Guides for running a small business
Short, practical explanations of the numbers and documents that decide whether a small business makes money. Each guide has a worked example and a free tool you can try.
How to write a quote that wins the job
What a good quote includes, how to price it from your real costs, and how to follow up so a quote becomes a booked job.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
What to include on an invoice: a practical checklist
A practical checklist of what a clear, professional invoice contains, plus payment terms that get you paid on time.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
Margin vs markup: what is the difference?
Margin and markup are not the same. See the formulas, a comparison table and the pricing mistake that quietly costs small businesses money.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to price a service job so it actually makes money
A step-by-step method for pricing service work from labour, materials, overhead and a target margin, with a worked example.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to calculate your break-even point
The break-even formula explained with a worked example: how many sales you need to cover fixed costs, and what to do with the answer.
4 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to follow up on unpaid invoices, politely and firmly
A calm, step-by-step way to chase overdue invoices without damaging the relationship, with timing and wording that works.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to calculate job profit
Work out what each job really earned after labour, materials and other costs, so you can price the next one better.
4 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to set an hourly rate that covers everything
Set an hourly rate that covers your income goal, overheads and the hours you cannot bill, with a worked example you can copy.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
Spreadsheets vs business management software: when to switch
An honest look at when spreadsheets are enough, the signs you have outgrown them and how to move without losing data.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to write a business proposal that gets a yes
A simple structure for a one-page proposal: the need, your approach, timeline, price and terms, plus how a proposal differs from a quote.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to schedule jobs without double booking
A practical routine for planning bookings and jobs across a team so nobody is double-booked, from a single shared calendar.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to track business expenses simply
A low-effort routine for recording expenses by category and by job, so you know what the business costs and what each job really earned.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
How to handle customer complaints well
A calm five-step method for responding to a complaint, fixing the problem and keeping the customer, with a record you can learn from.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
Small business cash flow basics
Why a profitable business can run out of cash, how to read your cash position and the habits that bring money in faster.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08
What is a CRM, and does a small business need one?
A plain explanation of what a CRM does, the signs you need one and what to look for so it helps you sell instead of becoming more admin.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10-08