Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Margaret Chapman, Founder & Partner of JaM Strategies, LLC, located in Arlington, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a partner at JaM Strategies, LLC. Together with my business partner, we create bespoke experiences for our clients to help them grow their businesses or organization to the next level. We focus on organizational effectiveness, strategic communications, and financial management to meet the varying needs of our clients.
Our work ranges from programmatic brainstorming to full strategic plans. Often our clients want individualized communications or financial strategies and general organizational design to improve their outcomes and expand their impact. Our clients include organizations and companies looking to scale. They may be at a transition point in leadership, funding, or programming or just need a reboot after doing the same thing for several years.
Tell us about yourself
I spent almost a decade working in political finance, operations, and strategy before moving into nonprofit management. Since 2011, I’ve been working with organizations and businesses ranging from $50,000 to $50 million annually to improve their financial strategy, fundraising, accounting, and general operations. I love making seemingly complex concepts accessible to every group.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Owning your own business is a challenge for anyone who does it. My business partner and I launched our new name and practices right before the pandemic hit, but we’ve been able to pivot and grow during that time despite all the new hurdles the world was facing. I’m excited that we’re able to help our clients achieve real growth, and I always enjoy seeing how our work can affect the lives of those in our community and beyond.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying focused. When we started, we wanted to do everything for everyone, and because we have so much combined experience, we often could. However, we learned that to grow the business, we needed to focus strategically on what we do best - our zone of genius. That was one of the most difficult things to work through.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be willing to pivot. It was an early piece of advice that we received, and I think it still holds true. You may think clients need one thing, but when you start working, they often need something else.
- Start small. Big ideas are awesome, and you can do a lot, but it’s so much easier to start with something simple and grow than to backtrack.
- Have fun! Owning a business, dealing with clients, going after new clients - it’s a lot of stress and work, so try and find ways to make it as enjoyable as possible. If you’re working on things you love, it’ll still be hard, but you’ll see the benefit that you’re providing.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jamstrategies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaMStrategies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamstrategies/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-chapman-1198a74/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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