What an incredible year

Dear community, followers, family, and friends of KAZARTT,
Guillaume here.
After a hectic end-of-year season, I've finally taken the time to slow down and reflect.
No ChatGPT to write this post for me (except maybe for a quick spell-check and translation assistance) ! This is me, speaking directly from the heart.
Thank You
Let me start with a big THANK YOU!
This year hasn't always been smooth sailing (I'll share more on that in a moment), but one thing has remained constant: you ! The amazing community behind KAZARTT. You're the reason I keep pushing forward, creating original, sustainable products made in Europe at a fair price.
Some of you have been here since day one and I am even sure that some of you are reading this while wearing one of our very first models. Others joined us more recently from all corners of the globe : Spain, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, the USA, Denmark, and even Estonia and Slovakia! Knowing KAZARTT belts are now part of your wardrobes across the world fills me with gratitude.
So one more time, thank you for being part of this journey.
Reflecting on 2024
At the start of 2024, I set a big, bold goal: to reach €1 million in revenue. Ambitious? Maybe a little bit :-). Did I achieve it? Not even close.
But here's the thing: when you aim for the moon, you might not land on it. But you'll still reach the stars.
This year, KAZARTT sold 5,500 belts!
Let's pause for a moment to reflect on that number. That's 5,500 people wearing something I designed and brought to life. This journey started with no experience in product creation, no clear roadmap, and only a vague dream. Yet here we are. 5,500 belts in one year !
And, if that wasn't enough, 2024 also brought a life-changing milestone: I became a dad for the first time. Let me tell you, balancing fatherhood and entrepreneurship is no small feat!
The Challenges
Of course, not everything was smooth.
Despite selling thousands of belts, we didn't turn a profit this year. Here's why:
- I invested heavily in stock to prepare for the end-of-year rush.
- Advertising costs skyrocketed (and continue to rise).
- We developed three new models and introduced new colors, which required significant investment.
So yes, it was challenging. But not all challenges are setbacks. They're learning opportunities.
The Wins
Let's not forget the wins:
- Our social media following grew by 4,000+ new followers.
- Our newsletter family surpassed 15,000 subscribers.
- Belts were shipped to new countries, including the USA, Switzerland, Germany, and Poland.
- And, on a personal note, I became a dad to my beautiful daughter, Sofía, and moved to Bogotá, Colombia, to welcome her into the world.
Looking Ahead
As we enter 2025, my focus is clear. There are three main priorities:
1. Make KAZARTT Profitable
This is the big one. In 2023, the issue was stock shortages: we couldn't keep up with demand. This year, the challenge was high costs: ads, shipping, and manufacturing.
In 2025, we'll be more strategic with promotions, pricing, and spending. Profitability is the goal, and I'm determined to make it happen.
2. Expand into Physical Stores
One exciting area of growth is getting KAZARTT belts into physical stores. I've already started collaborating with several agents in France and more recently with Manolo, who's covering northern Italy, and I'm eager to see the results. If you're a sales agent or know someone who might be interested, let's connect!
3. Moving Back to Europe
After 10 months in Colombia, it's time for my family and me to return to Europe. Moving this time feels different. It's not just me packing a suitcase, it's me, my wife, our baby girl and her 2 boys. Big family requires big organization. And we will work step by step.
I will land in Belgium on February 11th, ready to start the next chapter of our lives.
Final Thoughts
2024 was a year of growth, challenges, and milestones. From sleepless nights (thanks to both Sofía and KAZARTT) to shipping belts across new horizons, it's been nothing short of an adventure.
As we step into 2025, I want to thank you again for being part of this journey. Whether you've bought a belt, followed us online, or simply cheered us on from the sidelines, your support means everything.
Here's to a new year of creativity, sustainability, and growth !
With lot of gratitude !
Guillaume