Must-Have Apps That Small Business Owners Need

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When you’re running a small business, anything that can help boost productivity and save time is worth exploring. With that in mind, Utility Avenue presents this list of must-have apps that can help you increase your efficiency, so you can concentrate on what’s most important.

1. ClickUp

One way to save time is through all-in-one apps. ClickUp is a simple, but powerful, project management app that lets you manage your projects, tasks, and notifications all in one place. It enhances your productivity by centralizing the way you capture, track, report on, and share activities with everyone who needs to know.

But where it shines is in its built-in time tracker and workload calculator. The built-in timer and graph provide a quick and easy way to see how much time a staff member spent on a task, who is overworked, and who has gotten behind.

2. TripIt

If you regularly travel for business, you know the hassle of juggling multiple apps and bookings to keep track of transportation and work-related expenses. TripIt is an all-in-one travel organizer that lets you add flights, hotels, car rentals, and restaurant bookings in one account. TripIt also automatically organizes everything and generates a detailed expense report, saving you time and money.

3. Utility Avenue

This is a great app for buying and selling services in your area. Utility Avenue is great for entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as those who just want to make a little extra money with a side-hustle. You can list your services for free and it only costs you 50 cents to sell a service, allowing you to save money and cut out the middleman as you reach a huge audience!

4. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a time-saver for business owners who have to deal with an overflow of documents on projects. It helps keep all your work in order and speeds up the process of finding specific information. You can combine PDFs into one file, but it also works like a digital binder with several compartments. You can even move PDF pages around to put your material in the proper order once you combine them.

5. QuickBooks

Another way to save time is by keeping track of expenses, mileage, and other tax deductions. The QuickBooks app lets you do all that with the convenience of your smartphone. It also makes filing your taxes a breeze by putting everything in one place and helping you find deductions.

6. Balance API Feature

Finally, you can avoid costly credit card fees and give your customers peace of mind with a bank account balance API. The integration allows you to avoid expensive processing costs, while also allowing customers to make payments in their preferred way — whether that’s online or through a mobile app.

Team Collaboration

When you work with a team, effective communication is essential for success. That’s where team collaboration apps, like Slack and Asana, come in handy. Slack is a messaging app that makes it easier to stay in touch, while Asana has a to-do list system that’s great for keeping track of tasks and deadlines. These apps help you:

  • Communicate effectively with your team
  • Keep everyone in the loop
  • Cut down on email usage, and
  • Track task progress and deadlines

Use Apps Strategically

If you’re running a small business, there’s a good chance you’re juggling a lot of tasks. Fortunately, there are plenty of apps available to make your life easier.

Utility Avenue is a platform where you can buy and sell services. Turn your skills or hobbies into money, and thrive. Join the community today!

 

Article by Tina Martin

The Best Free and Paid Tools for Small Businesses

Small businesses are under pressure to find the best possible way to compete in a world that’s quickly becoming dominated by big, international corporations. 

Don’t fret! There are so many tools out there for small business owners who want to stay on top of their game. 

Here are some free and paid tools that can improve customer satisfaction, increase online engagement, streamline operations, and, ultimately, positively impact a small business’s bottom line. Let’s get started.

Collage HairStudio Miami by Odette Photo+Art

Our top 5 free and paid services for small businesses

#1: Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free service that provides detailed statistics on where visitors are coming from, how they got to your website, and what they do while they’re there. This information can help you improve your site’s content, advertising, and design so it appeals more strongly to potential customers and leads them through the purchasing process.

Don’t know where to start? Google offers some great tutorials and guides that are easy for small business owners of any skill level to understand. You can also check out this video series by Google on how to use their services.

#2: Yammer

A social media site for businesses to connect with their employees, customers, partners, and others. Yammer is a great way to connect with your employees and show you appreciate their hard work on the business. Plus, it’s a great place for businesses to learn more about what consumers are saying about their company.

#3: Remitly

If you’re outsourcing work to freelancers in foreign countries, bank transfers can be cost-prohibitive. Instead, you can utilize a low-fee money transfer service like Remitly which offers fast transfers at fair exchange rates. For example, if you need to pay workers in The Philippines, you’ll only be charged a fee of $3.99 for express delivery service.

#4: Constant Contact

Constant Contact is an all-in-one marketing platform that provides email marketing, automation, social media management, and more. This is a great tool for businesses that want to manage all of their marketing in one place. They also have some great features like custom landing pages, lead generation forms, and the ability to create email lists that can help you build your business.

#5: Zendesk

Zendesk is a free support ticket system that provides a central way for customers to contact your company and get answers quickly and efficiently (even if you’re not around) and even helps you track what they’re asking for so you don’t have to ask them! Zendesk also offers different pricing structures for businesses of any size. Check out the plans here.

Honorable mentions: IFTTT and Google My Business

IFTTT is a free service that allows you to create your own “recipes” to automate certain actions based on events. For example, you could automatically send yourself a text message when someone posts about your company on Twitter or send an email when Google updates their mobile search algorithm.

Google My Business is a free service that helps you build your local business brand on Google and customers to find out more information about your business like opening hours, directions, and customer reviews. It’s perfect for small businesses that want to connect with potential customers in the area.

These are just some of the many great tools out there for small businesses. SMBs need to be able to use the right tools at the right time. If you don’t know where to start, try any of the tools in this list. There are hundreds of other great tools available online, as well. You just need to know where to start. 

Turn your hobbies and skills into cash by joining the Utility Avenue community!

Image by Odette Photo+Art

Article written by Gloria Martinez exclusively for Utility Avenue.

Resources for Small Businesses Recovering from COVID-19

Resources for Small Businesses Recovering from COVID-19

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No matter what industry you’re in, the pandemic has certainly made the last year more complicated. Fortunately, however, we’re approaching the finish line. Here are some resources to help you successfully transition out of pandemic mode, presented by Utility Avenue.

 

Remain Flexible For Your Team 

The pandemic has helped us see the power of an adaptable workplace. 

  • Except in cases where remote work isn’t possible, consider continuing to offer remote options to employees who have thrived while working from home. 
  • Remote collaboration tools can help your employees work together no matter where they are. 
  • Where possible, expand schedule flexibility as well in order to make your workplace suit your employees’ most productive times. 

 

Embrace Technology 

The pandemic drove customers online – meet them there.

  • Studies have shown that the pandemic significantly increased how much time people spend online. 
  • Consider adding new forms of online marketing, such as expanding your blog or starting a podcast. Be sure to hire a pro to ensure you create a polished, professional product. 
  • Focus on ways to bring your services into a virtual setting – check out our approach for inspiration. 

 

Plan for the Future 

Are you ready for the post-COVID world?

  • Take some time to research what kind of changes experts anticipate that we’ll see due to the pandemic. 
  • Consult with a financial advisor to get the best tips for how to nurture your finances coming out of the pandemic. 
  • Focus on creating a strong, flexible business that can adapt to changing markets in the future. 
  • If you want to learn more about business and apply those skills to your own endeavor, take some classes via an online university.

 

If your business struggled through the pandemic, know that you’re not alone. As vaccines roll out and cities can open back up, the economy is expected to recover. With the right moves, you’ll be able to thrive in the post-pandemic world! 

Article written by Gloria Martinez for Utility Avenue
Photo Credit: Pexels

Spotlight: Oh D’Luxe Candle Company

For today’s Spotlight, we have Oh D’Luxe Candle Company, a small business owned by Oddette Staple-Brown.

Name/Business Name

Oh D’Luxe Candle Company

What can you tell us about yourself?

I am a creative, always have been. Even though I hold an undergraduate degree in Business, a Graduate degree in HR, and previously worked in both professions, I am happiest when I get to express my creative side.

What were the origins of your business?

Oh D’Luxe Candle company started out of a profound love for candles. I would always have a lot of candles in my house, but as much money as I spent on candles, it would be a hit or miss with the quality in respect to the scent throw.
Fast-forward to the pandemic and like everyone else, I was trying to find something to do to pass the time. That’s when I thought why not make my own candles. I did the research, which included YouTube, Facebook candle groups, Google, etc, I purchased supplies, coupled with the support & encouragement from my husband & the rest is history.

What aspects of your background have helped you the most?

Currently, I am at the part of my business where the “business aspect” is taking center stage. We recently started selling our candles wholesale to different stores, participating in more vendor events all while running our online store. It is time like these that I am thankful for my degrees in business and my accounting experience.

What were the main challenges you encountered at the beginning?

One of the biggest challenges that I faced, in the beginning, was understanding the chemistry and science behind candle making. This involved months of testing and trials to fine-tune the processes that best worked for me and my vision.

Who was the most supportive of your idea?

My husband and business partner was and is still my biggest supporter. He was the one that suggested that I considered selling the candles that I made. At his prompting, I introduced the candles to my church family and they fell in love with them and Oh D’Luxe Candle Company was born.

Have there been any changes in your business approach after Covid-19?

Covid-19 is the reason why I started this business. If the world did not slow down, I would have been too busy doing other things that I may not have considered starting a candle business.

What makes your offer unique?

We sell high-quality, luxurious-smelling candles that will fill a room, at an affordable price. As a candle lover, our products should be what I have always wanted in a candle.

Do you have any other passions?

Yes, I love to sing, blog, write poetry, work with kids, read, spend time with my family, and of course sleep.

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

Nothing, absolutely nothing. I pondered this question over and over in my head and decided that everything not only worked out the way they should, but I have no regrets. I loved and love hard, I wear my heart on my sleeve. My loved ones who have gone on before me, knew how much I loved them before they left. “Bad” decisions that I’ve made have helped me develop into the badass I am today. With that being said, I can truly say, I wouldn’t change a thing!

What challenges do you see ahead?

As a small business that is under a year old, we are already experiencing our fair share of challenges. A few of the challenges that we are currently navigating are, finding more customers, increasing our brand awareness, building our email list, and standing out in an oversaturated market.

What future projects does your business have?

I love working with kids and education is something that I am very passionate about. At Oh D’Luxe Candle Company we are committed to donating a percentage of our sales each month to help with educating the youth in our community.
In the future, we would love to open our own educational center where kids could get homework help, counseling, play games, get their laundry done and get a hot meal if they are unable to get these things done at home.

What message would you send to your followers?

We are so grateful, thankful, and blessed to have all our followers on this journey with us. So many of our followers are not only customers but repeat customers and we are so appreciative of your support. Without you, there would be no Oh D’Luxe Candle Company and we thank you!

Define your business in one sentence.

Luxurious-smelling candles at an affordable price.

Oh D’Luxe Candle Company’s  Info

https://www.facebook.com/ohdluxecandles

https://www.instagram.com/ohdluxecandles/

https://ohdluxecandles.com/

hello@ohdluxecandles.com

How to Turn Your Passion Into a Lucrative Business Model

How to Turn Your Passion Into a Lucrative Business Model

1,2,3 Let's go
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Everyone has a great passion that they wish they could turn into a business. Maybe you love the roar of an engine and the thrill of competition, or perhaps you love to tinker with engines in the solitude of a garage. But the truth is in the journey, and not every big passion becomes a lucrative business startup. Part of the challenge? Reshaping your mindset and empowering yourself to get what you want.

It’s a daunting—but worthwhile—pursuit. Check out these tips on how to turn your passion into a lucrative venture, courtesy of Utility Avenue.

Define Success

Outlining your goals means you have a concrete means of measuring success. Decide what success means to your business and what metrics you’ll track to see how far you need to go—and how far you’ve come already.

For example, if you’re venturing into motorsports, selling motorcycle parts online might be part of your plan. From there, you might establish a set number of clients you want to onboard or a particular number of products you wish to sell. Make your metrics detailed, specific, and measurable. Document them and make a game plan for reaching those goals—and check in often.

Be a Cheerleader

Being successful in your business often revolves around positivity and growth. Always learn; look around you for opportunities to develop and improve. It’s critical to believe in what you’re doing, look forward, and don’t look back. 

If you commit to being a cheerleader for yourself (and your brand), your odds of success are that much higher, confirms Business.com. Think about the lies you tell yourself—about not being good enough, or setting prices too high, or expecting too much—and then tell yourself the truth. Being in your own corner means believing in yourself and your abilities and not letting self-doubt ruin your new venture.

Protect Yourself

Launching a startup can be exhilarating and even intimidating. But venturing outside your comfort zone is not just a threat to your sense of self-confidence. In fact, owning a business can make you a target for all manner of online scams like identity theft and cybersecurity breaches.

To protect yourself, your company, and the customers you serve, create a digital security plan. Anti-virus software, credit defense services, and other cybersecurity protections can offer peace of mind and defense against would-be hackers.

Another form of critical protection is that of your personal assets. The last thing you want is to build your business up, only to have issues that cause you to lose everything. An easy way into a security blanket is to create an LLC. An LLC, or limited liability company, does just what it says—it limits your liability. Also, it provides certain tax advantages, and it can scale up as you grow. That flexibility can come in handy in your journey toward success. Keep in mind that if you form an LLC, you’ll have to submit an annual report. Fortunately, you can save time filing by using a service like Zenbusiness.com

Aim to Scale Up

Some entrepreneurs set the bar too low when it comes to their growth goals. But really, is it possible to make too much money? Is it wrong to achieve too many sales? Is it ever possible to see too much success?

Again, it’s all about your mindset—and setting your sights on scaling up your business is a recipe for success. There are plenty of ways to streamline and scale your organizational model. Your path might involve digital tools to automate basic business tasks, or it could mean you onboard an assistant to take care of the mundane while you work with clients. Whatever the next step is, put it up on a pedestal and prioritize blazing a path to get there. 

Turning your amazing idea into a productive and lucrative business startup isn’t easy. But with a mindset of empowerment and clarity when it comes to your abilities as an entrepreneur, you can make it happen. You might be surprised at the things you can achieve when you embrace your full potential.

Earn some extra cash and sell your services on Utility Avenue.

Join our community today!

 

The article was written by Cody McBride exclusively for Utility Avenue.

Small Business Owners: Make These Best Practices Part of Your Daily Routine in 2021

At the start of the year, it can be easy to focus solely on your goals. Whether you want to hit a sales milestone, launch a new product/service, or expand your business, you have likely become fixed on achieving whatever it is that you want to achieve. 

While this is certainly admirable, this approach can cause you to quickly lose steam. More importantly, it can also cause you to lose track of daily best practices that can grow your small business for the long term.

No matter what your goals are for 2021, here are some of the best practices to implement in your daily routine this year.

Join the Utility Avenue community for opportunities to buy or sell services and turn your hobbies into profitable business ventures! 

 

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(Photo via Pexels)

Network with local business owners and professionals.

In 2020, it became more difficult than ever before to network with colleagues and local business owners. As COVID-19 continues into 2021, networking opportunities still look different than they have in the past.

Networking can get your business noticed, help you share and exchange ideas, build long-term relationships, and build your self-confidence. In the long-run, it can even boost your sales. That is why it is crucial to continue meeting with others on a weekly basis in a virtual space. This can take the form of joining the local chamber of commerce, or a dedicated networking group. By making networking a habit, you can more easily reach your yearly goals and connect with others in the community.

 

Complete a financial health check-up.

Another essential best practice to adopt is routinely checking in with your business finances. From your invoicing practices to your corporate credit cards, this habit can save you hundreds — or possibly thousands — annually.

As you review your business finances, see if your bank is serving your current needs. For a more seamless accounting experience, finding a small business bank account that integrates with your payroll software ensures quicker payments. The best accounts will even offer free instant deposit, high-yield interest, and insights on your cash flow.

To get an in-depth assessment of your business’s financial health, consider working with a business consultant. You can find qualified business consultants through online job boards and review ratings, rates, and estimated delivery times. 

 

Set work-life boundaries.

When examining business best practices, it may not seem as though your personal habits have any bearing. On the contrary, having solid work-life boundaries is essential for being a successful small business owner. These boundaries are becoming more popular in European countries and can make a world of difference in your personal and work life.  

Although it can seem impossible at times, creating boundaries for you and your employees should be a best practice to embrace. Decide when you (and others) should be able to disconnect from work emails and phone calls, and how often personal time should be taken. Despite feeling counterintuitive to some, these actions can actually lead to increased on-the-job productivity.

 

Revisit your marketing strategy.

In today’s digital age, successful marketing strategies are anything but stagnant. With rules and algorithms for social media changing almost monthly, it is important to keep up with the latest changes.

Each quarter, make it a habit to check in on your marketing plan. Revisit your strategy to see what is working, and what needs a bit of tweaking. Change wording, images, and promotions to meet the needs of your audience in real-time. This best practice will ensure that you get the most out of your marketing budget and that your messages are timely and relevant. 

 

Ensure that all software is up-to-date.

Lastly, routinely monitor all software on your computers, phones, and equipment. Complete recommended updates, and keep up-to-date on any antivirus programs that you’ve installed. While it seems simple, a weekly check of your software can save you time, effort, and money down the road. 

As you decide which best practices work for your business, it can be helpful to create a checklist of habits that best suit your individual needs. This can also help you organize which tasks should be completed on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis.

Original guest blog post written by Gloria Martinez, from WomenLed.Org

7 Great Articles About Becoming an Entrepreneur (II)

realtor and entrepreneur

Last week, we published 10 Great Articles About Becoming an Entrepreneur. This week, we bring more!

1- “Good Advice: Tips From Successful Small Business Owners.”

The Hartford article highlights what CEOs wish they had known back when they were first starting. That includes the importance of a good support system and mental health and trusting their employees enough to delegate. It’s a roundup of advice from other business owners, Good Advice: Tips From Successful Small Business Owners could help you avoid a common pitfall before it happens.

2-“Being a Successful Entrepreneur Isn’t Only About Having the Best Ideas.”

This recommendation comes from Dawna Boone, owner of Valet Maids. The article, published in the Harvard Business Review by Andy Molinsky, explains how entrepreneurship is more about execution than ideas. “Frequently, having a great idea or concept is praised,” Boone says. “However, the execution is what matters in business and entrepreneurship. Ideas are the easy part; execution is the hard part.”

3-“3 of the Worst Ways Small Businesses Waste Money on Marketing.”

The article, written by Donald Miller for the website BuildingAStoryBrand.com, recounts Miller’s mistakes when investing in marketing for his business and how other entrepreneurs can avoid making the same mistakes.

4-“How to Brainstorm Like a Googler.”

Next up is a Fast Company article by Veronique Lafargue called “How to Brainstorm Like a Googler.”

“Our brains hold amazing power to push through any problems, create the next off-the-chart ideas, and make business better. We have to know HOW to access all that power,” says Grossman. “This article was eye-opening and gave me an insider’s look into what Google’s brainstorming process looks like. Specifically, pay attention to the 10X idea, as well as building a prototype. We can do all of these things in our businesses, even if it’s just one person doing the brainstorming.”

5-“1,000 True Fans.”

In the article “1000 True Fans,” Kevin Kelly explains that to be a success, you don’t need millions of customers, just 1,000 true fans. The article breaks down the math on the importance of building an audience and how that effect snowballs.

6- “500+ Free Tools to Help You Bootstrap Your Startup.”

500+ Free Tools to Help You Bootstrap Your Startup” is an article published in Neatly.io. There are 500 tools in that article, and they are divided into categories. If you need help figuring something out and know a tool that could help, you can check this article.

7-“The Brand Called You.”

This Fast Company article was published in 1997 by Tom Peters. It was the first time anyone talked about personal branding, which was a unique concept back then. He thought it was as much about how you do it as what you do that impacts your success. It revolutionized the way people thought about jobs and their careers. Peters might have had no idea when he wrote it, but digital media and social networks were going to create a platform where everyone truly can be a  brand—giving way to a whole new way people do business.”

Final Words

I hope you enjoy these articles.

If you find another article that can be a lifesaver for a small business owner and entrepreneur, let us know, and we will add it to the list.

We do rise by lifting others.

10 Great Articles About Becoming an Entrepreneur

Our article Ten Reasons to Become an Entrepreneur has been the most read on our blog. We want to thank you for your support. The truth is that, at Utility Avenue, we want to help you become the best version of the business owner and entrepreneur you can be.

Today, we want to share ten great articles about becoming an entrepreneur. In this selection, you might find the motivation to push forward.

Take notes, and bookmark them for later. Come back to reread them when you need to.

The entrepreneurial path might be challenging, especially in times of Covid, but you got this.

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1- “50 Signs You Might Be an Entrepreneur.”

Entrepreneurs and business owners have a certain kind of spirit and drive that keeps pushing them forward. Use this business article to find out if you possess the qualities of an entrepreneur yourself. In “50 Signs You Might Be an Entrepreneur,” John Rampton shares the signs that make you the perfect small business owner deep down inside.

 

2- “Richard Branson to Young Entrepreneurs: ‘Just Do It’”

If you have been thinking about launching a small business, this article will help you take the plunge. Richard Branson is incredibly inspiring to entrepreneurs who are looking to start young. In Oscar Raymundo’s Inc. article, Richard Branson explains why young wannabe entrepreneurs need to get over the inherent risk factor of starting a business. You can have a great business idea for years, weighing the pros and cons of creating it. According to Branson, you have to just do it. If you fail, you fail—and hopefully, you learned something valuable for your next business venture along the way. Feel the fear, but do it anyway. Stop overthinking and start working.

 

3- “The Psychological Price Of Entrepreneurship.

The stress, worry, and fear that comes with being an entrepreneur can be very intense. Entrepreneur and investor Kumar Arora explains the psychological impact being an entrepreneur can have on a person from his first-hand experiences in his Forbes article “The Psychological Price Of Entrepreneurship.” Starting and running your own business can be an isolating and physically and mentally exhausting process. It is essential to keep your mental well-being in mind.

 

4-“CEOs Share Their Best Advice for College Graduates.”

This article shares some of the best advice CEOs had for college graduates. Nevertheless, most of it can also be applied to new entrepreneurs. Both recent grads and entrepreneurs are starting a new chapter in their careers, and the advice in “CEOs Share Their Best Advice for College Graduates” can be helpful to them both. The ability to listen, have patience, and be flexible were all traits CEOs highlighted in their advice to students.

 

5- “How to Hire the Right Person.”

Finding the right people can be challenging. Compiled from more than 500 interviews, the article “How to Hire the Right Person” by Adam Bryant of The New York Times brings together some of the best hiring advice from CEOs he’s interviewed. They advise walking candidates around, paying attention to what questions they ask, assigning them a take-home task, and more.

 

6- “A Study of 3,526 Companies Shows 1 Decision Makes Startups More Successful. Most Founders Do the Opposite”

The appeal of having a business partner is strong when you start a business. Some entrepreneurs feel more comfortable having someone share the work. Nevertheless, research shows that might not give the company the best chances of survival. Research has found that companies with a solo CEO were more likely to succeed. A story from Inc. breaks down the method used to derive the findings, but it turns out going it alone might be an advantage.

 

7- “7 Tips For Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs, According To A CEO.”

This article is based on advice from CEO and founder of the woman-powered app Mogul, Tiffany Pham. It’s a compilation of advice from her book (You Are a Mogul: How to Do the Impossible, Do It Yourself, and Do It Now.) While her book offers far more insight 7 Tips For Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs, According To A CEO gives a quick preview to help other female entrepreneurs.

8-“8 Mistakes First-Time Founders Make When Starting a Business.”

When you’re just starting, it can be easy to fall into the same pitfalls many entrepreneurs fall into. But maybe with this article, you won’t have to. Mitch Zuklie (CEO, business, and legal advisor), wrote about the top mistakes he sees entrepreneurs make. He detailed the mistakes that include growing too fast and ignoring sound advice for Entrepreneur Magazine.

 

9- “How Things Change.”

How Things Change” is a worthy 30-second read for any entrepreneur who feels discouraged. TechCrunch’s Greg Kumparak summarizes entrepreneurship’s crazy journey in just three tweets from Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp. Things do change.

 

10-“10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Own Business.”

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Own Business” is written by entrepreneur John Rampton. He recounts mistakes he made when he launched his business and what he could have done to prevent them. This article might help you effectively build the business with fewer setbacks.

Final Words

If you liked these, feel free to share them.

Come back next week for part II of this selection of great articles about becoming an entrepreneur.