Growing Stage Resources
Now that you’ve come up with a business idea, built out a strategy, and explored your market, you’re ready to grow and focus on generating consistent revenue. This stage of your business will require strengthening your business concept and practices. We’ve provided resources below to help grow your business.
Table of Contents
Leadership
How do I manage stress and find bravery in difficult moments?
Tools
- Calm App — provides daily meditations, sleep stories to help you fall asleep more easily, 10-minute movement breaks and Mastermind classes to keep you thinking creatively.
Articles
- Sales is an Act of Love https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sales-during-covid19-kate-mckenzie/
- Daily Habits to Increase Happiness https://www.shawnachor.com/project/independent-these-two-minute-daily-habits-will-make-you-happier-immediately/
- Two Questions to Increase Your Focus by Amanda Wagner, Flagstaff Crafted Business Advisor “https://www.theamandawagner.com/blog-main/two-questions-to-increase-your-focus
Books
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski — Personal Development, Leadership, Mental Wellness
- The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist — examine your attitudes and relationship toward earning money, finance, sales
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown — Personal Development, Wellness & Resiliency
Videos
- Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) on How to Open Yourself to Creativity: https://youtu.be/TuBpr6BuiVA (2 min)
- Ira Glass (This American Life) The Creative Process: https://youtu.be/GHrmKL2XKcE (2 min)
- Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo – Goal Setting, Confidence Building, Finding your Passion https://youtu.be/zDBM4KRvl1s (16 min)
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – Creative thinking and discovering your own path. When you’re worried your idea is too similar to other businesses. https://youtu.be/oww7oB9rjgw (11 min)
How do I set a purpose, vision & mission for my business?
Tools
- Company Culture — Creating Values & Purpose for your Business https://www.kathrynmckenzie.org/culture
Articles
- How a Meaningful Brand Purpose Gives you a Competitive Advantage https://www.atb.com/business/good-advice/start-up-business/how-a-meaningful-brand-purpose-gives-you-a-competitive-edge/
- How to write a powerful and effective mission statement: https://www.bigcommerce.com/ecommerce-answers/how-to-write-a-powerful-effective-mission-statement/
Books
- BE 2.0 by Jim Collins & Bill Lazier — Company Values/Purpose/Vision/Mission
Videos
- Articulating Company Values & Living Them Authentically by Jeff Lawson https://youtu.be/0CKI8Jah-Po (33 min)
How and why should I choose business values?
Tools
- Company Culture – Creating Values & Purpose for your Business https://www.kathrynmckenzie.org/culture
Articles
- How a Meaningful Brand Purpose Gives you a Competitive Advantage https://www.atb.com/business/good-advice/start-up-business/how-a-meaningful-brand-purpose-gives-you-a-competitive-edge/
- Selecting Company Values https://www.hotjar.com/blog/company-values/
Books
- BE 2.0 by Jim Collins & Bill Lazier — Company Values/Purpose/Vision/Mission
Videos
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek – How to build a company that will be innovative, influential and inspiring
- https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action (18 min)
- https://youtu.be/HjriwYrGL28 (3 min)
Operations
How do I forecast and manage inventory?
Tools
- Spreadsheet Templates for Inventory Tracking https://blog.sheetgo.com/inventory-processes/top-10-inventory-tracking-excel-templates/
Articles
- 5 Tips to Manage Your Inventory https://smallbusinessbc.ca/article/5-tips-to-manage-your-inventory/
- Comparison of Inventory Management Software https://www.business.org/finance/inventory-management/best-inventory-management-software/
How can I improve my shipping?
Articles
- 12 Ways to Reduce Shipping Costs for Small Business in Canada https://canadiansinternet.com/slash-shipping-costs-canadian-small-businesses/
- How to Reduce Shipping Costs: https://www.shopify.ca/blog/competitive-shipping-as-a-small-shop
- How do Shipping Labels Work: https://www.shipbob.com/blog/fulfillment-basics-how-do-shipping-labels-work/
- How to Improve your Customer’s Shipping Experience https://boldist.co/usability/shipping-experience/
Videos
- How to Package and Ship Orders by Shopify https://youtu.be/RtygijqXsdE
Marketing
How do I create an effective brand for marketing?
Tools
- Branding Package — What to Include and Why by Sofia G. https://thecoderdev.com/branding-package-for-your-company-what-does-it-include-and-why/
- Press Kit & Media Kit — What to Include https://www.prezly.com/academy/press-kit-101-what-to-include-to-get-earned-media-coverage
Articles
- Branding Package — What to Include and Why by Sofia G. https://thecoderdev.com/branding-package-for-your-company-what-does-it-include-and-why/
- Press Kit & Media Kit – What to Include https://www.prezly.com/academy/press-kit-101-what-to-include-to-get-earned-media-coverage
- How do I take professional business photos? https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/blog/how-to-take-professional-photos
- How do I take product photos? https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/how-to-rock-product-photography-on-a-budget/#wrapping-up
- How to create a strong brand by Influence Vibes https://www.averi.ai/learn/anatomy-strong-brand-vibe
Books
- This I Know by Terry O’Reilly — Marketing & Brand Building
- Made to Stick: Why Some ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip & Dan Heath – Marketing
- Story Wars by Jonah Sachs — Marketing, Brand Storytelling
Videos
- How your brand story can cut through the noise: Story Wars by Jonah Sachs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o69xW8wtBhk (8 min)
- How to use keywords to build your brand by Neil Patel https://youtu.be/9uGnlYUjII8 (2 min)
How do I evolve my marketing plan?
Tools
- Evolving Your Personas and Defining your Ideal Market- Amanda Wagner, Flagstaff Crafted Advisor https://www.theamandawagner.com/blog-main/five-reasons-you-need-to-do-the-ideal-client-exercise-again
Articles
- How to write a marketing plan https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/marketing-sales-export/marketing/5-no-nonsense-strategies-attract-customers
- How to Write a Marketing Plan – from BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/marketing-sales-export/marketing/5-no-nonsense-strategies-attract-customers
Books
- This I Know by Terry O’Reilly — Marketing & Brand Building
- Under the Influence Podcast by Terry O’Reilly
Videos
- Marketing Strategies that Work by Seth Godin: https://youtu.be/9YFNgKwv31A (31 min)
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – Learn how to use rapid test cycles to learn what customers really want https://youtu.be/RSaIOCHbuYw (14 min)
How do I create a social media strategy?
Tools
- 30 Day Guide to Develop a Social Media Strategy: Access the template
Articles
- 24 Useful Tools and Apps for Marketers https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/24-useful-tools-and-apps-for-marketers/
- How to be genuine on social media https://eclincher.com/lets-keep-it-real-key-ingredients-for-social-media-authenticity/
Books
- This I Know by Terry O’Reilly — Marketing & Brand Building
- Made to Stick: Why Some ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip & Dan Heath — Marketing
- Story Wars by Jonah Sachs — Marketing, Brand Storytelling
Videos
- How to create a social media strategy by Shopify: https://youtu.be/vaMx2pG3LJw (16 min)
- How To Make 64 Pieces Of Content In A Day from Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.slideshare.net/vaynerchuk/how-to-make-64-pieces-of-content-in-a-day-193602077
Financial
How and why should I create an annual financial report?
Tools
- Annual Financial Report Template https://cf.ltkcdn.net/business/files/2978-how-to-write-annual-finance-reports.pdf
Articles
- 6 Small Business Financial Statements for Startup Financing by The Balance Small Business https://www.thebalancesmb.com/financial-statements-business-plans-397551
- How to Write Annual Finance Reports by Allison Martin https://business.lovetoknow.com/business-operations-corporate-management/how-write-annual-finance-reports
Books
- Profit First by Mike Michaelowicz — cash management solutions, making your business profitable, managing finances
Videos
- 5 Numbers you need to know in your business by Erinn Bridgman https://youtu.be/3Oh3gt6n1u8
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – How to manage your money https://youtu.be/p4PXfyrWcrA (26 min)