the distress of my body failing me, leading to days on IV fluids. Let’s not even talk about the instances where I’ve had to refund clients, not because they disliked my work but because I fell ill just days before their delivery date. There are so many stories to tell!
I hesitated to write this today because I didn’t want to be seen as someone to pity. Rather, I hope you see this as a testament to resilience, a story of someone who faces challenges with courage and determination, navigating life’s ups and downs with purpose and conviction.
While health has been a major stumbling block, it’s important to note that good health isn’t just important, it’s the cornerstone of our success. ~AG Baby.
Through this journey, I’ve been privileged to meet amazing people, work with individuals I never thought I’d cross paths with, started a team, and secure gigs with a caliber of people. I’ve made money and still making money. I’ve experienced success in many forms, and most importantly, I know there’s still more to come. 1704 is expanding, and the future looks bright.
None of this has been by my strength alone. Yes, I’ve worked hard, but I couldn’t have come this far without God. He has been my anchor and constant support. I remember during my second anniversary, I prayed for my third year to bring new customers, overshadowing returning ones, and He answered. Even when I’ve been anxious about deliveries, He has taken care of it all. God has never failed me or my brand, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
Thank you to my family, and my friends for the constant support, and to everyone who believed in me to pull this off from day one.
I wouldn’t forget to mention that I am actually very good with the baking aspect of my life. I sabi this baking thing dieeee. Four years in and my cakes and pastries recipes are one to kill for. Ask my customers.😌
There’s so much more to say, but for now, I’ll drop my pen here. Thank you for reading.❤
Thank you for being part of this journey. Four years later, 1704 stands as a testament to resilience, faith, growth, creativity, and trusting God through it all. Here’s to many more milestones together! 🥂