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 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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7 ways eateries can use QR codes
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes QR codes have made a comeback in the last few years -they’ve proven to be […]
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How to use SEO for your small business
As a small business owner, you probably know that it is important to be searchable and accessible online. Search engine […]
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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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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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Email marketing subject lines: 6 guidelines & best practices
Email is one of the most budget-friendly marketing tactics available to small businesses, but it is only effective when your […]
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Adapting to change: Serving up something new with food truck-inspired takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in just about everyone's plans.
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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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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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A glossary of branding terms every small business owner should know
If you own your own business, chances are you’ve heard the term “branding.” But there’s a plethora of additional words […]
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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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Build a brand that builds a following
People love swag, whether it's a sweatshirt from their favorite brewery or a promotional tote bag from a local fundraiser.
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How to create a brand style guide
We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on creating a brand style guide. Read […]
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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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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 design T-shirts in 8 steps
We chatted with TristanLeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on creating impactful T-shirts. Whether for your business […]
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Design inspiration: Stylish business card examples
Creating a business card design that won’t get lost in the shuffle, and that will generate interest in your brand, […]
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Business Card Size & Dimension Guide
One Standard Size Standard business cards are 3.5″x 2″ – but have you ever thought about why most cards are exactly that […]
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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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Delight & excite customers with holiday packaging
Delight & excite customers with holiday packaging Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Sometimes, it’s what’s on the outside that counts…especially […]
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Your 2021 small business holiday to-do list
On a scale of one to ten, how organized are you for the upcoming holiday rush? Whether you’re a confident […]
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Save the date wording – what to write and how to write it
So, you’re getting married? Congratulations! Now it’s time to get organized – and one of the first steps is to […]
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Wedding thank you card wording: Writing tips & examples
You’ve said your vows, opened gifts and maybe even been on your honeymoon…now, it’s time to sit down and write […]
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When to send save the date cards for your wedding
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! From the engagement to the planning, it’s such an exciting – and busy – time. […]
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The ultimate children’s birthday party planning checklist
Whether it’s a get-together for your family or a backyard bash for all of your child’s friends, a party is […]
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Valentine’s Day delivery options & cut-off dates!
Valentine’s Day delivery options & cut-off dates Standard: 10 business days Last day for standard delivery is January 28. Order […]
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