Part 1: The Foundation Year — What 2025 Taught Us About Building Something That Matters

2025 was a pivotal year for AndWhich. Launching a new nonprofit wasn't easy. Read more below.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve been spending time reflecting on what this year truly represented for us. Not just the milestones, but the lessons that came from building something new in real time.

This was the year we founded AndWhich — turning an idea into a nonprofit designed to support small businesses that are stretched thin and women re-entering the workforce who are looking for meaningful, flexible opportunities.

Like most first years, it wasn’t polished or predictable. It required learning fast, adjusting often, and staying committed even when the roadmap wasn’t fully clear.

One of the biggest validations came early on when we secured our first clients. It confirmed what we believed from the start: small business owners don’t need more advice — they need practical support that actually frees up their time. At the same time, we leaned into mentorship, working closely with SCORE, whose guidance helped us pressure-test our model, ask better questions, and think beyond short-term wins toward long-term sustainability.

A highlight of the year was our experience at the Small Business Expo, where we transformed our booth into a pop-up podcast studio. Throughout the day, entrepreneurs stopped by to practice their 30-second pitch, talk through their ideas, and reconnect with their “why.” The conversations were honest, energizing, and a powerful reminder of how much potential exists when people are given space to be heard. A sincere thank-you to The Show Producers and the Expo organizers for creating an environment that truly supported small businesses and mission-driven organizations.

Looking back, 2025 was about laying the foundation — building relationships, listening closely, and learning where support makes the biggest difference. It wasn’t about doing everything right. It was about doing the work, showing up consistently, and creating something worth growing. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will explore 2026 goals and how you can achieve yours too.