Ideas & Advice
A small business blog with helpful tips, practical advice and inspirational stories.



22-step business start-up checklist
You want to start a business…congratulations! It’s an exciting adventure that is fulfilling, challenging and wonderful all at once. It’s […]
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Why your business needs QR codes
Now more than ever, small businesses need creative ways to connect with their customers. Gone are the days of leisurely […]
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How to come up with a business name
Passion. Energy. Courage. That’s what it takes to start a new business. You have a great idea for a business, […]
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How to launch & market your summer side hustles
Whether you’re a small business owner looking to branch out or just want to earn a bit of extra cash […]
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How to have the best small business summer ever
There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a challenging experience for many small business owners. But as […]
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Ready, set, glow: How this woman-owned business continues to grow
To be successful, small businesses have to grow – whether it’s evolving their offerings or ensuring their customer bases continue […]
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7 ways to increase small business customer engagement
You’ve probably heard the term ‘customer engagement’ while marketing your small business. Customer engagement encompasses all of the ways you […]
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Adding social media icons on business cards (and why social media is important)
How to add social media icons on business cards How social media can help your business It can make you […]
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How to use local SEO for small business
As a small business owner, you probably know that it is important to be searchable and accessible online. And prioritizing […]
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4 steps to using leave behinds in your marketing
Make a lasting impression – whether you’re replacing a leaky pipe, painting a house or shoveling someone’s walkway – with […]
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How referral marketing can boost your business
Would you go to a hairdresser without a recommendation from a friend? What about trusting someone to prepare your taxes? […]
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How to create a business website
Websites have become an essential component of any successful business. For small businesses, though, knowing where to start can be […]
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6 unexpected ways to use stickers for small business
Stickers are amazingly versatile tools for promoting your brand. You probably showcase your branding on your essential marketing materials, like […]
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9 postcard marketing ideas for small businesses
For any small business owner, coming up with new, inventive ways to market your business can be challenging. One tried-and-tested […]
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Email marketing best practices for your small business
Email marketing is a great way to connect with your customers and deliver targeted messaging while driving engagement, sales and […]
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How to manage email marketing for your small business
Billions of people use email every day. According to data from Statista, there are currently 4 billion daily email users […]
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Event branding: Give your recurring events a unique look
Event branding: Give your recurring events a unique look Estimated reading time: 4 minutes One of the best ways to […]
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Should you rebrand your small business?
The world – and small business – is constantly evolving. Maybe you started out as a coffee shop, but your […]
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How to choose a logo for your business
As a small business owner, you appreciate the importance of standing out and making a lasting first impression. An impactful […]
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Create a unique look for your business & watch it grow
Beautiful design can help grow your business – especially when it translates into branding that works everywhere your customers see […]
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Branding made for word-of-mouth marketing
As a small business owner, there are plenty of things you can do to make your brand stand out. But […]
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Redesign resolution: A new look sparks a brand transformation
MY MARKETING MUST-HAVES Redesign resolution: A new look sparks a brand transformation Estimated reading time: 6 minutes A new year […]
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Branding glossary: Key terms every business owner should know
You’ve probably heard the word “branding” thrown around – especially since starting your small business. And though you might have […]
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How to create (& use) a logo for your yoga studio
We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vistaprint, for tips on getting the right logo look for your […]
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How to create a logo for your gym or fitness studio
We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vistaprint, for tips on getting the right look for any kind […]
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Get the look: Next-level product packaging
Packaging is just one part of a cohesive brand experience that can boost credibility across your marketing.
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How to design a business card: 10 golden rules
A business card represents the next step in making your small business dream a reality. And for many potential customers, […]
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What we learned: The importance of heritage & a strong brand story
Family businesses are a key part of the small business community. We constantly see small businesses open their doors because […]
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How to use the back of business cards: 11 creative design ideas
Your business card contains a lot of essential information about your business. Your logo should be loud and proud on […]
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6 ways to make your product packaging market itself
Each time a customer buys something from your business, whether online or in-person, it’s a golden opportunity to get free […]
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Outdoor event marketing & branding to help you stand out
Outdoor events, like craft fairs and farmers markets, are great places to make meaningful connections, attract new customers and build […]
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Tips for small business owners when working with designers
We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for his insights into how small business owners can […]
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How to thank customers & employees this holiday season
It’s important to say ‘thank you’ any time of year…but even more so during the holiday season. This year, make […]
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5 creative holiday packaging ideas
When it comes to holiday wrapping or packaging, what’s on the outside should be just as special as what’s on […]
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2022 holiday marketing tips for your small business
The holidays are right around the corner. And the holiday season tends to be an extremely busy time, for just […]
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Your guide to holiday card grammar
Casual communication is great – it helps families, friends and coworkers bond and build relationships. But don’t confuse informality with […]
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Holiday gift basket ideas for small business clients
Building relationships is a huge part of the business world – and during the holiday season, corporate gift baskets are […]
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7 Christmas signage ideas for the holiday season
When you think of ‘decking the halls,’ you probably picture twinkly lights, Christmas stockings and fragrant wreaths. And while everyone […]
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How to create holiday packaging your customers will love
The holidays are probably one of the busiest seasons for a small business owner. And as challenging as it may […]
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The small business early holiday planning guide
Research shows that consumers are shopping earlier than ever for the holidays (no more waiting around until Black Friday!). In […]
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