(Monday, February 17th to Sunday, February 23rd, 2025)
Personal Highlights
This week was a mix of exciting progress on business projects, tackling visa paperwork, and making the most of life in Santa Cruz. From launching new initiatives to dealing with bureaucratic frustrations, it was definitely a productive (and sometimes frustrating) seven days!
Final Webinar & Facebook Group Launch
Monday marked the completion of my last webinar course. I’ve really enjoyed doing these sessions, and I’m hoping they’ll help me fine-tune the way I promote my own events moving forward. A key takeaway from today: when promoting an event on Eventbrite, only around a third of people who register actually show up. That’s a crazy stat, but it’s good to keep in mind when planning future events.
I also launched the Digital Growth 101 Facebook group, adding content and setting it up as a central hub for all things digital marketing. I’m excited to see how this space grows over the next few months!
New Events: Networking & Mini Masterclasses
Tuesday was all about planning March’s workshops. I made two big decisions:
- Tuesday Connect & Grow – A biweekly networking event for small business owners.
- Midday Mini Masterclasses – One-hour digital marketing deep dives, priced at £10 per session.
The original plan for the day included a trip to immigration, but we woke up to intense rain, which quickly changed our plans. Instead, I had an incredibly productive day indoors. I finalised the SEO Masterclass, which goes live next week, and caught up with a longtime colleague to discuss potential website collaborations.
In the afternoon, I spent some time working in Canva—something I really enjoy. I designed new event banners and gave the website a fresh look. Then, at 4 PM, we treated ourselves to a refreshing açai ice cream at a local parlour. Açai is packed with fruit and antioxidants, so let’s pretend it was a “healthy” break!
Networking, New Clients & Event Success
Thursday kicked off with a Swansea Success Group meeting, keeping me connected with business owners back in the UK. Later, I had a promising website development meeting with a potential new client.
The real highlight of the day was delivering another Digital Marketing 101 workshop in the evening. Despite 100 sign-ups, only 36 people attended (which, as I learned earlier this week, is actually a pretty standard turnout). Still, it was a fantastic session with lots of engagement and great feedback afterward.
The Visa Process – Bureaucracy at its Worst
Friday was visa paperwork day, and as expected, it was a rollercoaster.
First, we had to go back to the Palace of Justice because one of the numbers on a previously issued certificate was incorrect. This time, they did admit it was their mistake, but there was a catch—they said it would take months to reprint the certificate correctly as it would have to be sent to their office in Sucre for correction. Rather than waiting for an indefinite period, we had to pay for a reprint just to get things moving, which was frustrating but necessary.
From there, we went to Interpol, which, in contrast, was incredibly efficient. Within a short time, we had everything sorted out and now just have to return next week to collect the final certificate.
A Quiet Weekend at Home
After a chaotic week, we opted for a low-key weekend.
- Saturday: We had planned to go for a swim, but the pool is closed for 10 days for renovations. Instead, I spent some time gardening and clearing up outside, even burning some old wood to tidy up the space.
- Sunday: A mix of relaxation and work. I updated the website, finally got around to creating some long-overdue Facebook posts for friends and family, and worked on some email marketing campaigns to promote March’s events.
Work Updates
Building Out the Digital Growth 101 Community
With the Facebook group officially launched, I’m starting to share valuable content, insights, and event updates there. I’m hoping this will become a go-to place for small business owners looking to level up their digital presence.
New Events for March
This week’s biggest business win was setting up my biweekly networking event and lunchtime masterclasses. I’m excited to see how these develop and how they’ll help small businesses get practical, actionable advice in a convenient, affordable way.
Event Turnout & Marketing Insights
The Digital Marketing 101 workshop was a success despite the drop-off in attendance. It’s a good reminder that for future events, I need to overbook knowing that only a fraction of people actually show up.
Goals and Challenges for 2025
Healthy Body and Mind
This week was a little off in terms of fitness. I had hoped to swim, but with the pool closed, I’ll need to figure out a different way to stay active next week.
Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
I’m settling into a rhythm with my digital business, and I’m really enjoying the flexibility of running events and workshops remotely. Planning, creating, and marketing events has been a major focus, and I feel like I’m building solid momentum.
Learning Spanish
Another week where I didn’t prioritize structured Spanish learning. I’ve been picking up bits in conversation, but I need to be more proactive next week.
Enjoying the Ride
Even with all the business and visa admin, I made time for small joys, like ice cream outings and garden work. However, I want to get out and explore Santa Cruz more in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
Next week is shaping up to be another big one. The focus will be on:
✅ Collecting my final visa certificate.
✅ Finalizing and delivering the SEO Masterclass.
✅ Continuing to build engagement in the Facebook group.
✅ Kicking off promotions for the new networking and masterclass events.
✅ Finding a new way to stay active while the pool is closed.
One step at a time—let’s see what Week 7 brings!
