As we close the books on 2024, I’m excited to look to the year ahead, carrying last year’s learnings and reflections along with me.
Each year, I set goals, but the format of those goals has evolved over time. Halfway into year 1, I realized that setting quantifiable quarterly goals would help me stay focused and avoid “moving the goalpost” as the business grew. In year 2, I created annual goals in addition to quarterly goals, but had to be willing to pivot part-way through to make more space after my daughter was born. Now, going into year 3, I’m excited to take another stab at measurable annual goals, while also layering in some key initiatives I’m excited to pursue.
The Annual Goal
From a top-line perspective, I again want to focus on profitability in 2025. I’ve already seen how operational efficiency leads not only to a better business, but also to better products and more reliable inventory. Now that I have a better understanding of the ebbs and flows of sales over the course of the year, I’ve felt able to set quarterly goals that can pave a path to profitability by year’s end.
Key Initiatives
While running a healthy, responsible business is a core focus for 2025, so too is running a personally sustainable and energizing business. I’ve chosen each of my 4 key initiatives because they speak to the elements of First Peak I enjoy most.Increase Process Efficiency
This initiative goes hand-in-hand with my top-line goal, with a focus more on saving my personal time and energy. Process efficiencies allow me to spend less time on the coordination elements of First Peak, and more on the creative and social elements.
The added bonus is that some efficiencies will allow my products to evolve and coalesce too! For example, unifying my dye processes across pants, sweatshirts, and overalls means that I get to release my overalls in two new colors (Plum and Orchid) at no added cost. I can also expand my offering of monochrome sets while I’m at it.
Introduce New Styles and Materials
Product development has always been the most fun component of the business for me. In 2025, I’m excited to make space to explore new styles and materials. I’ve been dreaming about waffle knits and thermals for a while, and I think a stretchy Henley would be a great addition to the line (especially if the buttons were easy enough for toddlers to handle themselves).
The more I read about fabric innovations like SeaCell and recycled cottons, the more excited I am to feel, test, and explore. As with all the fabrics in our line, I hold a very high standard for sustainability and performance – my first step will be visiting some fabric mills in person.
Create Custom Gear for Partners
In the past 2.5 years, I’ve relished the opportunities to partner closely with mission-aligned businesses and get to know other entrepreneurs. In 2024, I saw first-hand how creating a sales agreement with the local SF shop Natural Resources allowed me to get to know their team and more deeply plug in with their community.
In the year ahead, I’d like to similarly leverage First Peak products to tighten my partnership with aligned organizations. I have a few companies I’m already speaking to about creating custom sweatshirts in 2025. These “partner releases” will not only bring our businesses closer, but can also introduce our respective communities to each other.
If you know of any organizations who may be interested in custom products – for adults or young kids – let me know! I’m excited to bring this concept to life in 2025.
Unlock Family Travel
Rewind about a year-and-a-half and my family was fully nomadic. We traveled to over 30 countries in 15 months, living out of backpacks as we explored the world. Eventually, we did decide to settle down and return to the Bay Area, but that itch to get-up-and-go is still core to our family fabric.
This year, I’m committed to figuring out how we might travel for extended periods of time, while still keeping First Peak afloat. This could take the form of partnering with a 3rd-party logistics company, or hiring a first employee. It could rely on volunteer labor or seasonal hiatuses. I don’t yet have a precise plan, but I feel committed to ensuring that my love for this business doesn't interfere with my commitment to its mission: at the end of the day, I want to equip my own family to explore and cultivate a love of adventure in my own kids.