Jazmin Russell

I have some news to share! I've accepted a full-time Program Manager role at Commerce, and I'm really excited about it. For those who don't know, I worked at Commerce before taking maternity leave in 2024. I get to pick up relationships I've already built, collaborate with familiar faces, and step back into an environment where I can contribute from day one. I'm looking forward to working on complex, large-scale programs and continuing to grow as a program manager alongside a team I respect....

There's a question I ask at the start of every project I work on, and it's one of the simplest but most powerful tools I have. What does done look like? Not "what are we working on" or "what's the goal." Those are important, but they're not specific enough to keep a project from spiraling. I'm asking: What does it look like when this project is finished? How will we know we're done? What will exist that doesn't exist now? What decisions need to be made before we can close this out? Most...

Let's talk about Standard Operating Procedures, aka "SOPs". I know that term might make you want to close this email immediately. SOPs sound bureaucratic, corporate, and like one more thing to add to your already overflowing plate. But I promise you, this isn't about adding complexity to your business, it's about removing it. Here's what I've noticed: when I bring up SOPs with business owners, I get similar reactions. The skepticism is real, and I get it. But most of what people believe about...