What 8 Years Has Taught Us
Eight years ago, Up10 started with a simple belief: meaningful growth comes from momentum, relationships, and a willingness to keep moving forward and trying new things.
At the time, we couldn’t have predicted exactly what this journey would look like or how much it would shape us along the way.
Over the last eight years, we’ve learned a lot about strategy, partnerships, growth, and what actually creates impact. But more than anything, we’ve learned about people. About resilience. About trusting your instincts. About continuing to move forward even when the path isn’t clear.
Some lessons came through exciting opportunities and big wins. Others came through difficult conversations, pivots, uncertainty, and figuring things out in real time.
As we reflect on the last eight years, here are a few things that continue to shape how we think, work, and lead.
Relationships Drive Everything
The strongest partnerships, opportunities, and moments of growth have always started with people.
It was our focus from day one, and we’ve continued to learn that trust, consistency, and genuine connection create more momentum than any perfectly built strategy ever could on its own. The work matters, but the people behind it matter more.
Knowing Where You Create the Most Impact Is a Game-Changer
Not everything deserves equal energy.
One of the biggest shifts for us came from getting clearer about where we create the most value and where we can make the greatest impact. That kind of clarity changes how you lead, how you grow, and how you make decisions.
Choosing Risk Over Comfort Is Rarely Easy But Almost Always Worth It
Some of our biggest turning points came from moving forward before we had certainty.
Looking back, many of the decisions that shaped Up10 the most were the ones that felt a little uncomfortable at the time. Growth rarely happens when everything feels fully figured out.
Building a Team of Winning Women Has Been One of the Best Parts of This Journey
What we’ve built matters. But who we’ve built it with matters even more.
Over the years, one of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been building a team of thoughtful, driven, talented women who care deeply about the work and the people they serve. The culture we’ve created together is something we’re incredibly proud of.
People Remember How You Make Them Feel
Long after the meeting, strategy session, or project ends, people remember the experience of working with you.
We’ve always believed that how you show up matters. Thoughtfulness, responsiveness, honesty, and trust leave a lasting impression long after the deliverables are complete.
Your Story Matters More Than You Think
Some of the organizations doing the most meaningful work are also the ones that underestimate the value of what they have to say.
We’ve seen time and time again that stories create connection and connection creates momentum. When organizations communicate their value with clarity and confidence, it changes how people engage with them.
Success Is Getting Up One More Time
This idea helped inspire our name, and it continues to shape how we approach the work every day.
Momentum isn’t about never getting stuck. It’s not about having all the answers or always getting it right the first time. It’s about continuing to move forward anyway. Learning, adjusting, refining, and trying again when needed.
That mindset has shaped not only how we work, but how we’ve grown over the last eight years.
Eight years in, and we’re still learning. Still refining. Still building. Still moving forward.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—our team, clients, partners, and community—thank you for being part of it with us.
– Jenn & Sonya
