It’s that time of year again – tax season is upon us. While it might be a stressful time, especially for small business owners, Flagstaff is dedicated to helping every business owner not only grow, but also succeed.

To help prepare you for tax time, we’re here to answer a few FAQs, as well as provide some helpful small business tax tips.

Let’s dive into it:


Do you have a small business?

Before anything, it is essential to ensure you qualify as a small business in Alberta. If you have less than 50 employees working for you, then you are considered a small business. Did you know that approximately 96% of all businesses in Alberta are small businesses?

When do you have to register for GST?

If your small business’s gross revenue does not exceed $30,000 over the previous four or less calendar quarters, you will not need to register for GST. However, you can choose to do so voluntarily.

If you exceed the $30,000 threshold over the last four or less calendar quarters, you are no longer considered a small supplier and are required to register.

What is the Income Tax Rate for your small business?

In Alberta, the provincial income tax rate for small businesses is 2%. This rate is significantly lower than the general corporate income tax rate, which sits at 8%, and is also the lowest rate for any province in Canada.

In addition to this, the Federal rate for small businesses is 9%, giving you a combined tax rate of 11%.

Small Business Tax Tips:

  • Make sure you know your eligible expenses. Some of the expenses you use while running your business can be claimed as a tax deduction. Things like vehicle mileage, materials and supplies used, rent, or travel could potentially all be claimed as deductions.
  • Separate your personal expenses. Keep your personal and business bank accounts separate. Eliminate any chance of grey areas that may cause problems come tax time. Trust us, you’ll be happy you kept them separate!
  • Know your tax credits! Getting a direct reduction on your business-related taxes can make a world of difference. Things like medical expenses, apprenticeships, investor credits, and charitable donations can all be considered tax credits. You can claim tax credits at the provincial and Federal level.
  • Write off any losses. In any situation that involves a loss it’s possible for you to write it off as a deduction. By deducting your losses, you can turn some of them into wins.

Of course, it is also always advisable to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you are receiving the best advice possible. Their professional understanding of the tax world can help maximize your financial potential.

Remember this: while no one necessarily enjoys tax season, it doesn’t need to be a negative experience. With a little help and the right knowledge, this normally tedious task can become something very beneficial to you and your business.

We know the heart of Flagstaff County are our small business owners – like you – and we can’t wait to see this year’s continued growth and success.

When you start a business, you are telling a story. It starts with an idea — filling a gap you see in the market, creating an innovative new product, or providing services you know your customer can’t get anywhere else. Your story begins when you have the idea and continues as you open your doors and begin serving your customers. But, if no one can hear your story, it probably won’t end well.

Here are some tips on how to best tell your story, including what platforms to use and when:

Listen

Being a good storyteller starts with being a good listener. To define what you’re saying, you need to know what your audience is hearing. Your customers, your employees, and any vendors you deal with are the key to understanding your story. They all have their own experiences and will be happy to share them with you if you are willing to listen. You’ll be amazed at the results you’ll see just by listening and using that information to craft your story.

Share Your Values

Your business’ values are the foundation on which you’ve built your success. They are the guiding principles that determine who you are and who your customer is. Any good business story leads with these values. They create an honest, emotional connection with your customer and will give them the “why” when they are deciding what business to patronize. Make sure your values are clear and easy to understand and your customers will hear you.

Show Your Emotions

We don’t mean posting a video of you crying while watching the first 20 minutes of “Up.” What we do mean is create a genuine emotional connection with your customer. People make buying decisions based on emotion, plain and simple. If you can create a connection between your product or service and the customer’s emotions, you are telling the right story. Don’t focus on a product’s qualities, focus on what they will do for your customer and, more importantly, how they will make the customer feel. If they can relate to and feel connected to your brand, they’re more likely to commit to a purchase.

Speak To Your Customers, Not At Them

Separate yourself from the noise of advertising by using story to sell, instead of selling. Don’t yell deals out into the darkness and hope for a spark. Instead, build a campfire and invite your customers to sit at it while you share stories with them about your business. Share content in multiple formats — photos, video, livestreams, and blogs. This will keep your customers engaged and listening and will build a community around your brand.

Your Employees Tell Your Story

Happy and engaged employees are your most valuable assets and they will tell your story better than even you can. They are your best brand advocates so make sure that your team knows and lives your values and that every team member feels happy and engaged. They are the front line to your customers and, if they believe in you and your organization, they will be the real heroes of your story.

Listen As Your Customer Would

Sometimes, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in telling our story that we don’t even notice that no one is listening. By taking a step back and evaluating your story from the customer’s perspective, you will see gaps that you may be blind to from the inside. Look at what is engaging your customers and, also, what is disengaging them. By identifying these missing pieces, you’ll be able to capture their full attention and make sure they are a big part of your story.

Tell The Truth

Some business owners get so caught up in the story they want to tell, that they disregard incredible opportunities to build connections through honesty. Everyone has struggles. By sharing the successes AND challenges you have had, your story is much richer and far more relatable. By relating to you, your customer is building important emotional connections to your business. Your honest story with all its twists and turns is far more interesting and effective than anything you can make up.

Use the Right Microphone

The number of ways you can tell your story are endless. From social media, to blogs, TV, radio, print… the list goes on and on. So how do you determine the right one to use and when? While there is no rulebook here, each medium has its own strengths and weaknesses. For larger stories you want to tell people who may not know you yet, conventional media is still king. TV and radio have broad reaches and, despite all the talk of cord-cutting, still reach most consumers. The downside is they can be pricier and may not fit the budget or needs for your story. For smaller and more personal stories, look to your social media and/or digital ad placements. These avenues have a much lower cost of entry than conventional media and can be targeted to specific demographics or areas. That said, you also don’t want your social media feeds to just be ads, so it’s vital to strike a balance between content that is directed to drive to purchase, and that which is meant to build and grow your community. In any social or digital storytelling, photos and video are excellent tools to enhance and reinforce the story you want to tell. For more in-depth tips on levelling up your business’ social media game, check out our previous blog.

While there is no one right way to tell your story, by using the methods and tools above, you’ll be far more likely to succeed and to move forward, happily ever after.

But Wait, There’s More!

Flagstaff County is very excited to be launching a business branding opportunity that will provide your business with a fantastic way to share your story. Apply now! Deadline to apply is February 8, 2024.

New year, new growth — as we step into 2024, we’re excited to help you grow personally and professionally. At Flagstaff, we thrive on helping small businesses flourish and reach their goals through resources and opportunities offered inside our Flagstaff Crafted Program.

You’re invited!

When you join the program, you’re taking the first step to reignite your business through local marketing supports, networking extensions, advertising affiliations, and more.

Flagstaff helps you dig deep to realign your passion with your purpose – all while reaching your goals and setting your business up for sustainable success.

We believe in you – our Members – and help you see your true growth potential. We offer a plethora of resources including, but not limited to:

Online Marketing

Get free online marketing extensions to lift your brand’s awareness and intrigue. Flagstaff Crafted is promoted via a myriad of media, including paid online support, to help drive people to the region.

Professional Photos and Videos

Because visuals matter, and people make an impression within 1/10th of a second. Through the Flagstaff Crafted program, you’re given access to professional photographers and videographers, to up your visual game.

A Supportive Team

Continue learning, growing, and expanding your business through the support of Flagstaff County’s Economic Development team as well as business strategy coaches.

Business Collaborations

Team up and strategically co-brand your business with other Members! Having a solid network of like-minded business owners around you can offer a unique opportunity to refine your offerings and grow your company.

Networking Opportunities

Speaking of networking, create a community of support through ongoing Flagstaff Crafted networking opportunities. Learn from those around you and gain a network of support and collaboration.

Advertising Extensions

Be a part of the word – the movement – that’s happening in Flagstaff. We’re always promoting not just our program, but the local area, and all the wonderful opportunities that await.


Learn more about the Flagstaff Crafted program, and additional reasons to join, on our site.

We’d love to have you. So, how do you join?

To qualify, you’ll need to meet the below points:

  • Your business is headquartered in the Flagstaff region or within 40 km of our border.
  • You’re dedicated to quality and craftsmanship.
  • You’re open to collaborating with other local businesses.
  • You’re supportive of the Flagstaff Region and our business community.
  • Become a member here!

A Little More About Us

We know the customer connection can be enhanced through storytelling, and love helping entrepreneurs tell their stories via locally distinct products and resources.

We’re also incredibly proud that small businesses account for 98% of our region’s business community. Currently, our program is run by the Economic Development team at Flagstaff County. More here.

Looking forward to chatting with you further!

Thoughtfulness is key

When your business is growing, you naturally want to foster a positive work culture and add to the team intentionally. Here’s a few sure and easy ways to expand while keeping the culture exciting and fulfilling for everyone.

Define the Culture

The first step is to ask employees which values, beliefs, and behaviours they feel would nurture the team. Once a culture is established, you can assess how the team will work with it (e.g., social outings, open communication, deserved kudos, collaborating often).

Build Connections

Going out for after-work drinks or heading to a holiday market for team building are fun ways to have employees get to know each other. When colleagues start to feel more like friends, they’re more likely to collaborate, be excited and stay engaged.

At Flagstaff, we have tons of local creatives, services and retailers that can help with this https://flagstaffcrafted.ca/business-directory/

Hire People Who Fit the Culture

Culture can greatly reflect the behaviour of team members, so you’ll need to make sure new hires elevate and support this — not take away from it.

A best practice is to have team leads work closely with HR when recruiting. It can be helpful to have characteristics you’re looking for listed out ahead of time.

Keep Expectations Clear

Team members are much more successful in their roles when they know exactly what’s expected of them. Nobody wants to spend energy producing work that ends up not being needed, or not contributing to an overall goal.

Pro-tip: Keep employees looped in with the company’s vision and wins with regular meetings and create individual team goals and targets. Having team members see their place and impact within the organization is important! Additionally, communicating clear feedback and offering support where needed goes a long way.

Bonus

Look for these tell-tale signs your team culture is a fulfilling and positive one:

  • Laughter happening daily.
  • Employees being excited and engaged.
  • Candidates eagerly awaiting to hear from you.

By thoughtfully defining your culture, you’ll be able to create genuine connections with a growing staff. Happy employees mean you’ll be moving much more cohesively toward your business’s vision and goals — big or small.

In today’s digital age, a strong social media presence is crucial for the success of any small business. Not only is it where your audience spends a significant amount of their time, but it’s also an invaluable platform for brand awareness, engagement, and even conversions, depending on how you use it.

However, managing social media can quickly become overwhelming without a clear strategy in place. What is a fun pastime in our personal lives that can bring on a whole new set of challenges when used for business purposes?

This is where a social media content calendar steps in as an indispensable tool for small businesses — here are eight reasons why.

Consistency is Key

Consistency is a fundamental piece of a successful social media strategy. Your audience expects regular updates, and a content calendar ensures you consistently deliver valuable content. By scheduling posts in advance, you can maintain a steady stream of engaging content, which helps keep your audience engaged and interested in what you have to offer.

Strategic Planning

A content calendar allows you to see the big picture and plan your content strategically. You can align your posts with specific campaigns, product launches, or seasonal events. This ensures that your social media efforts are in sync with your overall business goals, creating a cohesive and unified brand presence.

Time Management

For small businesses, time is often a precious resource. A content calendar streamlines your social media efforts by allowing you to allocate time for content creation, curation, and scheduling in advance. This helps set you up for success so you can avoid the last-minute scramble to come up with posts, freeing up more time for other important aspects of your business.

Maintain a Diverse Content Mix

A successful social media strategy involves a mix of content types — from informative blog posts to eye-catching photos and engaging videos. With a content calendar, you can see your content ideas laid out so you can plan to balance different types of content to cater to varying audience preferences and behaviors. This also helps avoid repetition and monotony, which is a common pitfall in social media.

Monitor and Analyze Performance

When posting a variety of content, you’ll want to know which is performing best, right? While you don’t need a content calendar to track the performance of your posts, you can use what you learn to better inform your future content calendars. It’s a classic chicken or egg debate: which came first? By scheduling posts and using analytics tools, you can see which types of content resonate best with your audience, enabling you to refine your strategy for even better results.

Track Trends and Current Events

In the fast-paced, ever-changing social media world, it’s important to be able to respond quickly to trends and current events. You can’t be entirely proactive, because it’s impossible to always predict what is coming next — there needs to be some room for reactivity, in a sense. With a content calendar, you can plan your regular content in advance and still have the flexibility to insert timely, relevant posts as needed.

Collaboration and Team Coordination

If you have a team managing your social media, a content calendar is an amazing tool for ensuring everyone is on the same page. It provides a central platform where team members can collaborate, review, and approve content before it goes live. If your social media team is a team of one, it is still a useful tool for staying organized when you are wearing all the hats.

Adapt to Audience Feedback

A content calendar doesn’t mean you’re set in stone. It’s a flexible tool that allows you to adapt to audience feedback and changing circumstances. If a particular type of content isn’t performing well, you can adjust your calendar to accommodate new ideas and approaches. One of the greatest parts of social media for businesses is the ease of communication with customers and potential customers. Be sure to listen and use feedback to shape your approach!

When it comes to owning and managing your small business, your strategy matters. Do you anticipate possible challenges with a clear mindset or are you constantly focused on trying to keep up with the industry?

Of course, while nobody could possibly anticipate every potential hurdle or competitive pressure, having a proactive stance —getting ahead of situations — is the most effective and innovative (and arguably the least stressful) way to run your company.


Here are some of our top tips to make sure you stay as proactive as possible:

1. Set Your Vision

Understand and articulate what makes you different – and don’t stray from it. Deeply believe in who you are and commit yourself to communicating those things. Consider your values and your purpose and utilize those foundations to guide your decisions. Then, regardless of what others are doing, you can continue to develop and promote your strength.

2. Deviate from the Normal

Is everybody doing the same one thing: attending the same events, reading the same books, posting the same content, etc.? Be the divergent one. Seek how to be better by being different. If you’re uncomfortable, that probably means you’re growing.

3. Consider Your Client

Put your ideal customer at the forefront of all you do. While it can be easy to want to emulate another organization’s approach, or even react to it within your own company, remember that their path is not your path. More importantly, their client may not be your client. Try creating a real persona of your target audience. Give them a name, list what they like to do, their behaviours and their preferences, etc. Get to know them — and grow with them — until you understand their intricacies better than anyone.

4. Use Data to Guide You

Don’t rely on guesstimates. Use historical data points to predict future trends. What are your customers’ behaviours and interests and how does the forecast for future events? Understanding and integrating these learnings will better empower innovation and provide much more client value.

5. Clarify Your Priorities

You can’t do it all at once, and you can’t be everything to everyone. Map it out and take one step at a time. What is your short vs. long-term vision and how are you going to get there? Have a concrete map guiding you, and from there, the rest is just noise.


Being reactive can lead to higher costs and reduced profitability, in addition to decreasing customer satisfaction and increasing employee turnover. By shifting your mindset, and making some changes, you can stay ahead of the pack.

Take the time to develop your vision and goals, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

For makers, crafters, and small business owners, effective inventory management holds the key to operational efficiency and profitability. Effectively managing inventory can enhance customer satisfaction, optimize the use of your resources, and boost overall business success.


Read on for five essential strategies to master inventory management and keep your small business
booming:

1. Embrace Technology

In the digital age, manual inventory tracking just doesn’t make sense. By investing in inventory management software tailored to your needs, you can take advantage of real-time insights into stock levels, sales patterns, and reordering requirements. Additionally, cloud-based solutions offer remote access, meaning you can make informed decisions from almost anywhere. By harnessing technology, you can eliminate human errors, streamline processes, and ensure accurate data management.

2. Categorize Wisely

Divide your inventory into logical categories. This practice helps you identify top-performing products, analyze trends in demand, and allocate resources effectively. Assign categories based on product type, demand, seasonality, or any other relevant info. This categorization lays the foundation for informed decision making, allowing you to focus on what matters most to your business.

3. Set Reorder Points

Prevent the chance of running out of stock (or overstocking) by establishing “reorder points.” These points indicate when it’s time to replenish inventory. Calculate reorder points by considering lead times, demand fluctuations, and safety stock requirements. By adhering to these thresholds, you can avoid disruptions in your supply chain and maintain a balanced inventory level.

4. Implement Just-In-Time (JIT) Methodology

The JIT approach minimizes holding costs by receiving goods only when needed. While it requires coordination with suppliers, it reduces excess inventory and associated carrying expenses. JIT encourages efficient resource allocation, enhances cash flow, and reduces the risk of running low on stock.

5. Monitor and Adapt

Inventory management is an ongoing process that requires constant maintenance. Regularly monitor inventory levels, sales patterns, and market trends and analyze data to identify slow-moving items or sudden shifts in demand. Adapt your strategies accordingly to align your inventory with your customers’ needs. Flexibility and agility are key to maintaining an efficient inventory management system.


So what’s next?

Effective inventory management is fundamental to success for makers and small business owners. By taking small steps like those listed above, you can quickly and easily optimize your inventory processes. Doing so will not only enhance customer satisfaction but also reduce costs, improve resource utilization, and support your bottom line.

Remember, every business is unique, so tailor these strategies to your specific circumstances to achieve optimal results. With your newly streamlined inventory management system, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of modern commerce and drive your business toward lasting success.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to gain access to resources and support to help your small business thrive, sigh up to become a Flagstaff Crafted member HERE.

Many of today’s top companies are looking to maximize their value beyond pure product offerings, investing their efforts into additional social and economic returns not only to their shareholders, but also employees, customers, and surrounding communities.

As a local business, the impact of your contributions has the potential to be seen and felt within your own community. Having a well-implemented corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy can also improve your company’s reputation and connection to its local roots.

So, choose a cause near and dear to your heart, and let’s get started.


CSR Activation Tips

Find alignment – CSR actions should be in-line with an organization’s overall business, its mission, and its objectives. This makes the partnership more credible, believable, and impactful. It also means the company will have to spend less time and effort trying to convince people of its investment in the cause, saving both time and money.

Milk Jar

When Milk Jar was born in founder Holly Singer’s kitchen in November, 2016, it answered two of her desires: to bring clean-burning, beautifully smelling candles to the local market, and to be a vehicle for giving back. Years prior, while studying Kinesiology in University, Holly developed a close friendship with a boy with Cerebral Palsy and his mother. Forever struck by the resilience of people with disabilities and the barriers they face, it was Holly’s goal to raise $500 in Milk Jar’s first year for programs that support learning and growth. Little did she know, Milk Jar would grow to make a far, far greater impact than she ever could have imagined.

Pictured on the left is Milk Jar founder, Holly Singer.

Partner up – do your research and where it makes sense, partner up. There may already be a plethora of institutions already specializing in an undertaking similar to yours. The difference? They may very well have more expertise and money to put behind it. When possible and it makes sense, look to align your name and latter up your efforts with theirs. This can be just as, if not more, powerful than going on your own.

Communicate it – the community can’t know all the great things you’re doing if you don’t tell them about it. Maximizing the benefits of a well-constructed CSR strategy requires having solid communication touchpoints in place. Utilize all your channels, from your website to newsletters, socials, and everything in between, to push your message. Ensuring all your communications are up and running also empowers and informs your employees, allowing them to act as branches of your efforts and CSR advocates.

Picture above – Milk Jar employees

Engage employees – when looking to align your organization with a cause or impact, look to tap into your employees’ passions. Is there something particular your employees are passionate about? If it does not make sense to position the company in alignment with those specific causes, consider something like paid time off for volunteering or even matching raised funds over a specified period of time. Having efforts like these will also improve both qualified recruitment and retention.

Stay accountable – be sure to set realistic goals or objectives. Making promises, and then failing to realize those, will dilute the perceptions of your impact.


CSR can come to life in a multitude of ways, meaning there is no specific formulaic answer when it comes to activating these types of goodwill efforts. Common examples include environmental preservation or reducing carbon emissions, ethical labour practices, or philanthropy.

When approaching your CSR strategy remember that what works for another organization might not work for you. By choosing the right fit for your business and following some of the best practices above, you’re well on your way towards launching a successful — and impactful — strategy.

Aside from your craft, your brand is your unique selling point. In the world of crafters, building a brand goes beyond showcasing handmade products, especially with today’s conscious consumers looking to align themselves with brands based on what they stand for and who they are.


In this blog we’ll outline everything you need to know about crafting your perfect brand identity with purpose.

Defining Your Purpose

Building your brand begins with defining your purpose, which means asking yourself: why is it you do what you do? Your purpose might be to offer better quality or sustainable alternatives within your market, to bring joy to consumers, or simply to share your passion with the world. The list goes on!

Discovering your crafting purpose provides the natural direction for your brand’s identity and mission, and knowing who you are helps you determine what you are communicating to everyone else. It’s important to find your focus and let that inform all the other parts of your brand as you build it.

It’s also important to remember you can’t establish your brand to be everything to everyone, especially at the start.

Branding Exercises to Refine Your Focus

To establish your brand’s focus and tone, consider the following exercises:
Define your target audience: Clearly identify the characteristics, interests, and preferences of your
ideal customers.

  • Craft a brand statement: Develop a concise and compelling statement that encapsulates
    your brand’s purpose, values, and unique offerings.
  • Create a brand mood board: Gather visual inspirations that align with your desired brand aesthetic and tone.
  • Conduct competitor analysis: Study other crafters in your market to identify gaps and
  • opportunities for differentiation.
  • Seek feedback: Share your brand concept with trusted friends, family, or mentors to gather
    insights and refine your focus.

Knowing Your Target Audience

A strong brand understands its target audience intimately. To do this, conduct market research to identify your ideal customers, their needs, preferences and what they want. Tailor your brand messaging, product offerings and marketing strategies to effectively communicate and connect with your target audience. By understanding your customers, you can build brand experiences that genuinely resonate and build trust.

Visually Representing Your Brand

Your brand elements, such as your logo, colour palette, typography, and overall design aesthetic, should be consistent and aligned with your brand’s purpose and focus (since this all plays a role in representing your brand visually).


When selecting a logo, consider how it conveys your crafting purpose and resonates with your target audience. It should be visually appealing, memorable, and reflective of your brand’s personality and focus. This can also be done through your colour palette. For example, if your crafting purpose is to offer sustainable alternatives, consider using earthy tones and eco-friendly
imagery in your branding. Finally, choose typography that aligns with your brand’s tone and style. Whether it’s modern and minimalistic or playful and whimsical, the fonts you choose should enhance your brand’s overall aesthetic.


All the visual elements of your brand must stay consistent once you’ve decided, so you can build brand recall and stand out as professional.

Building Brand Trust

A strong brand prioritizes delivering an exceptional customer experience at every interaction. From the first point of contact to post-purchase support, focus on providing consistent, personalized and memorable experiences that go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.

Trust and credibility are the foundation of a strong brand and positive customer experiences generate word-of-mouth referrals and cultivate brand loyalty. It’s so important to maintain high quality standards for products or services and deliver on promises. Consider leveraging customer testimonials to build this credibility and trust among your target audience, inspire loyalty and
attract new customers.

Building your brand is an exciting journey that involves so many fun exercises. The process requires a strategic approach and attention to key pillars of brand building. By establishing a clear brand identity, understanding your target audience, maintaining consistency, delivering exceptional experiences, building trust, and communicating effectively, you can create a strong and influential brand that stands the test of time and drives business success.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

As an artisan, running your business — whether it’s your side hustle or your main hustle — comes with numerous rewards and challenges, one of which being how to balance the venture that fuels your passion and soul, and your home life. Here are some practical tips to help you find balance between running a successful business and enjoying a fulfilling personal life at home.


Prioritize Supportive Relationships

Building a strong support network is essential for maintaining balance. Surround yourself with individuals who understand and support your entrepreneurial journey. Share your challenges, seek advice, and connect with other small business owners who can relate to your experiences. Additionally, you can turn to your loved ones in your personal life for support. It’s important to communicate openly with your family, let them know in advance when your busy periods are, and share the demands of running a business so they understand where you’re at and how they can be there for you.


Set Boundaries

To establish a healthy work-life balance, it’s essential to define your priorities clearly. These boundaries are vital. Clearly define your working hours and communicate them to your clients, employees, and family members. Set aside specific time for business-related activities, such as answering emails or attending meetings, and dedicate quality time for your loved ones and personal activities. Establishing boundaries ensures that you have focused time for both work and personal life, reducing the chances of work spilling over and interfering with your home life.


Capitalize on the Flexibility

Owning your own business brings with it a unique flexibility — after all, you’re the boss! This unique working dynamic allows you to be adaptable and flexible both in your work life and home life. The ability to set your own schedule allows you to prioritize family commitments, attend important events, and be present for your loved ones. You can also accommodate personal emergencies or take time off for yourself. Additionally, the ability to set your own schedule allows you to optimize your productivity during your most productive hours, resulting in improved efficiency and job satisfaction. You have the freedom to pursue projects that align with your passions and interests, leading to greater fulfillment in your work. With flexibility, you can adapt quickly to changing market demands, seize new opportunities, and maintain a healthy work-life balance, ultimately contributing to your long-term professional success.


Delegate and Outsource

As a small business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything yourself. This business is your baby, so it’s understandable. However, it’s important to remember, taking on too much can lead to burnout and negatively impact both your business and personal life. Learn to delegate tasks that can be handled by others, whether it’s outsourcing specific functions or hiring employees if possible. Delegating responsibilities not only lightens your workload but also allows you to focus on the critical aspects of your business and create more time for yourself and your loved ones.


Manage Your Time Efficiently

Effective time management is crucial when balancing the demands of a small business and home life. Plan and prioritize your tasks, allocating dedicated time slots for different tasks. It may be worth considering utilizing productivity tools, such as calendars and task management apps, to help you stay organized and focused. It’s important to remember, however, that sometimes you can’t do everything in a day — and that’s ok. Things can usually wait until tomorrow. It’s just as important to factor in personal time, leisure activities and self-care in this list of prioritized tasks for the day. Neglecting these aspects can lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run.


Take Care of Yourself as You Would Your Business

Self-care and making time for you is often overlooked but plays a critical role in achieving work-life balance. It may seem like between work and home you have enough to juggle, but you need to prioritize your well-being by making time for activities that rejuvenate and energize you. Engage in regular exercise, practice mindfulness or meditation, pursue hobbies outside of work and ensure you get enough restful sleep. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally will enhance your overall performance in both your business and personal life.


Finding balance between running a small business and home life is a tricky and ongoing process that requires conscious effort and adaptability. By defining your priorities, setting boundaries, delegating tasks, managing time efficiently, nurturing relationships and practicing self-care, you can create a perfect blend of success and personal fulfillment. Remember, finding balance is not always about perfect equilibrium, but rather about making intentional choices that align with your values and allow you to lead a well-rounded life.

Remember, finding balance is not always about perfect equilibrium, but rather about making intentional choices that align with your values and allow you to lead a well-rounded life.