Reflecting on Progress and Community as We Step into 2025

As we enter the new year, I wanted to share some thoughts and insights that have been shaping my journey:

Progress Takes Time

Real growth spans years. A recent reunion reminded me of my high school hockey coach, Bart Mucci. As the head coach of Rebels Hockey for over two decades, Bart built the team into a D1 program that now practices four nights a week. During our time from ’99 to ’03 as a club team, we only had one practice and one game weekly. Securing ice time, which can cost between $250 and $650 per hour, was no small feat. Bart and the dedicated parents convinced the Lakeland Central School District that hockey is a key part of our community’s fabric. Their consistency, vision, and passion are inspiring reminders that long-term dedication truly pays off.

The Power of Community

This year highlighted how essential community is to success. Mentors, friends, and vendors have guided me just when I needed it most—sometimes through an offhand comment that sparked a new idea or an email that led to something huge years later. We experienced this firsthand when Amazon froze our funds for five months at the start of the year for an internal audit, compounding an already tough year in ’23. It was brutal, but it taught me never to take anyone for granted. Our community was the only reason we stayed afloat.

Embracing Lifelong Learning and Technology

Advancements in AR/VR and other technologies are making lifelong learning more accessible than ever. Our ability to consume and retrieve information efficiently is evolving, opening up new ways to learn and experience the world. Platforms like Meta Quest offer incredibly lifelike computing experiences, and I’m excited to explore these new frontiers. While we’re still a few generations away from fully seamless hardware, the progress we’re making is unbelievable and real.

Nobody Really Cares

A key theme this year has been the idea that “nobody really cares.” It’s liberating to realize that most people are wrapped up in their own lives and might not spend more than a few seconds on anything you do. Embracing this mindset means shedding the fear of being “cringey” and focusing instead on being the best version of yourself. It’s a powerful reminder to prioritize your goals and well-being without worrying excessively about external judgments.

Hockey, Memories & More

On a lighter note, I got to play hockey again this December with friends I hadn’t seen in 17 years. It took me back to our high school days—’90s kids on rollerblades who transitioned into ice hockey. A big shoutout to Bart Mucci, Bob Santini, Dan Mucci, Steve Poccia, and everyone else who was part of making that team happen. Back in my senior year, we had just one weekly practice session; now, two decades later, they’re on the ice four nights a week. That’s incredible progress.

(RIP Jay Shenkmen—you brought so much laughter, even during those freezing nights at Bear Mountain. You’ll always be in our hearts.)

What I’m Focusing On for 2025

As we step into 2025, my focus areas are:

• Strengthening Our Brand Presence for both Ameritu Trading (wholesale) and Well Woven (consumer).

• Leveraging My 20 Years in the Carpet Industry to share insights and demonstrate our impact.

• Growing a Supportive Community (online and offline) around textiles, home decor, and technology.

• Creating More Content: conducting interviews, improving my questions, and refining my technique. This is a decade-long journey—I’m not trying to be Walter Cronkite overnight, just committed to steady growth.

Some Advice I’ll Leave You With

• Be strong, and allow yourself to be strong. Sometimes you stand up to adversity; other times, you step aside and let it pass.

• Focus on the good stuff. Keep yourself motivated by believing in your abilities and putting in the work.

• Belief + Action = Real Progress.

• Embrace first principles. If your idea or mindset isn’t working, strip it down to the basics and rebuild.

• Tune out the noise. Most people are wrapped up in themselves, so focus on being the best you. Even if you fail, you’ll get closer to your goal.