Before we knew it, 2025 came to an end. A year that was filled with opportunities, challenges, transitions and even moments of uncertainty. Looking back, it’s clear that these obstacles provided immense amounts of growth for our Rockers, both professionally and personally. The gratitude we feel for our clients and one another far outweigh any stress or uncertainty that we faced along the way.

Each of the following reflections tells a story of resilience, gratitude and progress, highlighting the meaningful growth and the trends that defined 2025, both within our work and in our personal lives.

Chief Rocker Julie Porter

Personally, this year was full of blessings. Andrew, my son, graduated with his MBA from Rollins College. We are so proud! Audrey, my daughter, continued to excel in school and proclaimed a love of acting and a hobby of being a soccer goalie.

Professionally, our team said goodbye to an important team member but gained a rock star. We had interns move on to amazing things and welcomed new ones. We were blessed with new clients and remained honored to continue on with our current clients. I gained new connections through joining groups including Success Champion Networking and Dream Team Dallas. I am motivated now more than ever to grow our business and brand.

We had time to give back our resources to important events including the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar and the Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Beacon of Hope Luncheon and Hope Party, among other things.

Industry wide, folks were dabbling in AI. Those that knew how to embrace it, we were grateful. And a few clients and prospects that were just getting on board, we were honored to educate them on the benefits.

Reflecting on 2025 and looking forward to the coming year are critical to me as a business leader. As a business, we will continue our focus — providing marketing plans and strategies and spot-on execution are paramount. We will continue to work with those we love, for those we love while taking care of our loves.

Cheers to the new year! I am honored to be working with this rockin’ team for our amazing clients.

Client Relationship Rocker Nancy Scott

As I look back on 2025, I’m grateful for a year that pushed me, taught me and reminded me why I love the work I do. I had the chance to partner with some incredible clients across industries and help them fine tune messaging and branding. Each project felt meaningful — I’m proud of the work created with my fellow Rockers and clients.

On the home front, my three daughters continue to amaze me. I watched them grow into themselves more, becoming more confident and more aware of who they are. We faced big and small challenges head-on and together.  In starting over, we leaned on each other and discovered a kind of strength and courage I’ll never forget.

As we wrap up the year, I’m thankful for the people and moments that made 2025 what it was. Mostly, I’m grateful for my daughters and the community around us. Here’s to moving into 2026 with clarity, gratitude and hope!

Rock Collector Alison Moreno

2025 was an incredible year both personally and professionally. Watching my son graduate from high school and sending him off to college is sad and wonderful all at the same time. Witnessing my daughter become strong and independent both physically and emotionally, as she finished 3^rd in Powerlifting Regionals before finishing out her sophomore year has made me so proud.

This year has also been a great opportunity for me as I have been able to grow and learn so much within the bookkeeping and accounting world. I have been able to work with more business owners in different industries that have bright dreams for their companies, and I have been able to help them work towards those goals. I hope that 2026 offers more of the same opportunities and progress as I push myself beyond my previous boundaries and expand my expertise.

Media Rocker Christine Finnegan

My year-end reflections for 2025 focus on reviewing my personal growth, career milestones — such as new skills and leadership achievements — health habits, and financial goals. I emphasized the importance of deep, intentional planning rather than merely “doing more” to achieve true fulfillment. My actions are always guided by self-awareness and resilience, ensuring they align with my personal values and maintain focus. As I look back on the year, I’ve realized that my happiness stems primarily from my two sons. Knowing that they are well and thriving brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

Swiss Army Rock Lea Ann Allen

2025 was a year full of Blursdays. Blursday, in case you are not familiar, is the day it is when you don’t know what day it is. All in all, 2025 has been utter chaos. But amid all the chaos I could always count on my colleagues at Front Porch Marketing. They are steady, kind and uplifting.

In all other ways, I am grateful this year is over. And I’m definitely hoping next year is less like a dumpster fire and more like a warm cup of cocoa with extra marshmallows. Keep your fingers crossed.

Website Rocker Vicky Gouge

It’s hard to believe we’re heading into 2026. My son just turned 12, and it feels like only yesterday I was holding him for the first time. While I love watching him grow into a thoughtful, capable young man, it’s bittersweet how quickly the years seem to pass. Time has a way of speeding up as we get older, and moments like this make that especially clear.

Looking back, 2025 was a steady and meaningful year. I was fortunate to travel with friends, spend a lot of quality time with family, and create new memories with Charlie along the way. Those experiences are what truly anchored the year for me.

From a business perspective, the year brought its share of challenges. The rapid emergence of AI tools introduced uncertainty, and a shifting economy made decision-making slower for many consumers. Even so, the year remained a positive one overall — full of learning, adaptation, and forward momentum.

Intern Sophie Leos

As I reflect back on the past year, I am so thankful for the opportunities that presented challenges and allowed me to grow professionally and as a person. As a senior in college at the University of Arkansas, I am approaching some of my final months as a student. Looking back even just a year ago, I feel like a whole new person.

This year was filled with various internships including my current one with Front Porch Marketing, which has given me much clarity as to my future career path. Front Porch has allowed me to learn from inspiring marketing professionals and gain numerous new skills, along with a vast amount of knowledge about the marketing world. I feel so much more prepared to enter the workforce and confident in the value that I can add to a team.

I am so grateful to everyone at Front Porch who has given me the space to learn and grow while also providing me with valuable guidance along the way. 2025 was so fruitful, and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the next year!

Intern Riley Fry

Over the course of this year, there have been challenges to face, obstacles to overcome, goals achieved and unforgettable memories made with friends and family. To 2025, all I can say is thank you for shaping me into the person I am today, strengthening me through difficult moments and reminding me of what I’m capable of. Being a part of Front Porch Marketing has truly uplifted me and taught me more than I could have ever imagined, both personally and professionally. Every experience, lesson and connection has played a role in my growth. Because of 2025, I’m stepping into the new year feeling grateful, confident and excited for what’s ahead.

Reflections on 2025, From All of Us on the Porch

Thank you for being part of a year that challenged us, shaped us and helped us grow into the best versions of ourselves. As we step into the new year, we do so with gratitude for our people, our clients and the community that continues to support and inspire us.

Here’s to growth, clarity and showing up for one another.

Stay curious.

Stay kind.

Keep rocking.

With hearts full of love and excitement, we can’t wait to see what this new year will bring.

Happy New Year’s Resolutions!!! Sure, we’re now halfway through the month of January, but most people believe it’s perfectly acceptable to keep using ‘Happy New Year’ as a greeting all month long. In fact, some might even stretch it into February if they haven’t seen you in a while. At the end of the day, it’s your own personal judgement call.

Since it’s still perfectly acceptable to say ‘Happy New Year,’ it’s also a great time (if you haven’t already) to set new goals or resolutions for the year ahead! Let’s dive into the origins of resolutions, different types of goals and tips for staying on track.

When did New Year’s Resolutions start?

Resolutions have evolved over time. According to history.com, the practice began over 4,000 years ago by the ancient Babylonians. Unlike today, their new year started in March and was rooted in religious customs. Later, Julius Ceasar established January 1 as the start of the new year, which still holds true today. And modern-day resolutions have shifted to focus on personal self-improvement rather than making promises to the gods.

Types of Goals

When we’re trying to decide on resolution(s) for the year, our minds probably all go to the tried-and-true ones on a lot of people’s lists.

• Self-Care: hitting the gym, eating healthier, getting more shut eye, prioritizing mental health
• Personal Development: getting that work promotion, decluttering, getting organized, taking up a new hobby
• Relationship Goals: more quality time, expanding circles of friends, practicing gratitude
• Financial Goals: saving money, creating a budget, paying down debt

But maybe the traditional list of resolutions isn’t for you. Maybe you’ve chosen a single word to inspire and guide you throughout the year. Think growth, gratitude or kindness. These one-word resolutions are becoming more common and can serve as a theme to help guide your actions for the year. 

My personal favorite New Year’s resolution is the straightforward “less” and “more” approach. Grab a piece of paper and make a column for both. Less clutter. More family time. Less stress. More time in nature. Less screen time. More gratitude. “Less” and “more” resolutions are easy to incorporate into your daily life. 

Keeping Your Resolutions

Now that resolutions have been made, the important question is how do we hold ourselves accountable to keep them? It’s sad to say that the percentage of people who successfully achieve their New Year’s resolutions is in the single digits. So, here are a few tips to stay on track.

• Start Small. You don’t have to hit the gym seven days a week. Start with two or three days and work your way up if you choose.
• Be Flexible. Life happens. Adjust your plan and keep trying instead of giving up completely.
• Reward Yourself. Celebrate the small victories. Maybe it’s a new outfit if you’ve lost weight. Or a sweet treat at the end of the week if eating healthily is your goal.
• Stay Positive. If things don’t go as planned be kind to yourself. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progression.

Your resolution can be as simple or as ambitious as you want. The goal is to start the year on a positive note, celebrate the wins and enjoy the journey. Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year, friends! Yes, it’s officially THAT time of year … the holidays are over, the kids are back to school, and we take a look around at the carnage and decide that things have to change. And THIS is the year we are going to resolve to make those changes.

So we make some resolutions. We’re going to lose weight! Get in fabulous shape! Get fabulously organized! Become the best mother/wife/friend/person EVER! We google “how to make changes.” We examine our motivations, set realistic goals, plan our rewards, and set out on our course to become a newer, better, version of ourselves.

Blah, blah, blah.

Um, no offense to anyone who truly commits to change in the new year and follows through with it (there may be one or two of you out there), but let’s face it, most of us get busy and forget our New Year’s Resolutions five minutes after we make them.

Listen, I’m all for self-improvement. But I wholly believe that the greatest improvement any of us can make to our lives, and the lives of everyone around us, is to resolve to do something simple … BE HAPPY. Find your happiness. Create happy moments. Do happy things. Big things. Little things. Anything that lightens your load and makes you smile.

How about these things?

Take a spur of the moment trip

Have dinner with someone who makes you laugh

Write someone you love a letter

Eat something you’ve never tried

Take a long walk

Find a place to dance

Stop doing something you do only out of obligation

Binge watch a new show

Treat yourself to something big

Spend a day volunteering

Call an old friend

Read the paper on Sunday

Tell your kids a story about your younger self

Cook a special meal for no reason

Forgive someone

Forgive yourself

Life is short, friends, and we only have this one. Our time here is precious. Enjoy it. Smile broadly. Breathe deeply. Laugh loudly. Love the people that love you (and forget the ones that don’t). Be happy.

Now those are resolutions.

As you welcome in the New Year and think about personal goals for 2016, don’t forget your kids! Maybe you’ve thought about goals such as spending more time with them, making sure you’re saving enough money for college expenses or planning a special family vacation. These are great goals, but there are also some you can make that involve spending quality time with them to educate them financially and help ensure their future success.

Commit to activities that will teach them the importance and value of money.

There are many ways to teach kids about money, but actual activities that include engagement with a parent and others can be very effective, and don’t always require a lot of time or money. Here are three activities to consider with your kids in 2016 that can be fun to do together!

Show them the basics of saving by taking them to your bank or credit union.

It’s fun for kids to go beyond the ATM or counter, and walk inside for an actual appointment. If you can, open a small account for them with their allowance money or cash gifts from the holidays or a birthday. If the account is tied to yours, fees may be waived or minimal. The pride that comes with holding their own deposit slip, or seeing an online transaction for their own account, and hopefully shaking the hand of the local manager, makes for a special moment with your child. They can be encouraged to deposit additional money with you as they earn it or receive gifts or allowance, and when ready, obtain a debit card to learn to watch their balance and spend their money wisely.

Taking your child to your bank for their first official appointment can be a very special event for them to celebrate a New Year, birthday, or some other achievement. Consider talking with them about setting a goal for a fun trip with you to the bank this year.

Introduce them to investing by introducing them to your financial advisor.

If you have a local relationship with a financial advisor, ask if they will meet briefly with you and your child to spend some time explaining the importance of investing. Hopefully you can also open an account for them at that meeting if they have saved enough money, or that cash gift from grandma was large enough! The meeting can be kept simple by discussing worldwide companies your kid is likely already aware of – think Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Amazon, etc… Talking about these companies, how they make money for shareholders, and how to participate through various mutual funds is something your child will likely show interest in, especially if you’ve taken the time to introduce them to your personal advisor.

Creating a knowledge of the companies kids love beyond the products purchased and consumed is eye-opening and fun for them, especially when they recognize they can save their own money and invest in some of their favorite ones. They certainly understand hoverboards, Star Wars, and the other big sales hits of this past season!

Teach them to contribute their own money to causes they care about.

Once your child has a basic awareness of saving and investing, it’s wonderful to teach them why we give some of our money to causes we care about. They may have already volunteered their time, given away old clothing or toys, or placed coins into an offering plate or red bucket, but we also need to help them find their own passions for causes and develop good habits for giving financially.

You can discuss things they love and care about, talk about where there may be needs, and look at options for supporting those needs. They may love animals, have concern for those that are strays, and decide to send their money to an animal shelter. They may be sad for children that go hungry and want to give to a food bank. They can find causes around art, music, sports, and numerous areas of interest.

Then decide, what is the plan for giving? For example, is their allowance $5 weekly, and will they consider giving $5 every other month? Will you match that $5 for a $10 contribution? Once you make your decisions, it’s good for them to find a chosen charity’s website to contribute online, or for a younger child to help address an envelope for mailing your check.

When you receive the email or letter of thanks from the organization, sharing it with your child will teach them their small contributions are important and meaningful. Collecting letters like these with them over the years is a great goal, but also a reflection of time, and money, well spent.

May you, and your kids, have a financially healthy and Happy New Year!