Let’s call it out - the past 5 years have been like a giant, unpredictable escape room for anyone in the events industry. Plot twists, surprise puzzles, and absolutely zero clues. But if anyone’s been training for this kind of chaos their whole life: It’s small business owners.

These scrappy, brilliant humans—whether solo or with a ride-or-die team of two—have mastered the art of doing all the things, wearing all the hats, and somehow making it all look (mostly) sane.

And guess what? Their hustle secrets aren’t just for the entrepreneur crowd. If you’re an event planner, producer, manager, or magician-in-chief—there’s a lot you can learn from your small biz cousins. Here’s what to swipe from their playbook:

Flexibility - And Not Just On Their Yoga Mats

Plans change. Clients ghost. Venues double-book. Pandemics happen. (Too soon?)

Small business owners know that clinging to The Plan™ is a recipe for heartbreak. So they pivot. They problem-solve. They MacGyver the heck out of situations.

As an eventpro, your ability to stay bendy could be what keeps the lights on and the mics working. Spoiler alert: The magic isn’t in sticking to the plan. It’s in how gracefully you remix it.

Less Buck, More Bang!

Small biz owners live that “champagne dreams on boxed-wine budget” life. They know how to stretch a dollar until it yells, call in favors like pros, and trade services like it’s a backyard swap meet.

Big budget or not, channeling that scrappy energy can spark some seriously creative solutions. Because throwing money at problems is so 2019.

Clients Are Not Just Clients. They’re Lifelines.

For small business owners, every client is gold. Platinum, even. Relationships aren’t just part of the job—they are the job.

Want loyal clients who sing your praises (and rebook you again and again)? Treat ‘em like partners, not transactions. Know their goals, anticipate their needs, make them feel like Beyoncé on event day.

Limitations Make You Smarter, More Resourceful

Constraints? Small biz owners eat ‘em for breakfast. Tight deadlines, tiny teams, minimal budgets—yeah, they’ve been there, done that, still found a way to wow.

Turns out, the less you have to work with, the more creative you have to get. Who needs a massive production budget when you’ve got big ideas and a little audacity?

Hustle Is Their Middle Name

Ever met a small business owner who isn’t doing ten things at once? Me neither. They’re the CEO, head of marketing, customer service rep, tea barista and wine bottle uncorker.

That relentless hustle builds stamina—and mad respect. Even if you’re in a bigger org, adopting a “let’s figure it out” mindset will make you nimble, solution-focused, and way more fun to work with.

Community Over Competition

Sure, there’s competition in business. But many small biz owners know that collaboration is where the good stuff lives. They partner up, trade referrals, and share resources.

#Eventprofs, take note: The more you connect, the more you grow. Don’t be shy—share your wins, your struggles, your favorite AV guy. We’re stronger together.

Celebrate the Tiny Wins

Small business owners know that waiting for the giant wins is a surefire way to burnout. So they pop the confetti for the little things: A great client call. A signed contract. A killer testimonial.

You don’t need a gala to celebrate success. Recognize the progress, the impact, the effort. It keeps your team energized, your spirit buoyant, and your momentum strong.

Start SMALL!!

Whether you’re running your own shop or managing mega events with a big crew, these small biz mindsets can make your work smoother, smarter, and a whole lot more fun.

So next time things go sideways (they will), channel your inner entrepreneur. Ask:

• How can I pivot?
• What do I already have that I can use?
• Who can I partner with or learn from?

You’ve got this.

P.S. Hey MPIers—did you know there’s a whole squad of small business owners inside the MPI Small Business Owners Community? It’s like a mastermind, support group, and virtual high-five fest all in one. If you’re looking to swap ideas, get support, or just vent to people who get it, come hang with us. We saved you a seat.