I’m often asked to share my business tools and resources with others. It’s a pleasure to help other creative brick-and-mortar business owners grow their businesses. Owning my own retail business, franchising it, teaching thousands of workshops, coaching hundreds of retailers, and working in group coaching and one on one with so many retailers I have a few tools in my bag I would love to share with fellow business owners. I will continue to add to this list over time. This list does contain some affiliate links (but just a few) these are all products I personally use, or my retailer clients use and recommend.
They have all helped me run my business more efficiently so that I can spend my time doing other things like growing my retail business. Trying to save you time and energy from searching – you are busy enough right?
xo,
Wendy
You can check out my Amazon Store and other faves here!
BUSINESS ESSENTIALS
I LOVE zoom for recording how-to videos and having guests on my FB page live, it’s easy for the non tech peeps like me
You NEED a website and you will need to have it hosted someplace, I have used Bluehost since I started my first website
The best task management tool for projects and team assignments
To keep all your schedules in order
Many clients use Eventbrite for all workshop scheduling and payments
We recommend and love Convert Kit and its ease of use and value.
A great payment option for setting up eCommerce products.
iPad / iPhone Holder
Light Box for a Photo Shoot
Flexible Tripod
ARKON Camera Stand
SOCIAL MEDIA
For EASY scheduling all my Pinterest Posts – a must
IG scheduling, takes some getting used to but makes planning easy
Use FB’s own scheduling tool for all your FB post scheduling
for graphics, I mostly use Canva now as I love it’s vast library of templates (done for you)
Linktree for Instagram linking – direct to your website or workshops or a product for sale, I have used the pro version for 6$ a month, but the free version is just fine.
PRODUCTS FOR SHIPPING
Digital Shipping Scale
WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS FOR DIY RETAILERS
Muddarittaville Stencils
Great quality stencils everytime from Joanne
Looking for wood cutouts for workshops Jill is US based and fabulous
Great wood cutouts and more Ron is a fabulous supplier in Canada (ships worldwide)
Funky Junk Old sign Stencils
I just love the quality and style of Donna’s stencils
FAVOURITE COURSES
FAVOURITE BIZ BOOKS
by Jeff Shaw
by Seth Godin
by Mike Michalowicz
byGreg Mckeown
by Gary Keller
by Mike Michalowicz
by Michael E. Gerber
Superfans
by Pat Flynn
Self Employed Life
by Jeffrey Shaw
Who Not How
by Benjamin Hardy
The Nordstrom Way
by Robert Spector & Patrick McCarthy
A Year of Yes
by Shonda Rhimes
Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Effortless
by Greg McKeown
You are a Badass at Making Money
by Jen Sincero
The Big Leap
by Gay Hendricks
FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE BOOKS
JOY – Life Lessons From a Tuscan Villa
by Debbie Travis
Four Thousand Weeks – Time Management for Mortals
by Oliver Burkeman
Italy
by Rick Steves
FAVOURITE PODCASTS
Coming Soon!