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Independent Business Circle  

 

Real conversations.

Better decisions.

Stronger businesses.

 

A monthly, professionally facilitated leadership circle for independent business owners who want clarity, confidence, and a business that doesn’t fall apart under pressure.

INDEPENDENT 

BUSINESS 

CIRCLE

 
Begins March 2026

Monthly professionally facilitated leadership circle for independent business owners. Meetings in Frederick, Maryland.

Apply Now

The Problem (Why This Exists)

Running an independent business is one of the most demanding leadership roles there is.

You’re responsible for:

  • Every decision
  • Every risk
  • Every financial outcome
  • Every operational issue
  • Every leadership moment

And yet — most owners are doing it alone.

Corporate CEOs have advisory boards, leadership circles, and structured peer support.

Independent business owners often find themselves in “just figure it out" mode.

That gap is exactly what this Circle fills.

What This Is (And What It’s Not)

The Independent Business Circle™ is:

  • A structured peer advisory group
  • Professionally facilitated
  • Confidential and trusted
  • Built for real owners with real businesses
  • Focused on clarity, leadership, and resilience

It is NOT:

  • A networking group
  • A mastermind full of tactics and noise
  • A coaching program where someone tells you what to do
  • A corporate executive club
  • A place for surface-level conversation

This is leadership support — done properly.

Ready to Apply

Member Experience & Outcomes

MONTHLY

What Happens Each Month

 

Monthly 2.5-Hour Leadership Session

9:00–11:30am (calendar at application)

Coffee, tea, and light breakfast provided.

Each meeting includes:

  • Guided leadership framing
  • Strategic “hot seats” (real issues, real clarity)
  • Peer insight from owners at your level
  • Resilience-based decision tools
  • Clear commitments and accountability
  • Limited to 25 owners per circle

You don’t leave with inspiration.

You leave with clarity and decisions made. 

OUTCOMES

The Outcomes Members Experience

Members experience:

  • Stronger confidence in decisionmaking
  • Less mental load and overwhelm
  • Clear priorities instead of constant reaction
  • Improved profitability and stability
  • Better boundaries and leadership habits
  • A trusted place to think and talk honestly
  • A business that feels more controlled and resilient

One good decision often pays for the entire year.

DETAILS

Framework Behind the Circle

This Circle is built on The Venture Project’s Resilience Framework, focusing on:

  1. Leadership clarity – how you think and decide
  2. Financial resilience – profit, cash flow, margin awareness
  3. Operational stability – systems that reduce chaos
  4. Customer & brand strength – predictable revenue
  5. Adaptability & risk readiness – bending without breaking

This is not theory.

These are the areas that actually determine whether a business survives and thrives.

Meet the Facilitator

Erin Pelicano Cauble, Founder, The Venture Project

Erin is a small business resilience consultant, national small business advocate, and former founder with deep experience navigating growth, pressure, and uncertainty.

With a background in engineering and entrepreneurship, Erin brings:

  • Clear thinking
  • Practical frameworks
  • Calm, grounded facilitation
  • Real world business experience

She doesn’t coach from theory, she guides from lived experience.

Who This Is For

This Circle is ideal for:

  • Independent business owners
  • Owner-operators
  • Solopreneurs and small teams
  • Retail, professional services, suppliers, trades, wellness, creative, and product based businesses
  • Owners who want clarity, not hype
  • Leaders who value thoughtful conversation and real progress

If you run a business, and feel the weight of leadership — this is for you.

FEATURED IN:

Structure & Investment

Founding Members (First 25 Only)

$290/month ($150 Enrollment Fee — WAIVED)

Standard Membership

$390/month + $150 one-time enrollment fee

Enrollment fee covers onboarding, intake, group placement, and materials. Annual payment options available.

How to Join

Become Founding Member

  • Apply
  • Attend a short fit conversation
  • Receive your invitation
  • Join your Circle 
This is a curated leadership circle. Applications are reviewed to ensure fit and group integrity.
Apply to Join

By Comparison 

Corporate CEO groups can cost $1,500–$2,500 per month

and are built for executives, not owners.

The Independent Business Circle™ delivers:

  • Comparable strategic value
  • More relevant peer context
  • Practical, owner focused guidance
  • At a fraction of the cost

Built for independent businesses — not corporate hierarchies.

THE VENTURE PROJECT FOUNDER

Erin

I’m a seasoned small business advocate, designer, and founder.

With nearly 20 years of experience I bring the unique perspective of an engineer that made a career pivot to building my national jewelry brand Erin Pelicano.

Strategy, Advocacy & Brand Credits Include: Pinterest 100 Panel Guest Speaker, Fox & Friends Small Business Feature, Small Business Advocacy with Senate Committee on Small Business, Meta Leaders Network, F&TA Guest Speaker NYC, Authority Magazine, FX The Americans, Netflix Firefly Lane, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Hallmark Channel, Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Wedding Chicks, Essence Magazine, BuzzFeed
READ MY STORY