Celebrating my birthday Down Under!

Previously posted on karlapamanes.com/blog

It's my birthday!???????Well, it's my birthday in the United States. But here in Australia, I've been 39 years old for about 24ish hours already!

As my own “World’s Best Boss,” I get to enjoy some pretty amazing perks, but I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned taking a semi-spontaneous birthday trip to Australia. ??????

Last year, I reflected on ?“38 Lessons in 38 Years”?during my birthday month. This year, I’m focusing on something even closer to my heart—gratitude.

There’s so much to be thankful for, and I want to share just a few things filling my heart right now:?

?? This business. I sometimes have to pinch myself that I get to design for a living. It’s been a long journey, and I don’t take a single moment of it for granted.

?? My amazing clients. Your trust and collaboration mean the world to me, and you allow me to do the fulfilling work I love every day.

?? YOU. Whether you’ve booked my services, attended a workshop, mentioned my name in a room of opportunities, or even just liked a post—you’ve been part of this journey, and your support means everything.

?? My parents. They taught me that hard work pays off and always gave their best. My dad in heaven continues to guide me, while my mom here on earth is my unwavering cheerleader.

?? This beautiful birthday experience. From cuddling koalas to feeding kangaroos and watching penguins waddle by, I’m soaking up every magical moment. None of this would be possible without the freedom my business has given me, and I’m so deeply grateful for it.

But most of all, I’m grateful to share these moments with my son, Lennon. Showing him what’s possible when we believe in ourselves makes this experience even more special.

How We Ended Up in Australia:

A little backstory... Lennon and I met Silvia and Kristen (aka the Traffic Ninjas) last year at a retreat in Mexico. When we found out they were from Australia, Lennon had two immediate questions:

?? “Are the spiders as terrifying as YouTube makes them seem?”

?? “Can we come visit you sometime?”

Fast forward a few months (and a new award-winning brand identity for them later), and here we are! Tomorrow, we’ll be flying from Melbourne to Sydney to meet them, and they’ll be hosting us. ??

Kristen and Silvia are incredible Shopify experts. I saw their magic firsthand in September at their first live event in Dallas. Their impact on Shopify business owners is inspiring, and I can't recommend their work enough. They're bringing another live experience to the US next year—definitely check it out?HERE.

Now it's your turn—tell me about your most?spontaneous (or semi-spontaneous) birthday celebration you’ve ever had? I’d love to hear your story! Share it in the comments or reach out—I always enjoy hearing from you. ??

Oh, and if you have any genius tips for keeping an 11-year-old occupied on a long return flight, please send them my way! ????