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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 her values.
Whether you are a creative running workshops or a local Group supporting local youth, your "stakeholders" are your neighbours. When you genuinely engage with them, they become more than customers; they become your biggest cheerleaders.
The takeaway: Don't just sell to your community; be part of it.
2. Communication: Getting Everyone on the Same Page
Every successful project needs a "North Star"—a clear mission that guides every decision. Lucy’s mission is "creating moments of warmth and connection."
To make this real, she made a tiny but powerful change in language: calling patrons "guests" instead of "customers." It instantly shifted the mindset from a transaction to a relationship.
But how do you get your team to adopt these changes when everyone is busy? You don't need a formal boardroom meeting. We decided on a simple "Agile" approach: quick, regular check-ins using tools everyone already has, like a WhatsApp video call. It’s about progress, not perfection.
The takeaway: Keep communication simple and frequent. A quick 5-minute huddle is better than a monthly meeting that never happens.
3. Creativity: Marketing with Purpose
Marketing isn't about shouting the loudest; it's about talking to the right people. In project terms, this is "defining your scope." You can't reach everyone, so focus on the people who truly love what you do.
Lucy knows her audience perfectly: local moms and retirees. Her "12 Bakes of Christmas" campaign is a structured mini-project that delighted her specific audience and encouraged them to share their own photos.
For a creative freelancer, this might mean replacing a generic "sale" with an exclusive studio tour for your email subscribers. For a local maker, it could be hosting a seasonal showcase instead of just attending a large, impersonal fair. It’s about creating a focused "project" that adds value.
The takeaway: Know exactly who you are talking to and create something special just for them.
Actionable Insights for Your Business Toolkit
Here is a quick checklist to help you apply these ideas today:
- Identify Your Stakeholders: List three local groups (schools, charities, clubs) you could genuinely partner with or support.
- Simplify Your Communication: Set up a simple team chat (like WhatsApp) for "good news" and quick updates only.
- Define Your Audience: deeply describe your "ideal guest." Focus your next marketing post entirely on delighting them.
- Plan a Mini-Project: Pick one upcoming event or promotion. Map it out step-by-step (dates, tasks, goals) rather than winging it.
Running a business is a journey of constant learning. There will be weeks where just keeping the lights on feels like a victory—and that is okay. But by building a little structure around your community, communication, and creativity, you build a foundation that lasts.
Get in touch with our team at info@ccjmconsulting.com if you would like some business mentoring sessions - see how we can support you in your small business growth.
Article written by Ariane Eva Morin
