My response to the “I can’t have a process” myth...

Happy fabulous Friday, everyone! I’m writing this week’s newsletter from the Midwest - We’re here visiting my boyfriend’s family, while battling humidity and a summer cold, so let’s dive right in:

Here is something I hear all the time at kat&co when starting with a new business owner:

“I can’t have a process… all of my projects are different!”

Trust me, I get it! I’ve spent my career in the interior design, custom furniture, and fine art worlds - industries where no two projects look the same.

And yes, plenty can happen along the way: scope creep, budget shifts, decision delays, product backorders, specification mistakes, logistical headaches, damages, vendor ghosting, contractor pushback, client overwhelm… the list is endless.

But here’s the thing: you still have repeatable parts in your business.

Even if the scope changes, the structure doesn’t have to.

Let’s think this through - You likely have the same or similar touch points every time:

• Client onboarding

• Communication milestones

• Concept design / design iteration

• Design development / revisions

• Project management / implementation

• Billing schedules

• Project wrap up, or “punch list”

• End of project review

The trick here is to focus on what remains the same project to project, instead of what changes.

Those common threads become your project “skeleton” - a wireframe you can refine, automate, and use to keep your team and clients in sync.

These guidelines won’t hinder your creativity, I promise!! If anything, it will allow you to predict what is coming up next, clear your mind, and allow you to allocate your time towards creativity with peace of mind that your project is on the right track.

Reflection: What steps of your projects always take you by surprise, and what would make these easier to predict? What parts of your projects do you feel the most confident doing, and why? Would any parts of your process benefit from simplification?

✨ Episode 009 of Good Ideas + Bad Decisions is out! 🎤

This week, Ellen and I sit down with Bekah Burns, the owner of Rebekah Burns Coaching. Bekah shares her journey from working in the wine industry to becoming a certified Life Coach. We delve into the importance of listening to one's body, adapting to change, and the influence of holistic health on overall well-being.

This conversation is filled with wisdom, laughs, and practical advice for anyone looking to find balance and direction in their entrepreneurial journey.

Give it a listen + follow below!

Want to be a guest on the podcast or submit a business question for us to tackle on air?

I am truly excited to be building community around creative small businesses, entrepreneurship, and authenticity.

Until next time - We got this! 🖤

Love from your friend,

Kat