NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS

By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

---

Eliana Barriga

Happy New Year! The beginning of the year is such a perfect time to get introduced to new technology, products and services. And what better way to do this than by attending CES, KBIS 2015 and IBS at Design &

Construction Week. In celebration of the new year and new things (and just because we love our partners), we made even more room in this issue for them to showcase their products. Smart appliances are finally making their way into the mainstream market and popping up on independent retailer’s showroom floors across the country. That’s why we are featuring Control4’s collaboration with Sub Zero/Wolf in the article, Eat. Control. Love.

Elly Valas reminds us not to forget our health this year in her article, Here’s to a Healthy 2015. Libby Wagner adds more words of wisdom in You Are Not An Island. After reading these articles, I started reflecting on my own work ethic and healthy habits and realized the two pretty much go hand in hand. When I purposely fit in family time, I feel lighter, happier and healthier. On the other hand, when I repeatedly decline invitations to parties, lunches or coffee with friends for the sake of the business, I feel tighter and those little aches and pains seem more noticeable and less manageable.

We are not meant to be islands. We have friends and families that support our lives at home. And at work we have employees and partnerships we can rely on. With that said, how many times have you found yourself up worrying about your business? Or found yourself short on time and watching your personal list of to-do’s grow longer by the day? Yes, we are strong, we are independent entrepreneurs—we are modern day superheroes! But even Batman and Superman wouldn’t last long without their sidekicks. You won’t either unless you let go and lean on the people in your lives. If you feel like you can’t, then maybe this year you should focus on bringing in new people that will enrich your life and your work.

Make it a great year,
Eliana Barriga 
eliana@retailobserver.com

---