Newsletter; July 2025
Welcome to the new and improved Crum Consulting newsletter! Each month we strive to provide you with a variety of helpful resources, tips, and practices to support your continued success, both personally and professionally. Because we work with a diverse demographic of clients, industries, and backgrounds, we aim to provide content equally as diverse. If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about any particular topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! If you are a new client, please click here to fill out a consultation form, and we will be in touch to schedule a session with you.
Article Spotlight
Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
Picture this: you set up your day, dive into your to-do list with enthusiasm, only to be derailed 15 minutes in. The next three hours are consumed by an unplanned task, leaving you scrambling to regain your footing. When the day ends, instead of feeling accomplished, you feel more behind than when you started.
If you have any questions surrounding this month's article, or would like to further explore opportunities, please feel free to reach out to schedule a session with us! You can reply directly here if we have worked together in the past. If you are a new client, please click here to fill out a consultation form, and we will be in touch to schedule a session with you.
Sustainable Growth
Clear Expectations
Establishing clear expectations is crucial for ensuring smooth operations, enhancing communication, and achieving your business goals. Let's dive in and work towards creating a more transparent and effective work environment and client experience.
Start by creating detailed job descriptions for each role within your organization. Clearly outline the key responsibilities, required skills, and performance expectations. Communicate these job descriptions to your employees, ensuring they fully understand their roles and the standards they are expected to meet.
Create a set of onboarding materials for new clients that outline your services, processes, and expectations. This can include a welcome packet, service agreements, and a FAQ document. Make sure to explain your policies, timelines, and any critical information clients need to know. Regularly update these materials to reflect any changes in your business practices.
Establish a routine of regular feedback and review sessions with both employees and clients. For employees, conduct quarterly performance reviews to discuss progress, provide constructive feedback, and set future goals. For clients, schedule periodic check-ins to review project progress, address any concerns, and ensure that both parties are aligned on expectations and outcomes.
Remember, clarity in communication fosters trust and accountability, paving the way for a more successful and harmonious business environment. Keep refining and reinforcing these practices as you navigate your business on the road less traveled!
Highlights
Sage Advice
Welcome to Sage Advice, an inspiring interview-style video series brought to you by Crum Consulting. In this engaging series, we delve into the minds of successful business owners who have navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Each episode offers a unique glimpse into their personal journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the triumphs they've celebrated. Join us as we explore the invaluable lessons they've learned along the way, and gather insightful advice for aspiring and established business owners alike. Whether you're looking to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit or seeking strategies to elevate your business, Sage Advice is your go-to source for wisdom and inspiration on the road less traveled.
Welcome to Sage Advice Episode 2! In this episode, we sit down with Brandie Cottrell, the visionary owner of Serenity Tattoo Studio, a premier tattoo studio in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2020, Serenity has grown into a thriving studio with some of the most talented artists in the state, dedicated to providing exceptional body art in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Brandie shares her journey of building a business that prioritizes client care, artistic excellence, and transforming the tattoo experience into something both enjoyable and meaningful. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a tattoo enthusiast, you won’t want to miss her insights on creativity, customer service, and turning passion into success.
To learn more about Serenity Tattoo Studio, reach out to Brandie at:
shop@serenitytattoostudio.com | (737) 484-0484
Click the button below to view the full interview.
Beyond Business
The “Not Today” Ninja
Let’s concoct a concept called “Work-Free Day” and sprinkle it liberally across your calendar. Here’s the map—guaranteed to raise eyebrows and lower stress levels:
The Great Hookie Adventure: A Day of Delightful Deception
Choose Your Target: Picture your workweek—the battlefield of spreadsheets, emails, and Zoom calls. Now, select a day. Yes, that one—the day you’d normally be in the corporate trenches, brandishing your coffee mug like a sword.
The Rules of Engagement:
Rule #1: The Undercover Operation: This isn’t just any day off; it’s a covert mission. You’re Agent Chillax, infiltrating the enemy lines of productivity. Dress incognito (pajamas count) and slip away unnoticed.
Rule #2: The Forbidden Scroll: Lock eyes with your work laptop. Whisper, “Not today, old friend.” Close it. Hide it. Bury it under a pile of fluffy pillows. No peeking!
Rule #3: The Digital Detox: Phones, tablets, smartwatches—round 'em up like wild stallions. Place them in a drawer, wrap them in a scarf, or send them on a mini-vacation to the sock drawer. Exceptions: If you’re capturing evidence (read: Instagram-worthy pics), keep that camera handy.
Rule #4: The Time-Turner Trick: Remember Hermione’s nifty device? Well, you’ve got one too. Use it to warp time. Suddenly, you have all the hours you never knew existed. 🕰️
Choose Your Adventure:
Option A: The Sloth Sanctuary: Park yourself on the comfiest couch. Blanket? Check. Snacks? Double-check. Netflix queue? Triple-check. Dive into a movie marathon—sci-fi, rom-coms, or documentaries about cheese-making. Bliss level: Expert.
Option B: The Zen Zone: Light some scented candles. Run a bubble bath. Imagine you’re a mermaid (or merman) with excellent work-life balance. Read that novel you’ve been neglecting. Bonus points if you read it in a hammock by an actual lake.
Option C: The Nature Nook: Pack a picnic basket with all the essentials: sandwiches, fruit, and a thermos of something delightful (hot cocoa or iced tea, depending on your climate). Drive to a nearby park, forest, or lakeside. Spread out a blanket, commune with squirrels, and let the sun kiss your face.
Option D: The Hobby Haven: Remember that half-finished jigsaw puzzle? Or the watercolor set gathering dust? Today’s the day! Channel your inner artist, puzzle-solver, or ukulele enthusiast. Bonus points if you do it while sipping herbal tea and humming a mysterious tune.
Mission Accomplished
As the sun sets, pat yourself on the back. You’ve successfully played hooky, defied the spreadsheet overlords, and recharged your soul batteries. Return to work tomorrow with a secret smile—the kind that says, “I know the secret of joy.”
Remember, life’s too short for all work and no play. So go forth, break the rules (just this once), and may your hooky day be as magical as a unicorn’s disco party! 🦄✨
Thank you for being a pivotal part of our journey here at Crum Consulting. We would be nothing without you, and your continued support. Please feel free to share our content with others to pay it forward. We relish in receiving feedback, so if you have any suggestions or if you'd like to share your opinion on any of the content we have provided here, please let us know! If you have any questions about anything we covered here, or if you'd like to explore potential opportunities with Crum Consulting, we are here for you! Reach out anytime!
"Happiness isn't a goal, its a direction." - Arthur C. Brooks
Until we meet again, take care of yourself, and others. Thank you.
