Three Things That Save My Small Business Time and Money

As a small business/maker, I wear all the hats.  Like many creative businesses, not only do I design and make nearly everything you see in my shop, but I also do all of the photography, packaging, shipping, purchasing, bookkeeping, website development, social media posting, and so much more.  That's why when I find something that can save me time and money, I'm all about it.  

Here are a few of my favorite things.

1. The Dymo 4XL LabelWriter

This trusty little thermal printer has been so dependable.  It has printed over 30,000 shipping labels, and it's still going strong after more than 4 years(knock on wood!). This little printer doesn't take up very much space and it doesn't take any ink!  Did I mention that it's fast?  Once in a while I accidentally print a shipping label from my desktop printer.  Before that printer can even finish printing the label, I can send a label to my Dymo and the Dymo 4XL will complete printing the label first.  I can't believe I once printed out full paper sheets, cut them in half, and taped them to each package.  Now, I just hit the print button and slap the label on the package! If your small business does any shipping, a thermal label printer is a must!

2. My Day Designer Daily Planner

I've always been a sucker for good 'ol pen and paper planners.  I've tried a lot of them.  If you want the perfect planner, I encourage you to do your own research and find a planner layout that works the way you do.  My perfect planner may not be yours.   I love this one because of the beautiful hardcover with a sturdy double spiral binding and daily hour-by-hour schedule as well as a generous to-do list each day.  This luxurious planner checks all of the boxes for me and helps keep me focused and on task.

3. Paper and Spark spreadsheets

Not going to lie, my bookkeeping used to be a chaotic mess.  I would dread it and put it off for as long as I could.  A few years ago, I discovered Paper and Spark.  I purchased the Etsy Seller Spreadsheet and it was a game changer.  Janet taught me how to download a CSV each month, so I don't have to enter all of that data. Soon after that, I purchased the Product Inventory spreadsheet.  Not only does it allow me to track all of my materials, but it also calculates my cost of goods I get a reminder each month when it's time to update my books. Janet not only provides step-by-step training videos and checklists, but she also provides a vast array of business training, all geared toward the creative/maker type of business.  Be sure to check out these amazing tools.  

Click my affiliate link and save on your order!

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