The 6P Framework: Build a Business That Runs Without Running You Into the Ground

“Last week, my "self-running" business nearly imploded when my operations lead—the person who knew every system, client, and process—vanished without warning. No transition. No documentation. Just radio silence.”

(Tag a founder who needs to hear this before it happens to them 👇)

It really happens, that was a 911 panic call I got last week from a friend.

The Crisis Trap

We've all been there. Racing from launch to launch, convinced we'll "fix things later."

• That SOP you've been meaning to write

• The backup plan you keep postponing

• The old agency you thought you offboarded

• The "bus factor" you try not to think about

Then life throws its inevitable curveball:

• Your ad account gets hacked

• Your top performer leaves

• Your bookkeeper ghosts you (with all your passwords)

And suddenly, your "mostly working" business shows its cracks.

The Real Problem

Here's the truth most business coaches won't tell you: A self-managing team is like a unicorn—everyone wants one, no one has seen one.

But there's something better: a business built on foundations so strong it can weather any storm.

Not a "passive income" fantasy. Not a "4-hour workweek" dream. Just a solid business that works—with or without you in every Slack channel.

The Solution: The 6P Framework

After rebuilding multiple 7-figure businesses from the ground up, I've discovered patterns of what actually works.

Here's the framework that saved my sanaity—and why you need it before (not after) your own crisis hits.

1. Purpose: Your BS Filter

Stop chasing every shiny opportunity. Start using purpose as your decision-making filter. Keeping your lean team aligned on this core will move you faster and smoother when it comes to prioritizing projects and empowering solid decision makers in all roles.

Real Example: Ana was drowning in offerings—courses, coaching, retreats, you name it. When she got crystal clear on her purpose ("making wellness simple for busy parents"), she cut 60% of her products. Revenue jumped 40% in 90 days.

2. People: Stop Hiring Rock Stars

Your best team members aren't born that way—they're shaped by the right environment.

Here's the truth creative founders need to hear: You don't need to be a people manager guru. Most visionary entrepreneurs aren't. What you need is a clear stage for your talent to perform on.

Think of it like a band: When everyone knows their part and how it fits together, the music plays itself. Your job isn't to micromanage every note—it's to set the stage and let them play

Real Example: Mark used to hire for experience. Now he hires for mindset. His last three hires haven't just stayed—they've each doubled their department's output.

(Reply "🎯" if you need this template—I'll send it your way)

3. Process: Systems That Actually Get Used

Your team doesn't need another 100-page manual. They need clarity on the 20% that drives 80% of results.

Real Example: Sara's design agency cut project setup time by 90% with one flexible template. No more missed deadlines. No more confusion. Just clarity.

4. Playful Innovation: Where Stability Meets Creativity

Most founders think structure kills creativity. Wrong. Kinda.. Knowing where to have consistent structure so you aren’t reinventing the wheel over and over is what sets creativity free.

Think Netflix, not Blockbuster. While Blockbuster stuck to rigid rules, Netflix built a playground with guardrails—stable enough to scale, flexible enough to reinvent streaming.

Real Example: Sarah runs a digital agency that was stuck in the "custom everything" trap. She built what she calls her "Creative Containers"—core templates that her team can riff on like jazz musicians. Results? Project delivery time cut in half, while client satisfaction scores went up 60%. Why? Her team stopped wasting energy reinventing the wheel and started investing it in actual innovation.

Pro Tip: Schedule "Play Sessions" with your team monthly. One rule: Start with "What if we..." and ban "We can't because..."

(Reply with "🎨" if you want our Innovation Sandbox template—it's the same one I use to keep our creative clients both consistent AND innovative)

The key: Creativity doesn't need infinite freedom. It needs thoughtful boundaries. Like a tennis court—the lines don't restrict the game, they make it possible.

5. Performance: Track What Actually Matters

Stop drowning in vanity metrics. Start measuring what moves the needle.

Real Example: Rachel dropped social media tracking to focus on client wins and referral rates. Revenue doubled in 90 days.

6. Profits: Build for Sustainability

Revenue without profit is just expensive busywork.

Real Example: Alex thought his agency was crushing it at $50K/month until this exercise showed a 12% margin. He raised prices on new clients by 20% and hit a healthy 35% margin within 60 days.

The Action Plan

Don't let this be another "good idea" that sits in your bookmarks. Take these steps today:

1. Pick ONE 'P' that would have the biggest impact

2. Implement that Quick Action template

3. Reply to this email with your chosen 'P' (I read and respond to every message)

What's Coming Next Week

We're diving deep into quarterly planning using the 6P Framework. Don't miss it.

Your Move

Know another business builder building on shaky ground? Forward this their way. They'll thank you later. (And good karma's real 😉)

That’s it for this week. If you found this helpful, leave a comment to let me know 🤓

-Kristen