Running a small business or a creative venture often feels like juggling a dozen balls at once. As a business mentor, I often draw on my background in project management—a structured method for managing projects—to help business owners find calm in the chaos. Don't worry, this doesn't mean you need complex charts or rigid rules. It just means applying a little structure to help your passion project thrive. Recently, I worked with Lucy, a café/deli owner, and we uncovered three simple pillars that can transform any business, from a local artist’s studio to a local group. 1. Community: More Than Just Customers In project management, we talk about "stakeholders"—the people who affect or are affected by your work. For a small business, your community is your biggest stakeholder. Lucy’s café/deli intuitively understands this. She supports a local charity for the homeless and donates leftovers to childcare providers. These aren't just nice gestures; they are proof of he...