Running a small business is busy times, and, as much as I like to help out with websites, online stores, SEO, PPC and social media, I have limits! So, here are some amazing people and tools I recommend to help get your business up and running, or running smoother!

Logos/Brochures/Graphic Design Monica Calderon Monica is my in-house design gal. She can help with logos, brochures, rack cards, graphic design needs. Contact me for pricing details, and I can send you her portfolio. I have have other designers I can refer.
Brand/Positioning/”Turning Your Company Around” Neil Godin Neil and I have been running into each other for years – usually, as he’s turning a business around and I’m in there trying to put a good-value website together. I actually have no idea what he charges, but I know he gets results. If you’re wondering if you’re marketing the right thing to the right people, ask Neil.
Photographers Roger Mahler – Union Photographers – Photographers in Vancouver Vancouver wedding, family, and corporate headshot photographer with unique photographic style and careful attention to detail. Photographer for Lara Spence and team.
Photographers Melissa Skoda – Photographer in Vancouver Great photographer too. I like to give you some choice here. Melissa was in BNI with me.
Small Business Bookkeeper Homeroom Business Solutions – Bookkeepers in Vancouver I love Teya, she and her team are reliable and so affordable. Does taxes too.
Printer Eaveswood Colour – Printers in Vancouver Great service, competitive pricing. Call Mike!
Networking Group BNI International Networking is an important part of your marketing mix! This business and professional networking organization meets weekly (trust me, this consistency brings results!) and allows only one person from each profession to join any chapter.I was a member and still adore the BNI MarinasideChapter in Vancouver. BNI is available all over the world – find a group in your area!

Tools to Use

You’re going to need to make sure you these things covered off as you launch your business and/or website:

Netfirms – HOSTING/DOMAIN Excellent web hosting, great for WordPress, get free domain ($11 value) if you sign up for hosting. Good pricing – choose Web Hosting >> Netfirms Plus($60 per year – it’s always on sale!)
Freshbooks – TIME TRACKING/ EXPENSES/INVOICINGGet Freshbooks! Freshbooks. Hands-down amazing. Track all your time, track your team’s time, have fun (yes! fun!) entering expenses. Send estimates. Send invoices. Track who has paid you, who hasn’t. Get killer reports. All for $23 a month (I use a bigger plan b/c I have more clients, but so worth it!)
Constant Contact – EMAIL MARKETING

Emails for Small Business with Constant Contact		 Affordable, wonderful email marketing tool offering easy to use and good looking templates you can create yourself, with full opt-in/auto unsubscribe mailing lists. Keep top of mind with your clients by sending them email newsletters! FREE trial for 60 days! (can’t go wrong and everyone is using it…)
Send Out Cards – REAL CARDS in the mail! Why drive to the card store when you can create your own physical holiday/thank you/client appreciation cards from your computer any time day or night? Snail mail, glossy, can include photos, gifts, gift cards, mailed from Canadian post office to anywhere in the world. About $2 per card. SEND 2 CARDS FREE ON ME!
1Shoppingcart.com Shopping cart system, with various options for just a shopping cart, plus (if you need) automated autoresponders, secure e-book (digital product) downloading, and more! Helps you automate your business.
GenBook Take online appointments (great for trainers, physios, spas, organizers) – very easy to use! Free version available.
2checkout.com Similar to 1shoppingcart but for those not planning to have affiliate programs and who have less products – allows you to accept credit cards, do recurring payments, “sell” subscriptions to member-only areas, and more – no monthly fees!