Reflecting on Blend’s “Nine-Ender” Year

As we close out 2024, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible journey Blend Interactive has taken — and this year in particular has felt like a milestone. Just as I’ve been exploring the Nine-Ender phenomenon in my personal life (turning 49!), I realized Blend is experiencing its own Nine-Ender moment as we approach our 20th anniversary in March of 2025.

For those unfamiliar with the term, the Nine-Ender phenomenon refers to the idea that people — and perhaps even organizations — tend to experience a heightened sense of reflection, motivation, and urgency during years ending in 9 (29, 39, 49, etc.). These are pivotal moments where we reassess where we are, consider what’s working and what’s not, and make bold decisions that set the tone for the next chapter. It’s a phenomenon backed by research: studies by psychologists Adam Alter and Hal Hershfield show that Nine-Enders are more likely to take on significant challenges and engage in behaviors aimed at creating meaning and impact. These years serve as psychological fresh starts, encouraging us to take stock and reimagine what’s possible.

For nearly a decade, Blend hovered around $3M in annual revenue. It was a comfortable plateau — and one we were grateful for — but this year, we broke through that ceiling. In 2024, Blend hit an all-new record-breaking year, pushing closer to $4M. This wasn’t just about numbers; it was about growth, perseverance, and the willingness to step out of our comfort zone. 

This growth didn’t come without challenges. Change is never easy, but it’s often necessary for maturation. As a company, we leaned into this discomfort, knowing it was part of building a stronger foundation for the future. Through this process, we’ve embraced opportunities, re-evaluated our goals, and doubled down on what makes us unique.

This past year has felt like a turning point, not unlike the way Nine-Enders reflect and realign their priorities before hitting a milestone birthday. At 19 years old, Blend’s “Nine-Ender” year has been a chance to ask big questions and set even bigger goals: What’s working? What’s not? Where do we go from here? It’s a time to reimagine our future, ensuring that we’re not just growing but growing in the right direction.

To help us reflect and strategize, we turned to the six core areas of business outlined by EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) and Traction:

• Vision: Are we clear about where we’re headed as a company?
• People: Do we have the right team in the right seats?
• Data: Are we using metrics to make informed decisions?
• Issues: Are we solving the problems that matter most?
• Process: Are our systems and workflows scalable and efficient?
• Traction: Are we staying disciplined and accountable to our goals?

These six pillars align closely with the Wheel of Life concept I’ve used personally. Just as individuals can assess their satisfaction and performance across different life domains, businesses can assess their performance and satisfaction across these core areas. By rating each area on a scale, we can identify where we’re thriving and where we need to focus more energy. Inspired by this parallel, I encourage you to explore the EOS Organizational Checkup tool. It’s a great resource for evaluating these six core areas and pinpointing opportunities for growth. You can take the checkup and start assessing your own organization’s performance at organizationalcheckup.com.

2024 has been a year of breakthroughs, reflection, and reimagining what’s possible. It reminded me that even when you feel like you’ve hit your stride, there’s always room to aim higher. Blend’s story is still being written, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.

As we gear up for 2025, I want to thank everyone who’s been part of this journey — our team, clients, and community. Here’s to making year 20 our best yet and celebrating the bold decisions and turning points that got us here.