Less Stress, More Profit

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How did preparing your taxes go this year? Smooth as butter? Room for improvement?

If you’ve ever felt like running your business is a constant game of “Where did I put that invoice, inventory, or tax form?” you’re not alone. Many small business owners don't realize how disorganized they are until tax time, a product launch, or a financial emergency forces them to scramble.

Today, let’s tackle the three pillars of small business organization: Paper, Products, and Profits, so you can spend less time searching and more time selling.

1. Paper: Ditch the Clutter, Go Digital

The problem: Receipts stuffed in drawers, contracts lost in email chains, and tax forms missing in action.
​The fix: Set up a simple digital filing system. One option is to use Tiago Forte’s Second Brain Method, categorizing files into:

• Projects (current work)
• Areas (ongoing responsibilities)
• Resources (reference materials)
• Archive (completed items)

The tools: Google Drive, Evernote, Notion, or Dropbox work well.
​Personal note: I use Google Drive, Notion, and Dropbox, but I’m working to streamline by setting clear rules for what goes where.
​Pro Tip: Check out Paperless Made Simple by Abby Organizes. It’s a game-changer for going digital.

2. Products: Keep Inventory in Check

The problem: Stockouts, overspending on slow movers, and inventory chaos.
​The fix: Use an inventory system (like Shopify’s tools) or a spreadsheet to track products and materials.

Pro tips:

• Test new products with small batches first.
• Sell off excess supplies through de-stash listings (Etsy works great!).
• Organize your workspace to avoid duplicate purchases.
• Donate unused supplies

Personal note: Even with digital products, I’m consolidating files, thumbnails, and promo images into one central spot to make updating easier, especially with my newest Etsy product, the Ultimate Guide to Tax Deductions Toolkit.

3. Profits: Track Your Money Like a Pro

The problem: Blurring business and personal funds, guessing at profits, scrambling at tax time.
​The fix: Open a separate business account, use bookkeeping software or a spreadsheet, and set a weekly money check-in. My recommendations? Relay or BlueVine for checking. Chase or Capital One for your credit card.

Shortcut: Hate numbers? Hire a bookkeeper (I know a great one! 😉)
​Pro Tip: Staying organized financially means making smarter, faster decisions all year, not just at tax time.

Ready to Get Organized?

Small tweaks now = less stress, more profits, and no more tax-time panic.

What’s one small step you can take today?

Investing in a tool like Paperless Made Simple could be a great first move!

Small Business Updates and Tools

Seller Survey

Thanks to everyone who participated in the small business survey! I’ll be sharing results in this newsletter and in Your Etsy Edge over the course of the year. The winners were Jamey of Grace and Piece Co. and Sarah of Indigo Arts. Congratulations!

eCommerce Site Speed

If you have a standalone eCommerce store (think Shopify or WooCommerce), I think you will find this article on eCommerce site speed helpful! Nothing drives customers away faster than a slow website!

Featured Resource

Ready to get your personal and business paper clutter under control once and for all? Paperless Made Simple is made for you! Learn how to Capture, Process, Access, Secure, and Purge your paper clutter.

On a Personal Note 🐈

We had a big storm roll through Pittsburgh on April 29th. It was short but powerful! The kids were out of school for two days due to road closures, power outages, and internet outages, and they loved the unexpected time off!