2025: The Year We Rebuilt the Foundation
At the beginning of this year, I told our team we were going to slow down. Not in how hard we work, but in how we operate. We needed to get serious about fixing things that weren’t working and stop sprinting toward growth without solid footing. I thought it might be a quieter year. It wasn’t. It was hard. It was real. And it was exactly what we needed.
This wasn’t the kind of year you brag about. But it’s the kind of year that sets the next one up to matter.
We Got Honest About What Wasn’t Working
We had built up too much complexity. Departments were stepping on each other’s toes. Roles weren’t clear. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were outdated or missing. There were gaps in accountability. So we stripped it all back.
We rebuilt from the ground up. We clarified every department’s lane. We rewrote how we run projects, how we communicate, and how we lead. EOS helped us stay focused when it would’ve been easier to react. We stopped patching problems and started fixing the systems underneath them.
We Owned the Gaps in Client Experience
We had to admit where we were dropping the ball. Not on effort or quality, but on consistency. Clients didn’t always know where things stood. That’s not a marketing issue. That’s a leadership issue.
We tightened up communication. We rebuilt timelines. We raised the bar on what we call “done.” The client experience now reflects the kind of company we want to be. We’re not perfect, but we’re in a much better spot than we were 12 months ago.
The Team Showed Up
The team we have today is stronger than any version of Wayne Media that came before. We have the right people in the right seats. We have clarity on what success looks like. And people are stepping up to lead.
I’ve watched people take initiative, speak the truth, and get uncomfortable in the right ways. That’s what growth looks like. Not ping pong tables or motivational quotes. Just adults doing what they say they’re going to do.
Our Clients Trusted Us with More Than Marketing
We helped our clients make better decisions about hiring, cash flow, offers, and positioning. We weren’t just producing content. We were in the weeds with them, figuring out what makes sense, what doesn’t, and what moves the needle.
That’s the work I’m proud of. That’s what “more than marketing” actually means.
What’s Next
2026 isn’t going to be about chasing shiny objects. We’re not scaling for the sake of ego. We’re building systems that can support meaningful work. We’re going deeper into consulting. And we’re continuing to create content that does more than fill space.
We’re staying locked into what makes Wayne Media work:
Strategy before execution
Relationships that last
Results that matter
This year was hard. It forced us to lead better, think sharper, and simplify everything that had gotten bloated. I’m thankful for the team that stuck it out. I’m thankful for the clients who stayed honest with us and trusted us to improve. And I’m thankful we did the hard work when it was needed most.
I’m grateful for the people in this company. I’m proud of the hard choices we made this year. And I’m excited about what we’re building not just for ourselves, but for every business we get the privilege of working with.
Thanks for sticking with us. Let’s make 2026 count.