2026: Connection, Curiosity, and ten "No's" a week

*No AI was used in the writing of this blog - please excuse typos :)

 

From Becca:

*Looking into the new Pennies' lobby, Christmas tree and all 

 

I had a wonderful holiday. The team took two weeks off and closed the kitchen to rest. Coble and I drove from Blowing Rock to Morehead City to spend time with friends and family (from Murphy to Manteo, almost).

*A COLD, 25 degree Fahrenheit walk around a blistery Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, complete with bear masks for warmth 

*Much needed time with friends in Morehead City. Complete with Friendly Market dips and homemade espresso martinis (1 oz Kahlua, 1 oz espresso, 1 oz vodka - amaze).

 

While I am grateful for the year, 2025 was an exhausting. I still am catching my breath.

Kitchen construction, permitting, never ending bills.

Home renovations... Moving timelines, and living in a construction zone.

Physical labor, renting back our old kitchen, transporting ingredients back and forth.

It was stressful. Frustrating. With lots of unknowns. I get a weird gut-tension talking about it.

Coble titled 2025, "Permits for Renovations!" Where the government (and ourselves) gave permission to make scary changes in order to grow.

We celebrate now, but growth hurts sometimes.

*A peak into our home renovation

*New sign at the Piedmont Pennies warehouse

 

2026 feels like a fresh start, a re-boot. I'm thankful for it.

We've celebrated, rested, and now we can look clearly toward the new year. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions, but I find this reflection helpful. Grab a pin, paper, and a cozy spot and ask yourself,

1. What do you want more of in 2026? 
2. What do you want less of in 2026?
3. How do you want to FEEL in 2026?
4. What growth opportunity scares you? Why?

 

Two key themes arose from the exercise:

In 2026, here's to making space for what matters: Curiosity & Connection

• Space to breathe (and read) 
  • Let's end the mindless scrolling. The Brick has helped me here. Thank you, Addie McElwee for the rec! 
  • At night, the phone is "bricked" (locked) and I read for thirty minutes before bed. Social media apps are bricked until noon the next day. As I finish a new book, I'm displaying it on a bookshelf in the office. A friendly reminder on what I've read and a reminder to keep up the momentum!
• Space to be.
  
  • We as humans need fewer emails, fewer ads, and more in-person connection. Pennies will stay true to that in 2026 (help me here! I have thoughts... but if you have ideas, give me a shout).
• Space to create.
  • New flavors, packaging, website... Man I'm excited!!!
• Space to hear "No"
  • Wait, wut? Shouldn't the new year be about "yeses?" 
  • I recently heard, "You should set a goal to receive ten "no's" a week. Whether that's from a customer, client, mentor, or friend."
  • Why? Receiving a "No" means you're being BOLD in asking for what you want (or what your business needs), not telling yourself no before you ask.
    
  • You never know what "no's" may actually be "yeses" and lead to exponential growth...

 

According to 2026 reports, consumers are craving connection and simplicity - well... SAME.

 

We promise to respect those desires in 2026 around our kitchen table. Thanks for being here as we make space for what matters.

 

Stay Cheesin!

Becca

*Coble and me in downtown Morehead after dinner at Full Circle (The curry fried oysters... y'all).

 

P.S. We're heading to the Atlanta wholesale market next week - and I'm surprisingly chill about it all. Excited to see old new friends and new!! Send your friends to Building 2, floor 3, boot 531 for a cheesy good time.