3/30/26:  Q1Y2026 Wrap Up

I love quarterly wrap-ups!

Not only do I get to show everyone what is happening in my life and business, but hopefully it inspires you to reflect on the past three months AND look forward to the next quarter.

Let’s start with life.

The best way to say it is – I truly was able to put my family first values on display in January and February.  

In January we celebrated my oldest daughter’s birthday with a trip to do some of her favorite things, including a trip to one of our favorite stores – Barnes & Noble.  Oh, I also turned 40 in January. 

My youngest hit double digits in March and for the first time we didn’t do classroom parties.  Instead she got to invite a couple friends to do a sleepover and the slide park – so cool!  My husband celebrated his birthday, but unfortunately, he celebrated traveling for work.  Probably the way he preferred it, he isn’t much for making a spectacle of the events.

Both girls had fantastic parent teacher conferences where it was confirmed what I already knew – my kids are freakin awesome!  I’m only kidding a little bit.  I know they are imperfect, but I am also incredibly proud of the young ladies they are growing into.  

Speech season started for my oldest and she started strong!  She placed in both events at her first meet and continued to improve as the season went on.  She still has another month of season and I can’t wait to see all the accolades she accumulates.  My youngest had cookie season for Girl Scouts (ufda) and wrapped up her youth bowling league.  Her team ended up being first…by a lot, but most importantly she had fun and improved.  

In addition to birthday’s, illness hit the house.  My youngest, who never gets sick, spent a couple days at home with the crud that was running rampant. We actually had one day where all four of us were home with differing ailments.  Luckily, everything that has struck us has been quick and unsevere.  

February brought challenges that tested us emotionally.  I cringe at the vague social media posts where people share just to get people worked up, but then don’t say what is going on, but honestly, a lot of this is not my story to share so I won’t.  Another large part of it is not completely written yet.  I will say, I am so thankful for the family and friends in our lives who we are there when times get tough.

OK, enough of all that stuff…now business.

It may seem obvious, but life caused less hours to be spent on work, BUT that did not stop progress.

January included the usual Coffee & Coaching + tax prep, creating my 90-day plan, and putting systems in place for success in 2026.  A large part of this was planning for the rest of the quarter.  

First BIG addition – Lunch & Learns.  The first one is scheduled for March 18th in Jamestown, but I figured why stop there!  I am excited to say, I am expanding to another community in North Dakota (all details still pending).  

Speaking of expansion, Coffee & Coaching is growing.  I am beyond thrilled to add this free coaching service in Valley City and Carrington.  The first date for Valley City will be March 23rd at Alley Beans Coffee & Roastery.  Carrington has to wait a bit longer because of a very full March, but I am excited for the first Coffee & Coaching at The Garden Gate on April 13th.

Other exciting things:
1.  January was the first month of the Stutsman-Barnes Women in Leadership Cohort, which I am incredibly proud to be 1 of 20 selected candidates for the cohort’s inaugural session.  

2.  In addition to being proud to be selected as a participant, I was honored to be asked to be a guest speaker at the March cohort meeting.  I was able to share about time, balance, and boundaries.

3.  The Women’s Business Conference in March gave me another opportunity to spend time with female leaders in the community and surrounding areas.

4.  After feeling the impact of being an attendee at the Women’s Business Conference last Spring, I felt honored to be asked to be a presenter for the conference as well.  I spent time talking to impactful women about the impact of time management.  

5.  Officially became a local Rotary member (on my birthday, no less)

6.  Renewed my membership as a Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce member and look forward to continuing with the Young Professionals.

Now all of these things are amazing and driving Balance & Business with Melissa forward, BUT the thing I am most proud of in Q1 is “The Galentine’s Gala” that we hosted on February 6th.  This was a first time, ladies only, event to benefit the local women’s shelter.  When it was all said and done, the event raised $3,710 + $1,200 in directly donated funds.  I am already looking forward to hosting this event again in the future.

What does Q2 look like?

Busy, but manageable.  A large part of Q2 is during my girls summer vacation, so time spent with them is a priority.  My brother is getting married.  I am going with my oldest to Washington DC for a school trip.  My youngest will participate in summer camp.  Can’t forget about the summer musical!  Oh, and a great family tradition – iMagicon.  We’ll keep busy.

The intention is to have the first quarterly Lunch & Learn in that additional community in April.  I would love to expand that to a third community, but probably not as a quarterly due to time and timing. 

I love Coffee & Coaching, but I will have to make decisions if I plan to continue it during the summer months.  I predict less coffee shop traffic during the summer months. 
It isn’t a lot and I’m sure with time it will fill, but it is exactly the balance I want.  Family first. 

What was your biggest achievement in Q1?

What do you look forward to in Q2?