Happy birthday to me! It’s my freelance business’s fourth birthday, though I’ve been in editing for going on 13 years now.

Kelsey Mitchener Editing means a lot to me. It’s a little piece of who I am and it’s a chance to be my own boss, which has always been important to me. It’s always been small—just me and my trusty red pen— but that may be part of why I’ve always thought it important to pause each fall to celebrate and think back on what I’ve done this year (see past years here, here, and here).

Since my last business birthday, I’ve settled in to living and working in Colorado. I’ve gotten to know a handful of editors in the area, particularly through a medical editing position I picked up with MedStudy, a local medical educational resources publisher (here’s a recent project I just wrapped with them last month).

I’ve also landed additional Colorado clients (my first Colorado client came about before we even thought of moving out here). Plus I’ve had the chance to connect with a local writing and editing studio, Edit Resource, for some recent work. Moving my business to Colorado has been smooth all around.

I got involved with the local Small Business Development Center, where I was able to tap into some additional training and networking options in the Pikes Peak region. As part of that, I finally put together a formal business plan (better late than never!). And, because I’ve been starting to think of my little business in terms of the broader small business community, this year I celebrated Small Business Saturday with more of a bang, holding a flash sale and registering with other small businesses taking part in the big day.

One of the most fun growth areas for my business this year was working with a designer this spring to rebrand Kelsey Mitchener Editing. Long Live Simple created a new logo, brand mark, pattern design, and more to help me revamp my brand identity, and I’m really pleased with how it all turned out.

That cascaded into formalizing my business processes and better safeguarding against unsavory clients (if you subscribe to my quarterly newsletter, you might remember some of that discussion). Using the new brand look and driven by a desire to turn over a new leaf, I fine-tuned my contract, drew up a welcome packet, and refreshed my invoices (and invoicing process). It’s hard to say what has had the most impact on my business, but I’m gratified to have grown my freelancing income by an additional 20% over last year’s—and that’s after choosing to part ways with a couple well-paying but ornery clients, something I’m proud of myself for finally tackling, even though it was difficult.

I’ve worked on a lot of great projects this year—autobiographies, research papers, textbooks, poetry collections, grant reports, marketing brochures, website copy, newsletters, and much more—even an adult coloring book! I sometimes wonder if I should further narrow my business’s focus, but working with the spectrum of nonfiction writing has been and continues to be fascinating and fun.

All in all, it’s been a busy year with lots that I’m proud of and lots that I’m grateful for. Among that list is you, choosing to come alongside me and take an interest in where I’m going with my business. Thanks for being here, and thanks for celebrating with me!

Looking for an editor? Kelsey Mitchener Editing specializes in nonfiction copy editing and proofreading. Get in touch and let’s work together on your next project.