We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsi Katz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsi below.

Chelsi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In the beginning, my journey wasn’t much different from many other entrepreneurs. I was hustling and pouring every ounce of my energy into building my businesses, yet despite my relentless efforts, it felt like something was missing. It was like I was trapped in a maze, walking in circles, with each step promising progress but leading to a dead end. I was running, but running in place. I was maintaining, but missing what (more importantly, who) I needed to be scaling.

In 2019, my path crossed with Madlyne Kossuth, co-owner of Irie Weddings & Events. Irie was all about breaking boundaries and bucking the traditional – which matched my personality and approach perfectly. It wasn’t long before Maddie noticed my potential, brought me on board as the Marketing Director and in less than a year, offered me co-ownership of Irie.

Working side by side, Maddie and I found that our ideas and working styles flowed together seamlessly. We quickly realized that we had complementary strengths – where I excelled, she learned, and vice versa. As we worked on growing and automating Irie, we discovered an uncanny synergy in our approaches. We were tackling challenges, brainstorming solutions, and fostering a business with a mutual understanding that seemed to hint at a deeper potential.

That’s when we had our eureka moment. As we continued to streamline the operations of Irie, we realized that our combined expertise could extend beyond just one company. Our experience and success in building, growing, and automating Irie lit a spark of inspiration. We saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market, to help other businesses find their rhythm, just as we had done with Irie.

We were tired of disjointed systems, chaos and overwhelm that seemed to permeate business ownership. We saw the need for a solution that could bring everything together seamlessly – something that would merge function with flow.
With that, Function & Flow was born. Our vision was clear: we wanted to offer a unique approach to business consulting and design, tailored to each client’s needs. We knew the value of this kind of personalized, holistic approach because we had experienced it firsthand with Irie. We could be more than just hired help – we could be the strategic partners that business owners need.

The more we dove into this venture, the more excited we became – we realized that we weren’t just filling a gap in the market; we were offering a lifeline to businesses that were floundering in the chaos of operations, just as we once were. We were driven by the opportunity of being the support system for business owners, helping them navigate their operations while finding the ‘flow’ in their ‘function.’

Fast forward to today, and our dream has become a reality. Each day, we get to do what we love – making a difference by helping business owners flourish while enjoying the journey. Every client’s success is a testament to our mission, and every challenge we overcome together fuels our passion to keep going.

Function & Flow is built on passion, driven by experience, and dedicated to helping businesses flourish – and we’re just getting started.

WORK BY FUNCTION & FLOW

Chelsi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into the world of business consulting and design was a natural progression born out of my diverse professional background, which includes roles such as Marketing Director, Project Manager, Social Media Manager, and Content Creator. Armed with over 11 years of industry knowledge and a passion to support and empower others, I decided to put my experience to work to help other business owners achieve their goals.

Here at Function & Flow, we provide an array of services that are tailored to support ambitious leaders in achieving their financial and operational objectives. From private business consulting and online business management to brand strategy and graphic design services, our aim is to streamline your business operations and foster sustainable growth. Our service prices vary starting at $4,000 – not including consulting sessions, which range per session depending on the volume of sessions booked.

We have a commitment to empowering business owners not only to achieve their financial goals but also to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We believe that a successful business doesn’t have to come at the cost of personal well-being. This ethos, combined with our results-driven strategies and personalized consulting, sets us apart in the industry.

Something that we’re extremely proud of, and that is core to our brand, is our advocacy for equal opportunities in business, regardless of identity or race. As neurodivergent members of the LBGTQ+ community, it was important to both me and my co-founder Maddie that Function & Flow was built on the values of diversity and inclusivity. We aim to empower and support all, breaking down barriers and advocating for a more equitable business landscape.

In summary, Function & Flow is more than just a consulting and design firm. It’s a platform that combines wisdom, innovation, and a commitment to equality.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

From my experience, I’ve found that fostering an environment of transparency and open communication is a crucial starting point. Each team member should feel valued, heard, and comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. Trust and respect enhances productivity more than micro-managing ever will.

In line with this, I highly encourage regular team meetings or check-ins. Use this time not only to discuss work but also to create a platform for everyone to share their thoughts and concerns. Your team runs your business – LISTEN TO THEM! Be able to take constructive feedback and use it as an opportunity for growth.

Recognizing and rewarding the hard work of your team members is another key aspect of maintaining high morale. Moreover, remember that your team is made up of individuals with their own goals and ambitions. Encourage professional growth by providing learning opportunities and the space for your team members to develop new skills. This contributes to a more skilled workforce AND shows that you’re invested in their long-term growth.

Work-life balance, a core tenet of our approach at Function & Flow, is also critical. Encourage your team to take breaks, respect their time off, and promote activities that can help alleviate stress. An overworked team is not a productive one, and more importantly, it’s not a happy one. So make sure that while you’re driving towards your business goals, you’re also mindful of the personal well-being of your team.

In summary, maintaining high morale comes down to fostering open communication, valuing your team, promoting growth, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance. By doing these, you can create a positive work environment where everyone feels motivated and passionate about contributing to the success of your business.

WORK BY FUNCTION & FLOW

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

To sum it up, experience = expertise! Our combined 23 years of experience have played a significant role in earning the trust of our clients. My co-founder Maddie and I have both built successful businesses and held various roles in different areas of business, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that business owners face – allowing us to deliver services that are not just theoretical, but tried and tested.

Our reputation starts with the quality of work we deliver, ensuring we meet deadlines and fulfill the promises we’ve made to our clients. Establishing a good rapport has gone a long way – we are communicative and approachable while staying honest and direct. Every business we work with is unique, and we believe that their consulting and design services should be too. This tailored approach has resulted in successful outcomes for our clients and, in turn, has positively impacted our standing in the market.

Our advocacy for equal opportunities in business – regardless of identity or race – has also helped set us apart. At Function & Flow, we’re committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, which is more than a mere tagline; it’s the foundation of our operations. Not only is this the right thing to do, it has also helped us connect with a like-minded audience.

We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built and will continue to uphold these values as we grow and support more businesses in their journey to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.functionmeetsflow.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecannafairy_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsi-katz/

Image Credits
Lauren Laveria, Sydney Montoya