This year, we have forced ourselves (read: chained ourselves to our seats) to sit down and reflect on the whirlwind that has been the past few years of Luna Bronze. With the constant sprinting, putting out fires left right and centre along with competing priorities and balancing family life, we find it really difficult to stop and reflect. It seems like just yesterday that we embarked on the journey of being co-founders, owners, and operators of a small business, all while wearing the hats of a mum, wives, friends, daughters and the many other hats we females wear on a daily basis.

We’d be lying if we said that there weren’t times when we wonder what the heck we were thinking when we decided to get ourselves into business, but the drive and the hunger to continue learning and growing is always there and, at the very core of it, we are still so passionate about helping people save their skin and make the switch to sunless tanning (read more about our why here).

The juggle and sometimes downright struggle of balancing these roles has been real, to say the least. From managing the day-to-day operations of our business to nurturing our relationships with loved ones, every moment has felt like a delicate dance (on top of a razor blade). And amidst it all, there's the constant mental load that we as females deal with (did I pay that bill? did I book that swimming lesson? what are we having for dinner? when I did I get my hair done last?) and that nagging feeling of never doing enough, of never quite keeping up, and never quite getting to the peak of the mountain… a mountain that constantly shifts and grows and feels more and more out of reach at times. 

But as we take a moment to pause and take stock, we can appreciate that amidst the chaos and fires, there have been many great moments of achievements and accomplishment. It's easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of progress and perfection, but sometimes, it's important to take a step back, breathe, and acknowledge how far we've come - this is something that we're both committing to in 2024.

One of the biggest realisations of the past year has been the importance of investing in ourselves. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it has been too easy to neglect our own well-being and let ourselves fall by the wayside. We find ourselves constantly making excuses as to why we’re putting off medical appointments, hair and beauty appointments and exercise due to being “too busy”. But we've come to learn lately that self-care isn't selfish; it's essential. 

Equally significant has been our renewed commitment to community engagement. Over the past year, we've discovered the power of forging connections and fostering relationships within our female business community and the community that we have built with our Lunaverse. The conversations, the learnings, the shared experiences – they've all enriched our journey as founders in ways we never imagined and have come to highlight for us, just how much we know, how much we have achieved and just how far we can go.

Of course, no business is without its challenges and we have had more than our allotment. From navigating financial setbacks to grappling with supply chain disruptions, and some awful fulfilment problems that let down some of our customers, we've faced our fair share of obstacles and testing moments. And yes, there have been moments when we've wondered if things would be different if we were men. This year we’re choosing to channel our energy into advocating for ourselves and our business, standing firm in our worth and resilience and owning the outcomes of our business and our families. 

This International Women's Day, as we celebrate the theme of "Invest In Women" we’re reminded of the myriad ways in which Luna Bronze embodies this ethos. From championing inclusivity in our industry (an industry that has typically ignored a whole range of women worldwide) to empowering our team members to reach their full potential, we strive to create a world where every woman feels valued and supported. 

As we look ahead, we feel a real sense of optimism and determination. Yes, there's still work to be done. But surrounded by a community of inspiring women who share in the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship, we’re reminded that we're stronger together. So here's to embracing the journey, embracing ourselves, and embracing the space we rightfully occupy.