(As per anniversary tradition, here are some of our favorite logo designs that didn't made the cut.)

Last year's What I've Learned post did me some good apparently. All those what-I've-learneds were well learned, and this year they weren't issues. This year brought it's own lessons.

1. Being an obsessive Type-A is a good thing.

Most of the time. I've always been an extremely independent person. Sometimes a little too independent. And it takes all I have not be a bossy bitch all too often. I constantly have to stop myself half way through ordering for David at a restaurant. Or completely taking over phone calls. Sometimes it's an issue. But it's an issue that I manage. 

As my business has grown, I've learned to deal with this issue very well, and even let Ms. Type-A out to play every once in a while. She keeps my files in order, my bookkeeping up-to-date, and makes sure all the bills are paid on time. I've learned to like being a bit of a control freak sometimes. Kind of a good thing.

2. Respect is mutual.

I remember in high school having a scummy coach/teacher give our joke of a science class an evil lecture about respect. The man was overweight, ignorant and an all-around ass. He deserved no respect because he earned no respect and he respected no one.

This year has taught me a lot about mutual respect that that coach never could have. You have to respect clients to get respect as a designer. And vice versa. It's hard for me to respect someone who refuses to respect me as a person.

3. Passion for entrepreneurship is intoxicating.

Really, I love my job in that I get to work with folks that have a drive for their business. They love their ideas. They've grabbed their skills by the horns and are building a life doing what they love. What does this do to me? It drives me just as hard, both working to help them, and working to grow my own business. It's truly intoxicating, if you open yourself to it. My clients are - in more ways than one - the driving force behind emmarie Web Design.

4. Asking for help is key to success.

I hired my first-ever assistant this year, after months of wrestling with myself to do something to better my work environment. It was the best decision I think I've ever made.

I think as small creative business owners, we sometimes have it ingrained within ourselves that we should juggle it all and become a real life Super Woman. But I think a real super hero knows when to call on his or her sidekick to keep things from getting too scary.

Even Batman needed a Robin.

5. Firing clients is a double-edged sword, AND an unexpected ointment.

For the first and only time ever, I fired a client this year. Granted, the basic terms of our contract were complete, but when additional work was requested, I had to refuse. This was my biggest lesson in respect, and in anger management. It affected me in more ways that I thought it could have, both in my work and personal life, but when all is said and done, it was not a job that I could have ever continued with, with a client that clearly never respected me or my profession, and I know I made the right decision. 

I would not have done anything any differently, and have learned a great deal about the kind of clients that I will now accept as my target audience. The biggest lesson of the year.

What kind of lessons have you learned from your business?